Whom Shall I Marry... An Earl or A Duke? (Tricking the Scoundrels Book 2)

by Laura A. Barnes

The waltz ended with Sheffield returning her to Lady Ratcliff and the promise of seeing her tomorrow for their outing. His eyes searched for Lady Sophia again. He couldn’t find her, but he did see Beckwith walking inside alone. They had been dancing. Was she now on the terrace? If so, this was the perfect moment to offer his apology instead of when they danced. He didn't understand why, but when they were to dance, he only wanted to hold her and not to grovel at her feet.

  Sophia rested against the balustrade, the necklace clutched in her hand. She sensed Sheffield's regard the entire evening. Had he guessed her identity? She couldn’t wear the locket, so she kept the jewelry hidden inside her reticule. When Rory left to fetch them a drink, Sophia assured him she would be safe. She pointed out how Lady Dallis occupied Sheffield’s attention, which only deepened his scowl. Did Rory continue to harbor an attachment toward Lady Dallis? If so, it would explain the reason for his hostility toward Sheffield. She would question him when he returned.

  “A lovely evening to enjoy the stars.” A voice spoke from behind, startling her.

  She gasped as she spun around. Sheffield stood silhouetted in the moonlight. The dark enhancing his powerful stature. Her eyes devoured him as if she had not seen him in ages, when only this morning she'd left his side. He dressed simple this evening, with a dark suit and red cravat and vest. She wished to smooth her hand across his jacket and straighten his tie, but knew such an intimate action would arouse his curiosity. She gripped her hands tighter to prevent herself from reaching out, and remembered she held the locket. Hurriedly she shoved the necklace into her reticule, only to drop it on the ground. She knelt to gather it, and their hands met.

  He didn’t mean to frighten her; he only wished to apologize. When she turned at his comment, her eyes grew large in what Sheffield perceived to be fear. It was then he understood his past actions regarding Sophia would haunt him. The disappointment surprised him. Sheffield aspired to live his life in a way to make Violet proud. To achieve that, he must offer amends to Lady Sophia. For whatever reason, this woman rubbed him wrong. They always sparked when they were near each other. Most of her dislike came from comments he'd made toward Lady Sidney when he'd courted her. The rest were by his actions. Two times he kissed her with no regard to her reputation. For that he was sorry. He didn’t even remember the kisses, only that he took them in anger. He should never treat any lady in that degree.

  Sheffield saw Sophia place an object inside her reticule, before the bag slipped from her fingers. He knelt to retrieve the purse. Their hands met, and he heard the sharp intake of her breath. Her hands were small, and her touch gentle. He wished to caress her more, but their gloves prevented him from feeling how soft her skin would be. His thumb brushed across her knuckles before she withdrew from his grasp. She rose from him and took a few steps backward. He followed, holding her reticule. His eyes met Sophia's and became lost in her soulful gaze. Once again, he wondered at the color, only for the dark night to deny his wish. He secretly wished them to be violet. Was he so desperate for Violet that he even wished the one lady he couldn’t get along with to be her?

  He was too close. Sophia needed to leave before she poured out her heart. His kindness was her undoing. Why did he treat her differently this evening? She could handle this situation better if he was Sheffield. The overbearing, egotistical, arrogant, Duke of Sheffield. No, instead he behaved as Alex. Her heart ached as she felt the need to vanish. He handed her the reticule with the chain from her necklace hanging out. He attempted to untangle the chain and she grabbed it from him, afraid that he would see his gift. He stepped away and dropped his hands.

  “I am sorry.”

  “No, it is my fault. I am the one who dropped my reticule.”

  “No, that is not the reason I seek your forgiveness.”

  Lady Sophia looked upon him in confusion. Her lips pursed into a cute bow. When she brought her teeth out to bite her bottom lip, as she tried to figure out the reason he needed to apologize, he felt a stirring of desire. He craved to slide his tongue along and sooth her bruised mouth. Then he wanted to explore the sweet taste. He remembered kissing her, and the memories of her innocence as he ravaged her. She never pushed him away but kissed him in return. Would she let him kiss her again? His body behaved with a mind of his own as he took a step closer to feel her heat. When she didn’t retreat, he lifted his hand to brush a curl lying across her cheek. He still couldn’t see the color of her eyes, but he noticed that they darkened at his touch.

