Three Secrets and a Scandal (Regency Secrets and Scandals Book 2)

by Elizabeth Hanbury

  She had wanted his kiss.

  She had wanted him.

  To cover her confusion, she dipped her head, looking down at her hands and realising they were shaking. Her whole body was quivering, but whether it was with passion or frustration, or both, she could not be certain.

  Then the enormity of what had happened hit her.

  She was going to meet her childhood sweetheart and yet she had nearly kissed Theo. Conscience berated her…now Theo would add a lack of morals to her list of faults.

  Flushed and a little disorientated, she put up her chin, hoping he had not realized how much those moments had affected her.

  “I’m sorry,” he was murmuring. “I should never have touched you…not in that way. It won’t happen again.”

  Sophie tried to marshal her thoughts and re-focus her gaze. Theo stood at the window with his back to her, his shoulders set in a rigid line.

  “There is no need to apologise,” she managed to whisper.

  “Yes, there is,” he returned in low fierce voice. “You’re in my care until I give you up to Verney.”

  She went toward him, putting out her hand to touch his arm, but thought better of it. He was staring out into the twilight.

  “Can you describe your cousin’s carriage?” he prompted suddenly.

  Puzzled by this abrupt change of subject, she studied his profile. The tender expression had vanished; now he was alert, unyielding.

  “It’s a sporting curricle,” she explained, “not dissimilar to your own, but the design and paintwork is unique. Perry had it built to his exact specifications. It’s designed for speed.”

  “Then I believe he has arrived.”

  She followed the direction of his gaze. Even in the twilight, there could be no mistaking Perry’s carriage. It stood out against the two post-chaises drawn up behind it in the courtyard, its unusual lines illuminated by the light from the ostlers‘ lamps.

  Despite there being no sign of her cousin, Sophie recoiled from the window with an involuntary gasp. Panic fluttered in her chest, questions crowded in her mind. How had Perry found her so quickly? Had Mr Grey betrayed her after all? She could offer no answers. After those intimate moments with Theo, rational thought seemed to have flown. She was certain of one thing only: she would not go back to Ludstone.

  “H-He’ll be here at any moment.” She glanced up at her companion. ‘Do you want to leave? It would be easier for you.”

  A mirthless smile curved his mouth. “I wouldn’t miss this for a bout with Gentleman Jackson himself!”

  “Everything is such a mess.” Sophie wheeled away, tiredness and dejection threatening to swamp her. “I wish I had never dragged you into this.”

  A moment later, he came to stand behind her. “I’m here and I’m staying,” he whispered into her ear. “Let him do his worst. I won’t let him browbeat you.”

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  The words had hardly left her lips when the door crashed open.

  Peregrine Sloane was a tall, willowy man and it would have been a stupid observer indeed who failed to note his aspirations to dandyism.

  He was resplendent in a white driving coat with a double row of buttons, two tiers of pockets and at least ten capes, with a striped kerseymere waistcoat underneath. Around his neck he wore a black cravat with white spots. A hat with a high tapered crown and narrow brim was set on his head at a rakish angle. His extravagant clothes were designed to disguise the shortcomings of his figure: his coat gave the illusion of broad shoulders and a narrow waist, while the calves of his tight pantaloons looked suspiciously padded. A windswept hairstyle completed the fashionable look.

  A mouth with a tendency to droop at the corners and too sharply drawn features meant he could not generally be considered handsome. Now, he could not even be thought attractive. His complexion was flushed, his thin lips drawn back in a sneer. Dark globular eyes glittered as they swivelled about the room and, when his gaze alighted on Sophie, they seemed in danger of bulging from their sockets. His hands flexed into fists and, in an unfortunate habit adding nothing to the sophisticated air he aimed for, he began to wave them back and forth.

  Despite her anxiety, a bubble of laughter rose to Sophie’s throat—her cousin had never looked more like the crustacean she had described to Theo.

  “You tiresome chit!” snarled the new arrival. “My plans for this evening have been ruined. I’ll make you wish you’d never inconvenienced me! What are you playing at?”

  “I might ask you the same question,” interjected Theo.

