Courting Miss Vallois (18 page)

Sophie could think of nothing to say. The proposal was monstrous, as was the creature who uttered it.

‘I can see I have given you a great deal to think about,' he said as they approached the carriage. ‘So I will honour my original commitment and formally call upon you tomorrow. That is fair of me, don't you think?'

She turned her head away, unable to look at him, so great was her loathing.

‘What, no kind words to offer your future husband?'

‘If I had words,' Sophie ground out, ‘they would not be kind.'

‘Ah. Then I suggest you find some. I expect you to convey all appearance of happiness when I inform Lord and Lady Longworth of our betrothal.'

As the world around her began to spin, Sophie placed her hand on the side of the carriage. ‘I am surprised at your determination to marry me, Mr Oberon. I would have thought a viscount's son could do better than to marry the penniless daughter of a farmer from Bayencourt!'

‘A farmer's daughter?' The look he gave her was one of amused disbelief. ‘Come, come, Sophie, surely you do not expect me to believe such a Banbury tale.'

‘You mean you didn't know?' She wanted to laugh, even as fear and indecision tore at her insides. ‘Your
reliable sources
failed to inform you as to the details of my birth?'

‘There is nothing to tell. Your conduct betrays you for what you are.'

‘I was born to Gaston and Aimee Vallois in the kitchen of their farmhouse,' Sophie said. ‘I grew up helping my mother keep house and sometimes helping my father in the fields.'

‘Rubbish! A farmer's daughter would never be able to speak such impeccable English! She would never appear so elegant in manner and dress!'

‘Have you forgotten about my employment with Mrs Grant-Ogilvy? You were there when it all came out.
She
taught me English so that I might speak to her daughters. And because I was often required to accompany the family when they went visiting I was given thorough instruction in deportment, elocution and manners. I may have been taught to behave like a lady, but I can assure you, my origins are quite humble. Only think what society will say when they learn the truth about
that
!' she flung at him.

For a moment, Oberon said nothing, clearly unwilling to believe that she was telling him the truth. His pride and his belief in his ability to control others would naturally prevent him from seeing it as anything but lies. But the longer he looked at her, and the firmer she stood, the more Sophie realised he was coming to accept it. ‘So this has all been a sham,' he said, his eyes narrowing to slits. ‘An elaborate ruse to trick an unsuspecting public into believing a lie!'

‘Not at all. Nicholas and Lavinia never tried to make anyone believe I was anything more than I am.
You
are the one whose motives have been suspect. You've never
loved
me. Your interest in me has always been as
a result of my appearance. You said as much the first time we met.'

During the long, tense silence that followed, Sophie felt as though her breath was cut off, her heart thudding noisily within her chest.

‘Does he know?' Oberon enquired nastily.

Anxiety shot through her. ‘Who?'

‘You know damn well who! Silverton! Does he know you're a farmer's brat?'

For the first time, Sophie began to smile. So, the polished veneer was finally being stripped away to reveal the ugliness beneath. ‘Yes, he knows. I told him.'

‘Yet you did not think to tell me. Pity.'

She knew a fleeting moment of hope. ‘Then you withdraw your proposal.'

‘I do not!' Oberon's fury nailed her to the spot. ‘Nothing has changed, Miss Vallois. I will never let you go so that you can marry him.
Never!
'

With that parting thrust, he left, his steps hard and angry on the cobblestones. Sophie sagged against the side of the carriage.
What had she done?

‘Are you all right, miss?' Jeanette said, hurrying to her side.

‘I'm fine.' But Sophie felt the perspiration on her palms; as she climbed into the carriage, her spirits were as heavy as the thunderclouds over her head. What on earth was she going to do? She knew Oberon would make good on his threat. He had done so on every other occasion, and having witnessed what he was capable of, she no longer doubted that he was the one behind Jane's fall from grace. Or that he had done it as a warning—or a punishment—to Robert. The man would stop at nothing to achieve his ends.

