One Night Scandal
“Still no reason that you should have to marry her. Break the engagement.”
“If I do, her father can sue me for breach.”
“And if he does?”
“Again, she will be ruined.”
“But again, that was all her fault. You know Elizabeth and I will support you if you should decide to break the betrothal.”
Nicholas sighed as he watched Heston escort Justine to the dance floor. It was the first time he’d seen her smile, truly smile, since that night a week ago. He should feel a bit jealous to see his betrothed smiling at another man . . . but he didn’t.
He sipped his brandy and wondered what Sophie was doing right now. She was probably home curled up on the sofa reading. Damn it all to hell! Why couldn’t he forget her?
“Kendal, I am leaving.”
Kendal turned to him with a frown. “What about Miss Littlebury?”
“She arrived with her parents and her parents will escort her home. Good night.”
As Nicholas left the ball, a sense of relief washed over him. He hated being seen with Justine. With only seven months to find a way out of this mess, he felt as if a noose were tightening around his neck.
The cool May night smelled of fresh flowers and reminded him of Sophie. He had to see her. Tonight. But when his carriage rolled to a stop in front of her home, he noticed only one candle lit the house. Could she be out? He highly doubted it, but it was only eleven. Far too early to be in bed.
He scrambled down from the carriage and walked up the steps. The front door opened a crack and a footman peered out.
“Miss Reynard is not accepting callers at this hour, my lord.”
“Please inform her that I am here.” He pushed past the man to enter the hall.
“My lord, I must insist you leave.” The footman leaned closer. “Miss Reynard is already abed.”
“Tell her.”
Hearing a door close upstairs, Nicholas looked up hoping it was Sophie. She appeared at the rail in her wrapper with her black hair in a queue. Seeing him, her mouth gaped slightly.
“Lord Ancroft, I believe you were informed that I am not accepting callers.”
“Sophie, please come talk with me.”
“There is nothing to discuss.”
Just seeing her again made his heart melt. He wanted to rush up the steps and hold her, tell her everything would be all right. But he couldn’t. She wouldn’t allow it. And he wasn’t sure everything would be all right. It seemed there were too many obstacles now.
“Please, Sophie. I need to know something.”
She tilted her head with a scowl. “Oh, very well.”
He waited at the bottom of the steps as she descended. He held out his arm for her but she walked past him. Instead, he followed her down the marble tiled hall.
She lit a few candles and then turned to him. “What was so important that you could not wait until morning?”
“I want you to read me again.”
“Why? We have been through this before and for some reason that I can’t explain I cannot read you.”
Nicholas sat down at the table where she always did her readings. “You said you saw me when reading Miss Littlebury. Then you should see her for me if I am her match. Please try again.”
She released a long sigh. “Very well.” She brought a candle to the table and sat down across from him. “Give me your hands.”