"And not in your heart?"
"Not yet."
She smiled faintly. "Then perhaps you need six weeks."
He laughed. "Perhaps I do."
The second week began with a dinner party. Lady Catherine Vale arrived wearing emerald silk. Eliza recognized her immediately. She was the woman everyone had whispered about: Julian's former fiancée.
Catherine greeted Julian warmly. "You look well."
"So do you."
Her eyes moved to Eliza. "And this must be Miss Hart."
"My wife is not yet your duchess," Julian said.
Catherine smiled. "Not yet."
Julian's expression hardened. Eliza noticed. She also noticed the way Catherine looked at him. There was history there.
After dinner, Catherine found Eliza in the conservatory. "You should know something."
Eliza sighed. "Why does everyone who begins with those words assume I want to hear the rest?"
"Because you deserve to know."
"Then say it."
Catherine folded her fan. "Julian does not trust easily."
"I know."
"He did not trust me."
"That seems unfortunate."
"He will not trust you either."
Eliza smiled. "I am not asking him to trust me tonight."
Catherine frowned. "Then what do you want?"
Eliza thought about it. "I am not sure." That answer was honest.
Catherine left. Julian entered moments later.
"You look troubled."
"I met your former fiancée."
"I noticed."
"She warned me about you."
"What did she say?"
"That you don't trust women."
Julian nodded. "She is correct."
Eliza raised an eyebrow. "That was not the answer I expected."
"I am trying not to lie to you."
She looked at him. "Why don't you trust women?"
"Because I have been lied to."
"Everyone has."
"I know."
"Then perhaps you should stop punishing new people for old sins."
He was quiet. She walked toward the door.