A Duke in Turmoil: Dangerous Dukes Vol 9

by Wendy Soliman

  ‘And you believe her?’

  ‘Not necessarily, but getting her to talk candidly is another matter. She could teach your sister a thing or two about promoting her own cause, which is saying something.’ A chill wind caused Sophia to shiver and push her hands deeper into her muff. ‘What am I thinking, keeping you standing about in the bitter cold?’ He took her arm and helped her into the conveyance. ‘We need to talk more. Will you come back to my rooms, where it is warm, if I promise to behave myself?’

  ‘What do we need to talk about?’

  ‘There is something you haven’t told me.’

  ‘You are not my keeper, your grace,’ Sophia replied waspishly, miffed because she must seem so transparent to him. He had kept his focus on Maria but had still noticed her preoccupation, her alarm when it became obvious that Emily was embroiled in a situation that might well have resulted in Andrew’s demise. That would account for Emily’s visit, she supposed. Emily knew that Ross had no amatory interest in her, but she needed to keep Sophia away from him so that Maria’s agreement with Andrew over the baby need never come to light.

  ‘Even so. You will not be seen entering my rooms. Besides, you have your maid with you.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Trust me, my dear Sophia. I am well aware that you and your sister have very different characters.’

  Sophia swallowed as he fixed her with a dark, intense look and her own eyes flared with answering awareness. Of course she would accept his invitation, but she sensed he had always known that she would, the infuriating man! She hated being so predictable, but couldn’t fight the attraction. She was enthralled by him, wanted to extend their time together and was pathetically grateful for his attention, no matter the reason for it.

  ‘Very well,’ she said.

  His smile was infectiously wicked as he closed the carriage door and joined Mr Tanner on the box seat.

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘What did you make of Maria, then?’ Tanner asked.

  Ross shared the majority of what he’d learned from the devious elder sister as he drove his lively team briskly in the direction of Berkeley Square.

  ‘You think she knows more than she’s letting on?’

  ‘I’m absolutely sure of it,’ Ross replied without hesitation. ‘She only cares about herself, that one.’

  ‘Phyllis doesn’t have a good word to say for her—and I for one put a lot of stock by the opinion of servants, being one myself.’ Ross grunted. ‘They miss little and are astute judges of character.’

  ‘What objections does Phyllis have about Maria?’

  ‘She reckons she’s too full of herself and resentful of Sophia. Seems Maria has been admired since she was a child, all blonde curls and peaches and cream complexion. She got used to being petted and knew how to charm her way out of mischief. Sophia, on the other hand, was a late bloomer and heads were shaken over russet curls that were compared unfavourably against her sister’s crowning glory.’

  Ross shook his own head at such absurdity.

  ‘Phyllis thinks that those early years formed Maria’s character. She wasn’t around herself at that time, she’s too young, but she’s been with Sophia for over five years now. When their father died Phyllis witnessed Maria’s behaviour at close quarters. There was no longer anyone around to check Maria’s wilder instincts, and all the attention she garnered went to her head.’

  ‘I can well imagine.’

  ‘Then when Sophia came into her own, Maria didn’t like the competition. It was Sophia who nursed their father when he fell ill, while Maria pretended nothing was wrong and persuaded their aunt to have her live with them in London. She was too young to be presented, but being in town put her on the periphery of society where she would be noticed and admired.’ Tanner sniffed. ‘A dying father wasn’t going to stand in the way of that one’s plans.’

  ‘I can well believe it.’

  ‘When the father died Sophia was heartbroken, whereas Maria only pretended to be. With no parent left alive to check her behaviour, she took Sophia under her wing, pretending to share in her grief, but Phyllis reckons the conniving little madam used the opportunity to work on Sophia’s lack of self-esteem. Sophia was shy and had a natural aversion to society, which made it easy for Maria to persuade her to remain in the background and not steal the limelight.’

