Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] (21 page)

“Ah,” he quipped. “That’s right, your aunts just treat you as if you were.”

Sophia eyed him suspiciously. Matson knew he was sounding like a lout, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. It was her fault. Her connection to Sir Randolph and her vow were the reasons she could never be his.

“That is their job,” she said calmly. “And mine is to allow them to do their job properly, and, as you know better than anyone, I sometimes acquiesce to their rules, and sometimes I don’t.” She walked closer to him. “You are tense. Something is wrong?”

A
hell
of
a
lot
is
wrong.

“I need to talk to Sir Randolph,” he said, sensing he needed to leave. He was fighting emotions for her that he preferred not to deal with at the moment. “I’ll go to White’s. Maybe I’ll find him there.”

“You would probably miss him. He usually comes home about this time every afternoon to rest before he gets dressed for the evening’s parties.” She walked closer to him, concern etched across her face. “Matson, what has you in such a state?”

He didn’t want her concern. “It’s a business matter, Sophia,” he said irritably.

“Well, sir, I would have you know that I
know
more about business than Sir Randolph does.” She gave him a teasing smile. “It’s a good thing his father left him well set, because he doesn’t know anything about reading ledgers and looking over account books to make sure he’s not being cheated.”

Matson had no doubt that she was smarter than the old man. He saw no harm in telling her what a scoundrel Sir Randolph was, so he said, “He sent a letter canceling a lease agreement my brother and I have with him.”

Her eyes widened a little. “Oh, is that what this is about? I can help you with the lease on the dock space. What do you want to know?”

Matson frowned. “You know about it?”

“Yes,” she said confidently. “The company is actually owned by my father—that is, by me now. Sir Randolph handles everything as my trustee and guardian. It’s logical that anyone would assume the company is his.”

“But we are not leasing from Shevington Shipping. We would have recognized that name,” Matson said, trying to make sense of this new information.

“My father had companies in many different names. Shevington is the largest and came from my mother’s family.”

Matson’s ire grew. “My brother and I are leasing our warehouse space from you. You knew this and didn’t tell me?”

A worried expression settled on her face. “I only learned that you had the lease after I found out who you were.”

His eyes narrowed, and he took a step toward her. “And you didn’t think that was information I would like to know?”

“I don’t understand why you are upset about this,” she said, lifting her shoulders a little higher. “How could I possibly know that you didn’t know or that it would matter to you?”

“Did you know Sir Randolph was canceling our lease?”

“I suggested it.”

Matson was stunned. He hoped he’d heard her wrong. “What did you say?”

“It was my idea. I don’t understand why you find this so shocking. London is my home now. I wanted to move my father’s company from Southampton to London. I knew we had the warehouse space to accommodate all our shipping supplies, so I talked with Sir Randolph about doing that.”

This was incredible. “So you decided you’d just throw out Brentwood’s Sea Coast Ship Building and take it for yourself?”

“No, it wasn’t like that,” she said, standing her ground. “Sir Randolph said that he thought you would be agreeable to canceling the lease, because you didn’t want the space. He said you had been looking for other accommodations ever since you leased it. He also added that you’ve put nothing in it.”

“What does it matter to you or him whether or not there is anything in the space? We have paid the rent. Our ships have been in the harbor, waiting to be unloaded, and in fact, that started yesterday.”

He saw her swallow hard. Matson knew he was being unreasonable, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. He had expected something like this from Sir Randolph but not from Sophia.

“I thought I would be helping you. If you wanted other space, I thought the kind thing to do would be to help you get out of your lease with us.”

“You did this to be kind to us? You think we need your kindness? Did it dawn on you that the reason we haven’t moved is because we have been looking for other space but haven’t found it?”

Sophia’s shoulders and chin lifted as her eyes narrowed. “I happen to know that there are plenty of other warehouses available to lease, Matson,” she said, her voice rising a little. “Perhaps you are just being too difficult to please.”

