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This time, Sophia heeded the voice in her head that told her to keep quiet. Anything
she said to Lady Huntingdon now would result in her causing a scene.
Lady Huntingdon, Jack called. Come have a look my roses.
Lady Huntingdon gave Sophia a little smile of impious victory before she rushed to
Jack s side.
At the risk of being thought of as pensive, Sophia took the opportunity to wander
away from the others.
Jack s garden was lush and informal, like the rest of his home. Like him. Sophia
could not help but imagine herself the mistress of Amberley. With Jack, it seemed as if
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all the rigid mores of society faded into the distance, as if she could once again be that
carefree sprite she d been for two days in the arms of a highwayman.
Now that highwayman s face was just ghostly hidden smoke in her mind, replaced
by an earl who d scarcely acknowledged her.
This place, this life, this man would never be hers. Not even if she accepted the offer
to become his mistress.
She d wandered so far into the garden she could no longer see the others. There
were only the chirping birds, the warm sunlight on her cheeks and bosom and the
pebbled path under her feet. When she came upon a concrete bench, she arranged her
skirts and sat.
She suddenly heard something stampeding through the thick bushes. Startled, she
looked up to discover one of Jack s dogs loping toward her. At once, the animal was
upon her, his massive gray head nuzzling her hands, begging to be petted.
Sophia scratched the dog s ears. Which one are you? she asked. Murphy or
O Malley?
Murphy.
Sophia s gaze shot to Jack who stood admiring her from the path.
That s enough, Murphy, he said, coming closer. The dog bounded away.
I m sorry, Sophia blurted. I didn t know Lady Huntingdon
Neither did I, he said, taking his seat next to her on the bench.
Instinctively, Sophia tensed. His heat radiated, warming her bare wrist. His
proximity caused tingles to skitter up and down her spine.
Your home is& lovely, Sophia said.
You don t find it too shabby? he asked.
Not at all, she said. I find it& comfortable.
A little smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. I didn t appreciate this place until
I returned from Europe.
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Badcock
Ah, yes, I recall you ve been abroad.
I toured the continent for several years& until my father fell ill. He sighed.
Shortly after I returned, he died.
I m sorry, Sophia said, not knowing what else to say to comfort him. Boldly, she
placed her hand over his.
The muscles and bones in his hand tensed but only for a brief second before he
twisted his hand and laced his fingers with hers.
Sophia s heart thundered.
Have you reconsidered my offer? he inquired.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I will take whatever little piece of yourself you can give to
me. No, she replied. There are my parents to consider. My father has gone to
tremendous lengths to see that I am well married.
Jack snorted. What about Wisbech? Where does he fit into your considerations?
Wisbech is a brute.
A brute to whom you are engaged to be married, Jack said. Why did you choose
him? Why did you agree?
Agree? I had no say in the matter. My father s lawyers and Wisbech s lawyers
drew up the contract and I was told I would be marrying him, Sophia said.
When is your wedding? he asked.
Saturday.
And you are resolved to go through with it? Jack asked.
If I don t marry Ralph, no one else will offer for me. I m spoiled goods.
Remember? What good was arguing with Jack when she wanted so desperately to feel
his mouth on hers? Sophia s head ached.
His lips set in a grim line and a muscle in his jaw twitched. If you accept my offer,
I will provide for you and
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She cut him off. If I accept your offer, I will be shunned by my family, my friends. I
will be a pariah in society, unfit to attend parties or balls.
You could live in Paris. You could have a marvelous life there if you would but
accept, he offered, caressing her palm with his thumb.
It all sounded so wonderful. So right. But then, she recalled that he would be
married to another, beholden to another. It would never be enough for her. Even
though mistresses and lovers abounded in the lives of married men and women, the
thought of sharing him was unthinkable.
Sophia, you do know that if circumstances were different, that if you and I were
both free, I would
Don t say it, she whispered urgently. She couldn t allow herself to hear the
words, not when exhilaration and heartbreak vied for prominence within her soul.
He inhaled. Don t let Lady Huntingdon taunt you. She ll tell you vile stories about
me.
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