Lover Be Mine: A Legendary Lovers Novel (7 page)

Just then, the pleasant chatter among the women suddenly died and the room went quiet.
Sophie glanced behind her to see a tall, well-dressed gentleman leaning against the
wall near the door, watching her. With effort, she managed to hide her start of surprise
at Lord Jack Wilde’s unexpected presence, although she couldn’t control the delicious
quiver in her stomach or the sudden catch in her breath at the mere sight of him.

With his broad shoulders and lean-muscled form superbly displayed in a burgundy jacket,
snug buff pantaloons, and shiny Hessian boots, he looked strikingly out of place in
the auditorium full of large-bellied, plainly-garbed women. And yet he seemed as much
at ease as he had two nights ago in her aunt’s library, when he’d kissed her senseless.

Sophie swallowed at the memory as she gazed back at him. His overlong hair was slightly
ruffled and windblown, so that he still resembled something of a pirate. And he still
had a devilish gleam simmering in his eyes that awakened all her feminine nerve-endings.

“Martha,” she murmured to the girl, “do remember, I will be away from town so I won’t
see you next week, but I shall visit you as soon as I return. Meanwhile, you can continue
studying Mrs. Radcliffe’s novel for vocabulary. And I am leaving the primers
for you as well,” she added, handing the satchel of books over.

“Yes, thank you, Miss Fortin … I will.”

When Sophie turned and approached Lord Jack, he pushed away from the wall. “What did
you do to make your maid cry?”

Taken aback by his insinuation, she started to answer seriously. “I did not make her
cry exactly. Women in her condition sometimes become overly emotional—” She broke
off at seeing the glimmer dancing in his dark eyes, realizing that he was teasing
her.

“She was merely grateful for the refitted gown I gave her,” Sophie finished. “Her
own gowns are much too snug now. What brings you here to the auditorium, my lord?
You look like a fish out of water among all these mothers-to-be.”

He flashed her a smile of heart-stopping charm; the kind of smile that made women
go weak at the knees. “I came to see you but found you engaged with Martha.”

Again he’d surprised her. “How do you know her name?”

Jack fell in beside Sophie as she moved from the auditorium out into the corridor.
“I investigated you with the trustees. You visit your maid twice a week, teaching
her to cipher and read. What are you, a bluestocking at heart?”

His tone told her he was still roasting her, so she answered just as lightly. “If
you mean to disparage me, you won’t succeed, since I find many bluestockings admirable.
But I cannot claim to be one. I simply believe that Martha will likely find employment
at
higher wages if she has a command of basic skills. A shop assistant earns far more
than a chambermaid, for instance.”

“So you are practical as well as tenderhearted,” he observed.

“I suppose so.” Sophie glanced toward the front entrance hall. “Actually, I was just
leaving, my lord.”

“Surely you can spare me a moment. Allow me to escort you to your carriage at least.”

Sophie hesitated, reluctant to have her aunt’s footmen see Lord Jack. “It is not my
carriage. My aunt lends me her barouche to come here.”

He looked curious. “She condones your visits with Martha?”

“I would not say that exactly. But she told me about the Arundel Home in the first
place.”

“I thought you said your parents expelled your maid from your household. Do they approve
of your altruism?”

Sophie winced at the reminder of her subterfuge. She’d had to conceal her efforts
at remaking Martha’s gown and smuggle the garment from the house in her satchel, along
with the primers and novels she used for tutoring. “They don’t know. They think I
am visiting the lending library. I like to read a great deal, so it is not unusual
for me to patronize the library and local bookshops.”

“Ah, a closeted rebel as well as a bluestocking.”

His ragging brought a smile to her lips, which she tried to suppress, not wanting
to encourage him. “If I recall, you are also keeping your visits here a secret,” she
pointed out.

The grin he fired at her was lazy and warm, spreading
heat through her. “So I am. Count me impressed, by the way. It’s uncommonly broad-minded
of you to visit here, particularly in defiance of your parents’ wishes. I think your
generosity commendable.”

“I could say the same of yours.” A small sigh escaped her. “I wish I could do more
for Martha. She will need a number of things for the baby when it comes—blankets,
clothing, a cradle—and my pin money likely will not be enough to cover the costs.”

