weren’t too late by then, they would never be able to steal a word in private. Not with the way mademoiselle and her aunt’s groom shadowed her every move.
That left only one alternative, the shocking and scandalous one she’d hoped to avoid: She must go to Julian’s quarters now, this morning, before he ventured forth for the day and heard the news. It was really the only hope she had.
Unnerved by the prospect, she rolled over and hid her face in her pillow. Did she dare do something so very bold? If she were seen, it would mean instant ruin. Visiting a gentleman at his bachelor quarters was an unforgivable sin in the eyes of the ton, one almost akin to murder.
Visiting a bachelor, yes. But there was no sin in a wife attending her husband at his home.
Sophie’s smile returned in a flash. And she would be a wife. Indeed, by the time news of her indiscretion got out, if indeed anyone even noted it, she’d be a married woman. Married to the man whose quarters she’d visited.
She’d be Viscountess Oxley.
She rolled onto her back with a sigh and said the name out loud, savoring the feel of it on her tongue. Even if the dragons from Almack’s were to witness her banging at his door, her position in the ton would be secure once they revealed their elopement. Indeed, their daring would probably make them the most celebrated and romantic couple in all of London.
Her decision thus rationalized, Sophie tossed aside the covers and slipped from the bed. It wasn’t until she’d donned her gown and struggled to button it that she bothered to consider Lyndhurst and how her actions might affect him.
He’d be crushed, of course. Like every bachelor in the ton, he adored her and was desperate to marry her. Unlike those men, however, he had an arrogant, overblown sense of pride …
… A cold, aristocratic pride that could very well turn vengeful if stung.
Her hands stilled on her buttons. Dear heavens! What if he directed his ire at Julian and called him out? While dueling was illegal, she’d heard that it still took place, usually over matters of the heart such as this.
For one awful instant she pictured Julian and Lyndhurst in the pale haze of dawn, leveling pistols at each other’s head. Then she remembered Lyndhurst’s sterling character and laughed. What a chucklehead she was! Why, his dull and ever decorous lordship was the last man in London who would ever engage in anything as dangerous or litigious as dueling.
Shaking her head at her own foolishness, she buttoned the last of the buttons. No. Though the affair would undoubtedly wound his lordship’s pride, he would recover in time. Indeed, by next Season he should be improved enough to return to London and find a new bride. If he were as sharp-witted as his reputation claimed him to be, he’d have learned from his experience with her and pursue someone more suited to him — say, a plain woman with excellent breeding and no looks to speak of.
In the long run he’d be happier with such a wife. And who knows? He might someday come to see her jilting him as the blessing it was and deign to forgive her, though in truth she didn’t care.
She’d have her Julian, and that is all that mattered.
Chapter 4
“Yes?”
Sophie returned the majordomo’s haughty stare, momentarily taken aback. Wherever was Julian? She’d expected him to answer her knock. Indeed, she was counting on it. So much so, that she’d spent the whole miserable hackney ride here dreaming of the moment when he opened the door and saw her standing there.
And — oh! What a splendid dream it was. She’d grown positively giddy just imagining it. Especially the part where he crushed her into his embrace and welcomed her with a tender yet eager kiss. And …
“Miss?” When Sophie merely stared at him, mute in her disappointment, he made an impatient noise. “Your business, miss? I haven’t all day.”
Her business? She blinked. Yes. Of course. What a
That left only one alternative, the shocking and scandalous one she’d hoped to avoid: She must go to Julian’s quarters now, this morning, before he ventured forth for the day and heard the news. It was really the only hope she had.
Unnerved by the prospect, she rolled over and hid her face in her pillow. Did she dare do something so very bold? If she were seen, it would mean instant ruin. Visiting a gentleman at his bachelor quarters was an unforgivable sin in the eyes of the ton, one almost akin to murder.
Visiting a bachelor, yes. But there was no sin in a wife attending her husband at his home.
Sophie’s smile returned in a flash. And she would be a wife. Indeed, by the time news of her indiscretion got out, if indeed anyone even noted it, she’d be a married woman. Married to the man whose quarters she’d visited.
She’d be Viscountess Oxley.
She rolled onto her back with a sigh and said the name out loud, savoring the feel of it on her tongue. Even if the dragons from Almack’s were to witness her banging at his door, her position in the ton would be secure once they revealed their elopement. Indeed, their daring would probably make them the most celebrated and romantic couple in all of London.
Her decision thus rationalized, Sophie tossed aside the covers and slipped from the bed. It wasn’t until she’d donned her gown and struggled to button it that she bothered to consider Lyndhurst and how her actions might affect him.
He’d be crushed, of course. Like every bachelor in the ton, he adored her and was desperate to marry her. Unlike those men, however, he had an arrogant, overblown sense of pride …
… A cold, aristocratic pride that could very well turn vengeful if stung.
Her hands stilled on her buttons. Dear heavens! What if he directed his ire at Julian and called him out? While dueling was illegal, she’d heard that it still took place, usually over matters of the heart such as this.
For one awful instant she pictured Julian and Lyndhurst in the pale haze of dawn, leveling pistols at each other’s head. Then she remembered Lyndhurst’s sterling character and laughed. What a chucklehead she was! Why, his dull and ever decorous lordship was the last man in London who would ever engage in anything as dangerous or litigious as dueling.
Shaking her head at her own foolishness, she buttoned the last of the buttons. No. Though the affair would undoubtedly wound his lordship’s pride, he would recover in time. Indeed, by next Season he should be improved enough to return to London and find a new bride. If he were as sharp-witted as his reputation claimed him to be, he’d have learned from his experience with her and pursue someone more suited to him — say, a plain woman with excellent breeding and no looks to speak of.
In the long run he’d be happier with such a wife. And who knows? He might someday come to see her jilting him as the blessing it was and deign to forgive her, though in truth she didn’t care.
She’d have her Julian, and that is all that mattered.
Chapter 4
“Yes?”
Sophie returned the majordomo’s haughty stare, momentarily taken aback. Wherever was Julian? She’d expected him to answer her knock. Indeed, she was counting on it. So much so, that she’d spent the whole miserable hackney ride here dreaming of the moment when he opened the door and saw her standing there.
And — oh! What a splendid dream it was. She’d grown positively giddy just imagining it. Especially the part where he crushed her into his embrace and welcomed her with a tender yet eager kiss. And …
“Miss?” When Sophie merely stared at him, mute in her disappointment, he made an impatient noise. “Your business, miss? I haven’t all day.”
Her business? She blinked. Yes. Of course. What a
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