  These arctic tones, emanating from the shadows at the side of the room, caught Peregrine’s attention. Frowning, he raised his quizzing glass. “Who in Hades are you?”

  “Theodore Cavanagh.”

  There was a flash of recognition in Peregrine’s eyes as Theo stepped forward. “I thought I recognised the name,” he said, looking Theo over with disdain. “My mother has spoken of you. You’re that wine fellow! How do you come to be here?

  “Your cousin asked for assistance and I was happy to give it,” he replied bluntly. “And I’d be obliged if you would address Miss Devereux in a more respectful fashion.”

  Ignoring this, Peregrine gave a derisive snort. “I knew she could not have come this far alone! You would have done better to put aside your chivalry and stay out of our family’s affairs, Cavanagh! Well, you’re not needed now. I’m going to deal with my cousin.”

  “I intend to stay.”

  “Not necessary,” snapped Perry, stripping off his gloves. ‘Sophie is back where she belongs, in the bosom of her family. I assume you are putting up here for the night, so go to bed and forget the trouble this silly chit has put you to.”

  “I will leave when I please, not at your instruction,” retorted Theo.

  Sophie intervened, meeting her cousin’s gaze with a defiant look. “I’m not going back, Perry.”

  “Of course you are, my love,” he drawled. “We’re getting married or had it slipped your mind?”

  She chose not to respond, asking instead, “How did you find me?”

  A brisk female voice then observed, “Did you imagine we wouldn’t, you shameless girl? Your behaviour was not entirely unexpected.”

  Sophie’s gaze flew to the doorway. Eudora Sloane was there, her features pinched with tiredness, but her basilisk-like stare in excellent order. She was dressed in a travelling costume of lilac satin, worn under a silk spencer and a voluminous cloak. An anglesea cap with a plume of feathers and Limerick gloves completed her toilette. A wan-faced, anxious-looking Olivia stood behind her.

  Eudora was a handsome woman of between forty and fifty years of age. She was tall, with perfect deportment and a masterful mouth and chin. Eyes less protuberant but the same colour as her son’s bored into Sophie and her face wore an expression of deep disapproval. Sophie knew that intimidating glare well.

  “We soon discovered your duplicity,” said Mrs Sloane. “After luncheon, your maid went to see if you needed a tisane. When she realized you were not in your room, she was alarmed and went to make enquiries. She passed Olivia’s maid in the hallway and asked if she had seen you. Fortunately, I emerged from the drawing room just then.” A satisfied look flitted over her face. “It did not take long to extract the details from Amy. All my suspicions were confirmed. I sought out Olivia at once but she has stubbornly refused to speak of the matter. It seems she has been consumed by some ridiculous notion of honour and is determined not to betray you.”

  From over her mother’s shoulder, Olivia silently mouthed “I’m sorry”, in reply to which Sophie flashed a brief, reassuring smile.

  “But the idiotic maid did not inform me you had help,” Eudora continued, her gaze resting for an instant on Theo. “For that omission, she will be severely punished.”

  “That would be ill-advised, madam,” said Theo sternly. “Your servant had no notion I was involved.”

  Mrs Sloane coloured but pressed on, addressing Sophie again. “It was a simpl
e matter to calculate where you might stop on your way to London if you had taken the mail coach or even,” she grimaced, “the common stage. Peregrine was eager to bring you back himself, but I decided to follow in the post-chaise and ordered Olivia to accompany us.” The corners of her mouth lifted in an unpleasant smile. “She perfectly understands my displeasure now.”

  Sophie did not doubt it. Olivia was as white as the wall behind her and Sophie could well imagine the tongue-lashing she had been subjected to.

  “Olivia is not to blame,” said Sophie. “The idea was mine alone.”

  Mrs Sloane pursued her lips. “She assisted you, albeit in a small way, and is therefore complicit in your disgraceful behaviour. I’ve always known you were wild to a fault, but to involve us in a scandal like this is beyond belief. Such ingratitude!” Eyeing Theo again unfavourably, she observed, “I am surprised at you, Mr Cavanagh. Even when subjected to the pleadings of my wayward niece, I would not have countenanced a member of the ton, indeed, the brother of an Earl, acting improperly!”

