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F eminine outrage erupted in the drawing room of Drake’s London mansion.

Seated next to her mother, Juliana wanted to make herself as small as possible until she simply vanished.

Not that the ladies of The League weren’t supportive.

They were furious on her behalf, but Juliana had never been comfortable with so much attention directed at her.

“They’ve gone too far this time,” Miranda said, handing the scandal sheet to Anne, who had arrived later—per usual. Miranda pointed to the paragraphs in question.

The roar settled down to a hum as Anne scanned the contents. Honestly, Juliana was surprised Anne hadn’t already read it. She was typically the first to obtain a copy of the spurious paper.

Anne’s gaze darted toward Juliana. “Did you really pose nude?”

Miranda rolled her eyes. “Of course she didn’t, you ninny.”

Anne squared her shoulders. “Just because Charlotte isn’t here doesn’t mean you have to speak for her in absentia.”

Juliana pressed her lips together, fighting the laugh even under the horrible circumstances. No offense to Anne, but the fact that she even knew the word absentia was humorous. Leave it to Anne to add a bit of frivolity to the direst of situations.

Bea pushed her spectacles up her nose and turned toward Juliana.

“The question, as I see it, is why has the culprit recently focused their attacks on you? We need to start charting possibilities. For example, we should list people we may have offended who might have a vendetta against us, but who also were privy to the information twisted in this abomination posing as a newspaper.” Bea pointed at the copy of The Muckraker and shuddered.

“That’s an excellent idea, Bea.” Honoria rose. “I’ll get some paper and a pencil.”

Bea gestured for Honoria to sit back down. “No need. My memory is excellent, and I will put something together for the next meeting. I’m also curious why the culprit would mention something so specific as posing unclothed.”

Juliana, her mother, and Honoria all exchanged a glance. After Victor’s cryptic remark about additional sketches when he left earlier, Juliana discovered Victor had mentioned them to Drake as well but had failed to provide the subject’s name.

“They should have all the information.” Mother squeezed Juliana’s hand and nodded toward the other ladies.

“Mr. Pratt said there are some sketches of another woman who could be mistaken for me. However, he told Drake he is unsure anyone saw them.”

“That must be it,” Anne said.

“Did Mr. Pratt say who?” Bea removed The Muckraker from Anne’s grasp, scanning it. “We could confront her to confirm.”

Honoria squirmed in her seat, her gaze glued to her folded hands in her lap.

“Honoria?” Miranda’s tone reminded Juliana of Mother’s censure when Juliana had come in from an especially vigorous ride covered with mud. Miranda really did seem to be filling in for Charlotte.

“I can’t imagine it would be her,” Honoria said. “She would never pose in such a manner.”

“Who? We can’t know unless we ask her,” Bea said. “Why Laurence has a portrait of me in his?—”

“Don’t remind me.” Miranda gave a little shudder. “However, my brother is your husband, Bea. It’s different. Whomever Victor sketched is not his wife.”

Juliana wasn’t so na?ve as to believe Victor hadn’t had encounters with other women, but the idea still stung. She prayed the sketches were simply an artistic endeavor.

Miranda returned her attention to Honoria and softened her tone. “But it would help if we knew.”

Honoria gave a little nod, giving in to the pressure from her friends. “Adalyn Lovelace, or I should say Talbot, resembles Juliana a little. More in their coloring than anything.”

Anne sat up in her chair. “The American woman? Didn’t Mr. Pratt court her?”

What?

Honoria’s eyes met Juliana’s, the message in them an apology.

“He did. But Adalyn did not reciprocate Mr. Pratt’s feelings.

Adalyn liked him, of course, but Lord Nash was the man who held her affection.

” A blush rose to Honoria’s cheeks, and she averted her gaze from Juliana’s scrutiny.

Clearly, there was more to the story than Honoria let on.

Air rushed from Juliana’s lungs, the information landing like a well-aimed arrow in her chest. Coupled with the fact that the lady in question had married another, Honoria’s words, although carefully chosen, twisted the shaft, causing the arrowhead to gouge the wound deeper. Juliana’s heart hurt.

For herself, yes. But also for Victor. The sketches explained so much.

“Of course. How could I forget all the commotion at Ashton’s ball? Especially since it led to more scandalous reports from that gossip sheet.” Miranda pointed to The Muckraker in Bea’s hands. “The vitriol aimed at you, Honoria, sickened me.”

Honoria was involved?

“Regardless,” Honoria said, once again meeting Juliana’s gaze. “I’m certain Adalyn did not pose for such sketches.”

Anne slumped in her chair, her lips pursed in a pout. “And she’s in America, so we can’t ask her.”