Matson huffed out a laugh. If only she knew how many times they had tried to lease from someone else. If only she knew how difficult it was to find the duke.

“So you think I am being difficult?”

“Well, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not. And furthermore, we’re not giving up the space, Sophia. If you want to move your business to London, I suggest
you
lease one of the many spaces available.”

Her eyes flashed brightly at him. “I’m happy to find other space, so I can show you just how easily it can be done.”

“You do that, Miss Hart. No, wait, maybe your name isn’t Miss Hart. Maybe it’s Miss Heartless, or maybe it’s Miss Cold Heart.”

Sophia gasped. Hurt mingled with anger and filled her eyes. Matson’s gut twisted.

“You are absolutely right, Mr. Brentwood. I am not often called Miss Hart by gentlemen. I am usually called Miss Sweetheart. Now, I believe it’s time for you to leave.”

Matson started to say he was sorry for suggesting she was heartless and coldhearted, but in the end, he simply walked past her. He picked up his hat and coat on his way out the door.

It was better this way, he told himself as he hurried down the steps. Things had become too complicated between them. He knew Sir Randolph’s ward wasn’t the lady for him, and he should have stayed away from her.

He was glad she had vowed to marry a titled man. That was just what she needed. In fact, he’d see what he could do to help her with that.

Some persons do first, think afterward, and then repent forever.

—Thomas Secker

Matson stood in Lord Snellingly’s drawing room, looking out the window. How could twilight look so beautiful when he felt so wretched? He had to do this. There was no other way.

He couldn’t believe that Sophia was the one who really owned the warehouse space, and that
she
had wanted to kick them out of it. He had to hand it to her. She had more nerve than most men. He had ignored his gut feelings for Sir Randolph because she was so charming.

Matson sighed heavily. It was downright hellish how attracted he was to her. But he’d known from the moment he found out she was Sir Randolph’s ward that he needed to stay away from her. He’d allowed himself to be fascinated with her. He had been lured by her sweet innocence, and compelled by her broken past. Ever since that afternoon in the rowboat, he’d been haunted by the feeling that she was his in a way that she would never be another man’s. He was the first for her, and he couldn’t forget that.

He’d gone to Timsford’s Square nearly every day for weeks trying to recover her brooch. And how had she rewarded him? By wanting to throw him out of the warehouse. Matson shook his head and chuckled ruefully. His abominable temper wasn’t because he’d learned she owned the warehouse or that she had written the letter. It wasn’t even really because of Sir Randolph. It was her vow to marry a title. That was her oath, her honor. He couldn’t fight that and win. Life had to be lived by a set of principles. Matson believed a person was only as good as their word.

Getting her completely out of his life was the right thing to do. The faster the better.

He thought he could handle his feelings for Sophia the way he’d handled his feelings for Mrs. Delaney all those years ago. The problem was that Mrs. Delaney played by the rules. Sophia did not. She tempted him in ways that Mrs. Delaney hadn’t, and he hadn’t been able to resist Sophia.

Right now, this was the only way he could think of that would make her want to turn away from him. He couldn’t give her up willingly. He had to have her help, and this was the way to get it. He’d see how she liked rowing the boat while Lord Snellingly read poetry to her. She’d probably be the one pushing Snellingly in the wheelbarrow too. And she would probably never speak to him again.

“Mr. Brentwood, this is an unexpected call, but I’m always delighted when anyone cares to visit. How are you this fine spring day?”

Matson turned away from the window. “Good, my lord. You?”

The earl picked up several sheets of writing from one of the chairs and sat down. Matson hadn’t noticed when he first walked into the drawing room, but it was littered with papers strewn over the settees and chairs. Quills and open jars of ink sat on every table.

“Splendidly good, sir. Sit down, sit down. I’ve asked my housekeeper to see that tea is brought in for us. I can put a spot of something stronger in it for you.”

“Tea will be fine,” Matson said, knowing that he really needed a brandy, but would wait until he returned home. “I have a favor to ask of you, Lord Snellingly.”

