Prince of Ravenscar (Sherbrooke Brides 11)

“There can be only one person to betray us,” Julian said. “And that is why Leah came back here. Somehow, she overheard our plan. Devlin, you hold still until you have yourself together. The laudanum will help.”

Since it was near dawn, Julian and Sophie expected to find Leah in bed, but she wasn’t. Pouffer, so frightened he could barely speak, pointed to the drawing-room door. They found Leah reading a book by candlelight. But she wasn’t reading it at all, Sophie saw; the pages weren’t cut.

She looked up. “What is this? What is going on? Was there a fire?”

Sophie stared dispassionately at her aunt. Did you send your own sister to her death at Richard’s hands because you still believe Julian loves her?

She felt anger, clean and pure, wash through her. “Why aren’t you in bed, Leah?” Sophie strode toward her. She still hadn’t donned all her petticoats again, and she felt a stone lighter.

Leah shrugged. “I heard all the commotion and woke my maid. I saw Dr. Crutchfield hurrying past my bedchamber, as fast as an old man can move. I heard the servants talking about bad things happening, and his lordship was gravely wounded. What happened?”

“Devlin was struck down. Tell us how you knew about the smuggling adventure this evening.”

“I assume Devlin will be all right?”

“It appears so.”

“Well, that will relieve his family. What did you say? Smuggling operation? What is this?”

Julian said, “Have you seen Roxanne?”

“No, I have not. Is she still abed? What is going on here, my lord? Where is my sister?”

Leah looked suddenly alarmed; Julian would swear it was genuine. “Your sister was taken when Devlin was struck down.”

“Taken? What do you mean Roxanne was taken?” Leah jumped to her feet, sending the book sliding to the carpet. “What is this about a smuggling operation?”

Julian walked to the fireplace, leaned against the mantel, his arms crossed over his chest. “How did you find out about the smuggling run tonight, Leah?”

Leah rose, smoothed out her skirts. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Prince. Smuggling? There is no such thing anymore. All know that, but if there is, if you are a smuggler, then you should be sent to Botany Bay. Were you all involved? My sister as well as a future duke of the realm?”

Sophie said, “Don’t sound so disbelieving and outraged, Leah. You overheard us making plans for the smuggling, and you told Richard. Where is he? Where did he take Roxanne? What does he plan to do with her this time? Rape her? Kill her?”

“That is utter nonsense, and you well know it.”

Sophie walked up to her aunt, grabbed her arms, hauled her up, and shook her hard. “You will tell us the truth, you malicious witch, all of it, or I swear I’ll hurt you. I’m bigger than you are; you know I can do it. I can start with your face. How would you look with no eyebrows? Aye, I could hold you down and shave them right off.”

Leah grabbed her wrist. “Stop it, you stupid girl! What is this? You are accusing me of willingly harming my own sister? Are you mad?”

Sophie shook her again. “We don’t have time to do this ridiculous dance, Leah. Stop lying. Where is Roxanne?”

Leah began to cry. Disgusted, Sophie push

ed her away. She landed on the sofa, bowed her face in her hands, and continued to weep.

Sophie stood in front of her, hands on her hips. “You will listen to me, you viper-tongued harpy. You have made Roxanne’s life a misery with your spite, your malicious comments, your outright insults. She is gone, do you hear me? Your sister is gone, kidnapped—again. You are the only one who would betray her, who would betray us. You are a disgrace, madam, a miserable human being with so little heart and feeling you should dry up and disappear.” Sophie paused for a moment, drew herself up very straight. She pointed her finger. “You are no longer related to me. I disown you.”

Sophie was breathing hard. She couldn’t think of anything more to say. She looked over to see Julian staring at her.

“What?”

He said quietly, “Come here.”

Sophie, frowning at him, her heart still pounding with rage, walked to him. He took her arms in his big hands, and very slowly, he drew her to him. He said against her cheek, “You are magnificent. I will thank God every day for the rest of my life if you will marry me,” and he kissed her.

Sophie’s arms went around him, and she hugged him hard as she felt him kissing her mouth, her chin, her nose. Everything was chaos and fear, endless fear for Roxanne. She was so afraid she wanted to choke on it. And she was magnificent?

She leaned back in his arms. “Yes, I will marry you. I love you so much I will willingly cut your meat for you when you are old and have no teeth. What are we to do now?”