The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman Page A

twice daily has made them almost respectable. Did I not say that it would?”
    “His lordship won’t be fooled.”
    “He’ll be so taken with you that he won’t notice your hands.”
    Katrina shuddered. “That’s what concerns me.”
    “Now then, what more?” Celia stood back and regarded Katrina, frowning. “Yes, I think you’ll do very well. Just a little of milady’s distinctive Bourgeois and Amik perfume.” She applied it liberally, making Katrina sneeze.
    “I can’t do this,” Katrina said, sinking onto the side of the bed and clutching her aching head in her hands.
    “Of course you can! Did I not mention that my master is short-sighted but too vain to wear glasses. He is expecting to entertain his wife and in the dim light of a bedchamber he won’t realise that you aren’t her.”
    “You make it sound so straightforward. Probably because it’s not you who’s about to be pawed by a stranger.”
    “I think I can hear his lordship.” Celia’s voice took on an urgent edge as she tripped to the connecting door and pressed her ear to it. Against her better judgement Katrina followed her, naked fear twisting at her insides as she tried to decide whether there really was a chance of Celia’s crazy plan succeeding. If Dupont caught her trying to drug him he’d bellow like a bull, bringing the whole household to their door. “He’s in there. I can hear him talking to his man.”
    Time seemed to stand still. In the face of Celia’s determination, Katrina felt powerless to do anything other than to follow her instructions. She thought about her late husband and the more perilous situations she’d faced when he was alive. Had it not been for Julia’s father, she would likely have been hanged for murder.
    That decided her. She lifted her chin, took a deep breath and knew she could do this.
    “All right, milady, it’s time. I’ve just heard him dismiss his man.” Celia slipped the small phial of laudanum into Katrina’s hand. “I’ll be right here on the other side of this door if you need me.”
    She patted Katrina’s shoulder, opened the door and gave her a small shove in the back when her limbs refused to move, sending her tumbling into the room. Lord Dupont looked up, clearly surprised that she’d taken the initiative, but he made no effort to disguise his pleasure. His eyes widened, filling with lusty appreciation as they lingered on her body.
    Her night rail was of the finest lustre. With the candlelight directly behind her, she would appear almost naked, and it was apparent that Lord Dupont considered her attitude to be a provocative invitation. Oh hell, what had she done?
    “Too eager to wait, eh?” Dupont chuckled and reached for her. “You’ve changed, Julia.” He screwed up his eyes and examined her closely.
    Katrina’s heart arrested. Now was the time when he’d notice the differences and demand an explanation. She wanted to say something to deflect his close scrutiny but her mind was a complete blank as she waited for the axe to fall. She could only thank God that as well as being intoxicated, he had impaired vision. Added to that the room was dimly lit so he wouldn’t see her features clearly. Even so, she expected the penny to drop at any moment and for him to cry foul.
    “Whatever’s brought about the alteration, I’m glad to see you demonstrating a little enthusiasm for your marital duties. You clearly took my last warning to heart.”
    Warning? What warning? “We see so little of one another,” she said, evading his groping hand and looking wildly about her for the promised champagne. She saw it on a sideboard close to the window. “What brings you here, my lord?”
    “Apart from you, do you mean?” He barked a laugh. “Had I known you would be this pleased to see me, I would have found a reason to call long before now.”
    “That doesn’t answer my question.”
    “My business for His Royal Highness doesn’t concern you.” His eyes moved to the huge bed