Two Shades of Seduction (23 page)

“I say, that’s news which warrants a celebration,” Hamilton exclaimed.

“I agree. I’ve already made arrangements for Sophie and me to visit London.”

“London,” she gasped.

“I’ve arranged for Devlyn House in Mayfair to be opened, and I’ve secured a new box at the Alhambra.”

“Good God, don’t tell me Sophie’s convinced you to take her to the opera.”

Hamilton’s exclamation made Quentin smile as he glanced in Sophie’s direction. To his surprise, she didn’t seem excited. If anything, she appeared dismayed. He’d already warned her they would have to face the world’s prying eyes sooner or later. It would be better for her to do it in London than feeling as though her home was being invaded. His gaze remained on Sophie as he shook his head.

“No, I don’t care for the opera, but I’ve yet to give my wife a wedding present—”

“But you bought Augustus for me,” she protested.

“Bloody hell, so you’re the one who paid that exorbitant price for the animal,” his brother-in-law exclaimed.

“Extortion is a more apt description, but I promised Sophie I’d secure the horse for her.” Quentin frowned as Sophie’s expression remained one of dismay. “Still, I thought another wedding present was in order, and a box at the Alhambra seems appropriate given my wife’s love of music.”

“It was thoughtful of you Quentin, but, I don’t—”

“You needn’t fret, my darling wife, I’ll see to it you’ll have a dozen new frocks.” He kissed her brow then whispered in her ear. “But I much prefer you naked and between my legs.”

She blanched at his words, and he cupped her chin in his hand forcing her to look at him. A smile curved her mouth, but there was a shadow in her hazel eyes that bothered him. Something was troubling her. He wanted to make her happy, and his insides twisted at the thought she might not be.

Quentin trailed a finger down her cheek, and her smile faltered for such a brief moment that he was certain he was imagining things. No doubt, she was unhappy that her brother had come to say goodbye. Yes, that had to be it. Quentin kissed her brow once more then turned to clap his brother-in-law on the shoulder.

“Come, Hamilton. Your sister was cutting flowers. Let’s leave her to that task. I have some fine brandy we can drink to toast my success, and it’s time the two of us got better acquainted.”

As he guided the younger man toward the keep, he glanced over his shoulder at Sophie. She looked more forlorn than he’d ever seen her. He was almost ready to return to her side, when she looked up to meet his gaze. Instantly, she was smiling again, but for some unfathomable reason he knew her eyes didn’t reflect the happiness of her smile. Despite the sudden misgivings surging through him, he knew that whatever was troubling her, he would eventually coax out of her.

“I
do wish you wouldn’t read these filthy things, my lady.” The newspaper crackled softly as Rose laid it on the morning room table. “It’s simply mean people who are up to no good.”

“Has his lordship left the house?” Sophie asked as she ignored her maid’s well-intentioned plea.

“Just as he does each morning, my lady.” Rose frowned with disapproval. “And he won’t be happy with me if he finds out I’m bringing these terrible papers to you every day after he leaves.”

“I shall deal with his lordship if our secret is discovered,” she said quietly. “Thank you, Rose. You may go.”

The maid hesitated slightly, and Sophie eyed her sternly, which made the young woman hurry out of the room. As the double doors snapped closed behind the maid, Sophie stared down at the newspaper lying on the table.

It had been almost a month since they’d taken up residence in Devlyn House, and for the majority of that time, the gossips had made her and Quentin the subject of their daily scandal mongering. Eleanor had attended several of the same functions she and Quentin had, which always seemed to ensure a particularly virulent stream of gossip the next day.

When Quentin had found her sobbing over the scandal sheets the morning after their first social event, he’d ordered her not to read the gossip columns. She’d wanted to obey his command, but she knew her best defense against vicious gossip was to know what was being said.

So she’d taken to reading the scandal sheets when Quentin was out of the house. She knew her decision to ignore his orders was the right one. On more than one occasion, someone in Eleanor’s small circle had subjected her to sly references to the latest scandal sheets. The confrontations had proven less humiliating because her prior knowledge of gossip had allowed her to retain her composure in spite of the venomous innuendos.

