Last Dance in London (Rakes on the Run #1) - Sydney Jane Baily Page 0,67

the window when encountering the earl.

Unsure whether she wanted him to behave or not, she entered the drawing room, glowing with candlelight and abuzz with happy voices. To her dismay, she realized he was escorted a young lady, and instantly the shine went off the evening.

Lady Arabella Doulton, a dark-haired earl’s daughter, had been linked with at least two other noblemen that Season. Both of them reportedly were overcome with disappointment when she’d moved on, at least according to the Morning Post. Even Julia, who was on the outside of the quality set, recognized the woman’s popularity, for her looks and her fortune.

As everyone was circling the room meeting the other guests, it was inevitable the earl and his lady would reach her soon. Their hostess had not yet told her with whom she would be partnered, leaving Julia feeling every bit the shabby-nab, standing by herself.

As expected, Jasper and Lady Arabella came over.

“Do you two know one another?” he asked before making introductions.

Also as expected, the earl’s daughter had no interest in speaking with a scrub, and she soon rumped Julia, giving her a good view of her backside as she wandered off.

“What a pleasant companion,” Julia remarked.

“I’m not with the lady for her kindness,” Jasper returned evenly, raising an eyebrow, leaving her in no doubt why he was with the beauty.

With Lady Chandron to be taken care of and now Lady Arabella in his sights, her favorite rake was going to be quite busy. She should give him the cut infernal and examine her shoes until he gave up taunting her and walked away.

However, the smirk upon his handsome face was a warning he wasn’t finished with her yet. In fact, he was staring at her, waiting for something. When he was close enough to touch, Julia saw it — his sapphire cravat pin, nestled in the folds of his elegant neckcloth. Her gaze flew to his.

“Is something wrong, Miss Sudbury?” he asked, knowing full well the reason for her look of surprise.

“No,” she said. “It seems everything is quite right.”

He was plainly the reason she’d lost her pawning privileges at Rundell, Bridge, and Rundell. Yet knowing he’d retrieved his father’s pin, she was glad of it. She only wished she could have returned it to him, redeeming herself a little in his eyes while putting a smile on his face.

“Who is your dining partner this evening?” he asked. “Some eager, artless young man?”

“Such as Mr. Furley from your dinner party?” she asked, keeping her tone light. Truthfully, Julia couldn’t imagine being interested in anyone so simple after having dallied with the complex Earl of Marshfield.

“Furley would have been an awful match for you,” Jasper declared. “And with his mother being part of the package, a large part, I cannot imagine any woman—”

“Then you didn’t see the papers?” she interrupted. “For I read recently, he has in fact made an engagement.”

“Is that so?” Jasper appeared surprised. “My sympathies go out to the unfortunate young lady.”

She might have chuckled if she wasn’t preoccupied by one sobering thought.

“Have you done it yet?”

“It?” he asked, genuinely perplexed.

“With the viscountess. Bedded her, I mean?”

Both his eyebrows rose that time, probably at the boldness of her question.

“No,” he said quietly.

“Why?” she fired back, hoping he would say he couldn’t go through with it regardless of how that would thrust her and Sarah back into the threat of blackmail.

He shrugged. “Luckily, she was out when next I went to her house. Her husband was there. I wanted to punch him for not being able to satisfy his own wife. But, of course, I’ve already done that.”

So, he was truly ready to perform the service.

“It’s really all Lord Chandron’s fault,” Julia muttered, causing Jasper to send her a withering stare.

“I know it’s mine,” she corrected. “I am aware of that. But I don’t suppose you’ve come up with a plan to discourage her.”

“No, I don’t suppose I have,” he said and sipped his wine.

“I cannot let her threaten Sarah.”

“As I told you,” he reminded her, his expression hardening, “I will not let that happen. I can pride myself I am still the coveted prize she seeks, and she’ll leave you and your sister alone.”

That brought a wry smile to her lips. “A dubious honor, but yes, I believe you are.”

Ultimately, he would go through with the deed. And she would try not to even feel sorry for him.

At that moment, their hostess, brought over a perfectly bland young man to be her dining partner. With