words stung. Women had flung the words at him before, but generally when he ended the association.
He recalled the gossip of the Northern Counties Club about her icy behaviour. Was it him or all men? He clenched his fist and wanted to murder whichever man had sown the seeds of distrust.
‘There is every need,’ he said smoothly, plucking a stray thread from her shoulder. ‘Your stepmother said your next At Home was tomorrow. For your sake, I need to be there.’
Sophie slapped her gloves against her hand. ‘What is your prediction for my stepmother’s At Home? They are not very well attended. The great and the good often have other calls to make.’
‘It will be full to bursting with well-wishers, people who have grudges and simply the curious, all wanting to know about the great romance and when our next appearance as a couple will be. The polite ones will only stay fifteen minutes, hoping to see us together in their allotted time, but the curious will find an excuse to linger and see if your unknown bridegroom-to-be puts in an appearance or if it was all fustian nonsense.’
A faint line appeared between Sophie’s perfect brows and the tapping stopped as she considered his words. ‘I sincerely doubt it. True, people will speculate of course. I will concede your point—in light of tonight’s events the At Home will be more crowded than usual. I will have the footmen put out extra chairs. But no one will want to meet you or send invitations for the both of us.’
‘I shall rearrange my plans.’ He paused, watching her digest the news. ‘My friends will understand why I have decided to linger in Newcastle for an indefinite period. There was an expectation I would attend a house party in Hampshire next week.’
There was no need to tell Sophie that he had written declining the invitation, before he went to see her this morning and proposed marriage. The woman who had invited him had expected him to continue to grace her bed. After meeting Sophie, such sport with another woman held no attraction.
He simply refused to allow Sophie to have a hold over him. This wasn’t about love or romance, but satisfying his curiosity. When it was over, he’d walk away with his heart intact and the knowledge that he’d solved the puzzle of Sophie.
‘I’ve no wish to interrupt your plans and be a bother,’ she said, turning towards the fire. ‘You were right earlier when you said I didn’t think. You must go if that is what you wish to do. If invitations do come, the disappointment of you not attending will make it easier to explain the breach when it comes.’
‘If we have a breach too quickly, Putney’s words will be remembered,’ he reminded her. ‘I did make a vow that I would not be used as an instrument of your downfall. With each new scheme you propose, you make it easier for him. I am the one with experience. You are a novice.’
She covered her mouth. ‘I hadn’t considered …’
‘Next time do. It is not just your reputation at stake here, but mine—’
‘Won’t the woman mind?’
He shrugged. ‘I was looking for an excuse to end it. The affair was pleasant while it lasted, but she had begun to bore me. I dislike being bored.’
Her cheeks coloured at the remark. ‘I … I hadn’t thought. I know very little about such matters.’
His shoulders relaxed. Sophie was truly innocent and unlike his normal sort of woman. In her company, he’d been exasperated, amused, bemused, but never bored.
‘I gave you my word that I would not pursue another woman while we are together,’ he said. ‘When I am interested in a woman, my interest stays on her. When it is finished, it is done, with no regrets or backward glances on my part. But I always inform the woman first.’
He clamped his mouth shut. He never allowed regrets. Leaving was far better than being left. And he knew while there might be a few tears, it was always hurt pride, rather than actual feelings. Since Mary, he’d never permitted himself to fall for an inexperienced woman.
She dipped her head and did not meet his eyes. ‘Other people have. The woman can be the last to know.’
Silently he once more cursed the man who had made her so wary. He wanted to run him through for causing Sophie to doubt her charms and power. And an unexpected surge of jealousy went through him. She should not be comparing him to such a cad.
He went over to her and raised her chin so that she was staring directly into his face. She did not pull away.
‘I am not other men, Sophie Ravel,’ he said in a soft voice. ‘Why should I want to pursue other women when the world thinks I am engaged to you?’
‘Because …’ Her tongue flicked out, moistening her lips and turning them to the colour of ripe cherries. ‘Because we are not truly engaged.’
‘I would hardly dishonour any fiancée in that way, particularly not one I’d sworn to protect. Whatever you might think of me, know I keep my promises.’
Giving in to temptation, he bent his head and tasted her lips.
This time, they trembled under his and parted slightly, inviting him to prolong the kiss. Before deepening the kiss, he brought his arms about her, pulling her close so that her body collided with his, just as he had longed to do ever since they had waltzed together. It fitted perfectly—her curves meeting his hard planes in exactly the right places. She melted further, opening her mouth wide so that he delved his tongue in. He tasted. There was something so right about her taste, something that had been missing from his life. He hadn’t known he needed it until that instant and the longing frightened him.
With the last vestige of self-control, he raised his head and put her from him. He drew a ragged breath and resisted the overwhelming urge to take one more taste.
She looked up at him with uncomprehending eyes as her chest heaved. And he knew what he was destined to dream about tonight—Sophie naked in his arms. This was desire and nothing more. His shoulders relaxed. He understood desire.
Once he’d solved the puzzle of her, it would fade. He touched her cheek, enjoying its petal softness.
She looped a strand of hair about one shell-like ear, making a pretence of icy fortitude. ‘What … what was that about?’
‘There, that is how I say goodnight to my fiancée.’ He inclined his head. ‘Remember that the next time you wish to make an accusation about my habits, or believe yourself unworthy. You are my fiancée and I refuse to expose you to ridicule.’
The last place Sophie wanted to be was at her stepmother’s At Home. Crowded At Homes generally made her feel as though she was some exotic beast on show for the masses and this week was worse than usual.
She had lost track of the number of people who just happened to call, most with congratulations about the engagement. And those who had not bothered to read today’s editions were soon apprised of the fact by others in the room. As she had predicted, ‘The Redoubtable captures the Rake’ was the lead item.
Everyone wanted to meet the prospective bridegroom and hear the thrilling tale of a whirlwind romance
