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the lovely Veronica? I noticed you went back out last night after seeing me home.”
    “As a gentleman, it would be unseemly for me to discuss such a matter in the presence of ladies,” Simon said evasively while he poured a cup of coffee. “But I must remember to thank Colton for making the introduction. Venetian women are everything he said—and more.”
    Julia’s eyes narrowed and she drummed her fingers on the table. One could only imagine what Nick had to say about Venetian women, being as he’d probably fornicated with every willing woman in the vicinity. Twice.
    She told herself she didn’t care. There was one thing she needed from her husband, and once she got it he could go back to his life of trollops and debauchery.
    “Nice of him to arrange the seating to put the two of you together,” Simon said.
    “Together?” Theo asked.
    “At the theater as well as at the coffeehouse afterward,” Julia explained. “My plan is progressing nicely.”
    “Excellent!” Theo clapped her hands.
    Their footman, Sergio, knocked on the door, entered, and then handed Julia a card. “Signora Leighton. Flowers have been delivered for you.”
    “Flowers, again! Your duke is smitten,” Theo declared. “Pray tell us what he wrote on the card.”
    Julia glanced at the note and groaned. “Thank you, Sergio. I will collect them presently.” The footman left, and Julia tossed the card aside. “The flowers are from the ambassador, Lord Lanceford.”
    Simon chuckled. “Ah, Mrs. Leighton has another admirer.”
    “Stop laughing, you clod pole. This is not funny. The man tried to shove his foot up my skirts—well, Mrs. Leighton’s skirts—last night at the coffeehouse.”
    Theo gasped. “I hope you kicked him.”
    Julia nodded. “I did. Hard. Colton nearly leapt across the table to strangle him.”
    “I suspected as much when Lanceford suddenly howled in pain,” Simon said. “But before you throw those flowers into the canal, they might be useful in making a certain someone feel jealous.”
    Julia sat back in her chair and sipped her tea. Was Simon right? Would Nick be jealous? “That’s quite devious. Good idea. I shall display Lanceford’s flowers in the front entry.”
    “Well, I am quite anxious to see what Colton sends today,” Theo said as she buttered a piece of almond cake. “The flowers and vase yesterday were stunning, but I suspect he’ll send jewelry. Rubies, perhaps?”
    “Emeralds,” Simon guessed.
    Julia rolled her eyes. “How do either of you know he will send anything at all?”
    “After seeing the two of you last night, I daresay there’s naught you could demand right now that he would not agree to. So if you want a bauble to remember Colt by in those long, cold London nights”—he shrugged—“Mrs. Leighton need only drop a well-placed hint or two.”
    The idea had merit. Heavens, if she failed to get with child a diamond necklace could keep her and Aunt Theo supported in a modest style for quite a while. But what then? Pawning jewelry would only get her so far. No, she needed a more permanent guarantee for her future. A son would mean financial freedom and the end of Templeton’s meddling.
    Not to mention a part of her had already warmed to the idea of having a baby. A tiny life brought into the world in order to hold and love. There would be picnics and stories and games.... And since Colton would likely never act as a true father, Julia planned on loving their child so much that his absence wouldn’t matter.
    Later that afternoon, Julia and her aunt were reading by the fire in the second-floor sitting room. It was a cheerful space, with large windows overlooking a quiet canal. With the panes open, one could hear the bells chime from the nearby Campanile di San Marco .
    Sergio knocked and entered. “Signora Leighton, a visitor for you.”
    He handed her a card. Julia assumed it would be Nick, so she was surprised upon reading the name.
    “Show him up, Sergio, per favore. ” When