  “What are you sorry for, Sheffield?” she whispered.

  Alex consumed her. She needed Sheffield to show his true colors before she melted at his feet. As much as she would regret this, Sophia pulled the curl out of his grasp and moved away. She walked farther along the terrace, closer to the doors.

  Sheffield stared as she walked away. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to forget her. Lady Sophia was not Violet. Trying to turn her into Violet in his mind would not solve his need to move on with life. He'd come tonight intending to right his wrongs. Touching Sophia and wishing to kiss her again would not bring Violet back.

  “If you would allow me to explain.”

  Lady Sophia nodded, waiting for him to declare his intentions.

  “This past week, someone has brought to my attention my rude behavior. Upon reflection, I now understand how my actions have caused you distress. So, for that I want to beg your forgiveness and I promise never to behave in that manner again.”

  “Might I inquire as to why your change of attitude?”

  “A very special woman came into my life recently and impacted me greatly. Through her vision I have re-evaluated how I live and treat people. It pains me to admit that I have been a bore. I want to do justice to the short time we spent together and hope to make her proud.”

  Sophia drowned in his words. Tears rushed at his honest confession. She wanted to shout to him that she was proud.

  “This woman is special to you?”

  “Yes, more than she ever understood.”

  “I will admit, she has changed you. Your new behavior has made an impression. It will be interesting to watch what other differences she makes in your life.”

  “Sadly to say, none.”

  “Thrown her over already?”

  “No, she left.”

  Why she kept asking him questions was beyond her. Sophia knew the answers. Ego? Did she want to hear him praise her more? Or did she not wish to leave him? The sadness in Sheffield's voice matched that in Sophia's heart. She needed to return to the ballroom, she could no longer play him false.

  “I am sorry for your loss. I accept your apology, Sheffield.”

  “Thank you.”

  Sophia smiled sorrowfully as she turned to enter the ballroom. Before she took a step, Rory stormed through the door. The fierceness of his gaze as he saw Sheffield fueled his anger. He advanced on Sheffield and slugged him across the jaw. Sheffield, unaware of any coming assault, didn't have time to react and stumbled backward. However, Rory wasn’t finished with his fists. He punched Sheffield in the gut, causing him to double over in pain. Rory threw more punches, each one with more force. With a final punch to his head, Sheffield toppled over and passed out.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Now Rory wanted to be the hero when it wasn’t necessary. Sheffield was apologizing to her, not harassing her. Sophia glanced around to see if anyone noticed the attack. Nobody was in sight, and the music coming from the door indicated a dance was in progress. They only had a small amount of time for Rory to move Sheffield before the terrace filled. She must not have any scandal involving her with Sheffield. Her parents would insist on marriage and then he would know the full length of her deceit. He would blame her for trapping him. No, she would win his heart and then confess, not this way.

  “You idiot. Now you come to my defense?”

  “I told you never to be alone with him again.”

  Sophia whispered her argument so not to draw attention. “Once again, you left me alone. Al
so, you are not my keeper, Rory Beckwith. The gentleman apologized for his past behavior. Now look at what you have done. A fine mess you have caused.”

  Rory winced. “Damn.”

  “That one word does not even begin to describe this. I will fetch Wilde to assist you. Pull his body deeper into the shadows, I will return soon.”

  Damn. Damn. Damn. As he watched Sophia enter the ballroom, Rory admitted this was more than a fine mess. It was a catastrophe. The repercussions of his actions would settle upon them in tidal waves. His family taking the brunt of his stupidity. When he'd returned to the terrace and Sheffield was near Sophia, all he saw was red. Not only had he just watched the man hold the woman of his dreams in a dance, he was now accosting sweet Sophia again. The previous two times Rory did nothing in her honor. This time he wouldn't fail her. She deserved better from him. Sophia gave him the gift of friendship and in return Rory gave her cowardice. Not this time. His anger was already brewing below the surface. It was men like Sheffield who made people's lives miserable if they so choose. Sheffield took what he wanted and discarded what he no longer needed. At this moment, Sheffield wanted Lady Dallis MacPherson and she was powerless to deny him. Rory wanted her too. His foot struck out to kick Sheffield in his side. A moan echoed from the body.

