Miss Sophia's Spirited Spinster's Society

by Charlotte Stone

  .

  .

  CHAPTER FOUR

  .

  “She’ll be all right.” Genie took Sophia’s hand as she led her from Lorena’s doorway. They’d sat with her for the last hour and their friend had refused to see reason, swearing she would remain a spinster whether or not Ashwick returned. “She’ll change her mind once he returns.”

  Sophia’s heart flipped, and she didn’t dare think of how badly things could go. She had decided to stay with Lorena for the night. Genie would return to her own home since her father was very ill.

  Genie showed her the way to one of the guest rooms and bid her goodnight before shutting the door.

  Sophia changed for bed in a night-rail her lady’s maid had packed for her. She was just getting into bed when there was a knock at her door. Believing it to be Genie or her maid returning, she called for the person to enter.

  She blinked as Morris filled her doorway, his face and large body outlined by the lamp that burned low by her bedside. He closed the door behind him. Her heart galloped as he walked toward her with great confidence, as though it were not out of place for him to be in a woman’s bedchamber. Still, she was more astonished that he was still in London. “You’re still here.” She went to her chair and quickly wrapped herself in her robe. “What are you doing here?”

  “Ashwick decided we would leave at first light.” His face held a look more than hidden humor as he stopped less than a foot from her. “In fact, my visit was inspired by him.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s visiting Lorena as we speak.”

  Sophia shook her head. “He’ll not be welcomed.”

  “He’ll change her mind.” He moved, filling the space between them and set his hands at her waist.

  She placed her hands on his arms and stilled, listening to her heart race, and the pulsing in her head. She ran her fingers over the material of his coat, feeling the muscles and life underneath. “I’d rather you not go.”

  “I must.”

  She placed her hand over his heart and prayed it would beat for many years to come. He took her hand and kissed her fingers. The gentle caress forced her to look up into his eyes, finding a level of tenderness she’d not known him capable of. She wanted to take her hand back, yet at the same time, she wanted to cling to him and promise him anything so that he wouldn’t go. “What do you aim to accomplish?”

  Still holding her hand, he started to lead her over to the corner of the room where two chairs sat. “We aim to ensure that Lorena receives justice and never comes to harm again.”

  Sophia smiled. “You all must love her greatly. It’s beautiful the friendship you all hold.”

  He sat down, the chair seeming suddenly small with his large body in it. He tugged on her hand and she found herself falling into his lap. She understood that once morning came, he’d be gone for weeks. She’d miss him terribly. His arms went around her and Sophia felt ready to faint at the connection, at being surrounded in the safety of his arms, protected. If only he wouldn’t break her heart. If only she could protect it from him.

  He leaned down in the chair and she leaned with him. She found the perfect place to rest her head on his chest. There, his earthy musk scent was heavier. She buried herself in him and they both sighed with contentment.

  “I’d do the same for you.”

  “What do you mean?” She kept her eyes closed.

  “I’d face any man who threatened your life.”

  She lifted her head, her hand resting against his chest, and saw that continued certainty in his eyes.

  He cupped her cheek. “And the others would follow me.”

  “Why would they do such a thing?” In her heart, she believed she understood why he’d do it. She dared not dwell on it but it made no sense for anyone else to risk it.

  “No one in the brotherhood is to face any dangers alone. It’s part of our oath.”

  She smiled. “The Men of Nashwood have oaths?”

  “Many.”

  “Such as?”

  “You’re not to write any of this.”

  “As you wish.” She vowed when Lorena asked her to join the Spinsters to never publish anything embarrassing about her friends and since the Men of Nashwood were certainly becoming her friends, she would never do anything to harm them.

  “We’ll never cheat each other or lie.” He sighed. “Though I fear some fancy standing on the line and simply omit telling the whole truth.”

  “Everyone has secrets.”

  He trailed his fingers through the hair that had come out of her braid and swept it behind her ears. “There are very few between us men.”

  “Remarkable.” She sat up but remained in his lap. “What would you say has made your bond so strong?” She found his expression to be sensual though he didn’t try very hard.

  His hand went around her waist as if to make certain she didn’t leave. “We’ve lived through things and aided one another through some difficult times.”

  “Like what?”

  He smiled. “That, I’ll not tell you.”

  She scoffed and wondered if it had anything to do with the rumor or murder she’d heard concerning the men. She stilled when she felt her robe being loosened. Morris’ hand had moved toward the belt and had already undone it, his finger now edging the material back. “What are you doing?”

  His voice dipped low. “I want to see you.”

  Sophia pressed her legs together to fight her body’s need. “And what if I don’t wish to show you anything?”

  He leaned forward and pulled her closer, whispering in her ear, “Oh, I imagine you want me to do much more.” His hand went to her thighs.

  She shivered and swatted at his busy fingers. “No, I don’t.”

  He yanked back the robe from her shoulders. “Your body says you’re lying.” He flicked her nipple, the move making her moan and she looked down to see he was right. Her nipples were erect.

  She turned to stare at him, found his breathing to be just as hard as hers and his face set hard. She saw him for the dangerous man he was, luring her into the protection of his arms only to turn around and present her with more danger than anyone else.