With a sigh, she steeled herself to pick up the newspaper and turn to the gossip page. In recent days, mentions of her and Quentin had been less vitriolic, and she was hopeful today would bring a gossip column free of their names. She offered up a small prayer as her gaze skimmed the page. With each line she read, her mood brightened.

She was almost done with the page when the air left her lungs, and she struggled to breathe. Her gaze fixated on the newsprint, she read the small paragraph then read it repeatedly until she’d memorized the words.

Is it possible Lord Devil is about to discard one sister for another? Lord Devil and Lady ES were seen with their heads close together at the Medford House soiree last night. Afterward, Lady ES was overheard telling the Countess of W that she would be seeing Lord Devil in the wee hours of the morning. Can we assume that Lady ES means she and Lord Devil will be having an assignation of the illicit kind?

Slowly, Sophie closed the newspaper and laid it on the table. Chilled, she rubbed her hands as if the movement would warm them. Was it possible the gossip was true? When she’d entered the Medfords main drawing room last night after supper, her heart had sunk when she saw Quentin and Eleanor together in a quiet corner.

She’d pretended not to notice, and had forced herself to listen to Lady Crowley’s opinion on how best to grow roses until Quentin had appeared at her side. It hadn’t taken Quentin long to grow bored by the conversation, and he’d quietly insisted on departing.

Afraid to ask him about Eleanor, she’d remained silent on the carriage ride home. They were almost at Devlyn House when Quentin had leaned forward to grasp her hand. Sophie studied her hand as she remembered the way he’d held it so tightly in his as he’d studied her in the semi-darkness of the carriage.

“What’s wrong, my sweet? Are you upset that Eleanor managed to lay siege to me in the Medfords drawing room?”

“I am not upset,” she lied in a quiet voice. “I’m certain you had your reasons for speaking with her.”

“
She
approached
me
, sweetheart, and I excused myself when the opportunity first presented itself.” Light from outside the carriage illuminated his face as he leaned forward and raised her hand to his lips. “Would it be presumptuous to think you were jealous?”

“It would,” she snapped. He chuckled and slowly peeled her glove off of one hand. It was a habit he often indulged in whenever he wanted something or was attempting to appease her.

“Such a harsh response makes me think I might have stuck a chord,” he murmured as his tongue flicked out to circle her finger before he drew it into his mouth.

There was a tender note in his voice that made her heart sing. He had to be telling her the truth about Eleanor. Laughter echoed in the back of her head as her subconscious sneered at her conclusion. She immediately crushed the mocking laughter. She didn’t—couldn’t believe Quentin could be so cruel as to woo Eleanor then tease and seduce her as he was doing now. His mouth sucked gently on her finger, and she drew in a sharp breath at how easily his touch could undo her.

“You are an incorrigible beast,” she whispered as he released her forefinger and began to kiss the tips of the rest of her fingers with something akin to tenderness. Her heart skipped a beat as he smiled at her.

“Incorrigible? If that’s true then you know what to expect when we arrive home.”

“My expectations involve sleep.” Her heart was racing as Quentin gently nipped at the fleshy side of her palm.

“I’m sure that can be arranged, Lady Devlyn.
After
I’ve had my way with you at least twice.”

The carriage rolled to a halt, and Quentin hadn’t given her a chance to respond as he quickly exited the vehicle and escorted her into the house and up the stairs. The intensity of their lovemaking last night had been stronger than ever before. Even the tenderness in his touch had seemed unusually poignant and had made her want to weep from the sweetness of it.

The memory of Quentin’s touch evaporated as the sound of voices in the hall broke through her thoughts. Dear Lord, Quentin had returned early. Quickly springing to her feet, Sophie grabbed the paper and raced across the room to shove it into her secretaire. She’d just closed the lid of the desk, when the morning room doors opened. Alfred, the new footman Quentin had hired upon their arrival in London, stood just inside the room to announce the arrival of visitors.

