Fallen by Celeste Bradley Page A

burst of inspiration. "Come, you must meet them, and my mother, as well."
     
    It looked as though Izzy had charmed Eric out of his ill-humor. They seemed to be getting along famously, now. Julian watched them laughing together, Izzy's hand held fondly in Eric's. They were much alike. They shared a humorous bent, and a basic goodness of nature that he himself lacked. He was glad they were going to be friends. Truly, he was.
    The couple approached a circle of beautiful women. Julian relaxed. Eric's mother and sisters would adore Izzy, being quick-witted and generous themselves.
    He often had thought it a pity he had never engendered a passion for one of the Ladies Calwell. But having spent innumerable holidays with them since boyhood, he could only see them with brotherly affection, despite their great and varied beauty.
    Ranging in age from seventeen to twenty-three, each was certainly lovely in her own right. All six tall, golden goddesses now surrounded Izzy, hiding her from his view.
    He scarcely had time to draw breath before being surrounded himself by lords and ladies alike, clamoring about his mysterious fiancée, now finally unveiled. Pasting on a charming smile, Julian set about firmly establishing Izzy's reputation as a heart-stopping
femme fatale
.
     
    Julian was never far from Izzy's thoughts. Even as she promptly fell in love with the entire Calwell clan, she was watching Julian wend his way through hordes of admiring women. Each received a word, a gallant kiss on the hand, a warm seductive smile. He was so beautiful, so charismatic, so obviously the object of considerable feminine admiration.
    One lady of exceptional beauty stopped him with a gloved hand on his arm. In Izzy's opinion, she stood far too close for strict propriety, before floating away in the arms of someone else.
    After saying something in Julian's ear, another woman watched with a predatory smile as he threw back his head and laughed.
    One hand seductively stroking her throat down to her rather plentiful bosom, a third lady whispered in his ear briefly and moved on, trailing a possessive hand over his shoulder as she left.
    "Oh, do not worry about them, my dear." The Countess of Greenleigh shot a shrewd look at the departing beauty. "They've been trying to land Julian for years. He just smiles and slips away. You are the only one who has caught his interest for more than a moment."
    Izzy could hardly tell Lord Stretton's mother that her engagement to Julian was a fraud, so she bit her lip and turned her eyes away from Julian, who was now occupied with a shining Celia. She would not be envious of his attention to Celia.
    Yet the poisonous memory of their ill-fated liaison crept through her resolve. They had almost been lovers. Might still be, a tiny, treacherous voice said in her mind. Izzy herself was nothing to Julian but a friend. A prop in a time of need, with no claim on his future whatsoever.
    Why shouldn't Julian press a fervent kiss on Celia's wrist, as he was doing now? His life apart from their friendship was of no concern to her, and she wished them happiness.
    Truly, she did.
     
    "Eppingham."
    Julian stiffened. Although nothing had been uttered save his name, he could hear disapproval emanating from every syllable. He turned.
    "Father."
    "I suppose you have some flimsy excuse for defying my wishes."
    "I'm sorry, which particular wishes were those? You have so many." Sarcasm was never the best way to deal with the marquess, but Julian had not had time to armor his humor against an encounter with his father.
    The man's eyes narrowed. Julian was well accustomed to the look. He had earned it time and again throughout his life. He wondered irreverently if his father had ever considered spectacles for his narrow vision.
    Julian imagined saying that to Izzy, and the rich laughter it would effect. He almost fought the smile caused by this musing, then decided that if Izzy were here, she'd have no trouble laughing in this man's face.
    "Stop