  Theo bowed, then lifted an eyebrow as he pointed out, “As I’m only brother to an Earl, I don’t feel the need to always act with propriety. Quite the opposite. And I don’t feel the need to apologise. Miss Devereux’s situation sounded difficult and, as a matter of honour, I could not ignore her request and leave her at the mercy of less principled men.”

  Eudora Sloane, a proud woman with none of the tonnish connections she longed for, had nurtured a lifelong admiration for members of the aristocracy. This deference now battled with her fury. If he had been anyone else, she would have scythed him down with her tongue but, thinking it unwise to antagonise a member of the ton, she settled for shifting the blame. “Be that as it may, you should not have helped Sophia. But no doubt the deceitful wretch lied to you. The circumstances were therefore peculiar and extenuating and I shall not hold you responsible.”

  “Generous,” muttered Theo.

  Mrs Sloane, missing the sarcastic note in his voice, bestowed a gracious smile of absolution upon him. “As for you,” she snapped, turning back to Sophie, “I will tolerate no more of this. You will return to Ludstone immediately.”

  “No.”

  Mrs Sloane’s eyes flashed. “Do you dare to defy me?”

  “I am going to London.”

  “So this is how you repay me after I welcomed you into my home. Ungrateful girl!” A shrill note had crept into Eudora’s cultivated tones.

  “You haven’t starved me, or locked me in a garret, but you’ve made my life unpleasant and now you want me to marry Peregrine,” Sophie flung back. “Well, I won’t do it! I’ve got the Star with me and you’ll never get your hands on it.”

  Peregrine, now sprawled nonchalantly in a chair, remarked, “This conversation is already becoming a dead bore.”

  “Then why don’t you leave?” retorted Sophie, giving him a cold glance.

  He laughed, a curious combination of a snort and a titter. “You don’t get rid of me so easily, cousin. I’ve travelled miles to get here and I’ll be damned if I set foot in my carriage again this evening.

  Mrs Sloane gaped at him in astonishment. “But Peregrine—”

  “We’re staying here,” he interjected.

  “In this place?” Eudora regarded her surroundings with distaste.

  “It’s one of the best coaching inns on the Bath road, not a hedge tavern.”

  Mrs Sloane shuddered. “It is not what I am used to and I have no maid to attend me.”

  “Olivia can do the necessary,” said Peregrine blithely. “Did you bring your overnight things as I told you to?”

  “Yes, but I never dreamt it would be necessary to use them!” Eudora’s fury swung back on her niece. “See what you have done! This is your fault. Your shocking conduct has overset my nerves and now I am in danger of losing my temper—something I rarely do! I demand you collect your bag so we can go home at once.”

  Sophie, her heart sinking at the prospect of her cousin and aunt staying at The Pelican, remained resolute. “No.”

  Mrs Sloane’s jaw sagged. “Monstrous! Have you no consideration for me at all?”

  “I’m determined to go to London,” repeated Sophie.

  “You are determined to persecute me to within an inch of my life! After everything I have done for you too.” The hand Mrs Sloane put to her brow shook slightly. “I am unequal to arguing further at this hour. We will do as Peregrine suggests and stay here. The matter can be discussed again in the morning when I trust a period of reflection will have brought you to your senses.”

  “Leave it to me to sort out the rooms,” said Peregrine, unwinding his long body from the chair.

  “Miss Devereux already has a chamber on the first floor,” snapped Theo.

  Perry acknowledged this with a brief nod.

  “Ungrateful girl!” cried Mrs Sloane for the third time.

  “You’re overwrought, Mama,” said Perry. “Best lie down for a time. Cavanagh will understand and excuse your agitation.”

  Eudora accepted her son’s directions with obvious reluctance. “Olivia, you will take the room next to me. I have the beginnings of a headache and may require my vinaigrette. A bowl of soup in my room will suffice for supper. You will join me.”

  “But I want to stay with Sophie,” protested Olivia.

