Wayward Widow by Nicola Cornick

Author:Nicola Cornick [Cornick, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781408954225
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-03-31T13:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

‘There is a young lady here to see you, madam.’ Segsbury said, when Juliana returned from a shopping trip the following afternoon. He sounded quite impassive, despite the fact that young ladies never called at 7 Portman Square. ‘Two young ladies, to be exact. Miss Davencourt and Miss Clara Davencourt, madam. I showed them into the blue drawing-room, thinking perhaps—’

‘Thinking that the nude sculptures in the Library might shock their delicate sensibilities,’ Juliana finished for him. ‘Thank you, Segsbury. I am indebted to you.’

She passed her hat and coat to the butler, ran a satisfied eye over the huge pile of purchases that the footman was unloading from the carriage, and went across to the Library door. What Kitty and Clara Davencourt might want was anybody’s guess, but Juliana was fairly certain that their brother could not know they were there. She resolved to get rid of the girls as quickly as possible. Chatting to débutantes was not an occupation that held any interest for her and she did not wish to encourage Kitty into thinking of her as a friend. Besides, if Martin found out she would no doubt be subject to another homily on how she was not good enough to associate with his sisters. And the worst of it was that he was right. Visiting Portman Square could damage the Davencourt girls irreparably.

Juliana paused before the mirror, straightened her hair and smoothed down her dress. The worst possible outcome was that Kitty and Clara’s visit might bring Martin to her door again. She did not wish to see him, because whenever she did, she wanted him. She did not simply want to be in his arms. She wanted him. She wanted his honour and integrity and protectiveness. She ached for him to love her and it was infuriating. She had sworn never to fall in love again and she despaired of herself, particularly for choosing a man whose opinion of her was insultingly low. Particularly because she had no intention of marrying ever again.

Juliana pulled a face at herself in the mirror. She also hated maudlin self-pity. So she would stay away from Martin Davencourt. And from his simpering little sisters.

Both the Davencourt girls got to their feet when Juliana entered the room. Today Kitty looked pretty in pale pink, but Clara eclipsed her completely, for she was a glowing creature, bursting with health and vitality. Clara had inherited the fair good looks of the Davencourt family. She had long blonde hair that curled winsomely about her face, a delicious creamy complexion and huge, dark blue eyes. She looked as luscious as a bowl of strawberries and cream.

‘Lady Juliana!’ Clara said. She was staring quite frankly and Juliana found herself trying not to laugh. What gossip had this girl heard about her? Did respectable matrons and chaperons use her as a bogeyman to scare young ladies?

Misbehave yourself and you will turn into Lady Juliana Myfleet!

‘We came…’ Clara pulled herself together with an effort although she did not stop staring.

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