Courting Miss Vallois (12 page)

 

It was nearly two o'clock before Robert said his goodbyes to Lord Longworth, but still in need of time to review all he had learned, he decided not to go home, but to take a stroll through the bustling streets. It was easier to hide one's confusion in a crowd than to face a sister who was far too perceptive for her own good. He lost track of time as he walked, his mind going over and over what Lord Longworth had told him.
Michael, an agent for the Crown. His only brother, murdered by an Englishman.
What a fool he'd been—

‘Silver! What the devil are you doing? Didn't you hear me calling?'

Pulled from the turmoil of his thoughts, Robert lifted his head and saw Oberon striding towards him. ‘No.'

‘Bit out of your area, aren't you?'

Robert looked up and realised he was almost at Grosvenor Square. ‘I wasn't paying attention.'

‘Obviously not. But never mind that. I want to talk to you about Miss Vallois.'

‘What about her?'

‘Only that I saw you with her last night and wondered what you were playing at.'

The proprietary note in Oberon's voice set Robert's teeth on edge. ‘Playing at?'

‘You assured me you weren't interested in the girl. That your only concern was that she not get hurt. Yet last night, I could have sworn I saw something between you.'

‘What you saw was an apology being offered for the way I spoke to her the other morning. I was endeavouring to set things right.'

‘Is that
all
you were doing?'

Robert's eyes narrowed. ‘I fail to see what business that is of yours.'

‘Perhaps you'll have a better understanding when I tell you I intend to speak to Lord Longworth about Miss Vallois. I would have done it today, but I was held up. And I would take it as a personal favour if you were to stay away from her. I can't have my future wife associating with people like you.'

People like
him
? Robert bit back the reply that sprang to his lips, saying instead, ‘If the lady chooses to seek out my company, I'm not going to turn her away. But speak to Longworth if you must. The choice will ultimately be hers.'

‘The choice? Are you saying you intend to go after her?'

There it was. The question, poised like a sleeping cobra. A line had been drawn and Robert knew that if he stepped over that line, the cobra would strike. But the time for doing nothing had passed. ‘That is a matter between Miss Vallois and myself.'

The hiss was audible, the creature awakened. ‘You're a fool, Silver. What have you to offer her in comparison to me? Not wealth. Not title. Certainly not a position in society. How will she feel when doors keep closing in her face? When the invitations don't come and your social life dwindles to a handful of people as dull as yourselves. I can give her
everything
,' he said. ‘Beautiful clothes. The finest jewels. A silver carriage drawn by four white horses, with her very own tiger to ride behind. And in time, people will make their curtsies to the exquisite Viscountess Oberon. You can give her
nothing
. Face it, Silver, Miss Vallois is as good as mine.'

Robert couldn't argue with a word Oberon said. But the fact the man was stupid enough to believe any of those things mattered to Sophie told him how little he really knew about the lady he hoped to make his wife. ‘I've always thought,' Robert said quietly, ‘that as good as is a
long
way from being a sure thing.'

Oberon's voice hardened. ‘I don't like your tone.'

‘And I don't like being warned to stay away. Now if you'll excuse me—'

‘Not so fast.' Oberon's hand snaked out, his fingers closing on Robert's wrist. ‘I've expended a great deal of effort on Miss Vallois's behalf. I've modified my behaviour, changed my appearance, and I do believe the lady has noticed.'

‘In that case…' Robert shook him off ‘…you have nothing to worry about.'

‘Don't do this, Silver,' Oberon said, his expression turning dark and resentful. ‘Take my advice. Stop now before it's too late.'

‘And if I don't?'

‘You
will
come to regret it. I can make things very unpleasant for you and those you care about.'

Robert forced himself to look at the man standing beside him. A man he thought he knew. A man he'd once liked. ‘If you hurt anyone I care about, I
will
see you burn.'

‘Fine.' Oberon stepped back, the cold mask of the gentleman replaced by the face of the cobra. ‘Just don't say I didn't warn you.'

