Chapter22
Aurora hugged Juliette tightly outside the hotel. “Write to me when you arrive safely.”
“I will. Will you still be here then, lovey?”
Aurora glanced around, grimacing as a pair of strutting gentlemen rudely brushed past them without the courtesy of a by-your-leave. It was time to move on. “Perhaps not.”
Juliette released her, her smile wide. The older woman’s optimism had returned almost immediately when they’d hatched their plan to make the duke regret setting his mistress aside. Last night, and for the past week, with the help of a number of friendly gentlemen in on the scheme, the duke had come to believe that Juliette was more popular than ever.
And she really was.
Juliette had received dozens of flowers every morning after a ball or dinner they’d attended, all with notes expressing a hope to see her again soon. But having had her week of triumph, she was now on her way to the country, as arranged by Drew. “Where shall I send the letter, then?”
Where indeed? Aurora had remained at the hotel for five weeks now, but she was as uncertain of her place in the world now as she’d always been. She had visited Wharton House many times, and been forgiven as if her affair with Drew had never occurred. But she remembered.
Aurora had not seen Drew since the day she’d taken her leave of him, and no one else had seen him, either. He had completely turned his back on society—and by all accounts, on his father and family, too.
But he had not been disinherited. The duke had not gone through with his threat, as Juliette had assured Aurora he wouldn’t.
Yet, Drew was all alone. That upset her more than she’d imagined possible.
She smiled quickly. “If I am not here, I will leave the hotel manager my address and have him forward any mail,” she promised.
“That is a good idea. Who knows how long it might take for a letter to make its way from me to London?”
“That is true.” Juliette was to stay at the Wharton’s estate until she was certain of her situation. Wharton had been rallied to help Northport’s former mistress almost immediately by Sylvia, and also by his own mother. Together, they had put together a list that offered Juliette any number of choices for accommodation. Leaving London and the duke behind was to be a first step toward embracing her independence, and she would be protected. She had money, a fortune in jewels, but had relied on the duke so much that she lacked financial skills and trusted too easily. Drew had offered his advice, and left her to make her own choices, though.
He was a good man for helping Juliette the way he was, and she would have told him so had she ever seen him.
But she hadn’t. Not once.
He had not attended any of the regular dinners at Lord Wade’s, or soirées at Exeter’s, or even gone to Bradshaw’s with his friends.
Aurora herself seemed to be invited everywhere. For a few weeks, she had been the subject of a number of rumors and speculation. Who she would pick for her next protector seemed a subject that fascinated society, and there were wagers apparently placed on how long those liaisons might last, too.
Juliette boarded the traveling carriage—Sullivan’s carriage—and Aurora waved her off from the hotel. She would miss the woman, and waited on the pavement until the carriage had disappeared from sight.
She turned and found Scarsdale standing a few feet away, a smug smile on his face. He was constantly around now. Ever since her first dinner at Wharton House, when he’d been placed beside her for the meal.
She scowled at him. “How long have you been standing there, watching me?”
“Not long. I must say, you always look beautiful in blue,” he replied, smiling too much for her comfort. “Are you still here?”
“Where else would I be?”
“Where else, indeed?” Scarsdale asked. He seemed to find her continuing to live at the hotel most amusing.
Aurora returned indoors and into the guest parlor. The room was empty today, and she took her usual place by the fire. But without Juliette sitting with her now, her surroundings seemed rather dull. It was certainly not homey.
Scarsdale looked around and arranged himself on the opposite seat. “I wanted to speak to you before I go.”
“Go?”
“Yes, I am overdue to return home. I have some matters to attend to in the country that unfortunately cannot wait.”
Scarsdale always did leave things till the very last minute. “You should attend them, then. Your family will be happy to see you again, I’m sure.”
“All they will do is complain that I’m not married yet,” he grumbled.