Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
“Decorum in conduct is essential to a woman's respectability.”
Dr. John Gregory, A Father’s Legacy to His Daughters
Sophia knew her foolish husband believed he had distracted her from her suspicions, but she merely relented when she noticed the strain visible in the tense lines of his face.
For a man of just seven and twenty, his worries were aging him before her eyes these past few days.
If only he would share the burden with her, but the oaf was keeping secrets.
Most likely because of ridiculous male pride.
However, she had promised him patience while he grew used to having a partner in his life, so she would provide it. Within reason.
She set aside her suspicions and allowed herself to enjoy dinner with him.
Later that night, he had shown her just how his devilish reputation had been earned, proving himself to be both attentive and entirely captivating.
Her cheeks warmed as she recalled the moments of pure bliss he had given her, his tenderness leaving her in awe.
If he continued to treat her with such care and devotion, she thought with a small smile, patience would come easily.
But now it was morning. And practicing patience, fortunately, did not mean she could not take steps to investigate what he was hiding from her. Which was why she currently pressed her ear to the door of his study to eavesdrop while he discussed the secret problem with his brother.
“… the night guardsmen reported they saw a man out in the square until late who could have been watching Balfour Terrace.”
She heard Perry whistle. “So, it is true, then? There is one perpetrator for your wedding night fiasco, the spiteful print, and the note?”
Note? What note? She knew it! Richard was hiding something from her.
“It would appear so. I think I should increase security. If this continues—I will do whatever it takes to keep Sophia and Ethan safe.”
Just then, Sophia heard the clip of Radcliffe’s shoes approaching. She straightened up in haste and smoothed her skirts before lifting her hand to knock on the study door. Her husband called for her to enter.
As she stepped into the room, she feigned surprise at the sight of Perry lounging in one of the plump armchairs.
“Good morning,” she said politely before turning her attention to her husband—her prideful, stubborn husband.
Keeping her expression composed, she greeted him pleasantly, though she was certain her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush at the memory of their time together the night before.
At least Richard looked pleased to see her, and the warmth in his gaze softened some of her frustration.
“I was wondering if you and I could take Ethan to the park this morning? The boy is used to living on a farm, and I think it would be good for him to enjoy the outdoors.”
Richard appeared torn for a moment, clearly thinking about the threat to their safety that he refused to discuss with her. He looked over at Perry. “Would you like to join us?”
“In the park? You must be funning—” Perry stopped abruptly at the expression on Richard’s face.
Her husband must want an extra presence with them, but he was unable to state it with her present, so he threatened Perry with a vicious glare.
“I would be … delighted”—the younger brother grimaced—“to join you. It is high time I met my nephew.”
Richard turned to smile at her. “We will all go to the park with Ethan, then.”
She smiled back, her thoughts turning to how this former scoundrel of a husband had once managed to charm his way into so many hearts.
She saw little evidence of the subtlety such exploits must have required.
Perhaps he was losing the glibness of his former charms, or perhaps others had simply failed to notice what was happening right before them.
Sophia, however, was learning to read him as easily as a favorite book.
She decided she would let him believe he fooled her, but only for small matters—such as withholding the truth about that mysterious note.
Yet heaven help him if he ever considered straying from her.
She would take him apart with her bare hands if he attempted it.
So it was that Sophia found herself in a very crowded carriage.
Her husband and his brother sat on the bench across from her, while she, Daisy, and Ethan were jammed together on their bench.
Besides the coachman and the customary footman on the box in the front, the two Johns were crammed onto the rumble in the rear.
Apparently, one woman and one small boy required six men and a nursemaid to protect them.
She would be exasperated with Richard for being overly cautious, but it reminded her of how she had recently gone to extreme measures to defend herself from Leech—which had turned out to be the exact right amount of caution, or she would now be wed to the murderous lord.
She could not blame Richard for being a little overzealous.
