“Why are you here, Ronald?” Sophia leaned forward so she could look into his face.
Ronald held his hands out to his sides as though the answer was all around them. “Who else would take care of you? You left without a word to anyone. Without even waiting for the full moon.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “What did it take for you to bribe the fish?”
That was neither here nor there. She’d gotten through the portal. That was what mattered. “That’s not your concern.”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Not my concern? Not my concern?” His voice got louder and louder.
She hushed him by placing a finger over her lips. “Someone will hear you.”
“Not my concern?” he mouthed at her.
“I didn’t ask you to follow me.” In fact, she’d left with her grandmother in the dead of night just to prevent him from following.
“I can’t believe your grandmother allowed this.” He continued to shake his head.
Encouraged it, was more like it.
“She has always been tied to this world in a way she shouldn’t be,” he said.
“What does that mean?” Sophia gasped. But then she heard the door to the garden open behind her. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Lady Anne headed her way. And she towed her father by the hand. So much for speaking to the girl alone. “Go,” Sophia whispered to Ronald.
He slipped back into the foliage as though he’d never been there. But not before shooting her a look that said how displeased he was with her. And how much more he’d love to say. She’d ask him to explain his comments about her grandmother the next time he came to berate her for the duke’s lustiness, which she’d seen not a hint of. Not yet.
“Good morning, Miss Thorne,” Lady Anne said with a quick curtsy.
“I see you brought your father.” The duke took Sophia’s hand and raised it to his lips, which made her heart flip over in her chest. His eyes twinkled at her, as though he knew how he made her feel. Did he?
His lips were soft and firm against her skin. His breath brushed across her knuckles like a warm wind that made her want to shiver. Then he lifted his head and said, “Brilliant deduction, Miss Thorne.”
She inclined her head at him. “I suppose you were able to secure an invitation.” She glanced quickly at Anne, who danced in place.
“I invited him,” the girl chirped.
“What did he do to deserve the invitation?” Sophia asked.
“He asked me very nicely,” the girl said. Then she turned and dashed down the garden path out of sight.
***
Miss Thorne turned to him with her eyebrows raised, and Ashley couldn’t help but think about how much he wanted to kiss her. “Where is she going?” she asked.
“I sent her on a treasure hunt,” he said as he shrugged his shoulders. I wanted to be alone with you more than I wanted my next breath.
“A treasure hunt?” She looked up at him with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. “Do I get to play?”
“Do you want to play?” He hadn’t hidden anything for her. Should he have? “I came out earlier and hid some things for her to find.”
Sophia’s face fell. “Oh,” she said.
“I’m sorry. I had no idea you’d be interested in hunting for treasure.” He’d never make that mistake again.
“Doesn’t everyone love looking for treasure?” She looked perplexed.
He motioned toward a nearby bench. “Sit with me for a moment?” he asked.
Sophia reached for the strings of her bonnet and gave them a tug. The silk made a slow whisper as she tugged, soft as the wind. She stopped. “Do you mind if I get comfortable?” she asked.
She could disrobe if she wanted. “Allow me to help?” he asked as he brushed her hands to the side and ran his fingertip beneath her chin, then tugged the strings free. He lifted the bonnet from atop her head and laid it on the table nearby.