  ‘Phyllis is loyal to Sophia, so she could be accused of bias,’ Ross replied, ‘but even so, from what I observed for myself today I am inclined to believe her account. When dressed to impress and not carrying a child out of wedlock, Maria would be a vision. I can understand why she caught Andrew’s attention, especially given that they were often in Hampshire at the same time and Andrew had a low boredom threshold. He would be looking for a distraction, and he found one right on his doorstep. I also think Andrew played upon her vanity to get her to go along with his schemes.’

  ‘Do you think he really intended to divorce Emily?’ Tanner seemed as dubious as Ross himself felt.

  ‘We shall never know for sure. What signifies is that Maria believed him, perhaps because she wanted it to be true.’

  ‘And she gave herself to your brother to seal their bargain, taking his word as a gentleman.’ Tanner shook his head at her naiveté.

  Ross gave a grim nod as he slowed his team and steered them around a carriage with a broken wheel that was blocking half the road. A stray dog shot out in front of them, spooking the horses, and Ross struggled to regain control of the highly strung creatures.

  ‘Either way,’ Ross said, once the pair were obediently trotting along again, ‘we have other avenues to explore now. I would very much like to know the identity of the man whom Maria says Andrew had a fierce argument with at the last fight.’

  Tanner rubbed his chin. ‘At least you can exclude Maria from involvement in Andrew’s death, which will please your Sophia.’

  ‘Can I though? When she thought I knew about her and Andrew she had to admit her involvement with him since she couldn’t be sure if Emily or Sophia had already told me. She wanted to impress me, or at the very least come across as an innocent victim of Andrew’s lust, so she didn’t want to be caught out in a lie.’ Ross shook his head. ‘I then stupidly asked her why she had agreed to give her baby to Andrew.’

  ‘Feeding her the line?’

  ‘Exactly. As I say, stupid.’

  ‘If you quiz Emily and she denies it, Maria will ask what else you expected her to say. Not like you to be so lax, guv’nor. But then again, it forced an admission from her.’

  ‘True, but she could well have simply been telling me what she thought I wanted to hear. Anyway, there is another explanation. Maria discovered her condition, confronted Andrew and asked him what he intended to do about it. And Andrew most likely dropped her like she had the plague. He was never much of a one for honouring his responsibilities, and if that’s the case then a female with Maria’s sense of self-entitlement would have been out for revenge.’

  ‘What could she have done against a man of Andrew’s stature? The moment word of her condition got out she’d be ruined, regardless of what assurances she might claim to have received.’

  ‘Ah, but you forget her secret weapon. Purvis is devoted to her and not very bright. If she cried all over him, told him that Andrew had forced himself on her…’

  ‘Ah, I see what you mean. A woman scorned and all that.’

  ‘Quite.’ Ross turned his carriage into the mews that served his terrace. ‘Carry on entertaining the maid,’ he said. ‘I’m sure you won’t find that assignment too arduous. I need to speak with Sophia alone.’

  ‘Of course you do,’ Tanner replied, smirking.

  Ross ignored his man, jumped down and opened the door to help Sophia out. He led the way into his rooms through the rear entrance, Sophia and her maid immediately behind him, with Tanner bringing up the rear. The kitchens were in the basement, and since Ross had taken the entire ground floor they didn’t meet anyone. A passageway led directly to his sitting room, where a decent fire awaite
d them.

  Ross opened the door and ushered Sophia through it ahead of him, closing it again once she was inside. He watched her taking in her surroundings and wondered what she made of his bachelor abode. His invitation was highly unconventional and he was sure that unlike her sister, she had never been in a single man’s rooms unaccompanied before. He expected her at any moment to object to the fact that Phyllis had been detained by Tanner, but no complaints were forthcoming.

  He could sense her nervousness, her preoccupation. Her breathing was erratic and he was unsure how to break a silence that threatened to become embarrassing. She prowled around the room that spanned the full width of the ground floor, with windows overlooking the street and French doors at the opposite end that opened onto a small terrace above the rear garden. The furnishings were modern yet spartan, suitable for a man who didn’t take much interest in his surroundings. She paused to examine the titles on the spines of a pile of books and looked as though she would like to explore them at greater length.

