Page 123 of Wild Lily
“My wife wishes to care for our tenants and servants. I welcome that.”
His mother growled. “She buys anything she wants.”
He stood with such force, his chair toppled backward.
“Perkins,” he addressed the butler. “See to it that my mother leaves the house today. You will have her maid and two of the upstairs maids ready her trunks. Two footmen go to the dower house immediately to open it and clean it as best they can. Two more go tomorrow to finish the task.”
His mother pushed back from the table and rose. “I will not go.”
“You will go or I will throw you out. Choose.”
White as a ghost, she groped for words. Her jaw worked but she was incapable of sound.
A very good thing, too.What else could be said that was more sordid than what they’d already uttered?
She marched out.
Perkins, wise man, shut the door swiftly behind her.
The footman replaced Julian’s chair and Julian resumed his place.
Leland inhaled.
“I am sorry you had to witness that,” Julian told him.
“Don’t be.”
Julian sipped at his coffee. His appetite however had fled.
Presently, Leland said, “I’m afraid I have more bad news.”
Julian gave an outraged laugh. “Well, do tell me. It can’t be worse than this.”
“You asked me to look into certain rumors about you and the duchess in the London tabloids.”
“You found the papers?”
“I did. I had my assistant combing the pages daily ever since you told me.”
“Right after my father died.”
“Yes.”
“And what?”
“They are scurrilous. Astonishing in their content.”
Julian could not believe it. “How so?”
“They allege that you and your wife engage in…” Leland was red with embarrassment.
“Come, Leland. We are men. Out with it.”
“Risqué sport.”
Julian swallowed his disgust. What went on his bed was his private purview. “I don’t understand.”
“They say you indulge in erotic play with chains and leather.”
