Ruthless Charmer (29 page)

After what she had done to him and Sophie, he undoubtedly wanted to go as far away from her as he could get, had probably sought refuge among the Rogues. Which was why she was surprised to see Arthur Christian shortly after the luncheon hour.

Tinley brought him into the sunroom where she was, and Claudia could tell from the expression on his face that he had been expecting Julian. She paused in the course of her correspondence and rose to greet him. "Arthur."

"Claudia, how splendid to find you well. I, ah
. . .
is Julian about?"

She shook her head. "I'm afraid he has gone out," she said with an apologetic smile. "I rather think we'll have to resort to drawing pictures for Tinley, so that he'll know precisely who among us is about and who is not."

Arthur chuckled. "Yes, well, I shouldn't want to bother you. I'll just leave a card—"

"Umm
. . .
Arthur?" she said hastily, "might I ask you something?"

"Of course!"

Claudia blanched, appalled at what she thought to ask. No, no, she couldn't ask a man that. "Something on your mind?"

"I beg your pardon, never mind," she said, and quickly resumed her seat, busying herself with her letters.

Regarding her curiously, Arthur walked farther into the room. "Go on, I won't laugh," he promised her, and flashed a charming smile.

Well then, it was now or never, because she could never find the courage again. She had to ask—she had to know if there was any hope of sorting it all out. Unable to look Arthur in the eye, she shuffled her papers, sucked in her breath, and blurted, "When . . . when you and Julian go out at night, where do you go?" There. It was out.

Arthur made a small sound of surprise. The papers stilled in her hand and she unthinkingly closed her eyes, afraid of what he might say. He cleared his throat. "I. . . we typically visit a club. White's, usually. The Tarn O'Shanter, although we have not enjoyed it so much since Phillip . . . that is to say, we prefer White's."

Slowly, she opened her eyes and stared straight ahead. "Just the club? Nothing more?"

Another hesitation. "What exactly are you asking?"

"Do you go to Madame Farantino's?" she blurted, wincing.

Arthur made a choking sound. "Dear God, Claudia, that is hardly the sort of thing—"

She swung her gaze to him. "Please, Arthur," she implored him. "I_. . ._ I really must know."

That seemed to take him aback. He stared at her for a moment, rubbing his jaw between finger and thumb. "Julian has not been inside the establishment in more months than I can remember," he said flatly.

The floor felt as if it was sinking beneath her. "Is there
. . .
is there any place else?" she asked anxiously.

Arthur frowned. "Claudia, listen to me. Julian Dane is so hopelessly besotted with his wife that he hasn't so much as glanced at a barmaid. There is only you."

There never were any paramours, Claudia. There never was anyone but you.

Her heart fluttered oddly in her chest, and she slumped against the chair, staring blindly at the correspondence. How badly she had misjudged him!

"I beg your pardon, I thought that would please you," Arthur said coolly.

"Oh, but it does," she murmured. "You've no idea."

"Yes. Well, then. If you would be so kind as to tell the chap I've been round, I would greatly appreciate it," he said, and quickly quit the room.

Claudia didn't hear him—the silent scream of her deep regret was roaring too loudly in her ears.

Sophie was running away—just as soon as she figured out where she was going and how to escape Miss Brillhart.

Miserable, she sat in a window seat of the main drawing room on the ground floor, her forehead pressed against the cool glass. It was a dreary day, raining since the early morning hours, perfectly befitting of her mood. It had been three days since Julian abandoned her here, three days without a word.

Sophie glanced at the crumpled note Claudia had slipped into her valise. She opened it and read it once more.

Never despair! Follow your heart, no matter how difficult it may seem, and love will prevail.

Always, C.

How could she help but despair? William was no doubt wondering what had happened to her, and dear heavens, she had not seen him in three whole days! She missed him terribly—if she didn't return to London soon, he might forget all about her. Somehow, someway, she had to get to London before that hap-pened.

But how? She couldn't ride alone—she had never been terribly good with a horse, and she was certain the mount must be changed along the way. How on earth would she accomplish that? There was the chaise. Julian had left it, and the stable master said someone would come for it in a day or two. She had considered the idea of hiding inside—but surely someone would notice her before they reached London and would take her to Julian straightaway.

There had to be a way!

