One Night Scandal (18 page)
“You will do what you think is necessary, Father. And I will do what I think is right.” If only his father knew just how useless his threats really were. Nicholas rose and walked out of the room before his father could stop him.
“Miss Littlebury, this is indeed a surprise,” Sophie said, entering her study. “I thought you believed I was a charlatan.”
A splotchy red blush tinged the woman’s cheeks. “My friend Miss Hall said you were correct about her match.”
Miss Hall? Sophie thought back to her many clients over the past few years but could not remember one by that name. There had been a few ladies who had tried to deceive her by using a false name. “Is she married now?”
“No, but she expects a proposal this Season.”
Sophie frowned. “What are you truly about, Miss Littlebury?”
Her pale blue eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“I know of no one named Miss Hall. The last time you were here, you strode from the room declaring me a fraud. So what exactly is your purpose in coming here today?”
Miss Littlebury bristled. “How dare you little nobody accuse me of coming here on false pretenses.”
Sophie smiled slightly. The woman wanted something from her, but Sophie didn’t know what. Using her softest tone, she said, “I didn’t accuse you of anything. I would just like to know why you came here again.”
Miss Littlebury blinked and looked up at the plain white ceiling. “My father would like me to marry someone. I am not certain he is the man I should marry.” She bit her lip and glanced down at her hands. “You did help a friend of mine make a superior match. Miss Elizabeth Tyson is now the Countess Rotherham. She is so happy, Miss Reynard. I apologize for not speaking the truth before now.”
“Very well, Miss Littlebury,” Sophie said, holding out her hand. “Take my hand and think about love . . . what you want in a husband.”
As Miss Littlebury did, Sophie felt the familiar dizziness and closed her eyes. Just like the last time she read Miss Littlebury everything remained faint as if a sheer fabric covered the scene. There were two men and while Nicholas was one of them, this time he remained farther in the background.
“I see two men in your life right now,” Sophie whispered. “One is blonde with green eyes and very handsome.” Well, handsome from what she could determine.
“And the other?”
“He is farther in the back. I’m not certain what it means.”
“Who is it?” she urged.
“I believe it is Lord Ancroft,” Sophie said softly. “I am not sure why he would be so far in the distance.”
“What about the other man? What is his name?”
Sophie concentrated but couldn’t determine a full name for the man. “I can only get Edward or Edmund. Something similar to that.”
“I don’t believe I know of any man with that name.”
Sophie kept her eyes shut but knew the girl was lying. Edward was a very common name and even Sophie knew several men with that name. She opened her eyes and saw a gleam of satisfaction in Miss Littlebury’s blue eyes.
“My father would like me to marry Lord Ancroft,” Miss Littlebury admitted. “I would like to be the duchess but after seeing Miss Tyson marry for love . . .” Her voice trailed off as she glanced away.
“Miss Littlebury, I will tell you something only if I have your complete confidence.”
Miss Littlebury turned her head back toward Sophie. “Of course, I shall not speak of anything we have conversed about today.”
“Very well, I believe the other man is the one for you to find true happiness with. I read Lord Ancroft and you were not the woman for him.”
“Then who is?”
“I could not determine his match. With you, things are hazy but with him, there was nothing to see.” Sophie still wondered if it was related to death as was the case with Lady Cantwell. Was he fated to an early demise?
“So,” Miss Littlebury started, “you don’t see any specific woman with Lord Ancroft.”
Hearing the scheming tone of her voice caused the hairs on her neck to rise. “What do you mean?”
She smiled as she removed her hands from Sophie. “Thank you for your time, Miss Reynard. I must be off now.”
“Miss Littlebury . . .”
“Yes?” Miss Littlebury stood and picked up her reticule. She fished some money out and tossed it on the table.
“Please believe me when I say that there is another man for you.”
“Well, if you can ever determine his name, please let me know, Miss Reynard. Good day.” She turned and departed the room with a rustle of muslin.