“Well”—he sniffed into his lace-edged handkerchief—“I must say that doesn’t surprise me. People often want favors from me, you know. I’ll tell you what I tell them all. You may ask, but I make no promises about what I can do for you.”

What
a
fop.

“I understand that, my lord, and you will get no argument from me if you are not agreeable.”

“Perfect, then, go ahead and ask.”

The man sniffed again, and Matson couldn’t help but think the man would breathe easier if he wouldn’t wear his collar and neckcloth so high and tight on his throat. Matson had never paid much attention to the earl, and hadn’t noticed how much Lord Snellingly looked like a baby bird who had its neck stretched out and its mouth opened wide to receive food from its mama.

“Not long ago you asked if I would exchange partners with you for the May Day Fair Day that Lord Tradesforke is hosting in Hyde Park.”

“Yes, of course I remember. Quite well, in fact. You told me that you had no desire to give up your lovely partner. I completely understood. I wouldn’t have done it either.”

“That’s how it was at the time, but now I find that I need to change partners with you. Does your offer still stand?”

The earl blinked rapidly. “Ah—well—yes. Yes, indeed it stands, but why would you want to?”

“I’d rather keep my reasons to myself.”

“Yes, I understand that, but I’m partnered with Miss Craftsman, you realize.”

Matson knew.

Lord Snellingly cleared his throat and sniffed. “I mean the lovely Miss Craftsman. She tries hard to appreciate good poetry, but she simply doesn’t have it in her soul to do so.” He put his hand over his heart. “But Miss Hart. My heart. She is like a beacon of light.”

One corner of Matson’s mouth lifted in a half smile. “Some of us are like Miss Craftsman, my lord. It would be a great help to me if you would agree to the exchange.”

“Yes, yes, I already have,” he said, laughing. “I’ll agree again now before you can change your mind.”

“Good. If you’ll send the lovely Miss Craftsman a note, telling her that things have changed and I will now be her partner, and I’ll do the same for Miss Hart.”

“Gladly. I’ll do it today. Right now. As soon as you leave.”

Matson rose. “You do know Miss Hart adores poetry, don’t you? She would probably love it if you recited some deep, meaningful poetry to her during the rowboat race.”

Lord Snellingly’s brows lifted, and his eyes shone brightly. “Yes, I think that would be just the thing to win her heart. I’ll be sure to have plenty of poetry for her.”

“We’ll consider it done, then. Thank you, my lord.”

Lord Snellingly stood up. “Don’t you want to stay for tea? Perhaps you might help me pick out some poetry that will be fitting for Miss Hart.”

“I’m sure you can do that much better than I, and I have other things to see to this afternoon. I’m certain you will fill her head and her heart with your words.”

When Lord Snellingly shut the door behind Matson, he closed his eyes and took in a long, deep breath. It was settled. He was rid of her. She’d never speak to him again after this.

But for some reason he didn’t feel as good as he’d expected to. There was no relief, only an empty feeling inside him. But what else was he to do? Her vow left him no choice in the matter.

He would get over her. He did what was the best thing for him and for her. And of all the titled men seeking her hand, Lord Snellingly was the best one for her. He wouldn’t gamble away her inheritance like Lord Hargraves. He wouldn’t bed her just once or twice, get her with child, and then send her off to live in the country the rest of her life. And Matson was sure he’d never be cruel to her.

Matson felt like a fist had punched him hard in the stomach. There was one other thing Lord Snellingly wouldn’t do. He wouldn’t make her feel the passion Matson had made her feel.

Matson’s hands made fists at his sides as he started down the stone walkway.

God help him. Already he was wishing he hadn’t made the trade.

Who brought me hither will bring me hence; no other guide I seek.

—John Milton

There was no pleasure inside Sophia as she sat at her dressing table to finish dressing for the parties she had to attend later in the evening. She didn’t know how Matson could have misunderstood her so badly about the warehouse.