  “Rory Beckwith, shame on you,” Sophia hissed. “The man is down and yet you continue to abuse him.”

  Rory cringed as not only Sophia but also Sidney and Wildeburg caught his actions. Sidney kept shaking her head at him, shooting him with a look of stupid, stupid, stupid. She ordered Rory to be on his best behavior and keep his temper under control. She told him the future had a way of working itself out. He was furious with her for backing out on their plan to destroy Sheffield. Sidney had explained a conflict of interest had arose and she needed to rethink her plan. Now, here he was branded the villain, and they directed their sympathy toward Sheffield. Why did evil always win? From this moment forward, he would take what he desired and damn whoever stood in his way. He didn’t need Sidney to find the document. He had a clue where Lord Hartridge hid his research. He would take it upon himself to destroy Sheffield and win Lady Dallis’s heart. For now, he would help them clean the mess he created. After that, they were on their own. Tomorrow he would apologize to Sophia, for he was at fault toward her, but to nobody else.

  “I have instructed my carriage to the back of the garden. Help me carry him, Beckwith.” Wilde said.

  “Why don’t you throw him in his own carriage like the scum he is?” Rory shot back.

  “His carriage is to remain here to deliver his grandmother home. I have already delivered a message to her from Sheffield. I explained how an issue with Parliament called him away, and he left the carriage for a safe ride home. Now hurry, before the musicians finish the set and someone sees us.”

  The two men carried Sheffield into the waiting carriage. After helping the women inside, Wilde turned to Rory. He had no advice to offer the man, his feelings torn. He couldn't defend Sheffield’s actions toward Sophia without giving her secret away. He understood Rory’s frustrations, for he'd felt this way toward Sheffield not so long ago. Somehow, he would need to steer Rory away from Sophia. Sheffield already stole her heart. Perhaps Sidney could draw his interest toward another lady. With a shake of his head, he entered the carriage. As he moved to sit in the seat with Sheffield, he paused seeing Sophia in his seat with Sheffield’s head lying in her lap. She caressed the bruises along his jaw. She had removed her gloves so her fingertips lightly grazed his face. Wilde’s gaze shot to Sidney and she shrugged at him. He sighed and moved to the bench beside Sidney before Rory noticed the scene. The poor man had suffered enough tonight without having to witness Sophia displaying her affections toward another man.

  “You are playing a dangerous game, my friend. What if he should awaken?” Wilde warned Sophia.

  “Then I will only explain how I tended to his wounds.”

  “You’re not afraid he will make the connection between you and Violet?”

  Sophia’s gaze rose to Wilde then shifted to Sidney. The message she sent her friend was clear. It was the look of betrayal.

  “He figured the deception before you told me, Phee. It appears Sheffield was into his cups about a chit named Violet who worked at Belle’s. The description was too familiar to Wilde, so he approached Belle. We both kept your secret for the sake of love. Please do not be angry with Wilde or myself. We only have your best interest at heart.”

  Sophia sighed. For her feeling of betrayal was silly. She was the one at fault in this entire mess. Her deceit had spiraled out of control and her secrets were not for them to bear. Her fingers brushed through Sheffield’s hair.

  “Violet,” he murmured as his eyelids fluttered open.

  Sophia froze, drawing her hand away. “No, ‘tis I, Lady Sophia.”

  Sheffield groaned as he felt the sting in his jaw. “What the bloody hell happened?”

  “I fear you took a beating.”

  “Did I deserve it?” He gazed into her concerned eyes.

  Sheffield stared as she shook her head no. The hurt in her glance mesmerized him. He felt as if she ached for him. That his injuries were hers. Which was nonsense. Still, the color eluded him, but the touch of her fingers as they caressed his hair did not. It reminded him of Violet. Lady Sophia was as gentle and caring as his lost love.

