The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman

Author:Wendy Soliman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-08-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Leo pulled a fresh shirt over his head, preoccupied with thoughts of Julia’s doppelgänger. Until a response to his enquiries shed light on her true identity, he was left to make what sense of her presence he could. He’d welcome anything that explained the irresistible draw he felt towards her, the overwhelming urge to offer her protection in spite of knowing her to be a liar and a fraud. There was a gentle vulnerability about her, a wariness he’d never seen in the real Julia, a fragility that made him afraid for her. Unless he’d lost the ability to read people, she was out of her depth, had taken on more than she’d bargained for. It would take very little pressure to make her do something rash.

She was a lady, but not used to living as a lady. Leo had no idea how he knew it. He just did. She was educated and well mannered but social chit-chat didn’t come naturally to her. He was convinced she had no idea who half the people the other ladies spoke about actually were. But she hid it well and was so good at turning inquisitive questions back on her interlocutors that he doubted whether anyone else had noticed. Even so, the strain was starting to show.

He threw aside his second spoiled neckcloth and started again, blaming the impostor for his fumbling efforts.

Who the devil was she?

She was deeply involved with Julia’s attempts to steal other people’s property, he reminded himself. What other purpose could there possibly be for this elaborate charade? Somehow Leo had no difficulty imagining Julia up to her pretty neck in this business but wondered just how much the impostor actually knew about the real reason for her presence here. He had firsthand knowledge of Julia’s ability to play people off against one another and knew she’d never place anyone’s welfare ahead of her own.

This evening the informal ridotto would provide him with an opportunity to test this other lady. To push her a little to see if anything gave. He was surprised when his conscience put up objections to this resolve, and ruthlessly suppressed them. The woman had presumably entered into the deception for reasons of financial gain and so only had herself to blame. He, on the other hand, had the welfare of the duchess’s tiara to consider and couldn’t afford to waste opportunities to get to the bottom of the fraud.

Neckcloth finally tied to his satisfaction, Leo went downstairs to join the others. The main terrace had been transformed since he’d taken tea there with the ladies a few short hours ago. Several tables had been erected, covered with snowy-white linen and laid with the finest crystal and delicate china. Lavish floral arrangements decorated the centre of each one, and dozens of candles in elaborate candelabra had already been set aflame, even though it was not yet full dark. Garlands of flowers had been draped across the potted shrubs, making fragrant archways for the diners to pass beneath.

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