One Night Scandal

She and Brentwood waited for the musicians to start the next piece. Sophie scanned the room for Nicholas. He had escorted Jennette to her brother and then walked away. She’d lost him in the crowd. It mattered not, she scolded herself. She highly doubted dancing with Brentwood would make Nicholas jealous.

As the music started, Sophie relaxed and enjoyed the moment. Dancing with Brentwood was far more pleasant than she had expected. He was a lovely dance partner who smiled down at her and made polite conversation without the tension associated with other men.

“Miss Reynard, thank you again for your assistance with my last assignment.”

“You are very welcome,” she replied.

“Is it true that you can find the one person you are meant to be with?”

“Yes.” Most of the time.

He tilted his head slightly and smiled. “I shall keep that in mind when the time is right.”

She laughed softly. “Love does not always happen when the time is right, my lord. In fact it is usually when both people believe the timing is completely wrong.”

“Is that a warning? Is there a woman about to enter my life?”

“I cannot do a reading here. If you are truly interested, then you can call on me.”

“Perhaps I shall.”

Once the dance ended, she picked up a glass of wine and headed for the cool air on the terrace. A few torches lit the gravel paths but Sophie decided it was far safer to remain closer to the house. Until a firm gloved hand landed on her elbow and led her down the path.

“Why are you taking me away from the house?”

“We need to talk.”

She glanced over at Nicholas’s dark face and a quick flash of nervousness came over her. “Why?”

Nicholas continued walking to a seat far away from the house. He wanted no disruptions. He only wanted answers. He led her to the small stone bench.

“Sit,” he demanded.

Instead of listening to him, she continued to stand only now she had crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You stand to ruin my reputation, Lord Ancroft.”

“Oh, so formal, Miss Reynard. Did you enjoy your dance with Brentwood?” He had been utterly jealous when he’d seen them dancing a waltz together. He’d almost gone out on the dance floor to interrupt their dance, until he realized how foolish that would make him appear.

“Brentwood is a fine dancer and conversationalist. So yes, I did enjoy my dance with him.”

He clenched his jaw. “I’m glad.”

“Did you enjoy your dance with Jennette?”

He slowly smiled at her. “Indeed, I did.”

“Excellent. Now that we have both determined that we enjoyed our dances, I will return to the house,” she said, then started to walk past him.

He caught her arm and brought her closer to him. “He is terribly young,” Nicholas commented nonchalantly even though jealousy spread through his veins.

“Are you speaking of Brentwood again?”

“Of course!”

She tilted her head and smiled. “Jealousy does not become you, Nicholas.”

Damn her for sensing his feelings. She’d said if he tried, he could conceal his thoughts from her. He wondered if that would work.

“And you felt nothing when I danced with Jennette?”