  Sophia became trapped in his gaze with nowhere to run and hide. His hand found hers and brought her fingers to his lips. He kissed them softly as he continued to stare into her eyes. Both became lost and oblivious to the other occupants of the carriage. He turned her hand over and placed a kiss in her palm.

  “Violet,” he sighed.

  “You must have got knocked harder than we realized, my good man.” Wilde said.

  The carriage stopped, bringing a halt to their affections. Wilde punched Sheffield on the shoulder, breaking their stare. Sheffield wondered, how was it he never noticed how exquisite Lady Sophia was? Her grace calmed him as he began to remember how he came to be in this predicament. Lady Sophia had accepted his apology, before Lord Beckwith slammed his fist into his face. After a few more punches, Beckwith knocked him senseless. He would be angry with the earl later, but for now he was lost in the charms of Violet. He closed his eyes and opened them again. No, Lady Sophia.

  “You are in pain.” Her soft voice soothed him.

  Now she even sounded like her. He needed to leave the carriage before he made a fool of himself. Which, he was sure, Wilde and even Sidney would appreciate. However, he didn't want to send the wrong message to Lady Sophia and cause her any more discomfort. He sat forward and felt more aches upon his body. He opened the door and stepped from the carriage. Sheffield's knees buckled as he hit the ground. Wilde leapt out and with the help of a footman guided him inside his townhome. Sheffield regretted not answering her, but his injured state caused him embarrassment.

  Wilde returned and informed the driver to see the ladies home and return within an hour. He opened the carriage and reassured Sophia over Sheffield’s condition. He would see to Sheffield’s injuries and would inform them of his condition when he returned home. After the ladies departed, he entered Sheffield’s townhome and searched for his friend, finding him already drinking from a new bottle of whiskey and staring into the fire.

  Wilde might be longer than an hour. His friend looked more depressed than he had ever seen before.

  “This is becoming a habit, Sheffield.”

  “Bugger off.”

  “What happened on the terrace?”

  “Your wife’s friend slugged me then proceeded to beat the living hell out me.”

  “Why?”

  “How the hell should I know? One minute I was apologizing to Lady Sophia, the next I’m riding passed out in your carriage with my head on her lap.”

  “Did you force yourself on her?”

  His bitter laugh echoed around him. How ironic, Wilde accused him of the very thing he asked forgiveness for. Sheffie
ld supposed he deserved the beating for his past indiscretions. Now as he sat here getting drunk, they seemed irredeemable. How could he have treated Lady Sophia so callously? After having spent time in her company, he now understood her charm.

  “No, I only asked for her forgiveness. She granted it and was returning to the ballroom, when Beckwith’s fist connected with my face.”

  He reached to rub his jaw. He flinched at the pain, but his mind tried to place a memory. Lady Sophia caressing his face as she soothed him. He tried remembering the conversation he'd heard as he came to light. He could only recall Wilde mentioning a game with Lady Sophia. The more he tried to remember, the more his head ached. He pinched the bridge of his nose and lowered his eyes, leaning his head against the chair.

  “Getting drunk is not the best medicine for the beating you took.”

  “Please send my deep regrets to your wife and Lady Sophia. I will call tomorrow to visit with Sidney and pay a visit to Lord Turlington to speak with Lady Sophia.”

  “No need, Lady Sophia is staying at our home until her parents return from their estate.”

  He opened his eyes and sat forward. “Her parents are away?”

  “Yes, they should return home soon.”

  “How long have they been away?”

  “Since this morning. That is when she came to stay with us.”

  Sheffield slumped in his chair, disappointed. Violet’s parents were supposedly away at their estate too—it gave her the freedom to be with him for the week. Still, the similarities between the two women confused him. Was Lady Sophia his Violet? If so, it would explain hiding her identity. If he had known, he would not have pursued her. However, now that Violet stole his heart and Sophia might be her; how could he not pursue her?

  “Then her parents have only just left this morning?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I shall kill two birds with one stone and visit both ladies tomorrow.”

  “Sheffield, I think it would be best for you to stay away. After tonight, you have caused too many scenes with Lady Sophia. Soon, rumors will spread, and the ton will have you married in a fortnight.”