Sophie, relief sweeping through her, wound her arms about his waist. Nothing had ever felt this wonderful. To be held like this was an echo of her earlier fantasies. It also brought home how little affection she had received over recent years. To feel safe, wanted, protected, cared for, even for a short time, was pure delight.
In the seconds when she had thought she might die, all she could think was she would never see Theo again. Now, his chest rose and fell beneath her cheek and she could feel his body heat and hear the reassuring thud of his heartbeat. She skimmed her hands over his back, aware of every taut muscle through his shirt. When she tilted her head back to look at him, she saw his eyes were shadowed with concern.
“Tell me what happened,” he insisted.
She explained in brief, halting sentences, barely reaching the end when the noise from the landing grew louder.
“Sophia! What are you doing, you shameless girl!
Sophie peeped over Theo’s shoulder. Her aunt was standing in the mangled doorway, a shocked expression on her face. Her hair hung down in a neat plait from under her night cap, and she had donned a lace-trimmed robe, but her gimlet stare was undiminished. Olivia stood at her side, her dark curls tumbling down her back, her eyes like saucers.
Sophie knew how the scene must appear. She was clad only in a nightgown while Theo was in his shirt and breeches and they were in each other’s arms, but only a fool or her aunt could conceive of any impropriety. If Theo had been intent on seducing her, he would hardly have woken everyone by breaking down the door.
“Someone has been in Miss Devereux’s room,” explained Theo curtly.
Alarm flickered in Mrs. Sloane’s eyes, but the sight of her niece in Mr Cavanagh’s embrace, coupled with the spectacle they were affording the group gathering on the landing, offended her. “I’m sure that’s no reason for her to cling to you in such a deplorable fashion!” she snapped.
Theo’s features might have been carved from stone. “Have you no thought for Sophie’s welfare? You have not even inquired if she has been harmed.”
A murmur went up from the crowd and Eudora coloured. With studied patience and a forced smile, she said, “Perhaps it was remiss of me not to enquire at once. Are you unhurt, my dear?”
Sophie almost laughed out loud. Her aunt had never called her “my dear”. She nodded, reluctantly pulling away from Theo. A large group of people had now assembled outside the doorway. Most were clad in their night attire and holding candles, some still smothering yawns. Lucius Grey had appeared beside Olivia. He was fully dressed apart from his cravat, his eyes alert and absorbing every detail, his brows drawn together in a frown. Peregrine was there, too, dressed in a calf-length brocade dressing gown of startling design with military- style braiding. His hair was dishevelled and his eyes still looked bleary with sleep and wine. The droop of his mouth was more accentuated than usual.
“What on earth is going on, cousin?” he demanded. “Your banshee-like scream has woken everyone up.”
“Someone has been through my things. When I awoke and disturbed him, he attacked me.”
Gasps broke out, but Peregrine gave an incredulous snort. “What, here in The Pelican? Errant nonsense! This is an exclusive coaching inn, not some shabby tavern. Robbers and rakes don’t wander in off the street here. You must have had a nightmare.”
Sophie threw him a disgusted look. “I know when I have been attacked.”
An agitated discussion broke out among the audience, who quickly ranged themselves into two camps. The naysayers were convinced Sophie had dreamt the whole thing; others argued she was unlikely to have thrown her clothes around the room herself. There was a stir of activity at the back and the landlord, elbowing his way through, demanded to know what had happened. Simultaneously, and with great relish, several people offered their version of events.
A stout man with bushy eyebrows and a nightcap askew on his bald head complained bitterly about the fracas and the dramatic tendencies of the weaker sex. In doom-ridden accents, he said his wife had suffered an attack of the vapours as a result and was now sitting up in bed, shaking like a blancmange.
These observations incensed another onlooker, a large, avuncular-looking man who briskly adjured the stout man to shut his mummer—couldn’t he see the young lady was upset and had suffered a shock? The first guest took exception to this, jutting out his chin and replying when he had paid good money to stay at a hostelry, he didn’t expect his slumbers to be disturbed by the smashing down of doors and a scream that made his hair stand on end.
