QUOTE : It’s wonderful to finally meet you,’ Scarlett managed.<br /><br />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.’ <br /><br />‘Too late,’ Julian coughed. <br /><br />A wrinkle formed between Nicolas’s thick brows as he noticed Scarlett’s companion. ‘And you are?’ <br /><br />‘Julian.’ He offered his hand. <br /><br />But Nicolas refused to let go of Scarlett’s. ‘I wasn’t aware Scarlett had a brother.’ <br /><br />‘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.’ <br /><br />He emphasized the words played with, and Scarlett could have choked him. Julian would choose now to finally be honest. <br /><br />Not that Nicolas appeared disturbed. The young count’s broad smile remained even as he petted Timber with his free hand. <br /><br />But Julian wasn’t finished. <br /><br />‘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—’ <br /><br />‘Julian, enough,’ Scarlett cut in.