“Why don’t you ask your aunt for more funds?”

“She has done enough for me already, paying all the expenses for my Season. And the
clothes allowance she provides me is not mine to give away. Besides, my aunt mainly
supports my efforts because she knows my father would not approve.”

“Do I detect a conflict there?”

Sophie bit her tongue, aware she had said too much about her family affairs. Lord
Jack was practically a stranger, after all, despite the inexplicable affinity she
felt for him.

“You needn’t worry about Martha any longer,” he assured her. “I will see to it that
she has ample funds for the babe.”

Sophie opened her mouth to decline, then promptly shut it again. She couldn’t turn
down his offer simply out of misplaced pride. Besides, he came from a world of privilege
and fortune and could well afford the expense.

“Thank you, my lord,” she murmured. “Now, if you will forgive me, I must go. My family
will become overly inquisitive if I am late returning home.”

“I truly do need to speak with you.”

She gave him a quizzical glance, waiting.

“Where do you stand with Dunmore?” Lord Jack asked. “I’ve heard your engagement may
be announced shortly. Is that true?”

Sophie raised an eyebrow, wondering why he was grilling her on so personal a matter.
“Some might consider that question impertinent, even rude. What concern is it of yours?”

“I’m making it my concern. I want to know how much time I have to determine if we’re
a match.”

Not comprehending, Sophie eyed him in puzzlement just as a group of women exited the
auditorium. They nodded shyly and curtsied to her and Lord Jack, but once they passed,
Sophie said in a low voice, “This is not a conversation to be held in a public corridor.”

“I agree we need privacy. Come with me.”

Taking her elbow unexpectedly, he turned her away from the entrance hall, toward the
Home’s rear offices. After a moment’s resistance, Sophie decided to accompany him.
Of course she ought not be alone with so bold a rogue as Lord Jack Wilde. She knew
he was wicked, wicked trouble. But she badly wanted to hear what he had to say. And
she had little doubt he would air their personal business right there in the hall
if she refused.

Therefore, she let him guide her into the director’s office, which they found empty.

Lord Jack shut the door behind them, then turned to her. “Now, about your engagement … Rumor
says the duke’s proposal is imminent. Is that correct?”

She gave an uncomfortable shrug. “It would be presumptuous of me to assume so.”

He waved an impatient hand. “You needn’t be missish
with me, Miss Fortin. I know demure young ladies cannot appear to be calculating.
But you must have some idea when you will bring Dunmore up to scratch.”

Coming from anyone else, the charge might have been insulting, but somehow Lord Jack’s
lazy charm took the sting from the words.

“I expect him to propose soon,” Sophie finally answered. “In fact, my aunt has arranged
a house party at her country estate in Berkshire next week, solely to give the duke
an opportunity to make me an offer.”

Frowning, Lord Jack murmured a quiet invective. “Then there is less time than I thought.”

“Time for what?”

“I told you. I want to determine if you and I could be a suitable match … and if my
hellion sister’s theory has any merit.”

Sophie’s eyebrows shot up. “Her notion about us playing
Romeo and Juliet
? I thought you considered it ludicrous.”

“I do. But how will I ever prove it unless we spend time together and get to know
one another?”

Sophie narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you trying to make mischief by involving yourself
in my affairs?”

His smile was roguish, sensual. “Ordinarily I might be, but I am not up to any mischief
this time, I promise you.”

“Then you must be acting in this aberrant fashion because your female relatives are
coercing you.”

“No, you are wrong. I could never be coerced on so consequential a matter.”

She considered Lord Jack doubtfully, not convinced she could believe him. She was
profoundly tempted
by his desire to spend time with her, but knew it could only lead to disappointment
since they had no future together. Moreover, she could never betray her father by
taking up with a member of the despised Wilde family.

“I am sorry, but it isn’t possible for us to be together.”

“I know, we are supposed to be enemies. Laying aside the question of our suitability,
though, I don’t relish you being forced to wed Dunmore. The burden of regaining the
lost family wealth ought not fall on your shoulders.”