  She stood and belted her robe again. “You should go.”

  He came to his feet, his expression unyielding. “I don’t wish to go.”

  “You can’t stay.”

  “I leave in the morning. I may never come back.”

  Her lungs constricted and she swayed backward on her feet. “How dare you say that to me?”

  He moved forward and grabbed her shoulders. “I’m sorry. That was unfair of me. I should never have said something so cruel to you, especially knowing how we feel about each other.”

  She pressed her lips together, swearing she would never admit how much she loved him. The words would never leave her lips. She would take them to the grave.

  “I just want to hold you.” His voice was low. “May I hold you for a few hours?”

  She could barely think with him pressed so close to her. She backed away. “No.” If he held her, they would do more than just hold one another. Besides, she’d not brought a sponge. Her father trusted her to be wise. “You can’t.”

  He took a step away. “Of course.”

  Her heart urged the next words out of her mouth. “But you may stay.” She didn’t look at him as she went back to the bed and laid down, her body as close to the edge as she could get. She stilled at the sound of Morris’ shuffling feet as he moved around the room. He came into her sight a moment later and she saw that he’d stripped off his jacket, breeches, and boots, leaving only his shirt and smallclothes. He took the opposite side and laid at his own edge.

  Their eyes met for a moment and Sophia closed her eyes when the urge to cross the distance burned within her. “Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  A few moments later, she was on the verge of finding sleep when she asked, “Would you like me to turn the lamp off?”

  “N
o,” he whispered. “Leave it on.” There was no sleep in his voice and she wondered if he were still staring at her, watching her rest. She wasn’t brave enough to open her eyes and find out. She didn’t want to know, didn’t want to find that he was and know where it would lead. He’d promised not to kiss her but one did not need to use their lips in order to do other things. She was a fool for loving him, knowing he’d marry someone else. The best course of action was to make sure he never got her body, for if he did, then she’d lose the last measure of control over herself that she had.

  Sleep found her in the middle of the night and in the morning, she woke up to an empty bed.

  * * *

  .

  .

  .

  * * *

  * * *

  .

  .

  .

  CHAPTER FIVE

  .

  Laughter and conversation nearly drowned out the sounds of the nature in Hyde Park, proving that the ton had hardly taken notice of Morris, Ashwick, and Julius’ disappearance. A dog passed and children chased after it with a governess close behind. A scene of that sort would usually bring Sophia come sort of joy but at the moment, nothing did. It had been a week since the men had left for Liverpool and she was sure they’d made it by now. The Spinsters had decided to continue to see to the schedule of the other men, all the while planning Lorena’s engagement party that was to be held in a few weeks. The ton was very excited about the party, intrigued to see what the Spinster Society was like firsthand and hoping the night would prove to be exciting.

  Most of the ton hadn’t respected Lorena until her engagement to Ashwick. Her father, though a duke, had been impoverished and had passed his debts onto his son but that didn’t stop her readers from wanting to read about them. While the three men were gone, she’d conducted interviews with the others, giving her fans a glimpse into their lives without exploiting them too much and this had gained her some respect as well. How was it that a tailor’s daughter had gained a close friendship with two dukes, two marquesses, an earl, a knight, and three wealthy landed gentry? Her world was changing.

  She stopped just as two women came over to her and struck up a conversation that she knew would lead to questions about the men. So far, she’d been keeping a tally of which men interested her readers the most.

  “You wrote that Sir William Tift was in the military. Do you suppose he still has his uniform?” The woman before her had the brightest blue eyes and curly blond hair that refused to be tamed by her bonnet.

  The woman’s friend, a plump brunette with brown eyes, giggled. “Oh, I do enjoy the way you described Mr. Rollo Kerry. He almost sounds wild.”

  Sophia lifted a brow, not believing her article on Rollo had hinted to anything untamed. He was gentry, though he did hold investments in other areas. His mother’s family had been merchants. She thought this perhaps the reason the woman thought him wild. Men like Rollo were oddities to the ladies of Society, like prized stallions that could speak. The only reason Rollo got invitations anywhere was because of his great wealth and his family’s good fortune.

  Sophia gossiped with the women for a moment then moved on.

  “You’re still upset with me, I see.”

  She turned to her companion, having nearly forgotten he was there. Levi’s blond hair and dashing looks seemed to glow in the sun. His great height was only more pronounced by the fact that he was so lean. He was very handsome and unfortunately, she was still upset with him.

  They’d not discussed the article that he’d written. She’d planned to discuss it at dinner, but he’d not shown, claiming to be at rehearsal. An entire week had passed by and that very afternoon he’d shown up at her door, asking to take her to the park. She’d accepted because she needed the distraction but so far, her mind had not strayed far from Morris.

  “I’m sorry,” Levi said. “I don’t know what came over me to share such an intimate story about your Society and those men.”

  “I do,” she told him. “You wanted recognition and now you have it.” Levi had become more sought after once the paper had been published.

  He hung his head but his shameless gray-blue eyes found hers. “Will you forgive me? I’m but a man.”