And now it was her turn to experience his ire. Just when the happiness she had always longed for seemed within her grasp, it was to be snatched away, like sweets from the mouth of a child.

The monster of her nightmares was real…and his name was Montague Oberon.

 

‘Excuse me, sir, this note was just delivered,' the butler said, holding the tray out to Robert.

Jane looked up from her lunch of bread and butter and cheese. ‘Who is it from?'

Not recognising the handwriting, Robert broke the wafer and opened the parchment to see a single line scrawled upon the page.

 

I must see you. Please come as quickly as you can.

Sophie

 

Fear lodged like a bullet in his gut. ‘Something's wrong.' He got up from the table and kissed his sister on the forehead. ‘I have to see Sophie.'

Jane's cheeks paled as she read the discarded letter. ‘What does this mean, Robert?'

‘I have no idea, but I don't like the sound of it.'

 

Not long after, he was shown into the Longworths' drawing room. Sophie stood alone by the window, her complexion as pale as her gown, her eyes rimmed with red. She looked ready to shatter into a thousand pieces.

‘What's wrong?' he asked as the door closed behind him.

‘Thank you for coming so quickly.'

‘My darling girl, you have no need to thank me. What has happened?'

‘I fear I have had a change of heart, Robert. No, please, stay where you are,' she said as he started towards her. ‘Do not make this any harder than it already is.'

‘What do you mean you've had a change of heart? Do you no longer love me?'

‘My feelings are unchanged,' she said. ‘But I can no longer marry you.'

‘Why not?'

Her voice shook. ‘Mr Oberon—'

‘Oberon!' In two strides Robert was across the room. ‘What has he said to you?'

‘Nothing!'

‘Your face betrays you, sweetheart. Come, sit down beside me.'

But she shook her head. ‘It's best we not spend time together, Robert. It is too late.'

He put his hands on her arms and realised she was trembling. ‘What has he said to make you act this way?' When she didn't answer, he drew her into her arms and held her. ‘Tell me, Sophie,' he whispered against her hair. ‘I can't help you if you won't tell me.'

‘You can't help me regardless. Oberon holds all the cards. There is nothing he will not do, Robert. No one he will not destroy in order to get what he wants. It is simpler…better…if I just marry him.'

‘It is neither simpler nor better to marry a man you don't love!'

‘But he has the power to destroy everyone I do, and I can't let that happen.' Pulling free of his arms, Sophie moved like an automaton towards the window. ‘I won't!'

Robert searched for the words that would make her change her mind. She was slipping away from him and
there was nothing he could do to stop it. ‘Can you tell me nothing, Sophie? Nothing that can be of use?'

‘Only that he knows things,' she whispered. ‘I don't know how he found out, but he knows things that can destroy people's lives.'

‘Then we will talk to whoever he is threatening,' Robert said. ‘Find a way to refute the lies—'

‘They are not lies,' she said sadly. ‘He knows the truth and that is even more damaging.'

‘Then at least tell me
who
has he threatened!'

Sophie put back her head and laughed. ‘Who has he
not
? You. My brother. Nicholas and Lavinia. Everyone I hold most dear in my life. And he will make good on his threats, Robert. I know he will.' She looked at him, and the darkness of despair was reflected in her eyes. ‘He will never let you have me. He told me as much. If I walk away from you now, everything will be all right. If I do not…'

‘You unleash the monster,' Robert said quietly.

‘Exactly. Jane is the only one safe from him now. And poor Mr Welton. He cannot touch either of them again.'

It was more than Robert could bear. To see the woman he loved set on a course of action that would ultimately destroy her was beyond all endurance. Because he knew that if she went ahead with this marriage, she
would
be destroyed. If Oberon was willing to use her so abysmally now, what could she expect of their life together? There would be nothing of love or respect. Their marriage would be about possession and revenge. A partnership made in hell.

A marriage to suit the devil himself.