Relief washed over Juliana that the woman who possibly held Victor’s heart was an ocean away.

“I could ask Victor.” Her cheeks flamed at the idea of asking Victor such a sensitive question, but she would do it if it meant debunking the vicious rumor.

“But why wouldn’t Victor say anything?” she mumbled, giving voice to the thought.

“To protect Adalyn?” Miranda offered.

Bea rolled her eyes at her sister-in-law. “I don’t think The Muckraker’s reach extends to America.”

“Drake mentioned that Victor had an idea he wished to pursue. Perhaps that is the reason,” Juliana said.

“Now, that makes sense,” Bea said.

“My suggestion made sense,” Miranda said, sounding like a put-upon child.

Bea turned to Juliana. “We love each other, truly.”

That time, Miranda rolled her eyes. “I tolerate you for Laurence’s sake.”

Honoria gave a delicate cough. “Well, shall we get back to the matter at hand? If we could all recount instances where The Muckraker directed its attack on us, with attention paid to whomever could have been privy to the information, Bea will catalogue it to identify any common threads. Thank you, Bea, for suggesting it.”

As each lady went through the list of grievances against the notorious paper, Juliana’s mind drifted. How deep were Victor’s feelings for Adalyn Lovelace? Did he love her? Did he still love her? And what did it mean that Juliana resembled her?

Before she realized it, Honoria had called the meeting to a close.

Bea rose. “Allow me a few days to compile and analyze this information. Then, if agreeable to all, we can reconvene to discuss my findings.”

As everyone filed out, Juliana glanced at the clock on the mantle. Little time remained before Victor returned that afternoon. “Honoria, may we speak in private?”

Concern grew on her mother’s face, but she drew Juliana into her arms for an embrace. “All will be well. I can feel it in here.” She pressed a hand to her heart.

Although Juliana looked on the bright side most of the time, she wished she had her mother’s unfailing optimism. Intuition told her she would need it.

With her mother gone, Juliana turned toward Honoria. “There’s something you’re not saying about Victor and Miss Lovelace. All things considered, don’t you think I deserve to know?”

Honoria sank into her chair, and a sad smile curled her lips. “Am I that transparent?”

Juliana kneeled before her dearest friend and took Honoria’s hands in her own. “You are to me. Remember, we practically grew up together.” A smile tugged Juliana’s lips. “And you’re not a very good liar. Now, tell me about Victor and Adalyn. And how were you involved?”

“The summer before Drake’s house party, Lord Nash and I were thrown together by decree of our families.

We both agreed we were not suited, but in order to give him time to secure funds for an investment and for me to reach my twenty-fifth birthday when Father would release my dowry, we entered a pretend courtship. ”

Oh! Were pretend courtships common among these people?

“Early in our pretense, Adalyn and her father came for an extended visit with Ashton. The duke had practiced medicine with Dr. Lovelace in America. The attraction between Lord Nash and Adalyn became clear to me, so I”—her gaze dipped to her lap where Juliana clasped their hands together—“I orchestrated some meetings.”

Juliana fell back, releasing Honoria’s hands and seating herself fully on the floor. Perhaps she didn’t know her sister-in-law as well as she’d thought. “You didn’t?!”

Honoria’s smile turned sly, and she gave a tiny nod.

“But what about Victor?”

“Please believe me. I had no idea Victor’s intentions toward Adalyn had become so serious. At the ball Miranda mentioned, he tried to propose to Adalyn, but she rejected him.”

“Poor Victor.”

Honoria’s gaze became unfocused. “The heart wants what it wants.”

Somehow, Juliana understood Honoria wasn’t only speaking of Victor.

“Do you think Victor still loves her?”

“I don’t know. Adalyn wasn’t convinced he loved her as much as the idea of her.” Honoria retook Juliana’s hands in hers. “You’re concerned because I said you resemble Adalyn?”

Even though her attachment to Victor wasn’t real, the question lingered. “Yes.” Victor’s tender touches, his kiss upon her hand, the softness in his eyes when he looked at her—could they be because he was imagining Adalyn?

“You are your own woman, Juliana. Are there similarities? Yes. But Victor is an honorable man. He’s proven that today. He cares for you— you , Juliana.”

A knock at the door drew their attention to the nurse in the doorway. “Beg your pardon, Your Grace. Lady Kitty is awake.”

With a final squeeze to Juliana’s hands, Honoria rose. “Trust Victor, Juliana.”

Juliana hoped with all her heart she could.

Seated before his father’s desk, Victor tried to explain. “As usual, the reports in The Muckraker are false. However, to save Miss Merrick’s reputation, I have offered for her.”