A Taste of Paradise (32 page)

“No, there was no time to send word ahead. Christian gave me a letter of explanation for his brother. We won't be staying long, however, for I intend to find my own lodging.”

“Why ever for?” Agatha asked. “None of us will be staying in London long. All this nastiness in Jamaica will be over before you know it, and we can return home.”

Sophia said nothing. Casper could return, but she would not, even if Chris sent for her, which she seriously doubted. He didn't have time for a wife, and Sophia had been the last woman in the world Chris would have wed had he been given a choice. She had literally been thrust upon him.

Sophia sat in silent contemplation while Agatha tried to control her exuberant children. Even Casper seemed excited, but that could be explained by his sudden freedom after the confinement of the ship. The coach rolled to a stop.

“Ah, here you are, Sophia. This is where Lord Standish and his wife Grace live.”

The coach door opened and the steps were let down. Casper scrambled out first and gawked at the house. “Is this where we're staying? It's a bloody mansion.”

“Watch your language, Casper,” Sophia chided. “We'll stay here until we can find our own lodging. Don't let the size frighten you.”

Sophia was somewhat intimidated herself. This was no mere town house. From what she could see of it, the Standish home was a gated mansion sitting well back from the street on a manicured lawn.

“Rather impressive, isn't it?” Agatha said from the coach. “Shall I send my man to announce you?”

“No, thank you,” Sophia declined. “That won't be necessary.”

If the earl turned her away, she didn't want anyone witnessing her embarrassment. The coach rattled off, leaving Sophia, Casper and their luggage sitting before the imposing gate guarded by a stone lion on either side.

“Well, Casper, I suppose we had best find our way to the door.”

“What if the gate is locked?”

“Then you can climb over and announce our arrival. I've seen you scamper up the masts on the
Intrepid
. I doubt that little gate will hamper you.”

Casper grinned. “I can climb that in no time at all.”

“Let's see if it's locked first.” She tried the latch; it opened at her touch. “It wasn't locked after all. Shall we find out if we're welcome?”

Casper picked up one of the valises.

“Leave the luggage, Casper. If we're not welcome, we won't have to carry it back. And if we are welcome, someone will fetch it for us.”

She swung open the gate and strode resolutely up to the front door. Casper was but a step behind her. She grasped the brass knocker and banged it hard.

“That ought to bring someone.”

Indeed it did. A stately butler opened the door a few moments later. “How may I help you, madam?”

“You can fetch the earl for me, if you please,” Sophia said. “I carry a letter from his brother.”

“Captain Radcliff? He is in Jamaica, madam.”

“I know. Casper and I just arrived on the
Mary Deare
. We sailed from Jamaica nearly four weeks ago. I am the captain's wife.”

“Wait here while I inform His Lordship of your arrival.”

He disappeared into the far reaches of the mansion. Sophia studied her surroundings. Lord Standish must be fabulously rich, she decided, impressed by the marble foyer supported by tall columns and decorated with statues and valuable pieces of art. Several candelabras illuminated even the darkest corners. A marble staircase leading to the second floor rose magnificently before her.

A man who looked a great deal like Chris, only older, approached from the direction in which the butler had disappeared.

Sophia had seen Chris's brother a time or two during her Season but she'd never paid much attention to him, for he was already courting Grace. It was Chris who had caught her attention, and held it to this day.

“Sophia? Is Chris with you?”

“Chris is still in Jamaica, my lord. I carry a letter from him.”

“Who is the lad with you?”

“Casper, Chris's ward.”

“Ah, yes, Chris has spoken of him. You must both be exhausted after your long voyage. Shall we go into the parlor while I read Chris's letter? Then you can tell me what happened to bring you and Casper to London. Baxter, bring refreshments for Lady Sophia and young Casper. Better yet, take Casper to the kitchen. I'm sure Mrs. Humphreys can find something special for him.”

Casper left with Baxter. Sophia watched the earl for his reaction to her. She knew Chris had written to him about their marriage and wondered how he would treat the woman who had caused his brother years of anguish. When he frowned at her, Sophia decided he didn't approve of her, and she really couldn't blame him.

