“It’s wonderful to finally meet you,’ Scarlett managed.
He smiled, wide and sincere. ‘I’m tempted to say you’re even prettier than I imagined, but I would hate you to think me unoriginal.’
‘Too late,’ Julian coughed.
A wrinkle formed between Nicolas’s thick brows as he noticed Scarlett’s companion. ‘And you are?’
‘Julian.’ He offered his hand.
But Nicolas refused to let go of Scarlett’s. ‘I wasn’t aware Scarlett had a brother.’
‘I’m not her brother.’ Julian kept his tone friendly, but Scarlett felt a surge of bruising purple panic as devilry sparked in Julian’s eyes. ‘I’m not related to her at all. I’m an actor she played with during Caraval.’
He emphasized the words played with, and Scarlett could have choked him. Julian would choose now to finally be honest.
Not that Nicolas appeared disturbed. The young count’s broad smile remained even as he petted Timber with his free hand.
But Julian wasn’t finished.
‘I’m not surprised she’s never mentioned me. At the start of Caraval I don’t think she liked me much. But then we were given the same bedroom—’
‘Julian, enough,’ Scarlett cut in.”
―
Stephanie Garber,
Finale