And why had it made him so angry?

He could have the space as long as he needed it. Shevington Shipping had been in Southampton for many years and could stay there until other arrangements were made. There was no hurry to get it to London. She wished she knew what parties he was attending so she could find him. She wanted to make things right with him.

A light knock sounded on her bedchamber door. “Come in,” she called and picked up a pearl earring to fasten to her ear.

Her aunt Mae rushed in and quickly closed the door behind her and locked it. She kept her face toward the door and her back to Sophia.

“What are you doing?” Sophia asked when she didn’t immediately turn around or say anything.

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?”

“That I need to find my courage,” Mae said.

Sophia smiled and screwed her other earring onto her ear. “Do you think you will find it on my door?”

“No. It’s inside me, but I haven’t seen it in so long that I’m not sure I know where it is.”

Sophia’s hands stilled at her aunt’s odd words. “Is something wrong, Auntie?”

Mae slowly turned around, holding her arms crossed over her upper chest with her fingers splayed. Her eyes were wild with panic.

Sophia rose from her dressing stool. “What has happened? Is something wrong with Aunt June or Sir Randolph?”

“No, it’s me.”

“What?”

Mae lowered her arms to her sides, and revealed the extremely low-cut gown she was wearing.

“Oh,” Sophia breathed softly. The scooped neckline of the sheer, ruby-colored gown was one of the most revealing Sophia had seen all Season. The high waist fit snug under Mae’s breasts, helping to lift them up to pop from beneath the neckline. Sophia was sure that only the most daring of ladies would wear a gown cut that low.

“Well, what do you think?” Mae asked.

Sophia hesitated. “I think that dress is reve—ravishing. Yes, it makes you look ravishing.”

“Oh, I thought so too when Mrs. Franco first showed it to me,” Mae said with a beautiful smile of relief as she rushed closer to Sophia. “Do you think it will make gentlemen finally take notice of me?”

“Yes, yes, they will notice you,” Sophia agreed.

“You don’t think it’s too low, do you? I’ve seen other ladies, highborn ladies, wear them cut this low.”

Sophia started to say yes, maybe it was a little too daring, but when she saw the hope for approval in her aunt’s eyes, she knew she couldn’t take that away from her. And, after all, she was the one who had cut the lace from Mae’s neckline a couple of weeks ago.

“If you want to be noticed by all the gentlemen at the parties tonight, then this is the dress for you. You look young and stunning, Auntie.”

Mae beamed. “I’ve had a fichu made to cover it until I can get out of the house, so June won’t see it. She wouldn’t approve.”

Sophia was certain of that. Suddenly Sophia took her aunt’s hands and said, “Come sit on the window seat with me. I want to talk to you.”

“All right.”

They settled onto the velvet-covered seat, and Sophia said, “I’ve been pondering this for the past few days. I think it’s time we told June that you want Sir Randolph to make it known that you would be amenable to gentlemen calling on you.”

Mae pulled her hands out of Sophia’s and leaned away from her. “Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t do that. You know I can’t do that.”

“You must, Auntie. What we have been doing is not working. We have tried to get the gentlemen who call on me to engage with you, but we haven’t had much success.”

“No, that’s not true,” Mae argued. “They all talk to me and smile at me once in a while. They all enjoy hearing the story of mine and June’s birth. Well, maybe not that Mr. Parker Wilson, but he was such a stuffy prig. And, he isn’t that handsome anyway, is he? But all the others have been kind.”

“Yes, but they came here expecting to call on me. Not you. They can’t develop designs on you, because they don’t know that you are available to be courted.”

“It may not be working yet, but it can. It will,” she said enthusiastically.

Sophia smiled indulgently at her. “Look at how splendid you look in your opulent red dress, Aunt Mae. With your three strings of pearls around your neck and the lovely white feathers in your hair, you will be the belle of the ball. You have lived June’s life for years, and it’s time you came out and lived your own life.”

