Lover Be Mine (Legendary Lovers 2)

“I do not care. I don’t want that libertine Wilde fellow anywhere near my daughter.”

When Eunice made a scoffing sound, Oliver shifted his attention to Sophie again. “I am only trying to protect you, my girl.”

She smiled soothingly. “Papa, I don’t believe I will need protecting, truly. This is a genteel house party after all. What could he possibly do?” Other than tempt me with his wickedly seductive advances? she added to herself.

“I won’t risk it.” Oliver’s expression darkened as he shook his head sternly. “His mother was an utter scandal in her day, and his relative killed your great-grandfather in cold blood.”

Sophie felt the need to defend Jack against the unfair charges. “I know, Papa, but Lord Jack did not kill anyone. And he is not responsible for what his mother did three decades ago. Furthermore, I would truly like to know Lady Skye. She is said to be delightful.”

Her father was clearly not mollified, however. “He could be a fortune hunter, have you considered that?”

Since Mrs. Pennant planned to leave her fortune to Sophie, Oliver was always on the lookout for scoundrels who might take advantage of his daughter’s inexperience and tender heart.

But Mrs. Pennant retorted before Sophie could. “Pah, Lord Jack has his own fortune. Why would he need Sophie’s?”

Oliver raised a hand. “I forbid you to even speak to them, Sophie.”

“Papa, if they speak to me, I can hardly ignore them.”

Surprisingly, Rebecca spoke up for the first time, addressing her husband in her quiet voice. “Sophie is right, my dear. She cannot display bad manners in front of the duke. Such an unseemly display of ill-breeding would give him a disgust of her and damage her chances to wed him.”

When Oliver ground his jaw stubbornly, Rebecca seemed to withdraw once more and returned her gaze to her plate, which abruptly caused his expression to soften. His wife asked for so little that he was always willing to accommodate her.

“Very well,” he relented. “Sophie may speak to them—but only if spoken to first.”

Sophie repressed a sigh of relief. Her father’s reaction was not as violent as she’d expected, so she supposed that could be counted a victory of sorts.

But the decision obviously did not sit well with him. As soon as luncheon was finished, Oliver excused himself from the table, muttering that he did not intend to be present when certain repugnant company arrived.

As he stalked out, Sophie caught Eunice’s eye, which gleamed with relish, suggesting that she had purposely baited Oliver.

This time Sophie’s sigh was audible. Sometimes her great-aunt was not a very nice woman, and she was not looking forward to refereeing their family battles, which would only be made worse by the addition of Lord Jack.

Perhaps she was being overly hopeful about the potential outcome of his visit after all.

He and his cousin were among the last guests to arrive, and when he finally appeared two hours later, Sophie couldn’t help the leap of her heart at seeing him once more. Locking gazes with Lord Jack brought to mind his scorching kisses and sent butterflies rioting in her stomach.

Fortunately, her reaction went unnoticed by anyone but him. Lord Jack’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned to pay his respects to Mrs. Pennant and introduce his cousin. When Sophie’s turn came, she greeted Lady Skye warmly and welcomed Lord Jack with proper politeness.

There was no chance for a private word with him afterward, though, since just then the Duke of Dunmore arrived with much pomp and fanfare. For the remainder of the afternoon, Sophie was kept busy in a whirlwind of activity—making the guests comfortable, welcoming them with tea and other refreshments, and showing them the house and gardens. Dunmore claimed the largest share of her attention, a circumstance that should have been flattering but merely left her feeling frustrated and restless.

When it came time for dinner, the guests gathered in the drawing room beforehand. Sophie saw her father shoot Lord Jack a dark look and held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t make a scene. But for the next half hour he gave both Wildes a wide berth. He was determined to shun them, it seemed.

She had taken unusual care with the seating arrangements, keeping the Wildes at one end of the long dinner table, with Mrs. Pennant and the Fortins at the other with the duke. They managed to get through dinner without incident, but Sophie found herself envying the laughter at the far end. The Wildes appeared to be enjoying themselves, and Lady Skye’s vibrant personality shone even at a distance. The conversation at her own end was somewhat stilted, but the duke was oblivious to the awkward undercurrents of tension in the air.

Since there were more ladies than gentlemen present, after the dessert course, they all repaired to the drawing room together instead of the men lingering over port.

There was a close call when the Wilde cousins came face-to-face with Sophie’s father, but then Oliver hurriedly crossed the room to avoid having to meet them—rather like a Shakespearean comedy, Sophie thought, hiding her wince. It might have been amusing had the stakes been less serious.

For entertainment the first evening, two tables of cards had been set up, since Mrs. Pennant was a great whist enthusiast. At her invitation, Lord Jack joined her game, while Sophie’s father pointedly chose the other. Dunmore remained with the younger ladies, who took turns playing the pianoforte and singing. Sophie was fairly accomplished at playing, but knew her voice was nothing extraordinary. Even so, Dunmore lavished compliments on her, almost to the point of embarrassment.

When she caught Lady Skye’s amused eye, they shared a silent moment of camaraderie. Sophie was grateful when shortly afterward, Lady Skye drew the duke’s attention and engaged him in conversation.

As the evening wore on and the card games disbanded, Sophie was glad to escape to confer with the housekeeper about the tea tray. To her surprise—and admittedly secret delight—she met Lord Jack on her return. Yet she was not at all surprised when he took her arm and drew her into the nearest room, which happened to be a small parlor.

“I was plotting how to steal you away from your duties,” Lord Jack confessed as he guided her into the room and away from the open door, “but fortunately you saved me the trouble. I can see I will have to be more inventive if we’re to find ways to be together this week. Skye has volunteered to keep Dunmore occupied, but that may not be enough.”

Sophie caught her breath when he stepped closer. He wasn’t touching but was close enough that the heat radiating from his body warmed her.