Page 32 of Corrupting his Duchess

Clarissa gave a knowing look. “Some wounds leave a permanent distaste.”

“And now,” Lady Daphne added with a pointed glance at Anna, “everyone sees him looking at you. Of course people will wonder.”

She trailed off dramatically, letting her eyes widen with theatrical relish.

Anna said nothing.

But she could feel every eye on her. Every carefully modulated breath in the room.

Gretchen glanced sideways. “A pity how convenient stories become legend without ever being confirmed.”

“Perhaps,” Clarissa replied sweetly. “But I’d rather not see any friend of mine set her heart on a man who hasn’t one left to give.”

Julia set her biscuit down with careful precision. “Clarissa.”

“Yes?”

“If there’s anything more exhausting than listening to a woman clutch her pearls over another woman’s conversation, it’s watching her do it while visibly pining for the same man.”

The room went still.

Clarissa flushed. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You do,” Julia said sweetly, “but don’t worry. We all pretend not to notice when you corner him and laugh like a broken wind chime. It’s very gallant of us, truly.”

Anna’s eyes widened. Gretchen bit her lip.

Clarissa sputtered, “Well…I…It’s hardly appropriate.”

“What’s hardly appropriate is policing someone else’s reputation when you’re hoping to trip into a title by next season.”

Clarissa’s mouth dropped open. “How dare you!”

Julia turned to her with a soft, dangerous smile. “Darling. You’re in a room full of women who know exactly how the game is played. Don’t insult us.”

Julia rose, brushing crumbs from her skirts and reaching for her sister’s hand. “Well, this has been charming. Absolutely brimming with grace, subtlety, and the usual helping of claws.”

She smiled, not kindly.

“Do try not to flay each other while I’m gone.”

Then, to her sister seated quietly near the corner, “Natalie, love, we’re going. You’ve absorbed enough feminine virtue for one afternoon.”

Anna looked on absently, still half-lost in thought.

Julia leaned down as she passed and whispered in Anna’s ear, “Third door on the left, east wing. Not that I think you’ll use that information, of course.”

Anna’s breath caught. She turned to say something, but Julia was already straightening, her expression the very picture of innocence.

“Goodnight, ladies,” Julia called out lightly, tugging Natalie along with a grin.

Anna stared after her, stunned. Gretchen leaned in and murmured, “You have to admit, she’s effective.”

Clarissa sat stiffly, lips pressed thin.

Anna swallowed and stood too. The echo of Julia’s words, and Clarissa’s, buzzed at her temples.

Everyone knows he doesn’t intend to marry.