Chapter 15 #2
Sophia shut her eyes in defeat. She should have known her aunt had already heard the gossip. “Yes, Aunt Christiana. That is the true reason for our departure.”
“Well, not to worry, Sophia. I hear Richard has barely been seen about Town since he married you. The speculation is that the rogue has finally reformed and spends his evenings with his bride.”
That was good news, at least.
“I never had any doubt, niece. You are the perfect wife for the gentleman. I believe the earl has been bored, but a clever girl like you will keep his attentions at home where they belong.”
The sentiment rather touched Sophia, who smiled in acknowledgment.
Once the tea was over, she and Lily made their way to the garden.
The spring air was pleasant, and the privacy of the garden afforded them an opportunity to talk.
With a little coaxing from her cousin, Sophia confided all that had happened since the wedding, including the infernal note her husband kept from her.
Lily’s expression was perplexed when Sophia finished telling her of what occurred that morning, and the fact that Richard still withheld the note.
“Why do you not ask him? It is quite out of character for you to not do so?”
Sophia felt glum admitting the truth. “I suppose it was some sort of test. If he told me, I would know he truly considered me an equal and trusted me, so I could trust him.”
Lily pulled a face. “That is most dishonest of you.”
“What? I am not the one who is dishonest!”
“Sophia, Lord Saunton is under great strain. I do not think it is a good idea to be testing his sincerity at this moment. Inform him you were eavesdropping and you are aware of the note. Ask him why he has failed to inform you of it.”
“Lily, you are most unfair!”
“I am not, Sophia. You have a terrible habit of trying to solve matters on your own without any help. Look how you suffered under the threat of kidnapping from Leech but failed to obtain assistance from your own family. You did not even tell me why you were sleeping in my chambers. In fact, you outright lied to me about that. If you want Lord Saunton to trust you, then you need to extend the same courtesy to him. Ask him about the note.”
“Zooks, Lily, when did you get so demanding?”
“I care about you, cousin, and you know I speak the truth. I will not stand idly by without speaking my mind. Would you prefer I clutch your hand to commiserate and weep about the awful men of the world, or would you rather receive some useful direction on how to resolve the matter at hand?”
Sophia muttered her answer in resentment. “Useful direction, I suppose.”
Lily’s face lit up, her customary enthusiasm restored. “Perfect! Now you should go home and ask him about the note.”
When she returned home from visiting her unsympathetic cousin, Sophia found Richard dispatching letters with his quill in hand.
Smoothing her skirts with fluttering hands, she approached the desk and waited for him to complete the letter he was writing.
Once he was done, his head came up, and he flinched in surprise.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Just a few moments. You appear to be tired.”
“I have had little sleep since we married. I must find the source of this threat. With your safety, and Ethan’s, at risk, this cannot continue.”
“Yes, that is why I am here. This morning you admitted that this is a campaign, and I asked you if there was anything else I needed to know.”
“I remember.”
“Why did you not tell me about the note?”
“Which note?”
“I do not know which note! That is the point! You did not tell me about the note I overheard you discussing with Perry the day we went to see the pelicans in St. James’s Park with Ethan.”
Richard’s face was blank for a moment, then his hand went to his pocket. “That note. I would have told you about it this morning, but so much happened in the past few days it slipped my mind. It was not intentional, I assure you!”
“It was intentional not to inform me of it when you received it!”
Richard lowered his gaze. “I apologize for that. Halmesbury warned me it was not well done of me.”
“So you spoke with Halmesbury about the note—and Perry—but you did not see fit to inform me of it?”
“I wanted to spare you the worry.”
“Is that the full story?”
Richard’s cheeks turned a ruddy shade. “And I am ashamed I have caused this situation … and the contents of the note.”
“Let me see the note, then.”
Richard patted at his pockets. “I do not have it on me. I must have left it in my clothes, so Shaw will have it somewhere. Perhaps it is in my dressing table in my chambers.”
Sophia huffed in irritation. The walk up to their chambers was interminable in this gigantic house, and she was too impatient to make the journey. “Well, tell me about it, then. Where did it come from?”
“Shaw found it in my coat after we returned from the Lawson musicale. Someone snuck it into my pocket when I was collecting refreshments.”
Sophia blanched, her legs trembling as she reached for a seat and sank down.
That night had been so special to her, yet he had kept a secret, hiding the truth from her.
The realization cast a shadow over the memories of their time together after the musicale.
Her voice was quiet but filled with hurt as she asked, “You … shared … my bed that night, all while knowing about the note?”
Richard’s consternation was mollifying. “No! I did not know about it then. Shaw gave it to me the following morning.”
Sophia drew a deep, fortifying breath in her relief. “What did it say?”
“It threatened to harm someone I love.”
“Me?”
“Or Ethan. The caricature of all my supposed children confirmed the scoundrel was aware of him, too.”
Sophia felt empathy for her husband’s plight. Since the day of their wedding, he had been grappling with one upheaval after another while knowing there was a hidden enemy planning the next disaster.
Richard cleared his throat, causing Sophia to tense. It appeared another downturn was to be announced, from the expression of discomfort on his face. “Which is why I have reached a decision to send you and Ethan to Saunton Park until this danger has passed.”
Sophia jumped to her feet. “No!”
“It is best?—”
“No! We are a family and we must stick together.”
“Sophia, be reasonable?—”
“I will not! You promised me.” Sophia lowered her voice, quoting in a husky tone, “‘I will allow you your freedom. As my countess, you may do anything you want and I will support you, as long as you are at my side.’ That is what you said the day you visited me at my uncle’s home!
I will remain at your side, as we agreed that day. ”
Richard grimaced. “Please, Sophia, I must keep you and Ethan safe. I could not live with the guilt if something happened to either of you. I can barely live with my guilt for exposing you to this because of my shameful past.”
“It is illogical, husband. If Ethan and I leave London, it will expose us while we travel for days to Somerset. Not to mention we will have to divide the men we have to split off. There is no guarantee that the villain dogging you will not observe our departure and follow us in order to ambush us. Here in London, the resources are combined, and we are protected behind the walls of Balfour Terrace. I will not leave! If you attempt to force me, my cooperation will end.” She banged his desk with her open hand.
Richard’s jaw fell open. “Dickens, you are a magnificent creature!”
“Do not attempt to charm me, husband.”
“Sophia, you have made some fine points, but?—”
“No but. I am not leaving! And I expect you to show me the note!” With a flurry of skirts, she stalked out of his study. If she remained any longer, she could not be responsible for what she might do to the infuriating oaf.