“You don’t understand,” Sophie replied, feeling the need to defend her father. “It
is more complicated than that.”

“Pray enlighten me then.”

“I told you that after my great-grandfather was killed, the barony went to another
line of Fortins. But it might have reverted back to ours had Fate been kinder. The
current Baron Harbage has three daughters but no sons, so the title might have gone
to my brother, Theo, had he lived.”

Lord Jack’s expression sobered. “I wasn’t aware you had a brother.”

“I did,” Sophie said quietly. “He was four years older than I, and it was anguishing
to lose him. Theo died of a fever when he was only twelve, and with him went any chance
to return the title to my father’s line. And since
I
cannot inherit a title, my only alternative is to marry one.”

“Because you are a dutiful daughter, and you won’t disobey your parents.”

“Because I won’t
disappoint
my parents. My mother
was especially devastated by my brother’s death, and I hope to relieve her sadness
in some small measure.” She gazed up at Lord Jack, willing him to understand. “I cannot
make up for the pain my parents endured, but I have to try. They have invested everything
they have in my matrimonial prospects. All their hopes and dreams rest on my match
with the duke.”

Her explanation gave him pause, she could tell, and she pressed her point. “I respect
and love my parents very much, and I owe them my loyalty.”

He did not seem to like that argument, however, judging from his frown.

“What if you were in my position?” Sophie added earnestly. “Did you love your adopted
parents, my lord?”

“Yes.”

“Then I expect you would have done whatever they asked.”

“Within reason,” he conceded.

“But I am supposed to turn my back on my family simply because you have a whim to
test a fantastical theory about legendary lovers?”

He had an answer for that, however. “It is not merely a whim on my part. You are letting
yourself be forced into marriage to an ancient moneybags.”

“The duke is hardly ancient.”

“Even so, you should have a choice whom to wed.”

“I
do
have a choice—and I am choosing him.”

“But you don’t love Dunmore.”

“Well … no.”

“And you don’t really want to wed him.”

Apparently Lord Jack noted her hesitation for his tone turned more forceful. “Then
I cannot understand
your submissiveness. You are willing to stand up for your maid but not yourself.”

Sophie searched his gaze. “What are you saying, my lord? That you wish to save me
from an unwanted marriage?”

“What if I do?” His expression had softened, but for once, Lord Jack appeared entirely
serious.

Touched by his concern, Sophie smiled in gratitude. “It is considerate of you to want
to act as my savior, but I fear it is much too late for that. In any case, there are
worse things than a marriage of convenience. One cannot always marry for love.”

“What about your marriage bed?”

“What about it?”

“You won’t find pleasure there, let alone joy. A woman as responsive as you deserves
passion.”

Sophie could scarcely believe they were having such a forthright conversation, yet
before she could think of a reply, he stepped closer.

She tensed as a shiver of awareness rippled down her spine. Did he actually intend
to kiss her again?

Her gaze wandered to Lord Jack’s enticing mouth, then lifted once more when he reached
up to loosen the ribbons of her bonnet.

“I mean to prove it to you,” he murmured. His dark eyes holding hers, Lord Jack shifted
her bonnet slightly on her head to give his lips greater access to hers.

Sophie remained immobile, wishing she had the strength to resist the potent allure
of his kisses. But all her willpower fled when he cradled her cheek in the warm hardness
of his palm and spoke softly.

“The first time we kissed, there was a spark of fire between us. You felt it too,
don’t deny it.…”

She couldn’t possibly deny that certifiable fact. His mere touch kindled more of those
sparks now, making fresh desire flare up inside her. The warm mist of his breath caressed
her lips as he took her in his arms.

“Open for me, lovely Sophie …” he murmured again, his voice silky, sensual. And then
he lowered his head.

His kiss this time was slow and lengthy and very, very expert. And it had the same
stunning effect on Sophie as before: It sent a wash of heat swirling through her that
made her feverish.

Of their own accord, her arms crept up to twine about his neck while her body molded
against his, seeking instinctively to press closer. His kiss only deepened, his lips
and tongue mating with hers in a sensual dance that dazzled her.