Tainted Bride

by A. S. Fenichel

  She heard a noise from the other side of the bush. She was just about to scream, when Daniel’s face poked through the bush.

  “Hello.” He sounded jovial, as if they were meeting for tea.

  She actually laughed. “Hello, yourself.”

  “I shall have you out of here in no time. Do not worry.”

  “I have already done that, my lord.”

  He continued to cut bits of the brambles away. “How did you get yourself into this, Sophie?”

  Her breath came in short gasps. He had been there in the woods, watching her. “Alistair.”

  Daniel stopped what he was doing and stared at her. “What do you mean?”

  “He’s here, Daniel, on your property. I saw him. He was watching Dory and me.” She struggled again.

  He grabbed her leg and she squealed. “Stop fidgeting. Are you certain?”

  “You don’t believe me?” Her heart sank.

  He cut another branch away. “If you are certain you saw him then I believe you, Sophie. But, what would he have to gain by seeking you out here. He must know he cannot access you on my property.”

  “He thinks he is above all consequence. He thinks I belong to him. He will come for me.” Every word brought her closer to the dread that had gotten her into the brambles in the first place.

  She squirmed again and the brambles dug deeper into her dress.

  “Sophia! Calm down and listen to me carefully. You are not his. He will never harm you again. I’ll see to it. Do you believe me?”

  She looked at his beautiful face and sincere eyes. Her heart slowed and her breath calmed at his fierce assurance. “I believe you, Daniel.”

  “Then be still and I’ll cut you loose.”

  He did just as he said and in a few more cuts, she was free. Her dress had not survived. Stickers shredded the delicate fabric as Daniel lifted her out of the bushes. Sophia was similarly scratched in dozens of places, which couldn’t be mentioned, but she was free and otherwise unharmed. Though, her embarrassment was considerable. Her face burned with mortification. “Thank you, my lord.”

  He bowed. “At your service, my lady.”

  Getting away from him and her total failure to behave like a lady was first priority. “I’ll go back to the house.”

  “I’ll walk with you,” he said.

  She didn’t argue. She was more afraid of being alone and having Alistair find her than she was of additional embarrassment.

  “Sophie?” he said.

  “Hmm.” She stared down at her dress. The week was proving disastrous on her wardrobe.

  Daniel’s voice had taken on an official tone. “Once I have seen you to the house, I’ll have to go and look for Pundington. If he is smart, he will have quit the premises, but we must be sure.”

  “You believe me then.” She relaxed as relief washed over her.

  He nodded. “I believe you. I’ll take some men with me to look for him, but will tell them you saw a highwayman lurking in the wood. Can you tell a small lie if they ask questions?”

  She nodded. “I won’t lie to my aunt though. I’ll tell her the truth and Dory of course.”

  He inclined his head. “I’m certain Lady Dorothea and her ladyship will keep your confidence, my love.”

  She stopped walking, forcing him to turn. “Must you go after him? As you said, he has likely left the area by now. You could be hurt.”

  He touched her cheek. “I’ll be fine. He would never think you would tell anyone whom you saw. He does not know you told me.”

  “No, I suppose he wouldn’t. A proper lady would not have told a soul. A proper lady would have gone to her grave with the knowledge that she’d done right by her family.”

  “Sophia.” His voice was so stern, she snapped her head up. His expression softened when he looked at her. “I’m glad you told me. You are not to blame for violence forced upon you when you were little more than a child. Telling me was the right thing to do. We shall get through this together.”

  Tears ran freely down her face. His kindness stung as deep as any censure and she dashed toward the house.

  Their delay allowed the rest of the group time to catch up with them. Dorothea and Elinor rushed ahead and hurried Sophia toward the house.

  Sophia rushed up to her room where Daphne and Dory joined her. She told them about Alistair Pundington in the woods.

  Dory turned white as parchment.

  Aunt Daphne’s face burned red. Through clenched teeth, she said, “You rest, my dear. I shall have dinner sent up to your room.”