Sophie remained seated as she watched the younger lady leave. She rubbed her tummy. The unsettled sensation would not leave her as easily as Miss Littlebury had.
As the late afternoon turned to evening, the disquieting feeling only increased. She wandered back into her study after supper and picked up the money Miss Littlebury had left on the table. Holding the coins, Sophie closed her eyes.
A vision of Nicholas and Miss Littlebury came to her. The image appeared surrounded in darkness. Sophie dropped the coins as if they had burned her.
Nicholas was in trouble. And Sophie was certain, Miss Littlebury was the cause. Could some action of Miss Littlebury’s be the impetus to his death? Not if Sophie had anything to do with it.
Chapter 18
Nicholas waited impatiently as his valet brushed out his jacket. The idea of attending the Middleton ball had left a bad taste in his mouth, but he had no clue why. Well, there was one idea—Sophie. He’d hoped to spend more time with her this evening and possibly well into the night. Perhaps after he had delivered the note to Lord Middleton, he could leave and go to her.
The woman seemed to have become imprinted on his brain, and if he truly wanted to be honest, his heart as well. Since he’d met her, he rarely thought of Jennette any longer. Instead, all his attention focused on Sophie.
“Here we go, my lord,” Lane said, bringing the jacket to him.
“Thank you.” Nicholas pulled on the jacket and straightened the lapels. A knock scraped on the door. Expecting Emma, he said, “Come in.”
A footman opened the door with a frown. “There is a Miss Reynard here to see you, my lord.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, “She arrived unattended by a maid, sir.”
Nicholas smiled at the idea of Sophie being in his home but then frowned. She knew they could not meet here as long as Emma was home. “That is all right, Liam. Show her to the receiving salon. I will be there presently.”
“As you wish, my lord.” Liam backed out of the room and closed the door behind him.
“How do I look, Lane?”
His valet brushed at a piece of invisible lint then stepped back. “Very well, my lord.”
“Excellent.” Nicholas walked down the marble stairs. He stopped at the threshold of the receiving salon and his heart pounded at the sight. Sophie was braiding Emma’s hair. Both were giggling about something Sophie had said.
In that instant, he knew he loved her. And he had no doubts that Emma would come to love her, too. Now it was just a matter of convincing Sophie to become his wife. He had to persuade her to not be worried about what the gossips would say. It didn’t matter as long as they loved each other.
He would have to tell her the truth about his father’s money. Having the money would make things easier, but they would be fine without it, too. He had plenty of money invested.
He leaned against the doorframe just watching them. Sophie had a look of delight on her face as she finished braiding his daughter’s hair. He wanted to see that same look every day for the rest of his life.
Of course he had no idea if she loved him. She appeared terribly concerned about finding him the right match. That didn’t seem like the actions of a woman in love. What if she rejected his proposal again?
He couldn’t think about that right now.
“Now,” he said, moving away from the doorframe, “what are you two giggling about?”
Emma giggled again as Sophie gasped.
“Papa, Miss Sophie put my hair into a queue.” Emma stood and turned around so he could see the braid. “She made a beautiful braid.”
“So she did,” Nicholas replied. “But what are you doing down here?”
“I was looking for you,” his daughter said with a shrug. “Maria wasn’t feeling well so I told her that she must go directly to bed. And you gave Mrs. Griffon the night off to see that play. When I came to see if you were here, I found Miss Sophie.”
Nicholas stepped into the room and sat in the gold brocade chair. “I see.”
“And,” Emma continued excitedly, “Miss Sophie told me Mrs. Griffon was her governess! Did you know that, Papa?”
Nicholas smiled at his daughter. “Yes, I did know that.”
“She told me to make certain that Mrs. Griffon takes me to the Egyptian section of the museum because Mrs. Griffon knows everything about Egypt.”
