“You must go back for my sister,” Juliettereminded Acker. What if they came upon Genviève at the theatre?Others have mistaken them for the other in the past, before theycame to know the sisters. Genviève would be unprepared.
Acker nodded. “As soon as I have you safelyhome I will see to her.”
This did give Juliette a bit of comfort butwhat if instead of Bentley and the others discovering her sister,Genviève began walking home before he could return? What ifsomething happened to her?
No, she couldn’t think on that.
Hélène stopped before the townhouse wherethey had taken rooms and entered the building before leading themup the flight of steps to the second landing. Juliette’s heartpounding at the near discovery and with fear of what her motherwould say.
Her sister pushed the door open and Juliettefollowed her inside, as did Acker. She should have told him toremain on the street and go back for Genviève but it was toolate.
“What are you doing here?” her motherdemanded of Acker from her place on the settee.
Lord Acker bowed. “Good evening, LadyBentley. It has been a long time.”
Her mother’s face lost all color and shepulled the blanket tightly around her. It took a moment before shecomposed herself and she glanced at the trio. “Where isGenviève?”
“At the theatre,” Juliette answered.
“Why did you leave without her?” Mamandemanded.
“They were there,” Juliette answered. “LordBentley and his brothers,” she clarified.
“They recognized you?” Her mother’s questionwas more of a statement.
“Yes,” Acker answered.
Maman pushed the blanket aside and attemptedto stand. She was far too weak and the movement brought on anothercoughing fit. “Why are you with my daughter?” she asked weaklyafter she had calmed.
“When Bentley recognized Juliette I realizedwho she was and thought to shield her from the shock of finding outshe had a family.” He turned to Juliette. “You had told me yourfather died. Was that a lie?”
She took a step back. “He died when I was achild.”
“No, Juliette,” her mother said weakly. “Hedied last year.”
Juliette swayed on her feet and the roomtilted. Acker steadied her with a hand at her elbow and led her toa matching settee. Her father had been alive all of this time? Whyhadn’t they lived with him?
She looked over at her mother. Father hadsent them to France? Why? What kind of gentleman makes his wife andchild leave their home and forbid them to return?
“This changes much. You know that,” Ackersaid.
Juliette shook the previous thoughts from hermind. What did it change? She wasn’t going to let the fact that herhalf-brother, who also happened to be a lord, change anything. Shewould dance whether they liked it or not. And, she would return toMilan, where she had a life she loved. It was clear they were notwelcome in England, or at least, her father hadn’t wanted them sothere was no reason to remain.
Unless Lord Acker meant something elseentirely. Juliette stood and looked him in the eye. She needed toknow the truth of his feelings. “That because I am not just aballerina but a lady you no longer wish to make me yourmistress?”
There was a gasp from Hélène.
“This is why I told you to stay away fromhim,” her mother cried. “I told you the likes of Acker would ruinyou.”
Acker turned toward maman but before he couldsay whatever words he planned, the room filled with four gentlemenand a young woman she did not recognize. Genviève stood amongstthem. One broke from the group and marched toward Acker, his armraised. “How dare you ruin my sister!” The fist connected withAcker’s jaw before he had a chance to react. Juliette tried tocatch Lord Acker as he stumbled back but his weight was too muchfor her and she tumbled with him onto the settee.
Acker straightened and glared at the otherman. “It is not what you think.” He came to his feet and prowledtowards the gentlemen who had struck him.
“I am sure it is,” the man sneered.
“You, of all people dare to judge me?” Ackerlaughed. “Did it ever occur to you that the ladies of your past hadbrothers as well?” He circled around the man. “I shared a bottle ofbrandy with one of those brothers this evening. You remember Mr.Jonathan Bridges, don’t you? I recall you being quite close to hiswidowed sister, Lady Rothsbury.”
The man who struck Acker raised his fistagain.
“Jordan, now is not the time or place,” a manspoke from his place by the door. Juliette suspected he was theeldest, Bentley.
“You are correct.” Jordan let his arm drop.“Tomorrow morning in Green Park. Have your second contactBentley.”
“What?” Juliette cried.
The man named Jordan smiled at her with warmaffection. “I could not protect you before, but I can now.”
Whatever did he mean by such a statement? Shehadn’t ever needed anyone’s protection. “I don’t understand,” shecried to the room in general.
Acker turned toward her, a half smile on hislips as if he found humor in this situation. “He has challenged mefor any insult I caused you.”
“But it is not for him to decide if I aminsulted.”
“Ah, but it is.” He gestured to the fourgentlemen. “You now have brothers. Four of them. Your life is nolonger your own.”
“No,” Juliette yelled. “They will not marchin here and take over.”
Acker shook his head. “I wish you luck inkeeping them from doing so. You don’t know them nearly as well asI.”
It didn’t matter one whit how powerful theywere. She had lived twenty-five years without their intrusion intoher life and she could live another twenty-five without them,especially if they wished to send maman away.
“You should go, Acker,” the man Julietteassumed was Bentley announced. “This is a family matter.”
Acker bowed to Juliette. “I will
