The Harlot Countess by Joanna Shupe

working on the Scottish and Welsh drawings for Ackermann’s travel book?” Rebecca asked, up on her toes to peek over Maggie’s shoulder.
    Maggie hunched and covered the paper with her hands. “No. It’s another cartoon for the shop, and you’ll see it when it’s done, not before.”
    â€œFine. Lud, you’re secretive about your work.” Becca crossed to the sofa near the tall row of windows. “It’s nothing to do with last night, I trust.” Silence stretched until Rebecca gasped. “Maggie! What are you thinking? Everyone will know Lemarc attended the duchess’s dinner party.”
    â€œNo one would believe such a thing. People will merely assume he’s well informed.”
    â€œStill, it is an unnecessary risk in my opinion, but I know you will not listen to me. So what happened between you and Winchester last evening?”
    Maggie’s hand slipped. Damn. The lower right section would need to be redone now. “Must we talk about this now?”
    â€œYes, I rather think we must. He must have been there because Tilda said you came home early, madder than a wet hen.”
    Curse her loose-lipped servant. Maggie put down her pencil and stood to take the chair nearest her sister. “Yes, he was there. Glaring at me from across the room the entire evening. He is the most infuriating man.”
    â€œAn infuriating man you were once madly in love with. I worry you will not be able to resist him.”
    The memory of being pressed up against his body last night rushed back. I think I could take you against this wall. Right now. Right here. He may have turned her plan to tempt him around on her, but she would not fall for it a second time.
    She waved her hand. “He is the very last man I would choose to involve myself with.”
    â€œEspecially when you could have your pick of all the men in the ton . It’s not fair; widows get to have all the fun.”
    Oh, yes. So much fun. The gossip, the snickers behind her back. The innuendo and improper invitations constantly hurled her way. Becca certainly had romantic visions of Maggie’s life, and Maggie loved her too dearly to ever crush them with the harsh reality. So she smiled and said, “I think you mean men get to have all the fun.”
    â€œWell, no one could argue with that statement. Tell me who else was there.”
    Tilda returned with tea just as Maggie began a recounting of the evening, starting with a description of the Colton town house. By the time tea had been poured, she’d told almost all of it and ended with her decision to come home early.
    â€œYou’ve left out the most important tidbit,” Becca said. “What caused you to leave prematurely? Something—or some one— obviously upset you.”
    Maggie lifted a shoulder and took a sip. “A small disagreement. Nothing worth mentioning.”
    â€œLiar. What did he say to you? I swear, if he was cruel—”
    â€œI love that you worry, dear sister, but there’s nothing you can do to change the minds of the stubborn.”
    Her sister tapped her toe, a sure sign Becca was deep in thought. Maggie sipped her tea and kept silent. Finally, Becca’s eyes grew wide, then narrowed. “So Winchester believes all those terrible rumors about you? He should be the one man to know better. I swear, I will never forgive him for not standing up for you when—”
    â€œOh, Becca.” Maggie sighed. “What’s done is done. Many times we expect more from our friends than they are prepared to give. Or capable of giving, really. I’m grateful I learned where I stood when I did. Otherwise, I could have spent many miserable years with a man who cared so little for me.”
    â€œInstead you spent many miserable years with a man old enough to be your father.”
    â€œThey were not miserable. Lonely, certainly, but not miserable. Hawkins preferred his mistress and I had no