He looked over at Sophie and almost felt sorry for her. His daughter was a chatterbox who never knew when to stop. But when he glanced over at Sophie, all he noticed was amusement shining in her gray eyes. “Emma, I do believe you are supposed to be in bed reading now.”
“Yes, Papa.” She turned and gave Sophie a hug. “Thank you for braiding my hair, Miss Sophie.”
“You are welcome, Emma,” Sophie murmured.
Emma kissed him and then skipped out of the room, leaving an empty silence in the room.
Nicholas finally cleared his throat. “Now, to what do I owe this honor, Miss Reynard?”
“May we speak in private?” she asked, glancing at the door.
“Of course.” Nicholas rose and shut the door. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
Her face drew into a mass of confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Just tell me why you are here, Sophie.” He returned to his seat but wanted to take the spot on the sofa Emma had deserted.
“Are you going out tonight?”
Nicholas frowned and shook his head. “You risked your reputation to come over here and ask me if I was attending a ball. Why?”
“Because you should not go anywhere tonight.”
“Sophie, did you have a vision in which something happened to me?” He understood that she believed in her visions completely, but he still had reservations.
She grimaced. “Not quite a vision.”
“Then what?” he demanded. He glanced over at the clock on the fireplace mantel. It was already after eight. He’d planned on getting there early so he could deliver the missive and leave. Now it looked as if that would not happen.
“I’ve had a dreadful feeling ever since Miss Littlebury came to see me this afternoon.” She stared over at him intensely. “This feeling has something to do with you and her and this ball tonight.”
He barely knew Miss Littlebury, although he’d noticed her name on the top of his father’s list. Perhaps Sophie had learned about the list and was trying to stop him from marrying Miss Littlebury. “Sophie, I am only going to the Middleton ball to deliver a note to Lord Middleton for my father.”
“Don’t go, Nicholas,” she pleaded. “I know something horrible will happen to you if you attend this ball.”
Nicholas leaned his head back against the chair and looked up at the white coffered ceiling. “I must,” he whispered. “I made a promise to my father.”
Sophie leaned forward. “Please trust me, Nicholas. I have a feeling that this will ruin your life forever. Can you not deliver the note tomorrow?”
“No. It must be done tonight.”
“I could go with you,” she mumbled, staring at her hands.
“If you do, your reputation will be in tatters. You will lose your clients because they will all believe we have been lovers.”
“If it protects you, I won’t care.”
“I will not let you do that.”
Sophie knew she had to do something to keep him from leaving this house. Since her words couldn’t convince him, perhaps there was another way. Slowly, she rose and walked toward him.
“What are you doing?” he asked with a smile.
Remembering how they’d made love on the chair in her study, she straddled his hips before he could move. “I just want to kiss you, Nicholas.”
“No, you just want to keep me from going to the ball tonight.”
She brought her lips down on his hard mouth and kissed him soundly. Finally gaining a slight response, she deepened the kiss and brushed her tongue across his. With a groan, he brought her closer. While she had started this game, he quickly took control.
His hand circled the back of her neck, forcing her nearer to him. Heat radiated downward from his kiss. She moved her hands toward his cravat, only to have him grip her wrists so she couldn’t move. Feeling his erection, she rubbed herself against him.
With a groan, he pulled away. “Stand up,” he ordered roughly.
Assuming he wanted her to undress for him, she did as he requested. She attempted to reach the buttons on the back of her dress but was unable to grasp even one.
“Would you mind?” she asked as she turned her back.
The chair squeaked as he rose. “As a matter of fact, I do mind.”
He swung her around to face him. Sophie cringed as she noticed the anger emanating from his entire body.
“Don’t ever come to my house and play games like this again. I told you I have no choice but to go to this ball tonight. Your attempts at seduction won’t change my mind.”
Sophie blinked back the tears that flooded her eyes. Humiliation swept over her. She couldn’t ever remember feeling so foolish. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He walked to the door and called for a footman. “See that Miss Reynard gets home safely.”
