One Night Scandal

“I didn’t think she could. Once Emma tells her how much she wants Sophie to be her mother, I believe Sophie will feel compelled to return. Besides, if I am truly to die, then Emma will desperately need a mother.”

“Devious, Nicholas.” Somerton smirked. “I do like the idea. And by the way, tell her that I have already informed the dowager Lady Selby that Sophie is my half sister. I’m quite certain Lady Selby will spread the gossip throughout the ton in a few days. By the time you and she return, everyone will know.”

“She might not be happy that you did that,” Nicholas commented.

“Just go bring her home. I can deal with my sister’s anger when she gets here.”

“I shall do just that.”

Chapter 24

After almost four weeks on the ship, with her morning sickness made only worse, Sophie had never been so happy to step on solid ground. Her mother met her at the docks in the count’s gondola.

Sophie looked around the city wishing she felt happier about returning. A bead of sweat rolled down her back as she held a handkerchief to her nose. Venice had been much more pleasant in winter.

Once the short ride ended, they walked toward her mother’s home through the small alleys that made up the city. Sophie had forgotten how confining some of the passageways were. If she put out both hands, she could reach the buildings on either side of her.

“I still cannot believe you are here,” her mother said as she opened the door to her home.

Sophie smiled at her mother’s warm greeting. “I am a little surprised that you are still here. It’s been a few months, are things still going well with the count?”

Her mother smiled brightly. “Very well.”

“Good.” And Sophie meant it. While her mother had never placed Sophie first in her life, she had done the best she could. Surviving on a man’s fancy was never easy, especially as a woman aged.

Although, her mother still had her looks. At forty-eight, her black hair had only a few strands of gray. Her face had a few more wrinkles but not as many as most women her age. And the woman had a figure most her age had lost decades ago.

“I want you to rest and have some tea.” Angelina brought her into a warm room with very high ceilings and a large crystal chandelier. The room vaguely reminded Sophie of the bedroom she and Nicholas had made love in. “I put you in a room next to me. If you decide to stay, we can find you a place on your own.”

While Sophie would love to stay with her mother for a longer amount of time, she understood. This house was only for the count to visit Angelina without his wife knowing. Sophie never realized just how hard a life that must be for her mother.

She sat on the brocade sofa as her mother ordered tea. Finally, the world had stopped spinning. She’d spent the first week onboard the ship doing nothing but crying and vomiting. Once she had cried herself dry, she did her best to convince herself she’d done the honorable thing.

But it never helped the pain in her heart.

Even now, almost a month later, she ached to see Nicholas again. How would she survive never seeing him, knowing he was in London with his wife and they were creating a family together? All the while, she would be here attempting to care for a child alone. Once the count tired of her mother, Angelina would no doubt return to London. Something Sophie could never do.

“Now, I would like the truth,” her mother said as she poured the tea. Handing the floral c

up to Sophie, she added, “I know you would not be here if everything was going well in your life. Did your father threaten to stop paying your expenses?”

“I think you already know why I am here,” Sophie commented.

“Perhaps,” her mother replied with a nonchalant shrug. “I would still rather you told me than my sensing it.”

“I am with child. By a marquess.”

Her mother’s gray eyes widened. “Oh my, I thought an earl was lofty when I went after your father. But a marquess?”

“He will be a duke when his father dies, which might be any time as he has consumption.”

Angelina shook her head with a slight smile. “All these years you told me you would not end up like me. And yet, here you are.”

“I know, Mother.” Sophie stared at her hands as humiliation stained her cheeks.

“So your marquess gave you money to leave the country before his wife discovered the truth?”

Sophie sipped her tea. Her stomach was finally starting to settle. “Not quite. He is not married but he is betrothed. I left on my own because I would only ruin his reputation and that of Anthony and the girls.”