Raising his brows, the avuncular-looking man observed in a dry voice this was unlikely since it must have been years since that billiard ball had seen any hair.
A large-bosomed lady, whose grey curls were bobbing up and down vigorously under the lace night cap tied under her chin, then declared she felt sorry for Sophie, but was ready to faint herself at the thought of lunatics, murderers or rakes on the loose.
Mr Grey’s smooth voice intervened into the mêlée. “In my opinion it is odiously ill-mannered to argue in this fashion in front of distressed ladies.” Flashing a devastating smile, he kissed the large lady’s hand. “Madam, pray do not be alarmed. These gentlemen,”—he indicated Peregrine and Theo—“and I will undertake an investigation with the landlord as to what has occurred here. You have my word you will not be ravished in your bed.”
Disappointment flitted across her features but, blushing and disarmed by his smile, she collected herself enough to stammer, “TThank you, Sir! I feel much better already, knowing you will be dealing with the matter. To be sure, I don’t know what the world is a-coming to, what with ladies being accosted in their bedchambers! At least it gives me comfort to know there are still chivalrous gentlemen like you who are willing to protect us defenceless females.”
Mr Grey acknowledged this gravely, before turning to the landlord. “Stir yourself and check the place for intruders! We will assist you. Everyone else should return to their beds; there is nothing more to be done here at present.” He put a hand under Olivia’s elbow, urging her sotto voce to comfort her cousin until he returned.
Theo, who had placed himself between Sophie and the doorway, murmured, “I need to help Grey sort this out. You’re cold…put something on, and I’ll be back soon.”
Sophie’s lips wobbled into a smile. She walked away, retrieving her shawl from the floor and wrapping it round her quivering body. Shock was setting in. Her movements felt strange, mechanical almost, yet she was shaking all over like a leaf in an autumn gale. Now the room was bathed in candlelight, she felt a fraud. She knew she had not imagined what had happened, but it seemed fantastical all the same. Only her scattered belongings reassured her she was not going mad.
“Sophie, are you alright?” said Olivia, watching her anxiously.
“Yes…now.”
Olivia lowered her voice. “Do you think the person was after the Star?”
“I don’t know. As far as I am aware, only Mr Cavanagh,
Perry and Eudora know I have it with me, perhaps Mr Grey, too, if Perry has told him.”
“Do you trust Mr Cavanagh?”
A faint blush rose to her cheeks. “Despite our brief acquaintance, yes, I do,” she murmured. “Perry is far too indolent to be ransacking rooms at the dead of night. That leaves Mr Grey, but I can’t help thinking he would choose a more subtle method. More likely to be an opportunist thief after some easy pickings…stupidly, I forgot to lock my door.” Sophie did not want to consider the matter too closely just now. The idea it was a deliberate attempt to get hold of the Star made her feel even more uncomfortable.
“One of the servants may have overheard Perry talking and decided to steal it. You know how careless he is.”
“It’s a possibility, but this is a busy inn and people are arriving at all hours. A stranger could easily slip in and try to take a few trinkets from unlocked rooms.”
The crowd was slowly dispersing. Theo, Peregrine and Mr Grey had left with the landlo
rd to make a search. Only Eudora remained. She walked over, her back ramrod straight, her manner imperious. “Well, Sophia, you are obviously convinced someone was in your room so I suppose I must take you at your word. A shocking thing indeed but perhaps, given your deceit and your behaviour, not entirely undeserved.”
“Mother!” cried Olivia, with a fierce look. “That is a dreadful thing to say! This has nothing to do with Sophie. She has suffered a terrible shock and the least you could do is offer her sympathy.” “And what sympathy did she extend to me when she dashed off in that disgraceful manner?” said Mrs Sloane coldly. “One can only hope this incident will bring her to her senses.” She glared at Sophie. “Take this opportunity to ponder on your situation, my girl! I hope in the morning you will have decided to return home and marry Peregrine. For what is left of the night, you may share Olivia’s room. I am going back to bed before my headache grows any worse.”
With that, she turned on her heel and marched out.
Sophie watched her depart. “She doesn’t believe me.”