Nay, she blamed him for failing to inform her of the note.
Squashed into the corner of the squabs, with a pelisse adding bulk over her walking dress and a large bonnet blocking her peripheral vision, she compared the brothers.
She knew her husband was two years older than his brother, but it was hard to believe.
Perry was a fraction taller and slimmer.
They both possessed the artfully cut brown curls, deep green eyes, handsomely symmetrical faces, and strong jawlines, but Peregrine’s face was that of a sulky, indolent spare.
Richard displayed a lightness of spirit and smiled frequently, while his brother often looked cold, haughty, or sarcastic—sometimes all three at once.
His immaturity was obvious to her sharp eyes.
Thinking of Richard’s request on the morning of their wedding, Sophia observed that Perry’s greatest issue appeared to be his lack of purpose.
While Richard maintained several estates, overseeing thousands of tenants as well as several successful investments that had grown the wealth of the Balfour family, Perry had no discernible or worthwhile activities that he engaged in.
Sheer boredom was likely the cause of his sour moods.
When the current situation settled down, she would mention to her husband that, despite the fashionable ton’s ideas, Perry needs an occupation of some sort if he was going to find his way in life.
Perhaps Richard should involve him in his estates or teach him how to handle investments.
It would do the spoilt young nobleman a world of good to have a greater purpose to steer his days.
She had never thought much of the idle lives of most of the peerage, or their neglect of children relegated to servants’ keeping.
In her experience, the most competent, purposeful members of their world appeared to be the most satisfied.
Not to mention, the most interesting. Her own uncle and aunt were quite productive.
She did not always agree with them, but she had observed that they conducted life with a stable, predictable character unlike her own temperamental parents who lost their lives far too young.
“Mama, which park are we going to?” Ethan’s youthful voice cut into her thoughts.
He was on his feet with his face pressed against the opposite window.
Richard watched him closely, clearly ready to grab the boy at the slightest hint of danger.
She sighed at the expression on her husband’s face.
It was obvious he was on edge. If only the stupid man would share his burden with her, perhaps together they could find a solution.
Perry quirked an eyebrow in sarcastic comment, presumably because Ethan called her Mama. Sophia ignored it. She appreciated that Perry was assisting her husband with recent events, but she felt she had more to contribute. She knew she would be the better choice of confidante.
Did her husband see her as a weak-minded female despite his assurances that she would be his partner in life? Is that why she was being kept in the dark, while he conspired with his brother?
“We are headed to St. James’s Park, Ethan.”
“Where the pelly-kins live?”
She gazed at him in surprise. “How do you know of the pelicans?”
“Emma said if I was good in London, then I could ask to be taken to see the pelly-kins at St. James’s.”
“Yes, we will probably see the pelicans in the canal.”
“Emma would be so jealous if she knew.” Ethan’s little face became mournful.
Richard must have noticed, too, because he scooped the boy into his arms and plonked him down on his leg.
The child giggled and squirmed in delight while Richard jostled his leg up and down to simulate riding a pony.
Perry grimaced in displeasure, trying to move away but finding no room to do so.
He was forced to endure the play of his brother and his nephew with his lip curled in disdain.
Not for the first time, Sophia wondered if her husband had handled Ethan’s move to London in the most considerate manner.
The little tyke kept bringing up this Emma of whom he was so fond, and despite making time for the child every day, she was unsure they were providing the same level of attention he had received on the working farm where he had lived amongst a large family.
Her well-meaning, hulking idiot of a husband was mishandling her, so surely he must have mishandled the situation with Ethan? She should seek details on how Ethan’s familial transference had been dealt with so that she could assess what else the boy might need from them as parents.
The carriage came to a stop, and Sophia was grateful to climb down onto steady ground.
The additional weight of so many passengers had made the journey rougher than usual.
Richard waited for her while holding Ethan’s hand, stepping forward so she might slip an arm through his free one. Together, they set off to the canal.