“You are the last person I would have expected Chris to marry,” he said.

“I know you don't approve of me, my lord, but for Casper's sake, I hope you will let us stay until I can make other arrangements.”

“What the devil are you talking about? There has to be a good reason you are here, and I'm anxious to hear it—after I read Chris's letter, of course.”

“Of course.” Sophia dug in her reticule for the sealed letter and handed it to the earl. She waited for him to read it, having no idea what Chris had written.

“Good God,” the earl exclaimed after he had read the letter through twice. “I had no idea things had gotten that bad over there. Chris was right to send you away. You are welcome to stay with us as long as you wish. You are Chris's wife, whether or not I approve, and you will be treated with the courtesy and respect due a lady of your standing.”

“You're very kind, my lord,” Sophia said. “But I intend to find lodging for Casper and myself as soon as possible.”

“That won't be necessary. Chris asked me to look after you until the danger is past and he comes for you, and so I shall. He never explained in his last correspondence, however, how you two found each other after all these years. I saw him the day before he sailed, and he said nothing about you. In fact . . .” He hesitated. “Well, never mind what we discussed—our conversation is no longer relevant.”

“I can well imagine what Chris said,” Sophia muttered. “Our meeting was accidental. I thought Chris explained how it happened. Perhaps another time—”

“Of course, forgive me for prying.” Baxter entered the parlor with a tray. “Ah, the refreshments have arrived. After you've eaten, Baxter will show you to your room. Dinner is at nine. We aren't having guests tonight; my wife is increasing and prefers quiet evenings at home. I'll introduce you at dinner; she's resting right now. Will you pour?”

Sophia poured tea for herself and the earl and munched on tiny sandwiches and biscuits. Casper joined her a short time later, grinning from ear to ear.

“Cook makes delicious gingerbread. Much better than Chandra's. But don't tell Chandra I said so.”

Sophia smiled at the boy's ability to adjust. The earl rose and summoned Baxter. He arrived shortly.

“Have our guests' bedrooms been prepared?”

“They have, milord. A fire has been lit in both chambers to ward off the chill.”

“Thank you, Baxter,” Sophia said. “The transition from hot to cold weather hasn't been easy. I appreciate the warmth of a fire.”

“I can sleep in the servants' quarters,” Casper injected.

“Indeed not,” the earl said, affronted. “The house has a very pleasant nursery. And I intend to hire a tutor for you tomorrow. We can't have you slacking off on your studies.”

“Casper has had no formal lessons,” Sophia explained.

“Then it's about time. Where is your luggage?”

“We left it at the gate.”

“I'll have it delivered to your rooms. Off you two go now. We'll see you both at dinner.”

“Thank you, Your Lordship. Casper and I appreciate your hospitality.”

“Please call me Justin, and I shall call you Sophia. You are my sister by marriage, after all.”

“Do I have to have a tutor, Sophia?” Casper asked. “I don't need any book learning. The captain taught me all I need to know.” He grimaced. “I'd rather sleep in the stables. I'm too old for the nursery.”

“The nursery will be more comfortable than the stables,” Sophia said. “Accept the present situation, Casper. It won't be for long.”

Casper brightened. “That's right. I'm sure the captain will send for us soon.”

Sophia said nothing. It hurt too much to think of Chris. She had begged him to let her remain in Jamaica, and he had denied her. Casper might return to Paradise, but she would remain in England. There was no longer a place for her in Chris's life.

Sophia was assigned a lovely room overlooking the garden. Amid much grumbling, Casper was taken to the nursery. Sophia's luggage arrived shortly afterward, along with a little Irish maid named Peg, a sweet-faced girl who couldn't be more than sixteen. Peg unpacked for Sophia and hung up her wardrobe, which Sophia saw at once was totally inadequate for late fall in London. She and Casper would need warmer clothing immediately.

“Will there be anything else, milady?” Peg asked. “His Lordship said I'm to be your maid.”

“No, thank you, Peg. I'd like to rest until dinner. But you could check on Casper in the nursery, if you will. He's probably feeling lonely.”

