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Anna refused to name the man. Only that he was a friend of Papa’s who had stumbled into her chambers one evening in his cups. I suppose he was looking for a willing chambermaid. Or unwilling as the case may be.”
    It was infuriating to know that women, especially those without male relatives to protect them, were so powerless against men with bad intentions. And, like it or not, it was always society’s insistence that the woman was at fault. No matter how dishonorable the man who had forced her was.
    Alec was silent. His anger was evident in every inch of his person. Juliet wished that he’d been there when Anna had first confessed her secret. She had little doubt that the man before her would have been able to persuade her music teacher to tell just who had raped her.
    “So, now your Miss Turner … or Mrs. Turner,” he said, “is leaving London. Without explanation. Could it be that she consented to this unknown fellow and is running off with him?”
    Juliet shook her head. “There is no way she would do such a thing. She was too upset over the whole incident to have been lying. I believe that somehow Mama found out her location and threatened her with exposure if she did not leave town at once.”
    “Your mother did bring you the note,” he agreed. “But what of the one the other night?”
    “That was brought to me from Anna’s maid, so I know it came directly from her,” she said. “And as for Mama’s bringing the one tonight, I suppose it’s possible that she forced Anna to write it. But I really think Mama’s coming here with the note was just an excuse for her to see what Cecily and I were up to. Mama is nothing if not curious. And she is vigilant about ensuring I draw no attention to myself. The seal on the note was intact, so she cannot have read it.”
    “Why is she so determined to keep you from marrying?” Deveril asked suddenly. “I mean to cause no offense but one would think if she is concerned about you bringing shame upon the family that she would wish you married off and away from her as soon as possible.”
    He did not mince words, did he?
    “She wishes me to marry,” she said. “But the man of her choosing. And since I refuse, she retaliates by ensuring that I do not draw the attention of any other gentleman.”
    “Who is the man of her choosing?”
    She paused, reluctant to even say the man’s name aloud.
    “Turlington,” she admitted.
    Deveril’s eyes widened in shock. “I see why you would refuse.”
    Lord Philip Turlington was a man of some thirty-five to forty years old, who was well known throughout the ton for his artistic endeavors. While handsome enough, there was something about the man that made Juliet’s skin crawl.
    “Yes, and do not ask me why she chose him of all people, but for some reason she is determined that I will wed him. If it were not for Papa I would have been married to the man months ago. But as Papa cannot stomach the man, he refuses to grant his consent to the match.”
    Alec shook his head. What a coil. He had known Juliet’s situation was difficult, but he was beginning to believe it was nigh impossible.
    “And I can guess that Mrs. Turner disliked the idea of your marrying Turlington as well?”
    He could not help but think that it was in Mrs. Turner’s best interest for Juliet to remain unmarried as well. After all, if she were no longer able to control her own purse strings then she would no longer be able to supplement Mrs. Turner’s income.
    But Juliet got there before him. “Yes, but not because she would lose my pin money, if that’s what you are thinking. Mrs. Turner has earned enough income from her teaching to pay her own way for some months now. Truly she is not the grasping harlot my mother would have the rest of society believe.”
    “And now she’s gone—and left her child with someone else.”
    Her expression sobered. “Yes. That is what concerns me most,” she admitted. “It is inconceivable to me that Anna would