“Oh, I want to,” Mae said excitedly. “I just don’t want her to know.”

Sophia decided to try a different tactic. “What would you do if you found a beau? If he came to call on you, June would know. You couldn’t hide him from her.”

“Hmm. I hadn’t really considered that.” She seemed to think on it for a moment and then said, “I know. I could meet him in the park.”

“You know that won’t work. June walks with you to the park each day.”

A knock sounded on the door. “Sophia, dear. Are you dressed?”

Mae jumped off the seat fearfully and whispered, “Shh. Don’t answer her.”

“I have to answer,” Sophia whispered. “She knows I’m in here.”

“No, she can’t see me in this dress. You must do something.”

“Sophia.” The doorknob turned, and then the door rattled. “Sophia, is your door locked? Sophia?”

“Don’t,” Mae mouthed.

“Just a minute, Aunt June,” Sophia called. She turned to Mae. “It’s time you found that courage you were looking for earlier.”

Sophia walked over to unlock and open the door.

“What are you two doing in here with the door locked?” June asked, relying heavily on her cane as she walked into the room.

Sophia turned back and saw that Mae had grabbed a pillow from the window seat and clutched it to her chest.

“We were just having a chat about gentlemen,” Sophia said, hoping to encourage Mae to be truthful with her sister.

“And you needed to lock the door for that?” June asked and then made her clucking sound.

Clearly June was thinking there was more to the story. Sophia looked at Mae, who stood wide-eyed and rigid with fear.

“You look lovely, Sophia,” June said. “I approve of the dress you chose. And what do you have on, Mae? I don’t recall seeing that shade of red among your gowns.”

“No, it’s new,” Mae said, her eyes looking glassy with guilt.

“Then let me see it.”

Mae timidly walked around in a tight circle to show June the back of the dress, but she didn’t lower the pillow.

“It’s lovely. I wouldn’t have chosen that dramatic ruby shade for you, but I think it goes well with your coloring.”

“Thank you,” Mae said stiffly.

“Since I’m not going tonight, why don’t you wear my black velvet cape. The one with the velvet ribbon and jeweled neckline.”

“That would be nice. I think I’ll do that. I’ll go get it right now.”

Mae walked past June, and as she did, June reached out and grabbed the pillow, saying, “Don’t take Sophia’s pillow with you, silly—Good heavens, Mae! What do you have on?”

“I don’t know,” Mae said, seeming terrified.

Sophia wanted to stay out of the conversation, knowing it was really between her aunts, but felt compelled to say, “Tell her, Aunt Mae.”

Mae remained mute and shook her head.

“Tell me what?”

“Nothing. I’ll just go to my room and change.”

“Aunt Mae wants a beau,” Sophia said, not knowing if it was her place to say it, but June had to know.

“A what?” June asked and wrinkled her nose as if she were looking at a soiled piece of laundry.

“She wants to be courted by a gentleman, Aunt June.”

“Well, she can’t,” June said, lifting her chest, her shoulders, and her chin defensively. “I won’t allow it.”

Sophia looked at Mae, wondering if she was going to bow to June’s commands once again or stand up for herself.

“Sister,” Mae said quietly, “in this you have no say.”

“Of course I do,” she said emphatically, clearly affronted Mae had the gall to question and defy her. “Now go take off that dress and put on something appropriate for your age and place in life to take your niece to the parties.”

Mae promptly stomped toward the door, and Sophia’s heart dropped. But all of a sudden, Mae stopped and turned back to June. “No, not this time, Sister. Tonight I will wear what I want, and I want to wear this gown.”

June’s bottom lip quivered. “You can’t wear that. It’s… it’s too revealing and downright scandalous. That gown won’t get you courted, it will get you bedded.”

“Then that will be all right too,” Mae said.

June gasped.

Sophia felt triumphant.

“No,” June demanded. “I can’t allow you to be hurt that way. You don’t know how painful it is.”

Mae looked confused. “I don’t intend to get hurt. I intend to enjoy myself.”