  ‘Have a seat,’ he said when she finally turned to face him again, her cheeks a delightful shade of pink. He indicated the one closest to the fire as he threw another log onto it and kicked it into place with the heel of his boot. Sparks shot up the chimney and a waft of smoke briefly escaped into the room. She flapped a hand in front of her face and then gracefully lowered herself into the chair he’d offered her.

  ‘You live comfortably,’ she remarked.

  ‘My needs are simple, which is partly why I am not anxious to be a duke, with all the pomp and duties attaching to that rank. Even so, I have had my fill of making do, and as you have observed I am a man of simple tastes who treasures his comforts.’

  ‘I understand. You would prefer to be in America, getting your hands dirty and making a fortune, despite the privations. Men never really grow up, do they?’

  ‘There was a certain liberation in that lifestyle, I’ll grant you, but it’s a young man’s game,’ he said, smiling at her. ‘There are dangers, jealousies, disputes and lawlessness. One must constantly watch one’s back. Few men who undertake that life die of natural causes. My time was coming to an end if I didn’t want to become another victim. I knew it even before I received Andrew’s letter begging me to come home. My luck couldn’t hold indefinitely, and my success had attracted its share of resentment.’

  ‘Well, I am glad that you did return, even if my sister is unlikely ever to speak to me again.’ She plucked at the fabric of her pelisse. ‘I am sorry about her behaviour. It doesn’t show her in a good light.’

  ‘Which is not your fault.’

  ‘My maid insists that I have always indulged her, encouraged her vanity without trying to temper her excesses.’

  ‘She is the elder sister and therefore not your responsibility.’

  ‘She has made her share of enemies amongst the plutocracy, she’s right about that at least. She has almost been engaged to be married on two occasions before Purvis came along.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘In both cases, the gentlemen’s connections prevented the engagements from going ahead before anything had been officially agreed.’

  ‘Why? What objections did they have to Maria?’

  ‘That’s open to question. She can behave impeccably when the situation calls for it, but I think there is something in her past—some form of rumour or speculation that she has kept from me—that reached the families of the gentlemen concerned. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the ladies who resented her exaggerated her minor transgressions as a form of retribution. Maria has never been very fond of female company, and her attitude has ruffled feathers.’ Sophia sighed. ‘Anyway, the engagements didn’t go ahead and I shall never know why. Maria only tells me what she wants me to hear, and whatever she does tell me never shows her in a bad light. Nothing is ever Maria’s fault.’

  ‘I gathered that much from our brief meeting.’

  ‘Purvis is her only admirer who has remained constant.’

  Ross nodded, surprised by the level of Sophia’s candour. ‘And she salved her pride by falling back on him when she fell out of favour.’

  ‘That is what I have always supposed.’

  She glanced away from him and he could tell that her thoughts no longer dwelt upon her sister’s errant behaviour.

  ‘Tell me what concerns you,’ he said softly. You haven’t been yourself all morning.’

  She continued to stare into the fire and opened her mouth several times before any words finally emerged. ‘Your brother’s wife,’ she eventually said with obvious reluctance.

  Ross blinked. ‘What about her?’

  ‘I didn’t intend to tell you, but in view of Maria’s revelations, you have a right to know.’

  ‘Know what?’ Ross frowned. ‘Anything to do with Emily is very much my concern. She is at least as capable as your sister of making trouble when she doesn’t get her way.’

  Seated across from her, he leaned forward and took one of her hands in his, running his fingers gently down the length of hers. They had both removed their gloves and the innocent contact with the skin of her hand caused him to respond in the time-honoured fashion.

  Damn it, not now!

  He should have known better than to touch her, and hoped that she wouldn’t notice his reaction. What was it about her that could both arouse and frustrate him so easily? He had dallied with dozens of attractive women over the years and had found their charms fairly easy to resist. His desire to protect Sophia, to wipe away the anxiety in her expression and cherish her in the manner she so richly deserved, defied all logic and every vestige of common sense.