  At this added dissent from an unexpected quarter, Mrs Sloane’s face took on a mutinous expression once more. She caught Peregrine’s warning glance and, conscious of making the scene even more unedifying, replied brusquely, “Oh very well, but do not be tempted to linger. Sophia’s reputation is beyond repair and I will not have your name sullied by association.”

  “Sophie is hardly ruined because she has spent time with Mr Cavanagh,” murmured Olivia.

  “Don’t argue!” Eudora almost shrieked. “I am sure Mr Cavanagh has behaved like a gentleman. The fault is entirely Sophia’s. Good gracious, when I think of the clandestine manner of her escape, the disregard for my feelings and for Peregrine’s, the ungrateful, shameful way she has—!”

  “You are obviously tired, ma’am,” interjected Theo bluntly in clipped tones. “Perhaps you will feel more collected in the morning.”

  “Yes, yes indeed. Thank you for your consideration. I will go upstairs now.”

  With a final glare in Sophie’s direction, she swept from the room.

  Peregrine observed in a dry voice, “Well, cousin, what a stir you have caused! Don’t think this is the end of the matter. Make sure you don’t disappear again while I’m organising our rooms.”

  He sauntered out and when he had gone, Olivia gave a heartfelt sigh and sank onto a chair. “Thank goodness I’m out of their company! Sometimes I think I hate them.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve had to endure their wrath,” said Sophie, putting her arm about Olivia.

  She managed a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I ignored most of Mama’s spiteful observations on your character, and her anger towards me, even though it was a constant prattle.” She looked up, lowering her voice a little. “Sophie, did you mean it when you said you had the Star with you?”

  Sophie nodded. “I collected it from Mr Hodge when I called at the lawyer’s office. He did not realize it was among the few trinkets I collected.”

  Olivia’s eyes widened. “But is it advisable to carry something so valuable?”

  “Probably not, but I prefer to have it with me rather than leave it in Bath.”

  Theo, who had been listening intently to this exchange, asked, “Would it be too much trouble to tell me what the Devereux Star is?”

  Chapter 6

  A crimson flush spread over Sophie’s cheeks. Looking decidedly guilty, she admitted,

  “I’m afraid I’ve kept another secret from you.”

  “I had already guessed that much.”

  Seeing the reproach in his eyes, she bit her lip. “You don’t understand. I’m not usually deceitful, really I’m not! I didn’t tell you about the Star because I thought it better yo
u did not know.”

  He raised his brows. “Better for whom?”

  “You, of course!”

  “Well, I want to know. Everything, if you please.”

  Sighing, she made a hopeless little gesture. “There’s not much to tell. The Devereux Star is my inheritance but sometimes it feels more of a burden than a blessing. How does one put a value on an heirloom passed from generation to generation, yet seems to bring little but unhappiness?”

  “Yes, but what is it?” asked Theo, still bemused.

  “A sapphire.”

  “An extremely valuable sapphire,” corrected Olivia.

  “The Star has been in our family since the seventeenth century,” explained Sophie. “It was found and brought back to England by an explorer ancestor of mine. It’s a gem with a distinctive feature. In certain light and aspects, a six-rayed white star appears in the stone. Such gemstones are rare, so rare they are usually given a name. That is how this sapphire came to be called the Devereux Star, after my intrepid Great great uncle Jeremiah Devereux and the unusual flaw bringing the white star within it to life.”

  “And you have this gem with you?” exclaimed Theo.

  She nodded.

  “Where is it now?”

  “If I tell you, you’ll only be dragged into my stupid affairs more and—”

  “Sophie—” he began, in a half-exasperated, half-threatening voice.

  “Oh, very well!”

  Sophie reached up to her hair and took out the cornflowertipped pin, dislodging several curls in the process, which bounced down around her shoulders.

  Twisting the long pin between her fingers, she said, “Shortly before his death, Papa thought it advisable to disguise the Star. He knew I would be alone in the world and considered it would be safer somewhere less obvious than its usual setting of the Devereux necklace. He said people rarely saw what was under their noses, so he arranged for a paste copy to be inserted in the necklace and had the real gem re-set. Only my father and I knew of its new location.” She held out the pin to Theo. “The real Devereux Star is here.”