  It was strange to see her stoic aunt so close to losing control. Sophia’s mind raced with what might have happened if she had been alone on her walk or not spotted Pundington when she had. A knot lodged in her stomach and she brushed away her tears. He might have dragged her away and no one would have known for hours. If he’d left her dead in the woods, it might have been her final resting place. A chill ran up her spine.

  It was dark when Marie arrived with her dinner. She ate two bites of the delicious fish before pushing the plate aside. She sipped her tea and focused on the warm liquid sliding down her throat to her stomach. “I think I have gone mad.”

  The empty room did nothing to quiet her worry. She tried to think of something besides his twisted leer peering out from behind a stand of trees. Those pale eyes too big for his face and set too deep in their sockets brimmed with hate and lust. He had smirked when she saw him.

  When she attempted to push that thought aside, her mind wandered to Daniel Fallon’s intentions to seduce her that very night. Her life was careening out of control.

  She placed her palm against her pounding breast and willed her heart to slow its jackrabbit pulse. Whatever the source of her anxiety, the events of the day or the events to take place in the night, she had to gain control. Bile rose in her throat.

  * * * *

  A knock at her door signaled dinner was over. Sophia called for Elinor and Dory to enter.

  Elinor bounced and could only sit for a moment at a time before she was up again. “I cannot believe we were so close to a real highwayman. I’m sure he is long gone now that he knows we are such a large group. You have nothing to fear.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.”

  Elinor clapped her hands and spun around. “The men all went out. Sir Michael told me he saw no one of interest in the area. I really think it is quite safe. Lord Marlton suggests the ladies not walk the grounds of Marlton Hall without a male escort, but I’m sure he is just being overly cautious.”

  Dory said, “You need not sound so gleeful at the idea of a criminal on the grounds, Elinor. It is not as romantic as it sounds. Sophia might have been injured in that fall.”

  Elinor frowned. “I’m not gleeful, Dory. I just think the week has been quite exciting so far. Between the highwayman, Michael being here, and how obvious it is Lady Marlton is trying to push his lordship toward Sophia. It is going to be quite a week.”

  “Nonsense.” Sophia’s heart pounded faster. If Elinor had noticed, then everyone else had likely noticed as well. “I have detected no such pressure on the earl.”

  Elinor rolled her eyes. “She invited you here. As well as all of your friends.”

  “You could say the same about Dory. Plus, Dory is the daughter of an earl. She is a much better match for his lordship.”

  “I’m not in the scope of her ladyship.” Dory’s tone left no room for argument.

  Sophia waved it off. “I’m just saying it might as easily be you and have nothing to do with me. Likely it’s not about marriage and only about getting away from the city for a week.”

  “She put you together for the ninepin game.” Elinor’s tone turned singsong as she dragged out the last few words.

  “It was just a coincidence,” Sophia said.

  Shrugging, Elinor flipped her blond curls behind her shoulder, got up and smoothed her dress. “Sophia, if you are certain you are feeling well
, I’ll say good-night. I’m very tired after such a day. I cannot imagine how exhausted you must be.”

  “I’m fine.”

  She kissed Sophia’s cheek and flounced out of the room.

  “Are you really all right?” Dory asked.

  Sophia sighed. “I’m bruised and scratched, but otherwise unhurt.”

  “I’m sure you know that is not what I mean.” Dory took a motherly tone.

  “I’m a little scared, but I trust his lordship will protect me as he will endeavor to protect all of his guests.” Sophia hid a yawn behind her hand.

  “I’ll let you get some sleep, dearest. I’ll report you are in fine spirits when I return to the parlor for dessert.”

  “Thank you, Dory.”

  Dory smiled, they hugged for longer than usual and she left the room.

  Sophia slid between the covers. Too tired to worry anymore, she closed her eyes and sank into the soft mattress. The scent of roses filtered through the open window.