“But you will be hurt. Men will tell you how beautiful you are and how much they want to kiss you and touch you, and then when you let them, they won’t ever call on you again.”

Sophia saw tears gather in June’s eyes, and her heart broke for her strong, unbending aunt. So there was a man in June’s past.

A faraway expression settled over June’s features, and Sophia knew the years were rolling back for her.

“It was our first Season. You remember Mr. John Phillip Bailey, don’t you, Mae?”

“Yes,” Mae whispered softly, inching closer to her sister.

“He was so handsome, so dapper, so dashing. And he thought I was the most beautiful young lady he’d ever seen. And I was, wasn’t I.”

“You were gorgeous, Sister.”

June’s lips smiled sadly. “We danced and chatted at every party. And when we went into the garden, I let him kiss and touch me so many times. And it was so wonderful.” June closed her eyes for a moment, and slowly the expression on her face changed from serene into a bitter frown. “But after all we had shared, he decided he wanted someone else.”

“Why did you never tell me?” Mae asked affectionately.

“I couldn’t. No one ever knew, but when he rejected me and told me he was going to marry someone else, a titled man’s daughter, I almost ended my life that night.”

“No,” Mae said in earnest, her gaze never leaving her sister’s face.

“Yes, I did. I thought long and hard on it, but I didn’t end my misery and heartache. I suffered through it, and I still endure it every day because of you.”

“Me?” Mae asked.

“Yes, I lived so I could keep you from making the same mistakes I made. All these years I have shielded you from the hurt and the anguish of being used and rejected.” She took her fist and pounded it over her heart. “I did that for you.”

Mae stepped closer to June. Sadness clouded her eyes. “And I appreciate all you have done for me.”

“Then prove it,” June demanded harshly. “Take off that dress!”

“No, June, that time has passed.” Mae inhaled deeply. “I might be hurt. I might even be deeply wounded one day, but I can’t be hurt until I have loved. I want to know what it’s like to love a man.”

June huffed bitterly. “Then go and wear your revealing gown and have all the men gawking at you—and at your age! It’s shameful. But don’t come running home to me when your heart is broken, because I won’t be here for you.”

June turned and hobbled from the room. A few seconds later, Sophia heard a door slam down the corridor.

“What have I done?” Mae said.

“You helped your sister face a past she didn’t ever want to see again.”

“Do you think she will ever forgive me for making her tell that story?”

“Of course,” Sophia reassured her aunt. “I think she will pout for a few days, but she will come around. I’m willing to bet she loves you more than she hates her past.”

“I wonder why she never told me she had been hurt so badly that she almost ended her life. I thought we shared everything.”

“It was obviously something that was very hard for her to bear.”

“But I could have helped lighten the load for her,” Mae said sympathetically.

“And you will. You already have. She no longer has to carry that burden alone now that you know.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“Do you think we should pass on the parties and stay here with her tonight?” Sophia asked.

Mae studied over her suggestion. “No. That might make her think I have weakened. I must admit I am tempted to take off this gown and stay here with her. But I need to go out tonight and wear this dress for me.”

“All right.” Sophia smiled. “I’ll meet you downstairs in a few minutes.”

Mae kissed her cheek and hurried out the door.

Sophia sat back down at her dressing table and smiled. Mae certainly knew how to get Sophia’s mind off her troubles with Matson. She was even more eager to find him and clear up their misunderstanding.

“Miss Hart?”

Sophia looked up and saw the housekeeper standing in her doorway.

“This was just delivered, and the man said he was told it must be given to you straightaway.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Anderson.”

Sophia waited until the woman was gone before she opened the card and read:

Miss Hart,

I have spoken with Lord Snellingly. He and I have agreed to change partners for Lord Tradesforke’s May Day Fair Day alfresco event on Saturday. He will meet you at the park at the appointed hour and be your partner for the day.

Mr. Brentwood

Sophia’s heart broke.