N
ot surprisingly, Sophie's unexpected change of plans was met with expressions of shock and dismay when she told Nicholas, Lavinia and her brother of them shortly after Robert left.

‘You are going to marry
Oberon
?' Nicholas said. ‘But…you have already accepted Robert Silverton.'

‘Yes, and I have just told him I've had a change of heart.'

‘But I thought you loved him, Sophie,' Lavinia said in bewilderment. ‘You told me as much only yesterday.'

‘I know what I said,' she whispered. She had to be strong—and the only way to do that was by studying the welfare of the people standing before her. ‘But when I thought about all I would be giving up, I realised how foolish I would be to turn Mr Oberon's proposal down.'

‘All you would be giving up?' Antoine said. ‘You're telling us you've chosen to become a viscountess and accept all that goes with it?
Pourquoi es-tu de nous mentir, petite?
'

‘I am not lying to you!' Sophie said. ‘Nicholas, you said you wished me to marry well.'

‘Yes, and if I thought it was in your best interests to marry him, I would rejoice in your selection of Oberon as your husband,' Nicholas said. ‘But information has come to light about which I cannot be happy, and I would
beg
you to reconsider.'

‘I cannot. I've made up my mind,' she forced herself to say in as convincing a tone as possible. ‘I
am
going to marry him.'

A heavy silence fell, during which Sophie watched the people she loved struggle to come to terms with the news she had just imparted. It was obvious they didn't know what to say. That all they wanted to do was try to convince her of what a terrible mistake she was making.

Little did they know that she understood better than
any
of them exactly how terrible a mistake it was.

Lavinia slowly got to her feet. ‘Well, I had best advise Cook we will only be four for dinner.'

‘Three.' Nicholas abruptly stood up. ‘I'll be at my club. Antoine?'

Her brother shook his head. ‘No, I'll stay.'

‘Fine. Then I'll see you both in the morning.' With that, Nicholas left. Lavinia hesitated, looking as though she wanted to say something, then, obviously deciding it wasn't the best time, turned and followed her husband out of the room.

Sophie stayed where she was. She didn't look up. Didn't try to stop them. She knew how disappointed they were, but she couldn't let that matter. She had no choice but to see this through to its painful conclusion.

‘So, are you going to tell me what's really going
on,
petite
?' Antoine asked. ‘What's really behind this change of heart?'

Sophie shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself and holding on tight. ‘It is better you do not know.'

‘Why? Has he hurt you?' Antoine's eyes darkened with an unspoken threat. ‘Because if he has—'

‘Please, Antoine, don't ask me again. I have made up my mind and there is nothing you can say to change it. I
will
marry Mr Oberon. And you must see that this is very good for you. Now you can ask Jane to marry you.'

‘Marry Jane?' Antoine stared at her as though she were a simpleton. ‘Robert will never agree to my marrying his sister now.'

‘Of course he will. If he was willing to marry me, he can have no qualms about allowing you to marry Jane.'

‘And condone a marriage between his sister and the brother of the woman who jilted him for a man he despises?'

Sophie winced at the harshness of his reply. ‘He only wants Jane to be happy. If he knows she will find that happiness with you—'

‘And be forced to think about
you
every time he sees me? To be reminded of what he lost every time Jane talks about her sister-in-law?'

‘Please don't, Antoine,' she whispered, turning away.

‘I'm sorry, Sophie, but I know you're holding something back. You wouldn't do this unless there was a very good reason.'

When she still said nothing, he came around the table and sat down next to her. ‘You have never lied to me.
Never kept anything from me. Why would you do so now when there is so much at stake?'

‘It is
because
there is so much at stake that I must keep this to myself. If it were anything less important, I would tell you.'

Antoine's hands fell away and Sophie suddenly felt cold, and terribly alone. ‘Then there is nothing more to say,' he said, getting up. ‘There
is
! You must speak to Robert. You must marry Jane!' Lord knew,
one
of them had to salvage something out of this pitiful situation!

