One Night Scandal

“What?”

“My daughter Justine went to Miss Reynard’s home yesterday.” Witham paused and looked up at him. “As she was leaving, she noticed Lord Ancroft waiting to speak with Miss Reynard.”

“Did she learn his business?”

He shook his head. “She assumed that he must be there for a reading. She thought he might be trying to find the right woman for him.”

Belford tightened his jaw. He knew his son’s taste in women and doubted he was only there for a reading by a medium. “What does she look like?”

“I have only seen her once, Your Grace. She is a beautiful woman with dark hair and gray eyes.”

“Her age?”

“I believe she is in her middle twenties.”

Exactly what his disreputable son would want in a mistress. Belford hoped that was all there was to this relationship because he would never stand for such a woman becoming the next duchess. His son could take as many mistresses as he wanted, once he was properly married.

“Anything else?” he asked.

“No, Your Grace.” Witham rose to leave.

“Wait, Witham.” There was at least one way to make sure his son married the right type of woman. “Would your daughter be willing to compromise herself with him?”

“Your Grace?” Witham’s face paled.

“Don’t look so innocent and shocked. It is done all the time. She need not lose her virginity to him. She just needs to be caught in a serious kiss at a ball. As if she was about to be ravished.”

Witham nodded with a smile. “I will make certain that she agrees to it. My daughter will be your son’s wife and the next Duchess of Belford.”

A slow smile crossed his lips. “Excellent.”

Chapter 12

Sophie awoke the next morning and checked the bed sheets again for any sign of her monthlies. Now close to a fortnight late, she worried that she may have repeated her mother’s mistake. As she sat up, a wave of nausea forced her to lay back down on the bed.

“Oh, dear God,” she whispered once the initial wave passed.

She rolled on her side as tears wet her cheeks. What was she to do now? Her options were limited. She could get rid of the baby, but that wasn’t an option for her. She could have the child and give it to Victoria’s home for orphaned children. Again, she knew she could never do such a thing. Giving up her baby was not a choice for her, which left her with raising the child alone as her mother had done.

Or telling Nicholas.

She brushed away another tear. The only option was to inform him. She would never be able to withhold the fact from him. Nor did she want to. Even if he wasn’t her true love, she was coming to love him already. She had no doubt that he would offer to marry her again. So the only issue that remained was could she marry a man who still loved another woman?

Did she have a choice?

No.

She could only pray that some day he might start to love her as much as he did Jennette. And if not, Sophie would shower her child with all the love she had in her heart.

Sophie sipped her lemonade as she watched the dancers floating across the floor. Thankfully, her sickness this morning didn’t last long, which only strengthened her suspicions. She would have to tell Nicholas soon.

Jennette’s party was a crush but not one person other than Sophie’s immediate friends had even nodded at her. She felt as if she were invisible in the crowded room. Scanning the room, she had yet to see Nicholas, though he’d said he would be here.

Why did she miss him when she’d seen him only yesterday? Perhaps if she had accepted his kiss she would have been satisfied. She almost laughed aloud. His kisses were more intoxicatingly potent than any spirit she’d ever tried. Of course, if she truly were with child, then she could have him again without worrying about the consequences.

Glancing about again, her heart fluttered as she noticed him standing at the threshold of the ballroom. He wore a black jacket, with a burgundy waistcoat shot with gold thread, snowy white cravat and black breeches. Just seeing him stand across the room made her knees weak.

As she watched him, he moved toward Miss Randall and her mother. Why would he be chasing Charlotte? She would never do as duchess. Her dreadful shyness kept her on the edge of the dance floor most balls. Perhaps he was just being kind to her. Or maybe he was one of those men who wanted a retiring woman for a wife so he could dominate her.