 

Robert was halfway home when he remembered Jane's book. He'd been in such a foul mood after his confrontation with Oberon that he'd forgotten all about it. And knowing it wouldn't sweeten Jane's disposition to return empty handed, he headed back in the direction of Hatchard's—only to find Sophie inside, perusing a selection of books set out on a small table. For a while, he just stood and watched her. She picked up a slim, leather-bound volume and opened it to the first page. While she read, her lips curved upwards, bringing into view the dimples he was suddenly finding so damned irresistible.

He took off his hat and approached, hoping the truce they had established last night might yet be in place. ‘Miss Vallois?'

When she looked up, he was pleased to see a warm glow of welcome in her eyes. ‘Mr Silverton.'

‘I hope I'm not disturbing you.'

‘Not at all.'

‘You seem to be enjoying the book.'

‘Not really.' She closed the volume and set it down. ‘The subject matter was not to my taste.'

‘Yet you smiled.'

‘More for the unusual style of the author's prose than for its brilliance.'

Robert stared down at the floor. Conversation had never been difficult for him, yet when it came to Sophie, he felt as awkward as a schoolboy. ‘You enjoy reading?'

‘Very much. I share my brother's belief that it is the best way to expand one's knowledge and understanding of others.'

He relaxed slightly. Good. Books. A common interest. ‘Have you a favourite author?'

‘I confess to enjoying Miss Austen's works at present, though I probably have a better knowledge of the classics.'

‘You obviously share your brother's partiality for them,' Robert said drily.

He felt the curiosity of her gaze. ‘How did you know Antoine likes the classics?'

‘Jane mentioned it over breakfast this morning. I gather they were speaking of it last night.' He stopped and cleared his throat. ‘Miss Vallois, you said in the carriage that you'd like to explore the ancient pyramids. Have you had a chance to visit the British Museum?'

‘Not yet.'

‘Then perhaps it's time you did. Though not as atmospheric as wandering through the desert, the Egyptian display is most impressive and I would be happy to show it to you.'

Her smile left him breathless. ‘Thank you, Mr Silverton, I'd like that very much. Probably better than getting all that sand in our shoes anyway.'

‘I dare say.' Unbidden, his mind conjured up an image of Sophie walking barefoot across the sand towards him. Of her sitting on his lap, her arm around
his neck as he gently brushed the grains from her feet. He could almost feel the heat of an ancient sun burning through his clothes—and the heat at the thought of holding her in his arms burning him everywhere else—

‘Fine.' His voice roughened. ‘Shall we say, tomorrow after noon?'

‘Yes.' Her smile was blinding. ‘Tomorrow would be perfect.'

They parted at the door and as Robert started for home, he felt a hundred times better than he had after his dismal confrontation with Oberon. But one thing had become painfully clear. He had to keep Sophie away from Oberon. The man didn't want a wife. He wanted a beautiful china doll he could parade around town. One he could dress up and show off and keep under lock and key. He certainly didn't want a woman with opinions or dreams of her own. He would scoff at her wanting to fly above London in a hot-air balloon. Laugh at her dreams of exploring the pyramids. God only knew what he would say about her wanting to float down the Amazon on a raft…

‘Boat,' Robert murmured under his breath. No, Oberon was right about one thing. There
could
only be one winner in the battle for Sophie's heart. And while circumstances might prevent it being him, Robert was damned if he'd ever let it be a self-centred snake like Montague Oberon!

 

Sophie was barely through the door when Banyon informed her that Mr Oberon was waiting to see her. ‘I've put him in the parlour, miss, to await your answer.'

‘Thank you, Banyon. Is Lady Longworth at home?'

‘She is not and I did inform Mr Oberon of that, but
he asked if he might have a brief moment of your time. He said it was on a matter of some importance. Regarding…a mutual friend.'

It was clear from the butler's expression that he was no fonder of passing along cryptic messages than Sophie was of receiving them, but, curious about Oberon's reference to a mutual friend, she said, ‘Thank you, Banyon. I'll see him in the drawing room.'

Once there, Sophie paused to take a few deep breaths. Moments later, Oberon arrived. ‘Miss Vallois. Thank you for agreeing to see me.'

