"Placate?" He tasted the word thoughtfully. "What do you mean by that?"
Sophy cleared her throat. "Did you by any chance quarrel with your lady recently?"
"Urn. Yes. She did something very foolhardy. Something that could have cost her her life. I was angry. I let her know of my anger and she chose to sulk."
"Do you not think it possible that she was hurt that you did not understand why she had done what she did?"
"She cannot expect me to condone the kind of dangerous action she took recently," Julian said evenly. "Even if she did believe it a matter of honor. I will not allow her to risk her life so foolishly."
"So you gave her a bracelet instead of the understanding she sought?"
Julian's mouth was hard beneath the edge of his mask. "Do you think that was how she viewed it?"
"I think your lady felt you were trying to pacify her after an argument in the same way you would try to buy your way back into the good graces of a mistress." Sophy held her breath, still frantically trying to decide whether or not Julian recognized her.
"An interesting theory. And a possible explanation."
"Does the technique generally work? With mistresses, I mean?"
Julian missed a step and caught himself smoothly. "Uh, yes. Generally."
"Mistresses must be very poor-spirited creatures."
"It is certainly true that my lady has nothing in common with such women. She has a full measure of pride, for example. A mistress cannot afford much pride."
"I do not believe that you are short of that commodity, yourself."
Julian's big hand flexed carefully around her fingers. "You are right."
"It would seem that you and your lady have that much in common, at least. It should provide a basis for understanding."
"Well, Madam Gypsy? Now you know my sad story. What do you think my odds are for the future?"
"If you truly want your fortune to change I think that first you must convince your lady that you respect her pride and sense of honor as much as you would that of a man."
"And how would you suggest I go about doing that?" Julian inquired.
Sophy drew in a breath. "First, you must give her something more valuable than the bracelet." Her fingers were suddenly crushed in Julian's palm.
"And what would that be, Madam Gypsy?" There was a dark, brooding menace in his voice now. "A pair of earrings, perhaps? A necklace?"
Sophy struggled and failed to release her fingers from Julian's powerful grip. "I have a strong hunch your lady would appreciate a rose you had picked by hand or a love letter or a few verses conveying some affection from you far more than she would jewelry, sir."
Julian's fingers relaxed. "Ah, you think she is a romantic at heart? I had begun to suspect that, myself."
"I think she simply knows that it is very easy for a man to clear his conscience with a gift of jewelry."
"Perhaps she will not be happy until she thinks me completely snared in the coils of love," Julian suggested coolly.
"Would that be so bad, sir?"
"It is best if she understands that I am not susceptible to that sort of emotion," Julian said gently.
"Perhaps she is learning the truth of that the hard way," Sophy said.
"Do you think so?"
"I think it very probable that she will soon prove herself intelligent enough to refrain from pining for that which is unobtainable."
"And what will she do then?"
"She will endeavor to give you the sort of marriage you wish. One in which love and mutual understanding are not important. She will stop wasting her time and energy seeking ways to make you fall in love with her. She will busy herself with other matters and live a life of her own."
Julian crushed her fingers again and his eyes glittered behind his mask. "Does that mean she will seek other conquests?"
"No, sir, it does not. Your lady is the sort to give her heart but once and if it is rejected she will not try to give it to another. She will simply pack it away in cotton wool and busy herself with other projects."
"I did not say I would reject the gift of my lady's heart. Quite the opposite. I would have her know that I would welcome such a treasure. I would take good care of her and her love."
"I see," Sophy said. "You would have her hopelessly snared in the coils of love at which you scoff but you would not take the risk, yourself. That is your way of mastering her?"
"Do not put words in my mouth, Madam Gypsy. The lady in question is my wife," Julian stated categorically. "It would be convenient for all concerned if she also happens to love me. I merely want to assure her that her love is safe with me."
"Because you could then use that love to control her?"
"Do all fortune-tellers interpret their clients' words so broadly?"
"If you do not feel you are getting your money's worth, you need not concern yourself. I do not intend to charge you for this particular fortune."
"Thus far you have not told me my fortune. You have only tried to give me a great deal of advice," Julian said.
"It was my understanding you sought a way to change your luck."
"Why don't you simply tell me if there is any luck to be had in my future?" Julian suggested.
"Unless you are willing to change your ways I am sure you will get exactly the sort of marriage you wish, sir. Your wife will go her own way and you will go yours. You will probably see her as often as it proves necessary to ensure yourself of an heir and she will endeavor to stay out of your way the rest of the time."
"It sounds to me as if my wife intends to sulk throughout the remainder of our marriage," Julian observed dryly. "A daunting prospect. He adjusted Sophy's scarf again as it threatened to slide to the floor and then his fingertips traced the shape of the black metal ring she wore. He glanced idly down at her hand. "A most unusual piece of jewelry, Madam Gypsy. Do all fortune-tellers wear a ring such as this?"
"No. It is a keepsake." She hesitated as a jolt of fear went through her. "Do you recognize it, sir?"
"No, but it is singularly ugly. Who gave it to you?"
"It belonged to my sister," Sophy said cautiously. She told herself to be calm, Julian was only showing mild curiosity about the ring. "I wear it sometimes to remind me of her fate."
"And what was her fate?" Julian was watching her steadily now as if he could see beneath her mask.
"She was foolish enough to love a man who did not love her in return," Sophy whispered. "Perhaps, like you, he simply was not susceptible to the emotion but he did not mind in the least that she was very susceptible. She gave her heart and it cost her her life."
"I think you draw the wrong lessons from your sister's sad story," Julian said gently.
"Well, I certainly do not intend to kill myself," Sophy retorted. "But I also do not intend to give a valuable gift to a man who is incapable of appreciating it. Excuse me, sir, I believe I see some friends of mine standing near the window. I must speak to them." Sophy made to slide away from Julian's grasp.
"What about my fortune?" Julian demanded, holding her with a grip on the ends of her scarf.
"Your fortune is in your own hands, sir." Sophy deftly slipped out from under the scarf and fled into the crowd.
Julian was left in the middle of the dance floor, the colorful silk scarf trailing from his strong fingers. He stood contemplating it for a long moment and then, with a slow smile, folded it up and tucked it into an inside cloak pocket. He knew where to find his gypsy lady later tonight.
Still smiling slightly to himself, he went outside to call for his carriage. Aunt Fanny and Harriett would see Sophy safely home as planned. Julian decided he could afford to spend an hour or so at one of his clubs before returning to the house.