DisobediencebyDesign

by Regina Kammer

  The footman held her hand gently as he helped her step out of the carriage and did not let go until she was in the foyer with the front door closed behind them.

  Arthur was concerned for her safety. Before the incident she would have been annoyed. Now the attention made her feel protected.

  He dashed out of the library to greet her, kissing her on both cheeks.

  “Sophie! I’m so glad you’re here.” He clasped her hand and led her to the dining room. “You are looking well.”

  “Thank you. I am recovered. And you?”

  He was glowing with excitement about something. He must have received good news about his business.

  “I’m as well as a man can be, considering…” He pulled out a chair for her next to the head of the table.

  “Yes of course.”

  She settled herself while he took the head seat. Just the two of them as intimate friends was quite nice.

  Luncheon was excellent.

  “Henny arranged for Mrs. Babcock to study under a chef from Provence. Now when she’s not cooking, she’s tending her newly planted Provencal-style garden in the back. Or pining for the chef.”

  Sophia giggled.

  “How is your first Season? Have you met anyone interesting?”

  “I’ve met the queen.” She couldn’t contain her smile.

  Arthur laughed. “But of course. Is she a good dancer?”

  She swatted him. “Arthur!”

  His eyes twinkled at her. “Who else? What about all the balls you’ve been attending? Geoff says he’s seen you once or twice.”

  “Geoffrey’s quite popular, you know.” He had been spending time with Flora Sheffleigh, which meant his flirtation with Sophia was over. “We barely have time for a ‘how do you do’ these days, which is too bad since he’s far more interesting than all the others I have to dance with.”

  “Anyone I might know?”

  “Well there’s been Rupert Prescott, the heir to a viscount. The Marquess of Aldersley who’s widowed with a son. And the Earl of Croxley.”

  “They’re all a bit old for you, don’t you think?”

  “They’re younger than the Duke of Royston.”

  “Ah. Yes. Prescott’s brother is one of my investors.” He grinned at her. “But he’s already married.”

  “Probably any one of your investors is far more interesting than the men Mama makes me dance with. They don’t really do anything.”

  “What about Joseph? He’s been spending more time with Geoff since…well, since I’ve been dull. Do you ever see him at these events?”

  Sophia turned her attention to the perfectly seasoned potato salad, hoping Arthur did not see her blush. “I never see Joseph anymore.”

  “That’s too bad. You get on quite well.”

  She smiled. “He did send me a book the other day.”

  “That was thoughtful. What book?”

  Joseph had sent her an extraordinarily naughty novel involving schoolgirls, which Arthur would not, could not ever know about. “It was a lovely little book with Classical designs. Vitruvius, I believe.” Joseph had wrapped that one along with the other so she would not have to lie about the contents of her package.

  Arthur chewed his lamb thoughtfully. “Joseph has a lot of books sent here from Jacobs in Lincolnshire.”

  “Oh.” She forked too much of the potatoes in her mouth.

  “Sophie, to be honest, I invited you here today for a reason. I have a proposition.”

  Sophia blinked. “A proposition?”

  “I want you to be my hostess when I hold events here. You know…dinners and such.” He put down his knife and fork. “Now that Henny’s gone I need a woman in the house, to balance out the guest list when I hold parties. Otherwise there’s always one extra forlorn bachelor.”

  She patted his hand.

  “I’ve asked Mother and Father and they have agreed to allow it, despite your age and position.”

  “I suppose it is rather irregular.”

  “Rather. Mother was mostly worried about your absence at important events—”

  Sophia snorted.

  “No matter how boring, dear sister, you are expected to be present at certain affairs to keep up appearances. Do you want to think it over? There’s no hurry. I really haven’t done any entertaining since…well…since.”

  He looked so much like a forlorn bachelor at that moment. And giving parties did sound fun. “Yes, Arthur. I think I’ll enjoy it.”

  “Oh good! And you’ll meet so many more people—men—to extend your circle of potential suitors. To show off your abilities as a hostess.”

  “I need to learn how to be a hostess first.”

  “Mother will teach you and I can show you what Henny used to do.”

  “Thank you, Arthur.” She was encouraged to know he had so much faith in her.

  He pushed his chair back. “Now let’s repair to the drawing room so I can teach you how to drink brandy and smoke cigars.”

  Sophia stared in astonishment. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Sort of,” he said, pulling out her chair as she rose. “I’ve been known to throw some wild parties.”

  She giggled as he regaled her with tales of bachelorhood on their way to the drawing room. She took her place on the couch in the central conversation area and arranged her skirts around her. Arthur placed a tray with a crystal decanter and two snifters on the table before her. “This, dear sister, is brandy. You should never drink too much of it.”

  “Oh my. Tell me what happened.”

  “I think you best not, my lord.”

  Sophia turned to the familiar voice. “Joseph!”

  He beamed and went to her, taking her hands in his. “My lady.”

  Her heart pounded with joy, rushing heat to her cheeks. “It’s wonderful to see you.”

  “It’s been a long time.” His gaze was intense. “Did you get my book?”

  A tingle teased between her legs. “I did.” She bit her lip. “It’s lovely.”

