The Seduction of Sophie Seacrest (17 page)

Holt grabbed her hips and drove into her
softness, plunging time and again. She met his thrusts eagerly, her
hands digging into his shoulders as she moaned his name. Their
differences fell away and they became merely a man and woman
sharing the pleasure of one another’s body. Every movement, every
thrust brought them closer together. When Holt stroked the hardened
nubbin of her woman’s flesh, Sophie shattered. He grabbed her hips
and with one final thrust, poured himself into her sleek, warm
body.

***

Sophie woke in her bed the next morning.
Alone. Where was Holt? He must have carried her upstairs during the
night and was already up and about. Or was he sleeping in his own
bed as polite society dictated? She threw back the covers and
reached for her robe. There was only one way to find out. She
tiptoed to the door that separated their rooms and rapped lightly.
When there was no response, she turned the knob and stepped
inside.

The master bedroom was cast in shadows, but
she could make out the empty bed covered in a gray, silk
counterpane. She scanned the room for a closer glimpse into the man
who inhabited this space. The furniture was of a rich mahogany and
ornately carved. There were no clothes or personal belongings
strewn about. Everything was quite neat, regimental to be exact.
She moved to one of the dressers and picked up his razor, turning
it slowly in her hands. Alongside the case were two black leather
ties and a silver brush. She returned the razor to its case and ran
her fingers along the bristles of the brush. She liked his hair on
the longish side, despite the shorter styles of the day. Actually,
there wasn’t much she didn’t like about her new husband at the
moment.

She sighed and walked toward the massive bed,
blushing at the thought of the intimacies they’d shared last night.
How would Holt look upon her this morning? Would he feel this same
closeness she felt toward him? There was but one way to find out
and if she hurried, she might catch him at breakfast.

One half hour later, she entered the dining
room to find Jason and Julia deep in conversation. She was so
caught up in her happy thoughts she failed to notice the somber
mood at the breakfast table. “A fine morning, is it not?” Her pulse
quickened as she glanced at her husband’s empty seat. “Have you
seen Holt?”

Julia coughed. Jason grimaced but quickly
recovered and cleared his throat. “Would you care for tea?”

“No, thank you. I believe I shall seek out my
husband first.”

“But you must eat.” Julia sprang from her
chair and hoisted a spoonful of strawberries and a muffin on a
plate and set it in front of Sophie. “This will do for starters but
you must try the poached eggs. They’re simply divine.”

“Indeed,” Jason agreed. “And the sausages are
quite tasty this morning.”

“And the tea—”

“The finest.”

“Where’s Holt?” Sophie interjected,
determined to locate her husband.

Julia glanced at Jason who shook his head and
said, “I’m sorry, Sophie.”

“What’s happened to him?” He spoke as though
a grievous situation had befallen her husband. She could not lose
him now. “Is he injured?” She needed him.
She loved him.

Jason’s kind gaze sought hers. “No, he’s not
injured, at least not at the moment.” He paused. “Holt left for
London this morning.”

She grabbed the back of the chair when her
legs threatened to give way. “Might I inquire as to the nature of
the trip and when he plans to return?”

Jason lifted his shoulders in response. “He
informed me he had business to attend to and would return when it
was finished.”

“Business? The day after his wedding?”

Jason cleared his throat and looked away.
“He’s confused. He cares about you as much as he tries not to and I
think that’s the real problem. Give him time. He’ll come to his
senses.”

Damn the man. He’d played her for the fool
yet again and she’d more than willingly acted the part. Well, there
would be no repeat performance of her lovesick behavior. She had
indeed learned her lesson at the expense of her pride and self
respect. “Am I to stand by groveling for the few morsels of
affection he may occasionally throw my way?” She looked at him
pointedly. “Am I to let him go off to London on ‘business’ to visit
his latest paramour when the desire takes him? I think not.” Before
Jason could reply, she fled the room.

Chapter 21

Four days passed with still no word from
Holt. Caroline inquired the first day as to his whereabouts and
Sophie told her he was in London on a business trip that could take
several days or even weeks. Yes, it was quite important or why
would he leave right after the wedding? Important, indeed!