Peg bobbed a curtsy and left. Sophia lay down on the bed, her own loneliness nearly insurmountable. How was she going to exist without Chris? She had lived in a kind of limbo for seven years, until they had found one another again. Their meeting and subsequent marriage after all those years had been a miracle wrought by Fate.

Now Fate had struck again. Chris had sent her away and she was alone once more. Sophia fell asleep thinking about the only man she would ever love. A man who would never return her love.

Peg woke Sophia in time to dress for dinner. Adding a shawl to her dimity gown for warmth, she left her room and followed Peg down the stairs to the dining room. A footman opened the door and she swept inside.

“Sophia!”

Casper jumped from his chair and ran to meet her. “I thought you'd never come down.”

“Where is everyone?”

“His Lordship just left to escort Lady Grace to the dining room. I don't like it here, Sophia. I miss the captain and everyone at Sunset Hill.”

Sophia ruffled his hair. “I'm sure Chris will send for you soon. Until I can find suitable lodging for us, we must accept the earl's hospitality.”

“I don't want a tutor.”

Sophia didn't have time to answer; the earl and his wife had just entered the dining room. Sophia turned to greet the heavily pregnant woman.

“My lady, thank you for opening your home to us. I promise it won't be for long.”

“Grace, my dear, this is Sophia, Christian's wife, and Casper, Chris's ward,” Justin said.

“Welcome, both of you,” Grace said kindly. “Please be seated. I swear I am always hungry these days.”

They took their assigned seats. Servants began bringing food immediately. While they ate, Sophia surreptitiously studied the countess. Blond, petite and beautiful, she appeared to be at the end of her pregnancy.

“Why didn't Chris come with you?” Grace asked.

“There was trouble on the island, my lady,” Sophia explained. “Most of the planters have sent their wives and families to England, out of harm's way.”

“How dreadful. Even in England we've heard about the unrest among the slaves. Slavery is such a terrible thing.”

“That's why Chris freed his slaves soon after he arrived at Sunset Hill.” She toyed with the food on her plate. “I didn't want to leave Chris, but he insisted. I don't believe Sunset Hill is in danger.”

The earl and his wife exchanged knowing glances. Sophia sensed their curiosity but didn't want to delve into her relationship with Chris in front of Casper. When she noticed him yawning, she suggested that he go to bed as soon as he finished dessert.

After Casper was led off by a footman, the earl suggested that they have tea in the drawing room. Sophia knew instinctively that the earl would ask questions. She also knew she would not lie to Chris's brother.

Once Grace was seated comfortably, her feet resting on a footstool, she said, “I must confess that both Justin and I were stunned by Chris's marriage.”

“No more than I, my lady.”

“Please call me Grace—we are sisters now. I don't mean to be nosy, but we saw Chris before he sailed and he said nothing about you or marriage.”

“I'm not surprised. We met aboard his ship. It was strictly accidental.”

“You were a passenger aboard Chris's ship? Funny—Chris didn't mention taking on passengers,” Justin mused.

“I was a stowaway—I had no idea the
Intrepid
belonged to Chris.”

“I see,” Justin said, but apparently he didn't. “But marrying you, a woman he had reason to . . . er . . . dislike, a woman he wanted to erase from his memory, doesn't make sense,” Justin continued relentlessly.

“Justin,” Grace admonished. “It's not our place to pry. Sophia is Chris's wife. That's all we need to know. Sophia, dear, does Chris intend to come for you and Casper once the danger has passed?”

“I don't know. We parted on less than friendly terms. I'm not sure he'll want me to return to Jamaica, and if he does, I'm not certain I wish to return.”

“Oh, dear,” Grace said, clearly distressed.

“When are you expecting, my lady?” Sophia asked, abruptly changing the subject.

Grace laid a hand on her burgeoning middle. “In four weeks, but it seems like forever. Late October or early November at the latest. Chris promised to return for the christening.”

Sophia said nothing; she wasn't privy to Chris's plans. A great deal depended on the situation in Jamaica.

“Chris's letter asked us to make you welcome for the duration of your stay, and indeed we shall,” Justin said. “Please consider our home yours.”