  Arthur offered him a glass of brandy. “Glad you could join us, Joseph. I’ve just been telling Sophie about my idea to have her be my hostess this Season.”

  Joseph relinquished her hands. “Ah yes. An excellent idea.”

  She liked that they talked about her when she wasn’t around.

  Arthur handed her a brandy. “Have you ever tasted it?”

  She glanced at Joseph. “Once.”

  Arthur held up his glass. “To my hostess.”

  “Slowly,” Joseph cautioned.

  She sipped the liquor, feeling it burn on her tongue before it hit the back of her throat to burn there. “Is it supposed to taste good?”

  Arthur laughed. “You’ll get used to it.” He took an easy chair opposite. “Sophie, I’ve also asked Mother and Father if I could set you up with a room here.”

  “A room?”

  “A bedroom.” Arthur crossed then uncrossed his legs. “For those days when we host a dinner at night and a breakfast the next morning.”

  She had never heard of such a thing. “Does that happen often?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know really.” He glanced at Joseph, who regarded him curiously. “Perhaps more often than is fashionable.”

  Maybe it was an American fashion. “All right,” Sophia conceded. “I suppose if I plan ahead, I can pack a gown—”

  “Damn it!” Arthur stood and walked to the window then back again. “I’m obviously not being plain enough.” He glanced between her and Joseph. “I want you two to continue your affair and I’m providing you a place in which to do it.”

  “What?” Joseph said sharply.

  Panic coursed through her veins. “Our affair?” She dared not look at Joseph.

  Arthur knelt down next to her. “Sophie, I’ve known about you since after your attack. The connection was apparent from the way you depended on Joseph—”

  Sophia turned away, tears smarting in her eyes.

  “Henny knew t
oo. I guess she found you one day. That’s what she told me before she…” He gently cupped her chin and turned her to face him. “I’ve lost the love of my life. I have nothing but memories. The love of your life is here.” He glanced up at an utterly dumbfounded Joseph. “You two should be together.” He stood and walked to the fireplace, hanging his head against his arm on the mantel. “Mother and Father still consider Royston as a possibility for you. I do not. I cannot. You will not marry that man.” He glanced between her and Joseph. “I want to make it so Royston no longer wants you.”

  “No longer wants me?”

  “Arthur,” Joseph growled.

  Arthur turned to him abruptly. “You don’t want her to end up with Royston either.”

  “I don’t want your house to be a brothel.”

  “It’s not a damn brothel,” Arthur bellowed.

  “Okay. A place of assignation, then,” Joseph snarled back.

  “It already was with me and Henny—”

  “What you are suggesting is far more clandestine and improper!”

  Arthur held his ground, red-faced, eyes narrowed. “Do I need to remind you of your promise that you would do anything to protect her?”

  Joseph threw his head back and grumbled an oath to the ceiling.

  “Will you two gentlemen please explain what you are arguing about?”

  Joseph drew in a deep breath. “Your brother is offering a subterfuge and a location for you and me to continue doing what we had been doing in the studio at Harwell Hall.” He eyed Arthur intently. “Except he would like it to go much further.”

  Sophia’s breath hitched. “Further?” she asked Arthur.

  Arthur speared his fingers through his hair. “Royston prefers virgins and if you are not one, he might reconsider his suit.”

  “Oh.”

  Joseph met her eyes and blushed.

  “Oh.” Realization made her blush as well.

  “Sophie,” Arthur said gently, “if you could marry anyone in the world right now, who would it be?”

  She flicked her eyes at Joseph. “Anyone?”

  “Anyone.”

  She couldn’t possibly answer that out loud. Joseph flashed the most devastatingly sympathetic smile in her direction.

  Arthur smirked. “I think I have my answer.”

  “Good God,” Joseph muttered in exasperation.

  “And you would ask her if you could!” Arthur said to him.

  “Arthur, I’m not allowed to marry just anyone,” she reminded quietly.

  “No. I know.” He slowly paced before her. “But what if you had to get married?”

  “Had to?”

  He knelt before her, taking her hands in his. “Sophie, Henny was pregnant when she fell down the stairs. She lost the child. Our child. And…” He swallowed his emotions. “She didn’t fall down the stairs. She was pushed.”

  She gasped. “Pushed?”

  “By Royston.”

  Sophia clamped her hands over her mouth to stifle a cry. Joseph sat at her side and wrapped a warm arm around her shoulders.

  “Sophie, what Royston tried to do to you was his way of ensuring you would not belong to any other man. To put it very indelicately, he was trying to claim you.” Arthur resumed his pacing. “I will not have you marry that man. I know you do not want to marry him and I suggest we—you, me and Joseph—do everything we can to make sure the marriage does not happen. One way is to have you be claimed by the man you love—”

  “Arthur!” Joseph warned.

  “Which means you and Joseph being intimate in a way that only a husband and wife should be intimate.” Arthur studied them both. “Which means not concerning yourselves with the consequences.”

  Sophia threw Arthur a questioning look.