There was one bright side to her marriage;
everyone at Ellswood adored Caroline. The cook delighted in making
her the lemon cakes she loved, the groomsmen fought over who would
saddle her filly, even old Jaffe was seen telling her stories when
he thought no one was watching. It was heartwarming to see her
little sister welcomed in such a manner, for she’d known scant
affection in her short lifetime.

Caroline blossomed like a rose given sun and
water. She smiled more often, skipped about the grounds and had
even begun teaching the household her special language with her
fingers. Julia and Jason formed an immediate attachment with her
and seemed genuinely thrilled to have a ‘little sister’ running
about. One day soon, Sophie would tell them Caroline was indeed
their sister, and not just by marriage.

Though Sophie had been initially somber and
reserved, as the days passed and she spent more time with her new
family, her mood lightened. Family meals were relaxing events,
often filled with laughter and joking, especially when Jason tried
to copy Caroline’s message with his fingers. Julia and Sophie broke
into peals of laughter as they watched a frustrated Jason move his
large fingers into various positions, albeit incorrectly. Finally,
he would give up and place his fingers together, moving his thumb
and little finger up and down, making a dog puppet which garnered a
quick smile and clapping hands from Caroline. After dinner
entertainment consisted of games of cards and piano ditties from
Julia. The night usually ended with stories and hot chocolate,
providing a healing balm for the new family. Unfortunately, their
solitude was interrupted in the form of an invitation that arrived
one morning during breakfast.

“I beg your pardon sir, there is a gentleman
in the hall, awaiting your reply.” Jaffe held a silver tray with a
crisp, white card in the center of it.

“What’s this? Another of Julia’s suitors who
must see her immediately or die?” Jason chuckled, eyeing his sister
who proceeded to stick her tongue out at him.

“I may just remain with you forever, dear
brother,” she crooned in an over-sweet voice.

He sighed. “If you’d only keep your mouth
shut and not challenge all of them, you’d be married by now.”

“Jason!” Julia swatted his arm but his
attention remained on the card Jaffe had handed him. He scanned it
several times before placing it on the table, face down, to scrawl
a response.

“I’m declining Lord Carlington’s invitation
tonight. Apparently he recently discovered we’ve returned from the
city and is quite anxious to officially meet the new earl and his
bride.” He placed the card back in its envelope and handed it to
Jaffe.

Sophie cleared her throat. “I would like us
to attend.”

Jason stared at her as though she’d grown two
heads. “You can’t be serious.”

“And why not?”

“Because you can’t go without your
husband.”

“My husband.” Her eyes flew from Jason to
Julia. “I’ll wager neither of you can tell me where my husband is
or when he will return. Am I to remain on a shelf until he decides
to reappear? Worse, are the two of you planning to sit home and
baby-sit me until he does?”

“Be reasonable, Sophie. A new bride does not
go about without her husband unless she’s pursuing other
interests.”

“If you and Julia accompany me, then it will
be acceptable. Jason, please. I can’t remain hidden forever like
some abominable freak.”

“Think of the gossipmongers,” he countered,
shaking his head.

“Yes, think of them. And tell me,” she
glanced in a frozen Jaffe’s direction, “if all of the servants have
not noticed their master’s absence since the day after his wedding?
They’re very loyal to you, but do you not think they are whispering
amongst themselves?” Her voice slipped to a plea. “I’ve waited
every hour of every day for his return. I must escape this house,
if only for a few hours where I will not feel his presence at every
turn.”

“What could it hurt?” Julia asked.

“Holt would be furious.”

“Of course he would be. If he were here,”
Julia replied. “But he’s absent and we won’t tell him. Besides,”
she smiled mischievously, “Sophie can meet all of my suitors and
then she shall know why I have vowed to remain single.”

Jason sighed and turned to Jaffe. “They’ve
worn me down, old man. Go ahead and accept.”

***

They arrived at the Carlington’s just as the
snow began falling in earnest. Huge white flakes coupled with the
strong wind made visibility increasingly difficult.

