Lord Will & Her Grace (10 page)

Sophie recovered sufficiently to speak. "Your
wife?" she asked faintly.

He leaned forward and patted her hand before
cupping her face with his warm fingers. "My darling, I hadn't
thought it would be such a shock. Had you not guessed of my change
of heart?"

"But what of Mr. Farquhar?" she asked.

"Why, he'll be delighted when I tell
him."

"But I thought you and he were…"
No she
would not, could not, say it
.

"Were what,
chérie
?"

She stared at him.

"Did you assume we had more than just a
servant-master connection? Hmmmm, and I was just remarking on your
excellent character. I've known Jack Farquhar for over a decade and
a half, my darling. We met at a most provident time, when we were
both independently captured during a mission. I discovered
Farquhar's excellent acting abilities and devious mind—both very
useful when we decided to join forces working in secret for the
Crown."

Sophie plucked at her pantaloons. "But, then,
you tricked me. You allowed me to believe you were attracted
to…"

"Say no more, my darling. You've cured me of
every failing and I will promise to avoid falsehoods in future and
remain faithful to you, always." His posture oozed charm and
confidence.

"And you probably lied to me about the
parson. Did you pay him to get me alone again?"

"Now, Sophie, I thought this would be a most
roman—"

"Why you're the most pompous, self-important,
presumptuous… ass! You expect me to accept a marriage proposal from
you after you've deceived me, tricked me and even entered into a
false wager with me? You know nothing about me, sir. I wouldn't
have you if you were the last man on earth!"

"My, my,
chérie
, such language," he
said, sure of his eventual success. "Now let's be serious, for I
think if we joined—"

With that, Sophie grabbed an oar, stood up,
and pushed at his chest with the paddle. The angle and force were
enough to make him lose his balance on the high, narrow bench. His
eyes widened in surprise as he toppled head over heels into the
sea. The only reminder of male arrogance was his tall beaver hat
floating on the bubbling water.

Sophie took enormous satisfaction watching
him bobble to the surface, and gasp for air. "And in case you
didn't fully comprehend my signal, Lord Will, in the language of
the oar—not the fan, mind you—that means, 'Stay away from me, you,
you puffed-up imposter, if you treasure your life.' "

He treaded water while simultaneously
attempting to remove his heavy boots. "Have a heart, Sophie," he
said laughing. "Take pity on a drowning man! On the man who adores
you and will father your children."

"Not on my life," she said. "I don't have
pity for lying devils."

"Well, at least I've risen a notch in your
estimation over the last minute. A devil is at least a human form…"
He stopped when he saw the fury in her face. "I shall make it my
mission in life to earn your good opinion, darling."

She grabbed the two oars and began rowing
back to the shore in earnest.

Well, he thought, as he began swimming to the
beach, the idea of a post-engagement celebratory kiss had been,
perhaps, a bit optimistic. It seemed that, indeed, hell hath no
fury like a woman… deceived.

No matter. She loved him and he would have
her in the end. Her initial refusal just heightened his interest.
Ah, she was a true delight and they would share a wonderful life
together once he wooed her back. And he hadn't a doubt he would
accomplish it.

Had he not spent the better part of his
adulthood charming females of all types into his arms? And success
would be all the sweeter with this briefest of missteps.

The score stood, one for his sweet Sophie and
one for the devil.

THE dinner party at Villa Belza was as
uncomfortable as Sophie had imagined it would be. During the entire
five courses and removes, Lord Will refrained from saying a single
word to her.

He barely even looked at her.

Well, at least he had taken her refusal
seriously.

And he took obvious comfort in the bevy of
females at the far end of the table who besieged him.

The day after their encounter in the boat,
Sophie had deemed it wise to add another family to the
long-promised gathering the next evening. There was safety to be
had in numbers lest she be forced to converse with the snake and do
him harm. And so she'd sent a late invitation to the Aversleys of
Bath, to whom Aunt Rutledge had insisted Sophie pay a courtesy call
while in the country. This would relieve her social obligation.