  She snatched her hand from his grasp and sent him a look that implied curiosity rather than offence. Ross sat back in his chair, which gave her breathing space and allowed him to cross his legs and disguise his tumescence.

  ‘Emily came to see me yesterday.’ Sophia’s low, melodic voice snapped him back to the here and now as her words penetrated his lust-fuelled brain. ‘Just after I returned from the park.’

  ‘What?’ He sat forward again, leaning his forearms on his thighs as he examined her face for signs of distress whilst simultaneously quelling the desire to scowl. He didn’t want her to think that he was scowling at her or held her in any way responsible for Emily’s aggressive behaviour. Aggressive since he quickly realised that her visit to Sophia had not been a social call. ‘Why are you only telling me now?’

  ‘It wasn’t you she came to see.’

  Ross realised that he had spoken sharply and moderated his tone. ‘What did she want with you?’

  ‘She…’ Sophia’s cheeks flamed. ‘Well, she’s been listening to tattle and thinks there is an attraction between us. It’s ridiculous, I know, but…’

  ‘Oh, is that all?’

  Sophia gaped at him. ‘All, you say?’

  ‘There is an attraction. For once Emily has got it right, and I think you know in your heart that it’s true, even if you are not ready to admit it,’ Ross said calmly. ‘For my part, it is certainly true. Any man admitted to the privilege of your company couldn’t fail to be attracted by what he sees.’

  Sophia threw up her hands, looking anywhere other than at him. ‘Enough with the flattery! I am not my sister and it isn’t helpful.’

  ‘Have it your way.’ He smiled at her confusion, wondering how one so lovely could also be so lacking in self-confidence. Then he recalled the manner in which her sister had taken every opportunity to belittle her and understood better. ‘I believe in being truthful,’ he added.

  ‘I thought you would be furious about Emily’s attempt to interfere in your affairs. Instead, you are making light of it. Do you realise how humiliated I felt when she turned up at my aunt’s door and how…’? She smiled in spite of herself. ‘Well, how much I enjoyed telling her to mind her own business.’

  ‘Oh dear!’ Ross’s smile widened. ‘I shall have to have words with her.’

  ‘That is precisely why I didn’t tell you that
I had made an enemy out of your brother’s wife. If she thinks I ran to you, telling tales, it will reinforce her opinion that there is something between us and then she will…’

  ‘Will what?’ Ross’s smile abruptly faded when he realised just how overset she actually was. ‘What did she threaten you with?’

  ‘She is aware of Maria’s condition. Well obviously, if what Maria told us about the arrangement concerning the baby is true then she would be in full possession of the particulars.’

  ‘You doubt your sister’s account?’

  Sophia raised one brow. ‘Don’t you? Well, perhaps you do not but then you don’t know my sister half as well as I do. If she gave herself to Andrew without first extracting some sort of commitment from him then she will never admit to being so brazen or so foolish. Anyway, what signifies is that Emily is not only aware of Maria’s condition but also knows that she and Purvis plan to elope.’

  ‘Purvis told her, one assumes.’

  Sophia nodded. ‘Most likely. Emily would find it easy to loosen his tongue, especially since he is probably bursting to tell everyone, thinking they will envy him his good fortune.’ She allowed a momentary pause. ‘Actually, I feel rather sorry for Lord Purvis. He really doesn’t know what he plans to take on, but he seems to be violently in love with Maria and determined to have her at any cost.’ Sophia let out an exasperated sigh. ‘Anyway, I digress. We were discussing the duchess’s call. The upshot of it is that if I do not keep away from you then Emily will tell Lady Purvis about the planned elopement. If that happens then you can be sure she will prevent it from happening and Maria will be left high and dry.’

  ‘How can Lady Purvis stop her son from following his heart? He is a grown man.’

  Sophia smiled and gently shook her head. ‘It is immediately apparent to me that you have never had the dubious pleasure of making Lady Purvis’s acquaintance.’

  ‘I have not.’

  ‘She is quite the force of nature and terrifying when roused.’

  ‘I cannot imagine anything terrifying you. After all, you stood up to Emily.’