Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom(153)

She was beautiful in a gentle, almost melancholic way, her pale, fine-boned features perhaps a trifle too thin, but blessed with a smooth, perfect complexion. But it was her extraordinary eyes that drew one’s attention—large, thickly lashed, and the color of fine sherry. Those eyes seemed to look right through Justine to her very soul, as if the woman had seen terrible sorrows and had survived by willpower alone. There was an impression of strength, but one so subtle that most would fail to notice it. Justine suspected the woman preferred it that way.

She appeared to be in her midthirties or perhaps slightly older.

“Mrs. Steele, thank you for meeting me,” she said. “Please forgive me for making you wait.”

Justine blinked at the extraordinarily rich and slightly husky tone to her voice. If she were a man, she would have immediately fallen under the woman’s spell for no other reason than her voice. It was both beautiful and weary, as if there was nothing she didn’t know about the world.

When Justine remained silent, the woman tilted her head and inspected her with a quietly amused glint in her gaze. There was something so familiar about the look that Justine felt prickles rise on the nape of her neck.

“Shall we walk, Mrs. Steele?” She cast a furtive glance around. “It wouldn’t be wise to be remarked upon.”

“Oh, yes, of course. Do forgive me. Which way shall we walk, do you think?” She winced at her babble, but the woman was too polite to notice.

“Away from Piccadilly.” She turned, heading in the direction she’d come, and Justine hurried to catch up with her. After a few strides, the woman glanced over and slowed her pace.

“Forgive me,” she said. “I’m told I’m always in a bustle. It makes me a less than ideal walking companion.”

“You are quite a bit taller than most women, so that probably explains it.”

The woman flashed a smile, and again Justine had an eerie sense of familiarity.

“True, but since neither of us is here for a leisurely stroll in the park, I suggest we discuss the real reason. That would be the baby’s safety.”

Justine nodded. “You’re the woman who left him on our doorstep, aren’t you?”

“Yes. The child’s life was in danger and I could no longer keep him safe. It was necessary that I leave him where he would be protected, someplace where Marzano wouldn’t think to look.” She let out a disgusted little snort. “Obviously, I wasn’t careful enough, but I was under a great deal of pressure at the time. My preparations were unfortunately rushed.”

Justine eyed her clothes. They were plain but expensive and well-made. “Did the count hire you to look after the baby?”

“Is that what he told you? That I was a nurse who made off with the baby?”

“Essentially, yes.”

The woman let out a brief, humorous laugh. “And did he say what would be my purpose in doing so?”


“Possibly blackmail, but more likely that you were not in your right mind.”

She glanced at Justine, her fine eyebrows lifting. “Do you believe that?”

Justine slowed to a halt, forcing the other woman to do the same. When Justine peered into her face, a slight smile curved up the woman’s lips. But she remained quiet and still, letting Justine look her fill.

“No, I don’t,” Justine finally said. “I think you want to protect Stephen.”

The woman gave her an approving smile. “I do.”

“So, you never worked for the count or the duke.”

“Certainly not,” the woman replied as she began walking. “I knew the child’s mother. I took her in when her parents abandoned her.”