But Antoine only shook his head. ‘If I had one wish, it would be that Jane and I might never be separated again. But that cannot be. I know what Mr Silverton's answer would be, and it is the right one. After all, what kind of life could I offer her?'

‘You could offer her the very
best
life!' Sophie said urgently. ‘A wonderful life with the man she loves. What more could Jane ask?'

‘Respect. Security. Wealth. All of which she deserves, none of which I can give her.'

‘But I am to be married to a rich man!' Sophie cried, grasping at straws. ‘I will have money. Money that you and Jane can live on.'

Antoine looked at her for a long time. ‘Tell me this is not why you consented to be his wife.'

‘Of course not! But if I must marry him—'

‘Must?'

Sophie could have kicked herself. ‘If I
want
to marry him, why should my family not benefit?'

Her argument fell on deaf ears. Antoine was not to be swayed. ‘I will take nothing from him, Sophie. Even
if it comes through you. You do not know what they say about him in the clubs—'

‘And I beg you, do not tell me!' she whispered, turning away. ‘I do not wish to hear it.'

‘Why? Because it confirms what you already suspect?'

‘It would not be his money,' Sophie tried again. ‘It would be mine to do with as I please.'

‘You would have only what he gave you. If he decided to give you nothing, you would have nothing.'

‘Then I shall ask Nicholas to negotiate a settlement for me,' Sophie said. ‘I have heard that such things are done. And I will be given…pin money. To buy dresses and shoes. You and Jane can live on that.'

‘And what will you say when your husband asks why you have no new gown to wear to the ball, or bonnets to wear when you go out in society? How will you explain where the money has gone?'

‘I will not explain myself.' She raised her chin. ‘If the money is given to me, it is mine to do with as I please. And if I wish to give it to you so that you and Jane can be together, that is what I will do! It would be worth all the gowns and jewels in London to see the two of you happy together!'

‘Ah, my sweet Sophie.' Antoine struggled for a moment, and then pulled her into his arms. ‘It tears me apart to see you so unhappy.'

‘I am not unhappy and everything will be fine,' Sophie lied. She closed her eyes and rested her face against his chest. ‘You'll see. It will all work out.'

‘And how will you feel when you see Robert Silverton in society? How will you feel when you see him
with another woman? Perhaps with the children the two of you might have had.'

The image appeared all too clearly in her mind, and Sophie felt her heart break. ‘I will wish him happy in his new life and hope he thinks of me with kindness now and then. That is what I will feel, Antoine. Because that is how it has to be.'

 

The announcement of the engagement between the Honourable Montague John Phillip Oberon and Miss Sophia Chantal Vallois was published in
The Times
two days later and instantly became a source of speculation and gossip in the drawing rooms of society. Much was made of the fact that the son of a peer was marrying an unknown French woman—a woman who had once been a servant to Mrs Grant-Ogilvy. Oberon's mother initially refused to acknowledge Sophie as her future daughter-in-law until her husband had intervened to settle matters. And while he did not come out and publicly endorse the marriage, neither did he forbid it or threaten to disinherit his son if he went ahead with it. When asked how he felt about Miss Vallois, however, his expression grew stony and no response was offered before he abruptly turned and walked away.

Naturally, the polite world drew its own conclusions as to the family's reactions. Nothing was better loved than a scandal and the haste with which Oberon planned his wedding to the beautiful Miss Vallois was remarked upon in several of London's most elegant drawing rooms. There were also those who commented upon the fact that the newly engaged pair did not seem to spend a great deal of time together at the glittering society events to which they were invited, while others
said it was only to be expected. Nothing was as tasteless as an overt display of affection.

Robert did not attend any of the parties. Loving Sophie as he did, he could not celebrate her marriage to his enemy. He could not pretend happiness at seeing her wed to a man who was as bestial as the creatures living in the forest. No, that was unkind to God's creatures, Robert reflected. God's creatures were
better
than Oberon. They did not plot revenge against their fellow beasts, or try to cheat them out of what they owned. Truth be known, he would rather spend the night in the forest with a pack of wolves than he would in a fancy ballroom with the Honourable Montague Oberon.