“Nicholas, wait!”
He paused for a moment before turning back to her. “What is it now?”
“I fear you may be in peril. Your life may be at risk if you go tonight.”
“I highly doubt Miss Littlebury is a killer.” He turned back toward the door and muttered, “Good evening, Miss Reynard.”
Nicholas watched with only a speck of regret as Sophie left the house. Turning her away had been the hardest thing he had ever done. But he couldn’t live his life around her intuitions—good or bad.
He patted his waistcoat to make certain the note to Lord Middleton was still there. Once he delivered the message, he would return and explain things to Sophie. She should understand that he had promised his father he would deliver the note tonight.
As he left the house, her words of warning wouldn’t leave him. He knew of no one who wanted him dead. While he had a cousin who would inherit the title should something happen to him, Peter never seemed the type who wanted to be duke. And why would Sophie connect Miss Littlebury to this? It made no sense.
Lord Middleton’s daughters were all married so Nicholas doubted this could be any type of attempt at finding him in a compromising position. So if not that, then what would cause Sophie’s reaction? He scarcely knew Miss Littlebury, but doubted the shy, retiring woman had any desire to become his wife.
Once he arrived at the ball, he waited for his official announcement before walking slowly through the crush. He asked a footman to give a note to Lord Middleton to meet Nicholas in the study at ten. Then he nodded to several acquaintances before finding Somerton who stood against a pillar watching the dancing.
“Good evening, Somerton,” he said as he approached his old friend.
“Nicholas,” Somerton said with a nod. “What brings you here?”
“Business for my father.”
“I was sent a note this evening stating that if you attended this ball, I was to watch your back.” Somerton sipped his whisky. “Any particular reason your back might need watching?”
“I have no idea. Some intuition nonsense.” Nicholas grabbed a glass of wine from a passing footman.
“It’s rarely nonsense,” Somerton retorted. “She tends to get it right most of the time.”
“Nonetheless, today she is wrong. I am only here to give a missive to Lord Middleton and then I intend to leave.” And then he would return to her home and apologize for getting angry with her.
Somerton smirked. “Sounds simple enough. Still, I believe
I
shall take her advice and watch your back.”
I
shall take her advice and watch your back.”
Nicholas shook his head. “I am to meet him at ten in his study. Alone.”
“Then we shall get there early and make certain the room is empty. And I will stand guard so only Lord Middleton enters the room.”
Nicholas blew out a breath. “As you wish.”
With a few minutes left before he needed to be in the study, Nicholas watched the couples dancing. Swirls of pale silks blended with the men’s darker clothing in the flickering candlelight. A stab of envy punctured him. He wanted to be on the dance floor with Sophie in his arms.
He just had to get through this meeting with Middleton then he could return to her. Perhaps once she saw that everything was all right, she would understand. He hated the wounded look he’d seen in her eyes.
“Come along, Nicholas.”
“Very well.” He and Somerton walked down the long corridor to Middleton’s study. Somerton entered the room with stealth then waved him inside.
“There is no one in here,” he commented even as he checked behind the blue velvet curtains. “And the only door is the one we entered through.”
“As I said, there is no reason for her intuition tonight. I will give Middleton the note, wait for his reply, and then I leave.”
Somerton grimaced. “I certainly hope so.”
Hearing the strangled tone of Somerton’s voice, Nicholas asked, “What is wrong?”
“I do not know. But suddenly I’m starting to believe she is right. Something feels wrong here.”
“We have checked the room already. As long as you let no one in, save Middleton, everything will be fine.” Nicholas raked his hand through his hair, exasperated with the conversation.
“I think it’s a trap,” Somerton said. “Perhaps, I should stay in the room with you.”
Somerton could intimidate any man and Nicholas didn’t need that tonight. “There is no trap. Nothing is wrong. Just wait out in the hall and only let Middleton inside.”
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