‘Thank you. He mentioned you both to me during the course of our correspondence, as a matter of fact.’
The two men shared a look of mild concern.
‘Did he? In what regard?’ Swinton asked, a nervous edge to his voice.
‘I gather you are sporting gentlemen,’ the duke replied. Sophia noticed how easily he avoided giving a direct answer to Swinton’s question, effortlessly turning the conversation in the direction that he wanted it to take.
‘Oh, quite so.’ Blake looked relieved by the change of subject. ‘Andrew was a keen supporter of the local champion.’
‘Champion?’ The duke looked confused.
‘Bare-knuckle fights,’ Sophia explained. ‘My sister, I gather, attended some with the then duke and these gentlemen.’
‘Maria loves a good brawl,’ Swinton said, grinning. ‘She’s the greatest possible fun in that regard and not in the least bit squeamish. May I enquire after her health?’
‘Thank you,’ Sophia replied, aware of the duke’s astute gaze focused upon her profile as she responded. ‘When I last heard from her, she was perfectly well.’
Swinton and Blake shared another speaking look, and Sophia was sure that Blake also smothered a smirk. Lord have mercy, if Maria had taken them into her confidence and they too had visited her in her seclusion, then her secret would not remain…well, secret for very much longer. Blake was not known for his discretion and Maria must be aware of that. What in the name of Hades did she think she was playing at?
‘Very pleased to hear it,’ Blake said. ‘Please send her our very best wishes the next time you correspond.’
‘Were you in town when my brother was murdered?’
The duke’s voice, although low, seemed to Sophia to rise effortlessly above the dozens of conversations that were taking place around them. Sophia swivelled her head, assuming that those closest would have overheard the question and be curious about the men’s response to it, but no one seemed to be paying them much attention. No one other than the duchess, who stood in the midst of several gentlemen on the opposite side of the room, her eyes shooting daggers of disapproval in Sophia’s direction. The level of her malevolence surprised Sophia, but something inside of her had changed since making the duke’s acquaintance, and she had no intention of being intimidated by a spiteful woman. With that thought in mind, she mischievously inclined her head in a respectful manner before returning her attention to the duke’s conversation.
‘Why do you ask?’ There was an edge to Blake’s voice that contained a note of nervous incivility.
‘I ask because I cannot help wondering where he had been and why he was walking about alone at that time of night. Even I know that it isn’t safe and I haven’t been in the country for more than a decade. Andrew may have been many things, but he wasn’t stupid.’
‘Well, that’s Andrew for you,’ Blake said, sharing a sideways glance with his friend. ‘He thought he was invincible and never would listen to sense.’
‘He was in debt to you? I gather he gambled for high stakes and was not always able to satisfy his obligations.’
Swinton waved the suggestion aside. ‘The debt died with him. I wouldn’t think of asking you to settle it on his behalf. It is bad enough that you have lost him.’
‘Thank you, but I really must insist. I will call upon you tomorrow and we will settle the matter. His duchess passed his vowels on to me so I am aware of the amount involved.’ He proffered his arm to Sophia. ‘Miss Kennard. May I persuade you to promenade with me?’
‘Certainly you may, your grace.’ She bobbed the suggestion of a curtsey. ‘Pray excuse us, gentlemen.’
Blake and Swinton gave way with ill-disguised reluctance and didn’t reintroduce the subject of the party.
‘Thank you for dragging me away,’ Sophia said as they walked from that room into the adjoining one, ‘but we didn’t learn very much.’
‘We learned as much as they were likely to reveal in front of you. And more than they probably realised they had given away.’
‘Because they didn’t like your question about Andrew being on his own that fateful night?’
He smiled down at her with admiration in his gaze. ‘I knew you were sharp.’
‘You think they were there too, or arranged for someone to intercept Andrew?’
‘The possibility crossed my mind. Tanner found out their directions and it seems that Andrew died in an alleyway not fifty yards from Blake’s rooms.’
‘Ah, I did not know that.’
