my concern. I want to know how much time I have to determine if we’re
a match.”
Not comprehending, Sophie eyed him in puzzlement just as a group of women exited the
auditorium. They nodded shyly and curtsied to her and Lord Jack, but once they passed,
Sophie said in a low voice, “This is not a conversation to be held in a public corridor.”
“I agree we need privacy. Come with me.”
Taking her elbow unexpectedly, he turned her away from the entrance hall, toward the
Home’s rear offices. After a moment’s resistance, Sophie decided to accompany him.
Of course she ought not be alone with so bold a rogue as Lord Jack Wilde. She knew
he was wicked, wicked trouble. But she badly wanted to hear what he had to say. And
she had little doubt he would air their personal business right there in the hall
if she refused.
Therefore, she let him guide her into the director’s office, which they found empty.
Lord Jack shut the door behind them, then turned to her. “Now, about your engagement … Rumor
says the duke’s proposal is imminent. Is that correct?”
She gave an uncomfortable shrug. “It would be presumptuous of me to assume so.”
He waved an impatient hand. “You needn’t be missishwith me, Miss Fortin. I know demure young ladies cannot appear to be calculating.
But you must have some idea when you will bring Dunmore up to scratch.”
Coming from anyone else, the charge might have been insulting, but somehow Lord Jack’s
lazy charm took the sting from the words.
“I expect him to propose soon,” Sophie finally answered. “In fact, my aunt has arranged
a house party at her country estate in Berkshire next week, solely to give the duke
an opportunity to make me an offer.”
Frowning, Lord Jack murmured a quiet invective. “Then there is less time than I thought.”
“Time for what?”
“I told you. I want to determine if you and I could be a suitable match … and if my
hellion sister’s theory has any merit.”
Sophie’s eyebrows shot up. “Her notion about us playing
Romeo and Juliet
? I thought you considered it ludicrous.”
“I do. But how will I ever prove it unless we spend time together and get to know
one another?”
Sophie narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you trying to make mischief by involving yourself
in my affairs?”
His smile was roguish, sensual. “Ordinarily I might be, but I am not up to any mischief
this time, I promise you.”
“Then you must be acting in this aberrant fashion because your female relatives are
coercing you.”
“No, you are wrong. I could never be coerced on so consequential a matter.”
She considered Lord Jack doubtfully, not convinced she could believe him. She was
profoundly temptedby his desire to spend time with her, but knew it could only lead to disappointment
since they had no future together. Moreover, she could never betray her father by
taking up with a member of the despised Wilde family.
“I am sorry, but it isn’t possible for us to be together.”
“I know, we are supposed to be enemies. Laying aside the question of our suitability,
though, I don’t relish you being forced to wed Dunmore. The burden of regaining the
lost family wealth ought not fall on your shoulders.”
“You don’t understand,” Sophie replied, feeling the need to defend her father. “It
is more complicated than that.”
“Pray enlighten me then.”
“I told you that after my great-grandfather was killed, the barony went to another
line of Fortins. But it might have reverted back to ours had Fate been kinder. The
current Baron Harbage has three daughters but no sons, so the title might have gone
to my brother, Theo, had he lived.”
Lord Jack’s expression sobered. “I wasn’t aware you had a brother.”
“I did,” Sophie said quietly. “He was four years older than I, and it was anguishing
to lose him. Theo died of a fever when he was only twelve, and with him went any chance
a match.”
Not comprehending, Sophie eyed him in puzzlement just as a group of women exited the
auditorium. They nodded shyly and curtsied to her and Lord Jack, but once they passed,
Sophie said in a low voice, “This is not a conversation to be held in a public corridor.”
“I agree we need privacy. Come with me.”
Taking her elbow unexpectedly, he turned her away from the entrance hall, toward the
Home’s rear offices. After a moment’s resistance, Sophie decided to accompany him.
Of course she ought not be alone with so bold a rogue as Lord Jack Wilde. She knew
he was wicked, wicked trouble. But she badly wanted to hear what he had to say. And
she had little doubt he would air their personal business right there in the hall
if she refused.
Therefore, she let him guide her into the director’s office, which they found empty.
Lord Jack shut the door behind them, then turned to her. “Now, about your engagement … Rumor
says the duke’s proposal is imminent. Is that correct?”
She gave an uncomfortable shrug. “It would be presumptuous of me to assume so.”
He waved an impatient hand. “You needn’t be missishwith me, Miss Fortin. I know demure young ladies cannot appear to be calculating.
But you must have some idea when you will bring Dunmore up to scratch.”
Coming from anyone else, the charge might have been insulting, but somehow Lord Jack’s
lazy charm took the sting from the words.
“I expect him to propose soon,” Sophie finally answered. “In fact, my aunt has arranged
a house party at her country estate in Berkshire next week, solely to give the duke
an opportunity to make me an offer.”
Frowning, Lord Jack murmured a quiet invective. “Then there is less time than I thought.”
“Time for what?”
“I told you. I want to determine if you and I could be a suitable match … and if my
hellion sister’s theory has any merit.”
Sophie’s eyebrows shot up. “Her notion about us playing
Romeo and Juliet
? I thought you considered it ludicrous.”
“I do. But how will I ever prove it unless we spend time together and get to know
one another?”
Sophie narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you trying to make mischief by involving yourself
in my affairs?”
His smile was roguish, sensual. “Ordinarily I might be, but I am not up to any mischief
this time, I promise you.”
“Then you must be acting in this aberrant fashion because your female relatives are
coercing you.”
“No, you are wrong. I could never be coerced on so consequential a matter.”
She considered Lord Jack doubtfully, not convinced she could believe him. She was
profoundly temptedby his desire to spend time with her, but knew it could only lead to disappointment
since they had no future together. Moreover, she could never betray her father by
taking up with a member of the despised Wilde family.
“I am sorry, but it isn’t possible for us to be together.”
“I know, we are supposed to be enemies. Laying aside the question of our suitability,
though, I don’t relish you being forced to wed Dunmore. The burden of regaining the
lost family wealth ought not fall on your shoulders.”
“You don’t understand,” Sophie replied, feeling the need to defend her father. “It
is more complicated than that.”
“Pray enlighten me then.”
“I told you that after my great-grandfather was killed, the barony went to another
line of Fortins. But it might have reverted back to ours had Fate been kinder. The
current Baron Harbage has three daughters but no sons, so the title might have gone
to my brother, Theo, had he lived.”
Lord Jack’s expression sobered. “I wasn’t aware you had a brother.”
“I did,” Sophie said quietly. “He was four years older than I, and it was anguishing
to lose him. Theo died of a fever when he was only twelve, and with him went any chance
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