Dear Stranger (3 page)

“I’m afraid my aunt is away from home,” she said, leaving unspoken the obvious—that she could not entertain him alone. She grew increasingly uncomfortable when he scrutinised her for several moments before replying.

“And we both know you would never behave outside of what society considers to be proper.”

Heat flooded her cheeks at the reminder of the shameful way she had thrown herself at him at the masquerade.

He continued, “In that case, perhaps we can go for a drive.”

Of course, he wanted to make sure they weren’t alone. Dearbourne must be used to women throwing themselves at him all the time. Until that moment it hadn’t occurred to her to wonder if he thought she’d been trying to trap him into compromising her. She knew others who’d boasted of securing engagements after using such stratagems, and it annoyed her that he might think she’d resort to such methods herself.

The rational part of her mind told her she should refuse his invitation. Heaven knew it certainly wouldn’t be good for her reputation. The other part of her, however, the part that seemed to be getting stronger every day, was growing increasingly intrigued with Dearbourne. What finally made her mind up was the suspicion that he was paying her this visit to let her know he didn’t approve of Henry’s courtship of her.

She accepted his invitation and soon found herself sitting next to Lord Dearbourne in his curricle, on the way to Hyde Park. It didn’t take her long to realise that being so near to him was disturbing to her peace of mind, and she began to doubt the wisdom of agreeing to accompany him. When she found herself watching his hands as he deftly handled the reins, and remembering how those hands had felt on her body, she had to force herself to look away to regain her composure.

They were nearing Hyde Park before she could trust herself to look at him again. She knew their presence would cause a stir and didn’t relish the attention they were about to attract. She winced inwardly when she thought of the lecture her aunt would deliver when the gossip made its way back to her. Stiffening her spine, she pushed that thought to the back of her mind. She was there now and if she was going to learn the real reason for Dearbourne’s visit she would have to ask him.

“To what do I owe the honour of your company this afternoon?”

He aimed a smile at her that warmed her insides.

“It is a lovely day and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it than in the presence of a beautiful woman.”

It shouldn’t have, but the compliment surprised her. She could see why women lost all sense with the Earl of Dearbourne. She was in danger of finding herself in the same position and had to remind herself to think about Henry.

When the curricle turned into Hyde Park she saw first one, then two heads turn in their direction. The inevitable followed—whispers and more turned heads.

“This wasn’t a good idea,” she said.

“Why ever not?”

Sophie sighed. “Does Henry know you planned to visit me today?”

Dearbourne’s tone held an edge of annoyance when he replied, “I am not in the habit of asking my younger brother for permission before I do something.”

That answered her question. What would Henry think when he learnt about this outing? Would he be annoyed? Or, worse, what if he didn’t care?

“Tell me about yourself,” Dearbourne said.

Sophie realised they were now at the heart of the matter. She was being interviewed for a position within the exalted Hearst family and expected he would forbid his brother from marrying her if she didn’t measure up to his standards. Her first instinct was to throw Dearbourne’s question back in his face, but she swiftly discarded the notion. He had chosen his avenue of interrogation well. She began to suspect he’d known her aunt was away from home when he’d paid his visit that afternoon. And by taking her to the park, where all of society could watch them, he had ensured she would not be able to argue with him.

“What would you like to know?”

Her voice dripped with all the false sincerity she could manage, earning her a quelling glance from her companion.

“Are you going to parry everything I say?”

She smiled broadly. “I was thinking about it.”

He sighed. “Very well, what should we talk about, then?”

She was surprised at his easy capitulation. Dearbourne did not seem like the kind of man who would be easily swayed from a course of action.

“Why don’t you tell me about you? Or, better yet, about Henry.”

He started to scowl, but must have remembered they were being watched.

“You’ll have to ask my brother any questions you have of him. As for me, there isn’t really much to tell. As you probably already know, the family seat is in Kent. I suppose I had a typical childhood for an heir to an earldom. My mother overindulged me, while my father went to the other extreme to toughen me up in preparation for the responsibilities I’d one day inherit.”

Sophie frowned. “That sounds horrible.”

He shrugged. “It had its bad moments, but there were also many that were good. Most of them when Henry and I managed to sneak away.”

“And now?”

He raised an eyebrow in question and she elaborated.

“I get the impression you and your brother are not close. What happened?”

“Our father died when I was twenty and I became the earl. Needless to say, Henry didn’t appreciate the fact that his brother was now in control of the estates, and, by extension, of him.”

Sophie felt a sympathetic pang of regret as she imagined the two blond boys, who’d once played together as children, ripped apart by the responsibility thrust too early on the elder. She could tell that Dearbourne felt the loss, though he maintained an air of equanimity. She touched a hand to his arm briefly.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

He turned and met her eyes. He appeared to be surprised, but he didn’t scorn her sympathy. Their gazes held and something shifted in her chest. She found it difficult to breathe. When he looked away again, she inhaled deeply to reassure herself that her lungs still worked.

The ensuing silence stretched her already frayed nerves further. To keep her thoughts from straying to things that were best not contemplated, she searched with desperation for something to say. “We will be attending the theatre tomorrow evening.
Hamlet
is playing.”

He turned to her and smiled. “Now that you mention it, I realise I haven’t seen a play in quite some time. I have a box at the theatre. Perhaps you and your aunt would care to join me. Plays are usually enjoyed best while in good company.”

Her foolish heart leapt at the proposal, and she frowned. “What are you doing?”

Dearbourne raised an eyebrow. “Driving? Talking? Issuing an innocent invitation?”

“You’re flirting with me and people are beginning to notice.”

His smile broadened. “I was merely being my normal, charming self. I can hardly be blamed if women find me irresistible. In fact, it has often been a curse.” He leaned closer to her and continued in a conspiratorial tone, “I keep a weapon under my seat in case I am accosted.”