They paused when a lady accosted them with questions for the duke. He responded with minimal civility before moving away with Sophia still on his arm.
‘What do you read into the location of Andrew’s murder?’ she asked when they were alone again.
‘I’m not sure yet.’ The duke took a moment to reflect. ‘I think they had some sort of agreement with Andrew that went awry.’
Sophia gasped. ‘You think they are dishonest?’
‘Possibly.’ He allowed a lengthy pause before adding, ‘I met Purvis yesterday.’
‘Yes, I know.’ He raised a brow. ‘My uncle saw you in conversation with him at White’s.’ She smiled up at him. ‘You will soon learn that nothing which occurs here in the ton remains private for long, if at all. Every little move that a man of your stature makes will be reported, remarked upon and exaggerated in the retelling.’
The duke lifted one broad shoulder, the gesture barely rippling the fabric of his superbly cut midnight blue coat. ‘Seemingly so.’
‘Anyway, what did you make of Purvis?’
‘Your description was very accurate. He is certainly not awake on all suits.’
She chuckled. ‘Generously put. He is however always cheerful and obliging, which is why Maria…Well, never mind.’
‘I admire your loyalty towards your sister, even if I am unsure that she deserves it.’
‘How can you say that?’ Sophia naturally sprang to her sister’s defence but her words sounded half-hearted to her own ears. ‘You have never met her.’
‘No, but I have learned a great deal about her and been warned against you as a consequence.’
‘Ah, the duchess. She doesn’t like me. Given Andrew’s very public involvement with Maria, I suppose that is understandable. No one likes to be made to look that foolish. Your brother seemed to forget the need for discretion.’
‘You have done nothing to be feel ashamed of,’ he assured her, patting the hand that rested on his sleeve. ‘The last time I checked, familial loyalty was not a criminal offence.’
‘We can choose our friends but cannot help whom we are related to, I take it you mean.’
‘Precisely.’
They took another turn about the rooms, squeezing a path through the packed bodies, and found themselves in a relatively unpopulated ante-room with French doors that led out onto a terrace. Light drizzle pattered against the glass, precluding the opportunity to stroll outside. It was freezing cold anyway, as Sophia discovered for herself when she touched the glass with a gloved hand.
‘It will likely snow,’ she said, glancing outside. ‘I can smell it in the air.’
‘Even above all these stifling perfumes?’ he asked, smiling at her.
I hope the weather does deteriorate. I love snow and still haven’t outgrown my childish fascination for it.’
‘In that case I will take you for a toboggan ride,’ he said, smiling.
‘That will set tongues wagging,’ she replied, laughing.
‘Oh, I think the tongues in this house are already being well exercised.’
‘Because you have singled me out again, I suppose.’ She pretended to be affronted but couldn’t prevent a smile slipping past her guard. ‘I should have realised why I appeared to attract so much attention when I first walked in. It’s all your fault.’
‘You ought to be accustomed to being the centre of attention.’
‘Pretty words, your grace, but I wouldn’t have you think I was fishin
g for compliments, since I most emphatically was not.’
‘I know.’
‘Do you?’ She elevated one brow. ‘I don’t see how. We are barely acquainted. I might be deliberately attempting to distract you away from asking awkward questions about my sister’s conduct.’
Sophia regretted the words the moment they had passed her lips, and wondered what madness had made her voice them. It really was all his fault, as she had earlier implied. He made her feel nervous and disadvantaged. She sensed a fierce intellect beneath a polished exterior that accepted little at face value. She definitely wanted to make a favourable impression upon him and exceed his expectations, and that desire brought with it the disadvantage of causing her to speak without tempering her words.
‘Are you?’ he asked, looking amused rather than concerned by the possibility.
‘Hardly. If that was the case, I wouldn’t have discussed her conduct and shortcomings with a relative stranger who has no right to pry.’
‘Ouch!’
‘Sorry.’ But her accompanying smile implied anything other than an apology.
‘It didn’t take many questions before I discovered your sister’s friendship with Andrew, and it was easy for me to fill in the gaps.’