Unfortunately, the evening hadn't transpired
as planned, like all of the events of her life as of late.

The Aversley party consisted of only six
persons. Aside from the fiftyish or so father, of the leering eyes,
there was the tiny, meek-minded mother, their three daughters and
one son of fifteen given to coughing fits. The three older sons of
the Aversleys had been forced to remain at home due to the same
illness that obviously affected the younger son. So much for
balancing the numbers.

The daughters were quite beautiful and the
Mornington sisters took an instant envy and dislike to them. The
same could not be said for Lord William.

Sophie had never seen so many females
fighting mind and body over one male. And the Aversley ladies, much
to the dismay of the Mornington girls, had the upper hand with
their superior beauty and intelligence.

"Lord Will, do tell us about your daring
deeds during the war. My father was well acquainted with several
officers at the top levels of British intelligence. Papa said you
were one of the fiercest spies in France," Miss Aversley said,
fluttering her eyelashes down over her wide, round eyes the color
of bluebells. The lady's bright auburn curls fell in soft waves
about her heart-shaped face. She was one of the prettiest females
Sophie had ever seen. Her sisters were even more perfect if it was
possible.

He raised his hands as if to speak, displayed
his most seductive smile and shook his head.

"Oh, Lord William, you can count on us to be
the souls of discretion. We would not breathe a word to anyone,"
sighed Miss Anna Mornington.

"Oh, yes, do tell us more of your life, my
lord," said Miss Philippa Aversley, the only brunette in the
family. "Your exploits and heroic efforts are well known to
us."

Sophie could almost hear a collective sigh of
rapture from every female breast in the room save hers and
Mari's.

She was beginning to feel rather ill at the
sight of all these females hanging on to the scraps of stories and
attention Lord William tossed their way.

Sophie was stuck between the coughing boy and
his lecherous father. Really! What had her aunt been thinking? And
Mari and Mr. Mornington were so wrapped up in each other's
conversation they provided no diversion whatsoever.

But God finally took pity on her at the end
of the meal when the boy exhibited a particularly long paroxysm and
it was decided the family must return to Bath despite the
near-to-tears expressions of the pretty sisters.

The remaining members of the party, with the
exception of Lord Will, breathed a sigh of relief when the
Aversleys departed. The residents of Burnham-by-the-Sea then
retired to the elegant music room.

"Miss Somerset, you've been remarkably
generous in your attentions to the neighborhood, from the donations
for the restoration of the school to all your visits to the
infirm," Mr. Mornington said.

Sophie, in front of the tea and coffee
service in the large room, refilled his proffered cup.

Mr. Mornington continued, "You're more than
filling the role of the former Duchess of Cornwallis. I cannot tell
you how sad my family, indeed the entire county, was when news of
the duke and duchess's deaths in London reached us so soon after
their son's death. My mother counted the duchess as her closest
friend. We spent so many happy hours here, visiting the villa."

"I know little of my uncle and aunt's ties."
She swallowed awkwardly.

"My mother and Her Grace attended school
together and remained like sisters to one another their entire
lives, writing to each other most faithfully when they were apart.
I am sorry you didn't know your uncle and aunt."

"I am too, sir."

"Her Grace would have been so happy to know
of your good works in the neighborhood."

"Please don't go on, Mr. Mornington," she
replied. "My father always said acts of charity should remain
anonymous or else they'll not count when one rattles the pearly
gates."

She looked up to find Lord Will grinning at
her. He was again dressed in somber attire. Gone were the ruffles,
lace and flamboyant colors. Elegant buff breeches, a dark blue
superfine coat and top boots had taken their place. Unfortunately,
his staggering handsomeness remained to torment her.

"Do you have anything to fear, my dear, when
you face St. Peter?" he asked.

"I'm sure I've far less to fear than you, my
lord."