“Ignore her,” commanded Olivia bluntly. “Let’s start gathering up your things so you can move into my room. We can check as we go to see if anything has been taken.”
They began to collect the strewn clothing and other items and it soon became clear nothing was missing. Even the small amount of coins in her reticule remained untouched. Shortly afterward, Theo returned with Mr Grey and Peregrine.
“As I suspected, there were no escaping robbers with sacks full of booty,” drawled Peregrine, his hands thrust into the pockets of his dressing gown. “Today’s adventures must have given you nightmares.”
Theo threw him a look full of scorn. “Just because we haven’t found an intruder doesn’t mean someone wasn’t in Miss Devereux’s room.”
“Have you checked the wardrobe, cousin?” continued Perry with a mocking smirk. “Perhaps the culprit is hiding in there.”
“Perry, if you don’t shut up at once, I’ll hit you over the head with this!” said Olivia, wielding Sophie’s hairbrush.
He gave a start of surprise. “Dear me, so you have suddenly discovered some spirit,” he sneered, his eyes boring into her. “Don’t be a little fool, Olivia! As if I would listen to your threats—”
“Sloane,” interpolated Mr Grey in biting accents, “if you aspire to join the ranks of the Four Horse Club, or any other exclusive club, learn not to insult ladies. There is no better indicator of bad manners and lack of breeding.”
Peregrine’s bluster fell away under Grey’s icy stare. “Er…of course. Olivia knows I don’t mean it.”
His sister raised her brows but made no comment.
“You must agree it’s been a wild goose chase, Luc,” said Peregrine defensively. “There’s nothing unusual to be seen anywhere in the building.”
Sophie glared at him. “I did not imagine it!”
“I know you didn’t,” Theo assured her. “There’s nothing more to be done tonight so I suggest we all go back to bed.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” murmured Grey.
“I’m going to sleep in Olivia’s room,” said Sophie.
Theo nodded. “Excellent idea. You will both feel more comfortable that way. I’ll help carry your things.”
Mr Grey and Peregrine departed and, when Theo had helped to move Sophie’s belongings, he waited while Olivia went on ahead. Then he squeezed Sophie’s hand. “I’ll be listening out, but make sure you lock the door.”
“I will.” She lifted her gaze to his and said simply, “Thank you.
He smiled, wished her goodnight and set off back to his room.
Exhausted, Sophie turned the key in the lock and climbed into bed, still trembling a little with shock. She had snuffed out the candle when Olivia’s whisper reached her through the darkness:
“Sophie, I have just remembered…when I encountered Mr Grey earlier, he advised me to lock my door. Could it have any connection with what has happened?”
Chapter 8
Leaving Olivia dressing, Sophie went downstairs early the next morning. She had slept hardly at all and felt tired and anxious. Daylight had made last night’s events seem even more absurd, but she only had to recall those long fingers curled around her throat to have the reality confirmed. She touched the cornflower pin pushed into her hair to reassure herself it was safe and forced her thoughts to the day ahead.
As she walked toward the parlour, she prepared for the encounter with Perry and her aunt, anticipating a difficult battle. There was no sign of Theo and she assumed he had already gone to the stables to check his horses. She opened the door and stopped dead on the threshold: Perry and Aunt Eudora were already seated at one of the tables. It appeared they had been there for some time as they had finished their breakfast. Sophie, recovering quickly, walked in and their low-toned, urgent conversation ceased at once.
“Ah, good morning,” said Peregrine, raising his quizzing glass and raking her with a glance. He was dressed in an olive green coat, hessians and pantaloons of a delicate yellow. His mouth creased into a smile, his eyes glinting like polished obsidian. “I trust you are feeling none the worse for your nightmare? Do come and join us.”
Sophie blinked. This was not his usual manner of greeting and she had been expecting an outburst of recrimination. Sitting down, she peered at him suspiciously. Peregrine’s comment suggested as far as he and his mother were concerned, last night’s events had been dismissed as a figment of Sophie’s imagination. The thought infuriated her, but she determined not to discuss it further. It would serve no purpose.