  She laughed. She found it hard to stay upset with him. “All right. You’re forgiven.”

  He gave an exasperated sigh. “Thank God. I don’t know what I would do without your friendship.” His expression sobered. “Now tell me why you’ve been long in the face?”

  She sighed with great feeling.

  “It’s His Grace, is it not?” He shook his head. “What has he done?” Levi knew everything about her and Morris and had from the very first day they’d met. The circumstances she’d found him in had forced him to make some confessions of his own and in turn, she’d told him much about her current situation. They struck up a bargain to work together in an effort to gain their separate goals.

  “Nothing. He’s not here at all. He’s in Liverpool.”

  Levi frowned. “What’s he doing there?”

  Sophia gave him a direct look. “As though I would ever tell you.”

  Pain flickered in his eyes. “I’ve already apologized for the article and give you my word to never share anything you say again.”

  She nodded. “Still, I can’t say. It’s not my story to tell. Either way, Morris is gone and I miss him.”

  “I’m sorry if I’m mistaken on how our associating is supposed to work but didn’t we come together on the assumption that you wanted to keep the duke away?”

  She stopped walking and looked up at him.

  “Oh, dear, you’ve fallen for him, haven’t you?” Levi grimaced.

  Sophia gave no reply. She didn’t want to lie to Levi and felt he was the only person she could be truthful with.

  Levi took her hand, patted it, and then placed it on his arm before resuming their stroll.

  “Does this mean you’ll have no further use of me?”

  She gripped him desperately. “No, I’ll certainly need you now more than ever.”

  He maneuvered them around a family and kept down the path. “You told me you never planned to marry. So why not become this man’s lover?”

  “He is not the lover sort, I think.”

  “How would you know? You’ve only slept with one man.” His expression became smothered. “Perhaps you need more experience.”

  Sophia laughed. “No, Levi. You and I shall never become lovers. You are getting exactly what you want out of this bargain. Already, you’re being recognized more by being associated with me.” Levi cared for little else but his career. Everything was about his success. Since their meeting— and his subsequent article—Levi had been invited to quite a few auditions and dinners with the upper working class who were very much into theatre. Like any other man, Levi had the tendency to flirt with her but Sophia knew they would make a terrible match.

  Levi sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” He looked ahead and lifted a brow. “I see another admirer heading our way.”

  “Oh?” Sophia was not inclined to speak to another group of girls. “Perhaps the women will be after you this time?”

  He shook his head and grinned. “It’s a man and from his attire, I would say a very wealthy one.”

  Sophia looked ahead on the path to see who he could be speaking of and her heart stopped; her throat closed. Nerves made her limbs unable to move, forcing Levi to stop too. She stared ahead at the gentleman who was watching and when he started in her direction, the need to run consumed her.

  “Sophia, what’s the matter?” Levi placed a comforting hand on her arm. “Are you all right?”

  She wasn’t but it was too late to change course now. Lom would know she’d done it to get away from him and she wondered why he even dared to approach her now. For nearly a year, they’d avoided one another at social events and on more than one occasion, Sophia had left at the sight of him. He was the reason she not only stayed outside of society but had vowed to nev
er marry.

  Lom, or rather Lord Columbus Gates, the Baron of Helsby, stopped before them and stared at her. “Miss Sophia.” He moved his feet and didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. He blinked, his blue eyes holding hers shakily. He looked just as nervous about speaking to her as she felt. Gray-streaked brown hair was visible from underneath his hat. He was fifteen years older than Sophia and still attractive in his own way. His eyes still looked kind though she knew his true nature now.

  She cast her eyes to the ground. She had nothing to say to him.

  Levi spoke when the silence stretched on. “I’m Levi.”

  “Lord Helsby.” Lom kept his eyes on Sophia. “Would you mind if I spoke to her alone?”

  “I would.” Sophia looked up at Levi. “Let’s be on our way.”

  “Sophia, please.”

  Her heart raced.

  Levi grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry, my lord, but we must be on our way. Good day.” He moved them quickly around Lom and Sophia didn’t look back. She wondered why her body still reacted the way it did when he was near. She loathed herself when she thought of him, her body ready to flee what it could not take back. The memories tormented her mind, the good moments bothering her far more than the bad. How she’d ever loved him was no mystery, yet the best thing she’d ever done was walk away from him.

  “Who was he?” Levi asked once they reached the curricle. She was glad he’d known she would wish to go home after that.

  “Lom.” She took the hand he offered and stepped into the curricle.

  “He’s Lom?” Levi grunted. “No wonder I don’t stand a chance with you.”

  “What do you mean?” Her mind worked to compare the two. They were like night and day. Levi’s eyes were more calculating while Lom’s were gentle. He was a sweet man… and a liar. Lom had darker features while Levi was milk white.

  He grinned. “I’m far too pretty for you.”

  She smiled and thought about what he’d said. Levi was very pretty, which she assumed attracted some women but not her. Lom was not pretty and to some he was only mildly attractive but it had been his heart that captured Sophia. Morris, on the other hand, was unlike either of them. He was not pretty. He was gorgeous beyond compare, wild, and dominating.