He smiled again, revealing those roguish
dimples of his. "A hit, mademoiselle. You know not how you wound
me." His dark eyes twinkled and Sophie's stomach turned over.

There was a reason she'd refused to see him
when he'd called and left his card the day before. She could name
about a thousand reasons, starting with those eyes of his and
ending with his devious nature.

Sophie turned to glance at Mari, seated in
the alcove of the music room. The glass doors were open, refreshing
the room that had remained closed off for many months. The sounds
of early summer crickets filled the chamber as well as a slight
breeze, which teased the corners of the striped silk curtains.

Mr. Mornington rejoined her cousin to enjoy a
quiet tete-a-tete. The Misses Mornington were too far away to come
to her aid. They were locked in a heated battle over who would play
the pianoforte first.

"I'm afraid you're stuck with me,
chérie
, for conversation. But that's no great hardship, is
it? We've always been able to amuse one another," Lord Will said in
low tones.

Sophie inhaled. But before she could answer
him, he continued. "Have you been thinking about our last
encounter? Ah, I see by your expression that you have."

She forced her hands to remain calmly folded
in her lap. "Only insofar as I didn't have the opportunity to tell
you more precisely what I really think of you. But at least I won't
feel the need to teach you the proposed lessons—about Character, or
perhaps Conscience, and the rest. For I think we both know that
would be a completely wasted effort."

"I am sorry to hear that. I'd not thought you
would try to end our wager unfairly. You take much pride in your
good character and reneging on a bet does not sit well. And I
offered the perfect solution."

Surely, she would explode in anger.

Mari returned to refill her teacup. Sophie
threw in two lumps of sugar with enough fury that the tea splashed
over the rim of the delicate porcelain.

"I am so sorry, Mari. Do let me give you
another cup."

"Don't go to the trouble, dearest," Mari
said, barely noticing. And then she focused on Sophie's discomfort.
"Are you all right, cousin? You're flushed."

Sophie gritted out an assurance of good
health and Mari wandered back to her prince.

"
Chérie
, I would not see you so upset.
Your happiness is my primary concern."

"If that is so, then you'll take yourself out
of my sight before I say something I shall regret." She smiled at
Mr. Mornington who was watching her.

"That's an excellent idea. What we need is
seclusion,
chérie
, to resolve all the issues that stand in
the way of our happy future."

"Well, I think you'd be better served if you
looked for your happy future in Bath where three Aversley females
will hang on your every word and shower you with adoration for the
rest of your life."

He chuckled. "I knew you loved me," he
whispered and fingered a tendril of hair that had come loose from
the coiffure Karine had arranged hours ago.

"What!"

"Very good. I shall return later this
evening, when we can be alone and I can revel in those seeds of
jealousy by planting my—"

"That is out of the question."

"
Chérie
, you're adorable when you're
in a pique. Promise you will argue with me at least once a week
when we are wed."

She was silent, looking beyond his
shoulder.

"No? I see you fear I'm not taking you
seriously. When I return I promise I'll listen to every loathsome
word you hurl my way and then we'll have our heart-to-heart." He
paused. "There is something of vital importance I must give
you."

"I will not accept anything from you."

"I promise you'll not break any rule
accepting this token. Quite the contrary,
chérie
." He
discreetly picked up her hand and a curl of heat flowed to her
breast. "I also promise I'll not place you in any type of danger
for even the slightest moment. My word."

"The path to hell is paved with broken
promises."

"I thought it was paved with good
intentions."

"In your case they're one and the same,
sir."

"Ah, you are… perhaps correct," he said,
surprising her with his answer.

Mari walked up with Mr. Mornington in time to
save Sophie from trying to outwit Lord William. "Has my cousin said
something to offend, my lord?"

Mr. Mornington appeared mesmerized by Mari
whose hand gently rested on top of the stout gentleman's arm. All
at once her partner spoke. "That's all right, Miss Somerset, Lord
Will often provokes extreme retaliation. I'm sure you're not to
blame."