‘Your message was intriguing to say the least. Will you sit down?'

‘Thank you, but I don't intend to stay long. I am aware that Lady Longworth is from home, but I came here out of concern for you.'

Sophie arched an eyebrow. ‘Am I in some kind of danger?'

‘Not of a physical kind, but you could be when it comes to…matters of the heart.'

Tempted to inform him that matters of her heart were none of his business, Sophie said, ‘Banyon said you wished to speak to me about a mutual friend.'

‘Yes. Robert Silverton. A man for whom I know you hold a special affection.'

Aware of the need to tread carefully, Sophie said, ‘Mr Silverton
is
a friend, but nothing more. As you pointed out, there are issues that would always come between us.'

‘Nevertheless, given the way I saw the two of you talking at Sir David and Lady Hester's last night, I thought you might have…resolved that issue.'

A warning bell rang. So, he had been spying on her.
Watching her while she was talking to Robert. ‘What you saw,' Sophie said slowly, ‘was Mr Silverton offering me an apology for what had passed between us with regard to his brother's death. An apology I was happy to accept.'

‘Has he asked to see you again?'

The words came at her like the flick of a whip. ‘I really don't think that's any of your business, Mr Oberon.'

‘Ah, but it is, Miss Vallois. Because I came here today with a view to making you aware of two things. One of which you will find very distressing. About Mr Silverton.'

So, he had come to tell tales on his friend. ‘I cannot imagine what you could say about Mr Silverton that would make me think ill of him.'

‘Not even that his sudden interest in you may have more to do with his hopes of winning my stallion than with any genuine feelings of love or affection for you?'

The statement was so bizarre that Sophie felt shock rather than outrage upon hearing it. ‘Kindly explain yourself, sir.'

‘Of course. I happen to know that Robert recently entered into a wager. One of his own devising, with the goal being to make the most beautiful woman in London his mistress. And given that he's told me more than once that he has no intention of marrying, I can only wonder at the reasons behind his sudden interest in you.'

Sophie was glad she was standing by the window. It allowed her to pretend an interest in the goings-on of passers-by in the street below. So, he would have her believe that Robert's interest in her was motivated by a
desire to make her his mistress? Truly he did not know his friend well. ‘I couldn't help but notice that you said Mr Silverton hoped to win your stallion. Does that mean you were also a party to this wager?'

‘I regret to say my name was taken down,' he admitted, ‘but I can assure you it was not with my agreement and it certainly wasn't over the acquisition of a mistress. I had already informed Silverton that it was my intention to seek a wife and settle down to married life. At least he had the decency to record my participation as such.'

‘So you're telling me that Mr Silverton wagered his ability to find a mistress against yours to find a wife, with the prize being your stallion.'

‘I fear so,' Oberon said. ‘He's always coveted the beast. He once told me that if an opportunity ever presented itself whereby he might take Thunder from me, he would do so without hesitation. That, I believe, was his primary motivation in suggesting the wager. And to be fair, he did offer up a prize of his own. A rather pretty little ring, but one I know to be a cherished family heirloom.'

Sophie kept her gaze fixed on the view outside the window. ‘I am surprised he would risk such a valuable item.'

‘I did try to persuade him against it, but he said it meant nothing to him. You must understand, Miss Vallois, Robert is a long-standing knight of the elbow. His passion for gambling runs as hot as the blood in his veins. It became his solace when his world turned upside down, and though he hides his craving beneath a civilised veneer, it is there none the less.'

Sophie let the curtain fall back into place. So, now
Oberon would have her believe that Robert was a heartless gambler to whom winning meant everything. A man whose interest in her was of the most scandalous kind. ‘What do you think Mr Silverton would say,' she asked softly, ‘if I were to question him about what you've just told me?'

‘I suspect he would try to justify his conduct to you by whatever means he could. There would certainly be no point in his trying to deny the wager exists. You could verify what I've said easily enough. I simply wished you to hear the details of the thing from me so that if he told you differently, you would be in a better position to judge who was telling you the truth.'