Her tone had softened, and for the first time Jack felt himself winning the argument for Mrs. Pennant’s approval. “I realize I cannot woo her openly, so I want to call in reinforcements. I suggest that you also invite my cousin, Lady Skye Wilde, and I will come along as her escort. It will provide a good excuse for my presence.”
Mrs. Pennant’s mouth pursed as she appeared to weigh his proposal. “What does your cousin have to say about your plan?”
“I haven’t asked her yet, but I have no doubt she will comply. Skye and my sister Katharine are great admirers of your niece and want to get to know her better. In fact, they would be happy to introduce her to their genteel circles.”
“Their patronage would be beneficial for Sophie,” Mrs. Pennant said thoughtfully. “Oliver would be a fool to shun it, although even that enticing advantage is unlikely to sway him.”
“Which is another reason to invite me to Berkshire. It will give me a chance to persuade her father as well. And if anyone can charm Fortin, Skye can. She can also keep Dunmore occupied while I claim your niece’s time and attention.”
Mrs. Pennant seemed faintly impressed. “Apparently you have thought of everything.”
“Not by a long shot. I’ve had less than a day to plan.”
“It seems you are going to a great deal of trouble to pursue my niece.”
“True,” Jack agreed, amused at himself. He’d never gone to such lengths to court a lady, or been forced to desperate measures merely to see one. But he wasn’t willing to let this lady slip from his grasp without at least investigating their compatibility. He could afford to invest a week or so of time and effort in exploring what might have a momentous impact on his future.
“You will have to be clever,” Mrs. Pennant warned, “if you hope to evade her father’s wrath. And claiming Sophie’s time will not be easy either, as she will be busy helping me execute my duties toward my guests. I am much too old for all this fuss, and her mother cares little for entertaining or mingling with the ton. Rebecca is not an invalid precisely, but she customarily keeps to her rooms. That is another purpose of the party, by the by—to allow Sophie to display her talents as a hostess to Dunmore.”
Jack nodded but was eager for a decision. “So may I have your answer, Mrs. Pennant?”
After a long moment, she responded. “I am inclined to agree to your proposition, my lord. On the one hand, I want to promote Sophie’s prospects for an advantageous match. As a commoner, she may never get another chance to land someone with so lofty a title and fortune as Dunmore’s. Therefore, I am tolerating his suit. But I was forced by my own family to marry for wealth, and I thoroughly detested it. I do not want Sophie to be miserable as I was. In all honesty, I would very much like to foil her father’s scheme to pair her with Dunmore.”
Before Jack could reply, she continued debating with herself aloud. “Naturally Oliver will be furious at me for letting you within speaking distance of his daughter, but he wants to keep in my good graces since I hold the purse strings.”
She returned her focus to Jack. “In my will, I made Sophie my sole heir and bypassed her mother entirely because I didn’t want Oliver to see a penny of my wealth. But I can threaten to cut Sophie out. He will not want to risk losing my fortune for her, at least not until she is safely wed to the duke, so he won’t fight me outright on this. But he would oppose you, even without the feud. Oliver Fortin is rather prudish, very much the opposite of you notorious Wildes.”
Her sly humor suddenly returned. “I confess I should very much like to see you take on Oliver. It should prove entertaining. And if nothing else, you will provide competition for the duke. I want Sophie to see you and Dunmore side by side, so she can realize what she will be missing if she weds
him. I guarantee she will prefer you to him.
“But still …” Her voice faded, and she looked as if she were vacillating again. Then her gaze sharpened on Jack. “I hope I can trust you to put her happiness before your own, my lord.”
“You can,” he responded honestly.
“Well, I warn you, if you hurt Sophie or drag her into a scandal, you will answer to me, sir.”
“I promise to be on my best behavior.”
Mrs. Pennant gave a delicate harrumph. “That is not saying much. I knew your mother, Lady Clara. You inherited her passionate nature, and I worry that you might go too far with Sophie. Although she is mature for her age and has a good head on her shoulders, she has been far more sheltered than your cousin or your sister. Sophie’s parents delayed her debut while she was being groomed for the Marriage Mart, and she is rather inexperienced when it comes to men in general. She is out of your league entirely.”
Jack returned her gaze solemnly. “I give you my word, I will not break her heart. At week’s end, if there is no chance of mutual affection between us, I won’t continue my courtship any further. And regardless, I will do my utmost to dissuade her from marrying Dunmore.”
“Very well, then. Ring the bell to summon my butler. I will send Sophie to meet you in the blue parlor downstairs so that you may reveal your plan to court her. I have tried more than once to talk her out of wedding Dunmore, but my efforts were futile. I earnestly hope you can succeed where I failed.”
Jack felt a surge of satisfaction at winning the first skirmish, but he didn’t expect Sophie to fall in line with his plans as easily and so braced himself for a protest.
His breath caught a little when she appeared at the parlor door a short while later. Desire came rushing back to tighten his loins and thrum in his blood. She looked incredibly lovely in a morning gown of pale green muslin, her dark hair spilling down around her shoulders in a riot of curls. He could envision those long, silky coils wrapped around him as their bodies writhed together. At the erotic image, hunger knifed through Jack, sharp and insistent.
Her deep blue eyes held an unmistakable flash of pleasure at seeing him, as well as wariness and a hint of suspicion. “My Aunt Eunice says you wrangled an invitation from her to join her house party along with your cousin, Lady Skye. Yesterday you claimed you were not set on stirring up mischief, but why else would you insist on attending if not to make trouble for me?”
“Because I mean to court you. I have your aunt’s blessing, by the way.”
Sophie’s brow creased. “You actually cajoled my aunt into aiding your courtship? I am all astonishment. What did you do, cast a spell on her?”
“I did my best to enchant her.”
She laughed unwillingly, then shook her head in exasperation. “You are truly unbelievable. I always heard you were a bold rogue, and now this.…”