One Night Scandal

“Nicholas, I would still like to help you find a wife.”

He stiffened slightly. “Why?”

“Because you need to marry, and you must find the right woman. And be happy.”

He was truly starting to believe that the right woman was already in his arms. But how could he convince her of that? If he continued to let her attempt to find him someone then he could still see her, talk with her, perhaps even touch her.

The longer it took for her to find his match, the longer he would have in her company. They could discuss other topics and learn more about each other. Perhaps then he could convince her that she was his perfect match.

“Very well, I shall call on you tomorrow.”

Chapter 11

Sophie held the hand of Miss Justine Littlebury, attempting to ascertain her true love. The images in Sophie’s head made no sense. A cloudy likeness of a man who reminded her of Nicholas emerged. But behind him came a hazy picture of a man with blond hair and green eyes and a slight scar on his chin. So who was the man for Miss Littlebury?

Once more Sophie was struck by the haziness of her intuition. What would she do if she’d truly lost her abilities as a medium? Then she’d have nothing. Even yesterday, Lady Cantwell returned for a third time and all Sophie saw was blackness.

“Well?” Miss Littlebury asked impatiently. “I need to know who my true love is before the ball tomorrow night.”

“Hush,” she reprimanded the younger woman. Sophie concentrated on the darker image that reminded her of Nicholas. Was it him? And who was the other man? She focused on names.

“Miss Reynard, can you help me or not?”

Sophie blinked her eyes open and stared at the young woman. At only twenty, Miss Littlebury was the daughter of a viscount and by all accounts, a shy retiring lady. But that was not the impression Sophie gleaned from her. It was all an act to get what she wanted.

“What I am seeing is not making sense to me yet.”

“Why not?” Miss Littlebury demanded.

“I see two men but both are very unclear. I cannot determine any names.”

“It’s just as I thought,” Miss Littlebury commented. “You are not able to see anyone’s future.”

“Miss Littlebury, sometimes these things take more than one session. As I come to know you better, you will open your mind more freely to me so I may determine the man for you.”

Miss Littlebury pursed her bow-shaped lips as she scraped back her chair. “I think you are a charlatan. Of course my return would be good for you since you charge for every session.”

“Miss Littlebury, this is not an easy thing,” Sophie explained. “If a person truly wants to hide something from me they can. Until you and I build a little trust it can be difficult to get an accurate reading.”

Miss Littlebury dug through her reticule and then tossed a coin on the table. “That is the last coin you shall see from me.”

With a huff, she walked toward the door. Sophie shook her head but followed her to escort the young lady out of her house. Miss Littlebury stopped at the receiving salon.

“Lord Ancroft!”

Nicholas stood and walked over to Miss Littlebury with a smile. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Littlebury.”

“And you, my lord,” she replied in a seductive voice. She looked back at Sophie, and said, “I would not waste your time or money with this charlatan. She is nothing but a fake.”

He smiled over at Sophie. “On the contrary, Miss Littlebury, Miss Reynard has helped me immensely.”

Miss Littlebury narrowed her eyes and glanced between them. “Has she now?”

“Yes.” Nicholas returned his gaze to the young woman. “Will you be attending the Blackburns’ ball tomorrow night?”

“Of course, I shall be there.” She looked back at Sophie. “At least there I will be surrounded by Society.” With a little huff, she walked toward the door.

Sophie walked back toward her study. “That woman is horrid.”