  But he did not answer her. “I’m going to my study to work on correspondence. I’ll leave you two alone to discuss this. I’ll return in… I’ll return.” He left, closing the door behind him.

  “The consequences?”

  Joseph let his annoyance subside at Sophia’s plaintive query. He squeezed her shoulder. It felt so good to have her in his arms again.

  “He wants us to make love until you are with child.”

  The shock on her face was endearing.

  He drew a finger along her jaw to outline her gaping mouth. “And yes, I do agree that such a request is highly irregular. Especially from one’s brother.”

  He dipped his head, touching his lips to hers, the intensity of the sensation enlivening every inch of his flesh. She clasped her hands around his neck and opened to him, letting him explore her as he used to far too long ago. He took his time, renewing their intimacy, and she followed him every step of the way.

  He could kiss her like that forever. “And?”

  “And what?” she asked breathlessly.

  “Could you kiss me every day for the rest of your life?”

  She flushed as tears formed in the corners of her eyes. “Yes I could. I know I could. But Joseph,” she said, wiping her eyes, “I am not at liberty to marry whomever I want. Even if I am with child, Mama and Papa could still say no.”

  “Who on earth would they expect you to marry but the father of your child?”

  Her tears flowed unrelentingly. He fumbled in his pocket for his handkerchief.

  “They could send me away,” she said, pressing the handkerchief to her nose. “I’ve heard of servants who became with child and have to leave the estate. I’ve never seen them again. I have no idea where they go.”

  They probably went home to their families but such a thought was no consolation. He took her hand. “We could run away as soon as you think you might be pregnant.”

  “And go where?”

  Good question. Perhaps Arthur had thought some of this through. “We could go to America.”

  A flash of terror clouded her face.

  “No. Sorry. You don’t want that. I have to stay in England for a while anyway, until Arthur and I sort out all this railway business.”

  “Darling, don’t be offended.” She grabbed his arm and searched his eyes, a corner of her lips curling upward. “I’ve just never considered going to America. Everything about this is new to me.”

  “Yeah.” He smiled. “To me too. We’d have to be married. Or travel with Arthur, I suppose.”

  She crinkled her forehead in thought. “I’ve only heard about this in gossip but I think girls my age can get married in Scotland.”

  “Scotland?”

  “Henny mentioned it, after Arthur had returned from setting up a house there.”

  Ah. The Lamberton property.

  “It’s quite scandalous, you know. Only girls who have to get married do that sort of thing.”

  Joseph chuckled. “I think that’s the idea.”

  “Oh.” She blushed again. It was damn bewitching.

  “But,” he sighed, “you do bring up a point I think Arthur didn’t consider. Not only would it be scandalous for you, it would be quite scandalous for the company. If I got a woman of my own class with child, most would turn a blind eye. But to be seen as having seduced the innocent daughter of a marquess, during her first Season… I don’t think our investors would have confidence in my reputation after such a revelation.”

  “But maybe they wouldn’t have to know.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Well, Mama and Papa would not want the papers to get a hold of such a story. Even if they knew, they wouldn’t want anyone else to know. I think it could be kept a family secret.”

  “Then all of a sudden, nine months later you and I are married and have a child?”

  She shrugged. “We’ll be in America. How will they know?”

  He chuckled and pulled her close. “Look, the other morning Arthur said he had a plan to bring you on as a hostess in place of Henny. He knows I have strong feelings for you so he asked if such an arrangement would be okay with me. That’s all he said, I swear. I had no idea he was up to some crazy shenanigan.”

  �
�‘Shenanigan’?” She fluttered her eyelashes at him in puzzlement, a look that swelled his heart. And his cock.

  “Intrigue, plot. Whatever the hell it was he was thinking.” He threaded his fingers through hers. “Darling, we don’t have to do anything right now. I mean, I do have half a mind to carry you upstairs to my bedroom and have my way with you—”

  “Apparently with Arthur’s blessing.”

  A nerve-racking thought. “Yes.” He chuckled. “But we do need to plan this out some more.” He brought her hand up to his lips. “And most importantly it should be the right moment for you.”

  She gave him that look again, the look of innocent curiosity tinged with a burgeoning sensuality she probably did not quite understand. The look that always did him in. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, laying her down against the arm of the sofa, helping her shift her body underneath his. He lengthened himself on top of her, skimming his hand over the swell of her breast, teasing her nipple through the silk of her bodice with his thumb. She moaned his name then pressed her lips to his.

  She was his, he was hers and they were in this together. He deepened their kiss and ground his hips against hers, mimicking the act that would seal their union.

  And he didn’t give a damn if Arthur walked in and found them.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Oh Sophie, you look beautiful.” Mama gushed as Sophia spun around in her bedroom, showing off her new ball gown.

  “Do I?” Sophia brushed down the lace collar draping across her bosom. She had tons of new dresses to wear since the incident with the Duke of Royston. She had lost a treasured dress that night but the new pale-blue silk brocade with lacy trim was swiftly becoming her favorite.

  “Perhaps tonight you will meet your husband.” Mama pressed a hand to her mouth, her eyes reddening.

  “Mama, don’t cry! You should be happy for me.”