THE DUKE CHOSE THE PLAIN GIRL AT A MAYFAIR AUCTION — THEN THE VEIL CAME OFF

Chapter 2

Three hours later, the door of a private drawing room at Halstead House clicked shut behind him.

Evelyn had been left there alone for a quarter of an hour, which she had spent doing what she always did: learning the room. The scent of lemon oil and old paper. A fire built too high for October. Two Rembrandt etchings hung slightly crooked, as though nobody had ever dared to straighten them. A clock on the mantel that ran four minutes fast.

She kept her veil on.

He entered without ceremony and did not bow. He did not smile. He looked at her for a long moment with an expression she could not name, and then he said:

“You are not Juliana.”

It was not a question.

“No, Your Grace.”