“I am a little tired, but nothing of consequence,” she replied. “I hope your headache is better, aunt?”
“Yes, thank you.” Two bright spots of colour burned in Eudora’s cheeks and she looked nettled, but she, too, offered a clipped, if forced, smile.
Sophie frowned. Both of them were behaving strangely. Perhaps it was a ruse to get her to return to Ludstone.
“We have been discussing this unfortunate situation,” said Peregrine, pouring out some tea and pushing a cup in Sophie’s direction.
“Indeed?” she queried, warily.
He stirred his cup. “You are, I take it, still of a mind to go to London?”
“Of course,” said Sophie, giving him a cold glance. She sipped her drink, wondering what was coming next.
“I thought so.” Touching his napkin to his mouth, Perry lounged back in his chair. “You might like to know, then, I have persuaded Mama to let you continue on your journey.”
Sophie spluttered over her tea. She put her cup down and after a pause she managed to reply, “Indeed? I am surprised.”
“But only on the condition Peregrine accompanies you,” said Eudora.
Aghast, Sophie stared at her aunt. A few hours ago, she would have welcomed any method of getting to London, but not this one. Impinging on Theo’s good nature was far preferable to Peregrine’s company. “But Mr Cavanagh is escorting me!”
Mrs Sloane gave a disapproving sniff. “While I deplore Mr Cavanagh’s role in this affair, I do not wish to offend him or cause another unpleasant scene. I will therefore allow you to continue as long as Perry goes too. Indeed, I insist upon it. What could be more proper than a young man escorting his cousin?” Clasping her hands in her lap, Mrs Sloane’s colour rose a little higher as she observed, “Peregrine has also pointed out that the way I have encouraged your relationship with him in recent months has been, shall we say, insensitive. Naturally, it was done with the best of intentions. I still believe Peregrine will be a brilliant match for you, but now I see you have perhaps not been in his company enough. You need more time to appreciate what an excellent man he is and, like most young women, you want your head filled with romantic nonsense. In short, you want to be courted.”
“But—”
“Let me finish,” said her aunt peremptorily. “If he accompanies you to London and takes you to see the sights and amusements there, you will be more disposed to marry him afterward. It
cannot be otherwise. His character, looks, sense of style and disposition must, in time, prove attractive to any woman, especially when seen against the backdrop of London and the haut ton. There you will see him at his best.” Her indulgent gaze rested on her son. “A man of exquisite taste and manners, mixing with the most cultured society in the world…you cannot fail to be impressed, and come to appreciate your good fortune in having Peregrine as a husband.”
In Sophie’s view a trip to the moon with Peregrine would not be enough to convince her of that. She pondered on this curious turn of events. Their manner this morning was warm, bordering on friendly. Their change of heart about her journey to London, while welcome, was so blindingly obvious as to be laughable. An argument had clearly taken place and Perry, always able to twist his mother around his thumb, must have convinced her that charm was now a better option than force.
Well, if Perry thought he could charm her into marriage, he would be disappointed. Sophie would never be persuaded. Was he planning to force her once they reached London? She doubted it. By then, she should be under the Verneys‘ protection.
He was, though, conceited enough to think a week or two escorting her around while he puffed off his consequence would be enough to convince her, and of course, he had no knowledge yet of James.
“But I demand to know where you are planning to stay,” her aunt was continuing, glaring down her patrician nose. “The proprieties must be observed at all times. No scandal must attach itself to Peregrine’s name. Despite the atrocious manner of your departure, I presume you have made arrangements for when you reach London?”
“I am going to stay with Lady Verney, the mother of my childhood friend James Verney,” replied Sophie, deeming it best not to give more details.
Eudora gave a nod of approval. “I have heard of Lady Verney. She is well thought of in London circles, I believe. Very well, if Lady Verney is expecting you, I give my consent. You will go with Peregrine. Later, he will call upon you regularly and do all that is right and proper. Matters will reach a satisfactory conclusion soon afterward, and I shall post up to London to receive the news. In the meantime, I shall return home and say your trip had been planned all along.
Three Secrets and a Scandal (Regency Secrets and Scandals Book 2) Page 11