closest thing he had to a best friend. 'Is the earl destitute?'
Marchant nodded gravely. 'Very nearly. In addition to the staggering amount he owes Remington's, merchants have begun repossessing goods and duns have become regular visitors to the Montrose residence here in town. Soon they will set up a veritable encampment on his doorstep.'
Lucien whistled softly. In these days of industrial progression, many aristocrats were losing centuries of inheritance due to their own reluctance to engage in trade or invest in the future. As a man of his own means, Lucien had little respect for anyone who allowed his pride to get in the way of survival. 'How does his situation affect Lady Julienne?'
'Lady Julienne?' Marchant repeated, his gaze clearly perplexed through his gold-rimmed spectacles. 'She's just begun her first Season, which is remarkable only for the timing of it-she's twenty. Why she waited until now to come out is anyone's guess. She has a respectable portion, but the amount is rumored to be unremarkable. Any serious suitor for her hand will accept responsibility for her brother's future debts. Quite frankly, she'll need to marry for money, but that shouldn't be a problem. She's very popular, has excellent lineage, and boasts great beauty.'
Lucien leaned back in his chair. 'Who is sponsoring her Season?'
'Her godmother, the Marchioness of Canlow.' Marchant frowned. 'Why this interest in Lady Julienne?'
Preferring to keep his thoughts to himself, Lucien said nothing.
'No,' Marchant said suddenly. 'Leave the girl alone.'
'Beg your pardon?'
'I've seen that look on your face before. Stick with your demimondaines and bored aristocrats' wives. Lady Julienne has had a rough time of it. Her brother became Montrose at the tender age of nine and has proven to be ill-equipped for the responsibility. She must marry well. Don't ruin it for her.'
On any other occasion, Lucien might have found the warning amusing. But this was no laughing matter.
His blasted conscience was to blame for his predicament. He should have fucked Julienne when he had the opportunity and sated his craving. Not even the past three nights of outright debauchery had relieved his desire. Instead he felt soiled. The emotionless encounters had been sad, sordid imitations of the sweet pleasure he'd shared with Julienne.
'Stay out of my affairs,' he growled.
'It's my job to manage your affairs,' Marchant retorted.
'I don't pay you to censure my behavior.'
'You overpay me, Lucien. Allow me to earn my wages.'
Lucien shot him a dark glance. 'Why the concern for a woman you've never met?'
'I have met her.' Marchant smiled at his surprise. 'A few months ago, you sent me to the earl's home regarding his growing balance at the club. Montrose was away, but Lady Julienne invited me in for tea, despite my purpose for being there. She was charming and genuine, a true lady. I liked her immensely.'
In spite of himself, Lucien smiled. Julienne saw the individual goodness in everyone she met. One couldn't help but bask in the glow of her regard.
'I have no intention of ruining her, Harold.'
'I'm relieved to hear that.'
'In fact, I'd like to help her. Hire someone to find Montrose. I want to know where he is.'
'As you wish.' Marchant rose to his feet. 'Anything else you require?'
Lucien was silent for a moment. 'Yes. I want you to compile a list of suitable marriage prospects for Lady Julienne. Rich, titled gentlemen, neither too old nor too young. Attractive, if possible. And research their backgrounds. No one with any odd fetishes or disagreeable personalities. No one who smells or has uncontrollable vices.'
Marchant stood dumbfounded, with mouth agape, the first time in Lucien's memory the man-of-affairs was rendered speechless.
And Lucien was so bloody miserable, he couldn't even enjoy it.
Chapter Five
Julienne drank in the sight of Lucien Remington like a woman dying of thirst. He was stunning in black evening attire, his raven hair and remarkable eyes shining under the chandeliers, his golden skin in sharp contrast to the snowy white of his waistcoat and cravat. She'd thought of him constantly over the last week, wondered what he was doing, whom he was seeing. She suspected she was besotted, which would be the worst sort of foolishness.
'Julienne.' Aunt Eugenia tugged on her arm. 'Lord Fontaine is heading this way.'
She turned her head and watched the marquess approach her with his slow, sultry stride. Greek god handsome, Fontaine was every bit the experienced rake. At the prime age of three and twenty, the young marquess had determined he was in need of a wife, and Julienne appeared to be on his list of suitable prospects. She pasted a sunny smile on her face and queried under her breath, 'Are you certain he's kind enough to help Hugh?'
Eugenia maintained her pleasant expression as she whispered back, 'Kindness would be a bonus. I can tell you he's wealthy enough. Just remember, a woman can usually get what she desires from a man with the right amount of charm and compromise.'
Julienne wrinkled her nose. She didn't want to charm a man into being kind; she wanted him to be that way naturally. She hoped to find someone knowledgeable enough to set Hugh on the path to maturity and financial independence. She felt certain that with the proper guidance, her brother could be turned around. But the hand that guided him had to be compassionate as well as firm.
Lord Fontaine bowed before her. He claimed her outstretched hand and brushed a kiss across the back of her glove. 'Lady Julienne, your beauty steals the breath from me.'
'And you, Lord Fontaine, are especially dashing this evening.'
Allowing her mind to drift, Julienne bantered the standard social pleasantries without thought. She was relieved when he asked her to stroll around the dance floor. As they began to walk, she saw Lucien take the hand of a beautiful brunette known for her scandalous liaisons. Her heart clenched. Their dark beauty as a couple was striking.
She stared, but Lucien never once turned to catch her eye. In fact, he hadn't spared her a glance all evening.
Fontaine followed her gaze and snorted. 'That Remington mongrel is a blight on Society. I have no notion why he continues to receive invitations.'
'Lord Fontaine!' Julienne was astonished by his rudeness. He offered a dashing smile, but she suddenly found him less than charming.
'His kind has no business mingling with First Society. It taints us all.'
She stiffened, and Fontaine easily adjusted his steps to compensate. Knowing it would be proper to hold her tongue, she still couldn't manage it. 'Mr. Remington has made a fortune for himself with hard work and determination. I would think that would be cause for admiration.'
'I admire his ability to make money, Lady Julienne,' he conceded, 'but the manners in which he does so are vulgar. He's nothing more than a domesticated pirate, and his…
Julienne stopped abruptly, causing Fontaine to stumble. Lean and sinewy, he recovered quickly.
'I find your comments offensive, my lord.'
Fontaine frowned. With a firm hand, he urged her forward again. 'I apologize if I have offended. I merely stated the truth.'
'Are you that well acquainted with him?' she challenged.
'Now… I wouldn't say that.'
'Then perhaps there are hidden depths to his character of which you are unaware.'
Her gaze drifted to Lucien as they passed him. He engaged his companion with singular attention. He'd found his latest conquest. And here she was defending his character like a lovesick ninny.