  * * * *

  Daniel came to her room and his body simmered when he found the door unlocked. She had left it open for him but fallen asleep. He stood over her bed. She slept like an angel. He had no intention of waking her to follow through with her promise. He feared she would be waiting up for him.

  She looked so young and fragile with her hands pressed together under her cheek.

  His fingers brushed across her cheek as if of their own accord. She stirred, and he took his hand away. Watching her as her eyes fluttered open.

  “You’re here.” Her voice was deep and scratchy with sleep.

  His body demanded he override his good sense. He wanted to slip beneath those covers and make love to this stunning girl. He’d never yearned for anything more than to prove to her that their lovemaking would be wonderful. Showing her the difference between Alistair’s violent act and what they would share was paramount. “I just wanted to check on you.”

  Her eyes widened. “I promised.”

  “Not tonight, my love. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “I don’t want you to think I would break my promise.” Her scratchy voice slid away as sleep tried to claim her again.

  “You’re tired and with good reason. We’ll talk tomorrow night.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek before turning toward the door. He closed his eyes for an instant to try to quell his raging desire.

  “I have made the most superb friends here in England,” she muttered.

  Was he her friend? Joy warmed him from head to toe. Jocelyn had never thought of him as a friend. She thought only of his money and her social standing. In a way, they had been using each other. Jocelyn had all of the breeding and connections his father had wanted in a daughter-in-law. Daniel had wanted to please his father more than anything. In the end, his own selfish desire to escape scandal cost him the last few months of his father’s life.

  He’d been in New York when the news arrived of his father’s sudden death. By the time he returned to London, the person he most wanted to please had been gone for over a month. He would never receive the approval he craved.

  Nothing had gone as planned and Jocelyn was not to blame for all of it. Much of the fault rested with him.

  He loved that nothing about Sophia reminded him of Jocelyn. She was open and honest. Even the guilt he felt with regard to his father bled away in the face of a lifetime with Sophia as his wife. His father would have loved his little American. She was enchanting.

  Silently, he left her to her rest and returned to his own room. What was he going to do about Pundington? His crimes couldn’t go unpunished as they had for the last three years. Yet he had to protect Sophia from a public ridicule. He would have to find a way to destroy him without involving her. He’d finish Pundington without society at large finding out how or why. Only Alistair need know the reason his world crumbled. He stayed up half the night devising a plan. He was going to need help from his friends.

  Chapter 13

  Every muscle in Sophia’s body screamed for her to stay in bed. If she’d been beaten with a stick, she would hurt less. Of course, that was nearly what happened as she tumbled through the cursed brambles. She groaned and rose slowly from the soft mattress.

  Marie helped her into a simple dress of pale peach. Her hair was pulled off her face, but was left loose to fall gently over her shoulders and back.

  By the time she descended the stairs to the breakfast room, she felt a bit better. Her legs didn’t hurt as much and her shoulders hardly ached at all. Her slower pace that morning meant most of the party was already there. Sophia made a pretty curtsy. “Good morning.”

  “Are you all right, Miss Braighton?” Lady Marlton asked.

  Sophia smiled. “A bit scratched up and bruised, but otherwise I’m fine. Thank you, my lady.”

  Cissy fussed with her napkin. “We missed you at dinner last night. After dinner we played games in the parlor. I wish you had been there to entertain us with your voice tricks. I want to see if you can do mother.”

  Embarrassment flooded Sophia’s cheeks. She looked at Daniel’s stepmother about to apologize for something she hadn’t even done yet. The apology died on her lips as Lady Marlton beamed and didn’t look at all affronted.

  “From what I’m told, I’m sure Miss Braighton is capable of doing a fine impression of me and probably everyone else at the table.” Lady Marlton called the footman to refill her coffee.

  The heat rushed from her face down to her toes, which were possibly the only part of her not either bruised or scratched. Sophia drank her chocolate and picked at a piece of bread.