“I don’t know why I let you two talk me into
coming out on a night like this,” Jason yelled into the wind as the
three rushed toward the large double doors of the Carlington
estate.

“Because you love us!” Julia yelled back.

It was indeed a happy affair, with men and
women gliding along the ballroom in swirls of silk and satin. A
large crystal chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling,
illuminating the couples and casting brilliant shadows on their
jewels. Jason watched his two escorts with open admiration and the
thought he might well spend the greater part of the night fending
off the male species. Married or not, Sophie was a vision in a
satin gown of deep copper, folded and tucked in all the right
places to accentuate her curves. As she bent her head to speak with
Julia, the tiny copper beads woven through her hair shimmered. When
she smiled, her eyes sparkled like emeralds. Blast! It was indeed
going to be a long night.

And then there was his sister. Beautiful.
Charming. Headstrong. Disobedient. Good luck to the man who finally
won her heart. She’d keep him constantly on his toes. Dressed in a
royal blue gown of similar cut to Sophie’s, he noted she too had
her share of curves. Perhaps her gown dipped lower in the front
than Sophie’s, revealing more than should be revealed. Perhaps said
gown should be buttoned at the neck.

No breathing specimen of male flesh could
miss the allure of his sister. As she turned her head, he noted her
graceful neck, the golden of it sun-dabbed with just a hint of pink
to match her lips. She’d gathered her hair into tiny ringlets atop
her head, held in place with sapphire combs, then left to cascade
freely down her back. A most beautiful combination. Sensing she was
being watched, Julia turned and smiled at him. Jason stepped toward
them and declared, “You ladies are the belles of the ball.”

“I quite agree.” They turned to find Lord
Carlington, a stately man in his mid-sixties with snowy white hair
and twinkling blue eyes.

“Lord Carlington.” Jason held out his hand.
“It’s good to see you again.”

The older man shook Jason’s hand. “How have
you been my boy? And where is that damnable brother of yours?
Haven’t seen him since he was a scrawny little bugger. Never went
anywhere without a book in his hand.” His expression darkened. “We
didn’t agree with Westover’s decision to send him away, thought it
would break the boy.” His tone lightened and he sounded amused as
he said, “But I heard about his latest coup. Never thought he had
it in him. Poor boy spent years trying to fit in and then the old
man sends him off and he takes to the sea.” His voice dipped in
admiration. “And then returning under a disguise to see if he
wanted
to be a part of the ton? Now that’s a prize. If
anyone could escape the ton, it’s a Langford.” He chuckled and
shook his head. “So, tell me, what’s keeping your brother from the
sea these days?” His blue gaze fell upon Julia, then settled on
Sophie. “Ahhh. I heard he took himself a bride.”

Sophie paled at the mention of her husband
but Jason quickly stepped forward and placed his arms about both
women. “May I present Lady Westover.”

The old man came forward and clasped Sophie’s
hands in his long, thin ones and smiled quizzically at her. “Pardon
me, my dear, I don’t believe I’ve seen you before. I would remember
such exquisite beauty.” His bushy, white brows drew together. “I
haven’t seen you at any of the other balls, soirees, routs or
anything for that matter and I have either held or attended far
more than I care to consider. Tell me, Lady Westover, from which
star have you fallen?”

Jason had tried to warn her all of the
questions might not be targeted at her husband.

“I was a Seacrest before my marriage. My
father was Arthur Seacrest, Earl of Rendhaven.”

The old man studied her, and Jason knew the
exact moment her words registered. “Your mother was Charlotte,” he
murmured, his look distant, but only for a moment before he
continued, “but of course. I should have known. You look like her.
Beautiful woman she was.” There was that faraway look again. “Such
an utter tragedy for everyone involved.” He pierced her with deep
blue eyes and said, “My sympathies are with you, child.”

Once he’d left, Jason muttered, “I knew we
shouldn’t have come. Dammit but I knew better.”

Julie placed a hand on his arm. “Don’t
chastise yourself for something Sophie and I begged you to do.”