‘In which case I am surprised you want to be seen with me.’ Feeling miffed, Sophia elevated her chin and looked away from him. ‘Her behaviour could be contagious.’
He chuckled. ‘You are adorable when roused.’
‘Oh no! You will not win my approval with a facile compliment.’
‘Then what must I do?’
‘Stop flirting with me, your grace. It is not helpful and I am not Maria.’
‘Sorry.’ But his apology seemed no more sincere than hers had been, and a teasing smile continued to play about his lips.
‘I got the impression that Purvis is still very attached to your sister,’ the duke remarked after a short pause, his expression sobering, almost as though their flirtatious exchange had not taken place. ‘Does your sister still harbour expectations in that regard?’
Sophia felt her cheeks warm as he cast her a long, considering look. ‘Is he?’ Sophia gave a careless little shrug, absolutely sure that the duke would know she was being evasive. ‘His mother won’t like that.’
She could tell from the disappointment in his expression that he knew she was lying. Well, not lying exactly. She hadn’t told any outright clunkers, but she had been economical with the truth. But what else could she do? To the best of her knowledge, Maria hadn’t killed Andrew and Purvis didn’t have the backbone to carry out such a violent crime. She had given Maria her word that she wouldn’t reveal her whereabouts to anyone, even if Maria herself was perfectly willing to tell people where she was hiding. She wanted to help the duke, she absolutely did, and if she thought Maria could assist him then she would consider breaking her word.
But not yet.
‘I saw Andrew’s wife with you earlier,’ she said, keen to change the subject. ‘I did not realise she was in town.’
His expression darkened. ‘No more did I.’
‘She will do everything she can to blacken my name.’ Sophia tilted her head in a contemplative manner, attempting to be fair. ‘Well, I suppose one cannot entirely blame her for that, given the way Andrew so publicly ran around town with Maria on his arm.’
‘I will not permit Emily to compromise your name or reputation.’
‘I know you mean what you say, but I doubt whether you will be able to prevent her. Females spread the gossip, it develops a life of its own and…well, a person is ruined sometimes before she knows what she had done to give offence or been offered an opportunity to defend herself.’
‘Emily will find herself in dire straits if she attempts to vilify you.’ The duke briefly covered the hand resting on his arm with one of his own and she felt the heat from his palm searing through her glove. ‘She is now dependent upon me for her livelihood unless or until she marries again.’
‘Be careful. She has well-placed friends who will take her side, despite your own position of power and authority. Society will take against you if you neglect your responsibilities to your brother’s widow and his children.’
Ross chuckled. ‘I am not afraid of the tabbies’ sharp tongues.’
Sophia smiled and simultaneously shook her head. ‘How refreshing, and indeed how daring of you. I don’t think you yet fully appreciate the effectiveness of the ton’s inner circle. Their influence is absolute.’
‘You terrify me.’
She laughed up at him. ‘Liar! Nothing frightens you.’
Sophia realised that they were now alone in the small room and wondered when its previous occupants had quit it. She had been so taken up with their verbal sparring that an earthquake could have occurred and she wouldn’t have noticed. She felt nervous suddenly, unsure what to say and how to behave. She ordinarily avoided situations such as this, having unconsciously behaved with absolute decorum in the optimistic hope of not being tarred by the same brush as her sister. But on this occasion she had no desire to escape and boldly met his gaze, a question in her eyes.
She had somehow backed herself against the wall and he loomed over her, albeit with a respectable amount of space separating their bodies. He looked down at her, his eyes smouldering with luminescence as their gazes duelled. She unconsciously moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, causing him to groan. She felt her heart rate increase and her cheeks burn. He braced one arm against the wall and leaned towards her. She felt his breath pepper the side of her face and inhaled his unique masculine aroma, trembling with a combination of carnal desire and curiosity in a situation fraught with danger.
‘What am I to do with you?’ he whispered in a throaty drawl.