“Lady Granby and Lady Harwood, my lady.”

As the two women entered the room, Sophie winced. Lady Granby was a notorious gossip and she’d done everything in her power to avoid the woman. Any time spent in the woman’s company meant Sophie would have to guard her words more carefully than usual.

“Good morning, Lady Granby, Lady Harwood.” Sophie eyed both women coolly. “How kind of you to call.”

“My dear, Lady Devlyn.” A simpering smile on her lips, Lady Granby moved forward to clasp Sophie’s hand. “Please do forgive our unexpected arrival, but as I told Lady Harwood, we have been extremely remiss in calling on you before now.”

With eyes the same color as her dark brown hair, Lady Granby was the perfect foil for Lady Harwood’s porcelain skin and blonde hair. Sophie pulled her hand out of the woman’s tight grasp and tensed at the calculating look the woman directed at her.

Dressed in the height of fashion, Lady Granby carried herself with an air that said she expected people to see to her needs without question. In contrast, Lady Harwood seemed to defer to her companion. Despite her desire to throw both women out on their ear, Sophie knew doing so would make her pay a price in tomorrow’s morning papers. As if aware of Sophie’s irritation, Lady Harwood smiled in a mollifying manner.

“As Lady Granby said, my lady, we have been quite derelict in not calling upon you sooner,” the other woman said in an apologetic tone. “Our delay is certain to make you think us terribly ill-mannered.”

“Not at all. Although I do have a luncheon engagement, which will not allow us to visit for long.” For the first time since she’d agreed to attend Lady Shelton’s luncheon, Sophie was glad she had done so. With a gesture toward the chairs and sofa, she smiled politely at the women. “Please, won’t you sit down?”

Lady Granby swept across the floor with a self-important air to sit in one of the Queen Anne chairs across from the sofa. Her demeanor timid, Lady Harwood settled herself on the couch with a hesitant glance in Sophie’s direction.

When both women were seated, Sophie sat at the opposite end of the sofa from Lady Harwood. Her gaze shifted from one woman to the other as the silence stretched out between the three of them. Taking the bull by its horns, Sophie looked directly at Lady Granby.

“I trust you are enjoying our delightful weather.”

“Indeed, it’s quite lovely,” Lady Granby said with a superficial smile that quickly turned to one of cunning. “In fact, I’ve found it necessary to ride early in the morning simply to avoid the extreme heat. Do you ride, Lady Devlyn?”

“Yes, although I’ve not done so since we arrived in London. We didn’t bring my horse up from the country as we don’t expect to remain in town for long,” Sophie said wistfully as she realized how much she missed riding.

“I have a horse you might ride while you’re here,” Lady Granby said with a wave of her hand. “Then you could join your husband when he rides.”

“I much prefer a nice drive through Hyde Park,” Lady Harwood interjected quickly. “It allows me the chance to enjoy the fresh air without worrying whether or not I’m sitting correctly on my horse.”

“I’ve found carriage rides equally pleasant.” Sophie relaxed slightly at the young woman’s clear attempt to be pleasant.

“You should join me one morning for a drive around the park,” Lady Harwood said in a cheerful tone until Lady Granby coughed softly. As if her companion had snuffed out a light, Lady Harwood winced slightly.

“I appreciate your offer to join you, my lady.” Sophie smiled at the woman at the other end of the couch. “It’s one of my husband’s least favorite activities. He much prefers riding.”

“Then he
does
ride every morning,” Lady Granby exclaimed as she tilted her body forward in a conspiratorial fashion.

“Yes,” Sophie said as she met the woman’s triumphant gaze with a sinking heart. “He rides quite early then returns home to have breakfast with me.”

“Oh, then perhaps it wasn’t him at all,” the woman frowned slightly, her dark eyes flitting from Sophie to Lady Harwood and back again. Not about to take the bait, Sophie turned toward Lady Harwood.