  “Eat something, girl,” Lady Blyth said. “It is no wonder you’re naught but skin and bones. You eat like a bird.”

  She looked back at Lady Blyth and forced what she hoped was a pleasant expression.

  Daniel watched her.

  She glanced at him but quickly turned away.

  After breakfast, she walked in the garden with Aunt Daphne until a light rain forced them inside where they took tea in one of the parlors with the other ladies. She didn’t remember the name of the parlor with the red chairs. The house had so many rooms, Sophia had all but given up trying to find her way around without a footman’s help.

  It seemed she was to be watched like a hawk by both her aunt and Lady Marlton. The two women would not leave her in peace. By afternoon she begged to be allowed to return to her own room for a rest.

  On her pillow was a small card and on it written only “Tonight” and signed by Daniel. Her stomach quivered as if she were on another sea voyage.

  She tucked the little card into her personal things and tried to rest. She was nervous, excited and maybe a little scared. She didn’t know why she was afraid since Daniel had been so kind and thoughtful. She vaguely remembered him hovering over her the night before and, finding her sleeping, only kissed her head. Perhaps the answer was to pretend to sleep when he arrived. It would be late since he had to wait for the party to break up and go to bed. It would be believable if she were asleep. Coward. No, she would keep her word.

  She dozed and slept until Marie woke her for supper. The meal and the card games after were a foggy memory. Her mind was so occupied with the night ahead, she lacked capacity to concentrate on either conversation or cards. When she went to her room and told Marie she would undress herself, her voice cracked a little.

  “Are you all right, miss?”

  She tried to sound calm. “I’m fine. I just slept too long this afternoon and think I’ll read for a while before I go to bed. You go to sleep. I’ll be fine. I’ll ring if I need anything.”

  Sitting on the edge of her bed, Sophia conjured a hundred different ways to distract Daniel from his quest. She could vomit. She giggled. It would work.

  She was still laughing when she turned and he was there, just inside her door. Her laughter halted as her fear returned.

  “Good evening, Sophie.” He bowed deeply.

  She made a poor
effort at a curtsy but any words stuck in her throat.

  He lifted a bottle of wine and the two glasses he carried. “Shall we have a glass of wine and talk a while?”

  “You want to talk?” she asked.

  He chuckled and walked to the small table where he poured the wine and handed her one.

  Mesmerized by his gaze, she timidly took hold of the wine. “I don’t drink wine.” She stared at the candlelight reflected in the deep ruby liquid in the glass.

  “Don’t you? I thought a glass of wine and a talk might help relax you.”

  She took a sip and made a face at the sharp flavor. “Conking me on the head with a bludgeon might work better.”

  His laugh was a deep rounded sound that filled the room and made her stomach do a little dip. “I think my way is better. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, my lord.” Still, she hadn’t moved from her statuesque position near the bed.

  He walked to the window perhaps to hide the deep frown.

  She assumed his expression was a result of her use of his title. He opened the window and a warm breeze brought in the scent of grass and wildflowers. “It’s a warm night.”

  She took another sip of wine and found it didn’t improve the flavor. “Why me?”

  He turned and looked at her.

  She still wore her gown from dinner. It was a dark blue, almost black, dress with red beading on the bodice. It made her look quite regal.

  “I do not know.”

  She giggled and took another sip of the wine, but a wave of lightheadedness forced her hand to the bedpost. It had been a few days since she’d eaten much. She put the glass on the table. It wouldn’t do to be in her cups with a man already in her room.

  He didn’t say anymore and the silence drove her curiosity.

  She moved from her spot and crossed the room to the window.

  “You make me feel.”

  She turned toward him. “Feel what?”

  He shook his head. “When I’m with you, I feel everything. I care about things and not only with regard to you. I have sat on my family seat in the House of Lords for a month now, but until the other night’s conversation about coal miners, I did not really care about the miners, only the money the coal extraction provides.”