Such was her discomposure that she actually looked at the area in question. When she realised what she was doing, her gaze swung back to his. His eyes were alight with amusement.

She couldn’t help it—she laughed. He was just so ridiculous. And pompous. And, God help her, incredibly attractive.

She and Lord Dearbourne seemed to have reached a truce of sorts. He continued to flirt with her and she found that she no longer cared what others were whispering. If Henry learnt of their outing, then so be it. He hadn’t given her any indication he was interested in her in any way other than as a friend and a wealthy catch, and, after spending time with his older brother, she found she was tired of it.

When they reached her aunt’s town house, Dearbourne stepped from the curricle and came around to her side. She hesitated for a second but then, realising she was being silly, placed her hand in his. He’d removed his driving gloves and shivers of awareness swept down her spine as the warmth of his hand, clasped around her smaller one, seeped through her thin cotton gloves. She stepped down and they stayed like that for several long moments.

His thumb swept along the back of her fingers and she felt her breath catch.

“Sophie…”

His voice was low, his blue eyes dark with unspoken emotion.

They’d danced around the reason for his visit since Dearbourne had arrived. He’d said he wanted to get to know her, but she knew the truth. He was an earl while she was barely accepted by his peers. She couldn’t allow him to leave without knowing what he was thinking.

“Did I pass your inspection?”

He
tsked
softly. “You were hardly under inspection, Sophie. I was merely trying to get to know you better.”

The use of her given name, together with the fact that he was still holding her hand, made her acutely aware of the last time they had shared such intimacies. When she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. “I don’t believe I gave you leave to address me with such familiarity.”

“Actually,” he said, a hint of devilry in his eyes, “I believe you did. I distinctly remember asking you for your name when we met and it wasn’t your family name you gave me. And, if you must know, you did indeed pass inspection. I have decided, however, that Henry does not deserve you.”

She was momentarily stunned, but she had to ask the next question. “Who does?”

His gaze moved to her mouth and she knew he was going to kiss her. She also knew that she wanted him to.

“I do.”

His head dipped and he brushed his lips against hers in the lightest of caresses. She started to sway towards him, but he stepped back to place an appropriate amount of distance between them. It was only then that she remembered they were on a public street, and anyone could have seen them.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night at the theatre.”

His words were innocent, but his expression told her that he had something more in mind. She could only nod and watch in silence, her pulse racing, as he sprang lightly onto the curricle. With a flick of the reins and a meaningful glance in her direction, he drove away.

On legs that were not quite steady, she made her way into the house. She pushed the front door closed, careful not to draw attention to her return, and sagged against it when she found the hallway was empty. She closed her eyes and waited for almost a full minute before her racing heart began to slow. It had been an eye-opening afternoon and she could no longer deny the truth. She couldn’t marry Henry Hearst because she was very attracted to his brother.

* * * *

Needing to get away from his own thoughts, Dearbourne headed to White’s. His demeanour must have been off-putting, because—to a man—after greeting him, everyone at the club gave him a wide berth. His mood wouldn’t have stopped his close friends, of course, but none of them were there at such an early hour. If he were being honest with himself, he was relieved. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk. A server approached, but he waved him away.

He’d hoped that spending time alone with Sophie would allow him to push aside his very inconvenient interest in her. Their first meeting had been unusual, to say the least. Given the nature of that encounter and the unfulfilled desire Sophie had awoken, it was only to be expected that he’d been unable to think of, let alone desire anyone else. Watching her at far too many balls after that evening, as she’d laughed and danced with his brother, had been a special kind of torture. He’d danced with many women at those balls, but the highlight had always been the one dance he permitted himself with Sophie. It had been nowhere near enough interaction for him, but to risk more would have drawn unwelcome attention to his interest in her.

He had to know if that interest was merely thwarted desire or something more. Which was why, when he’d learnt Sophie’s aunt would be away from home that afternoon, he’d decided to pay Sophie a call. He’d hoped, of course, that in the clear light of day the infuriatingly tempting Miss Crandle would seem less appealing.

She wasn’t like all the other young women who flocked into town each spring looking for husbands, most of whom had little to recommend them outside of their genteel background. He’d glimpsed in her a depth of character that most young women lacked, and he’d been struck by her honesty. She didn’t simper when he paid her a compliment, or attempt an ingratiating twitter when he made light, as did most marriage-minded young women. And it was impossible to ignore her beauty. Her dark hair and pale skin set off her exquisite features, particularly those striking green eyes of hers. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. But, beyond that, he was impressed by her intelligence, and the fact that she wasn’t intimidated by him or his title.

Deep in thought, it took several moments for the unnatural silence that had fallen over the club to catch his attention. Glancing around him, he saw everyone had turned towards the entrance, where his brother now stood. He should have known it wouldn’t take Henry long to hear about his outing with Sophie and to seek him out.

His brother wasn’t a member, but no one stopped him when he entered and made his way over to him. He could see the unmistakable signs of wagers being laid. Ignoring their audience, he concentrated on Henry.

“Do you plan to just stand there glowering at me?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t learn you’d taken Sophie for a drive? It appears to be the only subject on everyone’s tongues.”

Knowing just how much rested on this conversation, Richard tried to mask the annoyance that rose at his brother’s rash words.

“Unless you wish to subject Miss Crandle to further gossip, I’d suggest you lower your voice and join me.”

It was only then that Henry took note of the other men present. They pretended to carry on with their various amusements, but it was obvious everyone’s attention was focused on them. Henry sank into the chair opposite him with barely concealed anger and silence stretched between them.

Richard spoke first, choosing his words carefully. “I have been thinking of the past and I realise I may have been a bit heavy-handed in my treatment of you when Father died and I came into the title.”