She found she rather liked it.

“You went to a hell of a lot of trouble to get in here,” he purred. “And now you’re anxious to leave?”

Julienne sidestepped, but he didn’t release her. “My need was especially dire. I apologize for any trouble I-”

“You don’t sound very sorry.”

“I’ll leave immediately,” she offered.

“You’ll leave in the morning. The hour is late. The streets aren’t safe.”

“My aunt will worry,” she argued.

“I’ll send Lady Whitfield a note. She’ll know you’re well.”

She stilled, her eyes narrowing. “How do you know about my aunt?”

“I know everything about every one of the members of my club. Especially those who enjoy lines of credit.” Remington’s thumb began an absentminded caress of the hollow of her elbow. Julienne felt the warmth of his touch all the way to her bones.

“I know your parents died when you were very young and your Aunt Eugenia’s been your guardian for years. You and Montrose are always running roughshod over her. Your brother is brash, hotheaded, and still too young for the responsibilities of his title. You’re always bailing him out of one mess or another. And now I know how seriously you take that responsibility.”

She looked away, flustered that he knew such intimate details. “Do you also know how sick to death I am of that chore?” she said finally, surprising herself with the admission.

His voice turned soft and sympathetic. “I’m certain you must be. But you’ve done an admirable job. There’s not been even a breath of scandal attached to the La Coeur name.”