‘I say, you're looking rather glum,' Captain McIntosh said, stopping by the table. ‘I thought you would have been out celebrating your friend's engagement to the young French lady. I believe Sir David and Lady Hester are holding a masked ball in their honour this evening.'

Robert set his fourth empty glass on the table. ‘Oberon and I are no longer speaking and I have no intention of celebrating his good fortune tonight or at any time in the future.' Then, aware that he sounded as miserable as he felt, he made an effort to be social. ‘Care to join me for a drink?'

‘If you're sure you want company.'

‘I'm not at all sure that I do, but I would rather not drink myself to oblivion alone.'

‘In that case…' McIntosh sat down in the chair opposite and signalled for the butler. ‘Brandy, if you please, Mr Gibbons.'

‘And another for me as well,' Robert said.

The remark drew a sympathetic glance from his companion. ‘You're going to regret this in the morning.'

‘Most likely, but since the morning and its attendant misery are still ten hours away, my concern is not immediate.'

‘So you and Oberon have fallen out,' McIntosh said. ‘Can't say I'm surprised. I've never had much time for the fellow myself, and I certainly don't trust him. Welton found that out the hard way.'

‘Welton should have known better than to gamble with him,' Robert muttered. ‘Oberon's a devil when it comes to cards.'

‘I wasn't talking about cards. I was referring to the investment swindle Oberon pulled on him.'

Robert looked up. ‘I've heard nothing about a swindle.'

‘Hardly surprising,' McIntosh said. ‘Why do you think Oberon banished Lawrence to the country?'

‘I assumed because Lawrence had debts he couldn't afford to pay back and Oberon's price was his name on my sister's defamation.'

McIntosh sent Robert a pointed look. ‘Are you sure the two of you are no longer friends? I'd hate to think any of this might get back to him.'

‘Trust me, I'd rather see Oberon in hell than shake his hand.'

‘In that case…' McIntosh leaned in closer ‘…I can tell you that Lawrence got into his cups one night and lost a fortune to Oberon. Naturally Oberon assured him he would be happy to take his vowel with no pressure to repay, but when he suggested that Lawrence might take a look at an investment he was putting together that was guaranteed to pay a high rate of return, Lawrence agreed, no questions asked. But when he went to see Oberon about the investment a few months later, he was
told the scheme had gone sour and that he'd lost every penny he put in. So Oberon took his house instead.'

‘Poor bastard,' Robert said. ‘Was there ever really a scheme?'

‘Your guess is as good as mine. If there was, Oberon likely played up the potential for profit far beyond any reasonable expectation of return.'

‘Lawrence should have made enquiries,' Robert said.

‘Of course he should, but Oberon was his friend. Lawrence signed the letter without asking any questions. And I suspect that when it all fell through, that's when Oberon told Lawrence he would forgive some of his debts if he agreed to play a part in a small subterfuge, namely be the foil for your sister's supposed transgression. Lawrence had no choice but to agree. It was either that or end up in debtor's prison.'

‘But if Oberon was stringing Lawrence along, pretending to invest his money in a fraudulent scheme, he's guilty of a criminal offence.'

‘Aye, but who's to prove it?' McIntosh asked. ‘Oberon would sell his own mother if he thought it to his advantage.'

And blackmail his father into the bargain, Robert reflected bitterly.

‘Problem is,' McIntosh went on, ‘there's not many who'll risk running afoul of him.'

Robert slowly looked up. ‘Except someone who already has and has nothing left to lose.'

The Captain's eyes narrowed. ‘Lawrence?'

‘Who else? If Oberon
believes
Lawrence destroyed, and Lawrence likewise believes himself ruined, perhaps he would be willing to tell us what happened. We need to show that Oberon's investment scheme was fraudu
lent from the start. If we could find proof of a criminal act, we could use it against him.'