Page 46 of A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Heirs

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 toThe Muckrakerin 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 thinkThe Muckraker’sreach extends to America.”

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

“Now,thatmakes 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 whereThe Muckrakerdirected 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 hestilllove 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 birthdaywhen 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.”

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