His face loomed closer and she was absolutely sure that he was about to kiss her. If he attempted it, Sophia knew that she wouldn’t prevent him. But instead, he cupped her chin between long, capable fingers and sighed deeply. He released her again and moved away from her seconds before approaching footsteps heralded the arrival of others, and the intimacy of the moment was spoiled.
Sophia turned her head and told herself it was just as well, despite her extreme and quite unreasonable disappointment and a strong sense of unfulfillment.
‘Come.’
He offered her his arm, his expression now veiled, as though nothing of an intimate nature had passed between them. Perhaps he’d had no intention of kissing her, Sophia decided. Unlike her, he was always in complete control of himself and might simply have been attempting to lower her guard. It was most unreasonable to play games with her when she was unacquainted with the rules, Sophia decided, cloaking herself in righteous indignation. Even so, if he thought she was a pushover then he would soon discover his mistake. The next time he attempted to take liberties she would be better prepared, and most definitely would not wilt beneath his blistering gaze or succumb to the magical touch of those capable fingers.
Well, probably not.
‘Purvis is here,’ she said, nodding in his direction as they re-entered one of the principal rooms, glad that her voice remained even and gave away none of her inner turmoil.
‘So he is. Shall we join him?’
‘By all means, although perhaps you should leave me with my aunt. It wouldn’t do to create any further speculation.’ She nodded towards a cluster of matrons who were watching them with undisguised interest.
He looked at her with frank surprise. ‘You really care about that sort of thing?’
‘I am not my sister, as I believe we have already established,’ Sophia replied waspishly, thinking it not unreasonable for him to suppose otherwise, given the ease with which she had almost allowed him to take advantage of her.
‘I did not mean to imply that you were.’
He smiled a devastatingly wicked little smile that immediately caused her fit of pique to evaporate. How was it possible for one man to affect her moods quite so comprehensively, making her forget what mattered to her
and causing her to yearn for the unattainable? He treated her to an intimate smile and a possessive look and she melted with desire. It was almost offensive to be so predictable. No doubt all his conquests surrendered equally rapidly, and she vowed that she would not follow their example. She could train herself to be immune to his charm offensives.
She absolutely could!
‘I am thinking of you, you unreasonable wretch! I have already reminded you that you have shown your face in society just twice and on both occasions you have singled me out. I know why you have done it, but they do not.’ She waved a hand in the vague direction of the matrons still watching them. ‘Your behaviour, in case you are not aware, is tantamount to a declaration. If you are not careful, this lot will have us married off and you will be held in breach of promise when you renege.’ She wagged a finger at him. ‘Don’t say you haven’t been warned.’
‘What makes you think that I would renege?’
‘Ah, your grace. Miss Kennard.’
Sophia had been so engrossed, enjoying their verbal warfare a little too much, and hadn’t realised he’d steered them into Purvis’s path.
‘Lord Purvis.’ Sophia collected her scattered wits and curtsied. ‘I trust I find you well.’
‘On top form, I thank you.’ His eyes sparkled with good humour. ‘You look enchanting. Good to see you again, your grace. How are you enjoying London?’
‘Miss Kennard is reminding me of the confusing ways of society.’
Sophia sent the duke a sideways look, aware that he was being deliberately provocative. ‘Ah, that’s the spirit. Her sister is equally amenable, don’t you know?’
‘I don’t, as it happens. I haven’t had the pleasure.’
‘Oh, you will soon enough. Maria will take London by storm when she returns to the capital; you just see if she doesn’t. She’s the very best of females. There’s none like her, present company excepted, of course.’
‘When is she likely to put in an appearance?’ the duke asked with an innocent expression that Sophia knew was anything other than innocent. She desperately wanted to steer him away from Purvis, but she knew he wouldn’t leave. Perhaps she should. As though sensing her need to escape, she felt the muscles in the duke’s forearm tense beneath her fingers and knew he wouldn’t let her go without putting up objections.
A Duke in Turmoil: Dangerous Dukes Vol 9 Page 9