Abigail. The Abigail? The woman he loved and begged to defy her father by marrying him? She was in London. And obviously planning to marry Will.
There was no chance of that happening. Elizabeth started to move toward the aisle when Sophie stopped her.
“Not now,” Sophie whispered.
“What do you mean, not now?” Elizabeth frantically tried to pull her arm out of Sophie’s grip.
“They are leaving. Will must make the decision, Elizabeth.”
“You heard them. They are planning to trap him.” Elizabeth finally broke free and strode to the aisle just in time to see them leave. “I have to stop them.”
“Do you?”
She turned back to Sophie. “What do you mean? I must warn Will that she is coming. And she lied about defying her father.”
“Indeed?”
Elizabeth hated it when Sophie arched one brow at her in such a condescending manner. It made her feel like a naughty child. “Of course I do.”
“Is it not his decision to make?”
Slowly they walked out of the store, having bought nothing. “I don’t understand.”
“Has he told you he loves you?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No,” she admitted.
“If he is still in love with Abigail, shouldn’t he be allowed to make his own decisions?”
“But it would be a dreadful mistake, Sophie. There is something iniquitous about what they are planning.”
“Perhaps,” Sophie drawled. “It should still be his decision, not yours.”
“I cannot believe you are saying this to me!” Elizabeth climbed up into the carriage. “You are the one who told me to seduce him.”
Sophie had the grace to blush. “At the time, I never imagined the woman would come to London to chase after him.”
“But she doesn’t love him.”
“From the conversation, I would have to agree,” Sophie said. “But you don’t know if he loves you, either.”
Elizabeth didn’t know if Will loved her. He acted as if he did. He held her when she needed comfort and helped her find the diaries. If breaking a desk during intercourse could be called helping. Still, he could have asked her to leave as soon as he arrived, and he hadn’t. He must have some feelings for her.
And even if he didn’t love her, he should not be stuck with a conniving little witch for a bride. He needed to learn the truth about Abigail.
“Sophie, I think I need someone else’s help with this.”
Sophie’s mouth drew downward. “Who?”
“Lord Somerton. He can find out what they are up to and then I can tell Will the truth.”
Sophie groaned. “Very well. When we return home, I shall send him a note.”
“No,” Elizabeth said. “We must go to his home now.”
“We cannot do that.”
“Either you come with me or I shall do it by myself.”