A movement caught her eye as she sat brooding; in the distance was a lone horseman, riding hard up the oak-lined drive. As he drew closer, Sophie's heart started—it was William! He had come for her! Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest, and her spirits suddenly soaring, she flung herself from the window seat, burst from the drawing room, and ran down the corridor to the front entry, reaching the massive oak doors well before the footman. She rushed eagerly onto the circle of marble that marked the mansion's entry and watched the rider approach.

He came to an abrupt halt, threw himself off the mount, and stalked toward her, his face grim.

"William!" she cried.

He grabbed her around the waist and hauled her into his chest, crushing her mouth beneath his in a bruising welcome. Oblivious to the servants gathering in the door behind them, Sophie squealed with delight when he finally released her.

William scowled at her. "Why did you not send a note? I've been sick with worry! I had to learn what had happened to you from that fool Tinley!"

Sophie's grin broadened. "Oh, William, I would have, but I could not! Julian
. . .
he saw us, and he was so very angry. He forced me to come here right away and before I could send word." She smiled up at him, noticed the cut on his lip, and gingerly touched a finger to it. "What happened?"

He pushed her hand away; his gaze shifted over her shoulder. "Who is here with you?"

"No one. Miss Brillhart, the housekeeper. She was our governess—"

"Where is she?" he interrupted.

"I. . . I don't know—"

William pierced her with a dark look as he clasped her shoulder and gave her a little shake. "Sophie, think! I must speak with you—take me somewhere we can be private."

Of course! Sophie glanced nervously over her shoulder; the footmen were eyeing William curiously. Two parlor maids behind them were whispering furiously, and one cast a disapproving look at William. "This way," she muttered, and clutching his hand, ran around the side of the house to a door that led into a small sunroom at the end of the east wing.

Once inside, Sophie started for the door leading to the main corridor, but William grabbed her from behind and jerked her into his chest, almost knocking the breath from her as he nuzzled her neck. "You know what he has done, don't you? He has announced to the world that he will not sanction your happiness. He has humiliated us, Sophie, in front of all of England," he muttered, and bit her earlobe. Sophie shrieked softly, but William seemed not to hear her.

"There is only one thing left for us to do, only one way for us to be together," he said against her skin. His breath excited her; she leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes closed, exposing more of her flesh to him. "You know what we must do, don't you, Sophie?"

"Mmm___ what?"

William suddenly turned her around to face him. "I've missed you terribly," he said, and thrust his hips forward. Sophie gasped with surprise and titillation. William caught the back of her head, covered her mouth with his and devoured her hungrily. Sophie felt herself melting into a molten pool of desire.

Without warning, he abruptly lifted his head, leaving her dizzy. "I can't live without you, my sweet, for I swear I'll perish! There is only one way for us," he murmured between a rain of kisses to her face. "You know what it is." When she didn't immediately respond, his fingers curled painfully into her shoulder. "Don't disappoint me, Sophie, not after I have ridden like a madman to fetch you. You know what we must do!"

"But. . . but I don't," she whispered hoarsely.

William suddenly let go of her. "Think, Sophie! Kettering will never give his consent. . . but you can."

"Me?" she squeaked.

"You'll be one and twenty shortly. . . ."

Her heart climbed to her throat. "William, I can't, not without—"

"I thought you loved me," he said flatly, and shaking his head, turned away. "You lied to me."

"No! No, William, I do love you!" she said desperately. "But I cannot defy Julian in such a way!"

"I see. You would defy me, but not him? I mean nothing to you!"

"Please don't say that," she cried, feeling suddenly weak with confusion and frustration. "I love you, William! But I don't know what to do!"

He whirled around, grabbed her arm. "Come to Gretna Green with me. Now. Right away. We don't need his permission! You are of age; if you sign this," he said, pulling a folded paper from his coat, "there is nothing he can do! If you love me, Sophie, you will marry me now. I swear to God he will come to accept it much quicker if the deed is already done!"

Stunned, she stared at the papers he held. It was enticing and exciting to think she could marry William now, without delay. Yet something in her warned that to do so—to elope—would be disastrous. Julian would kill her. "I_. . ._ I don't know," she said uncertainly.

In a flurry of black, William was suddenly on his knees before her, his hands clutching the side of her skirts as he pressed his face into her gown. "Please, Sophie! I love you! I cannot live without you, don't you understand? I shall do something desperate, I swear to God I shall if I am forced to live without you even one more day!"

Sophie's heart took wing of her senses. Tears slipped from her eyes as she bent over his head. "Oh, William," she sobbed. "Yes, yes, I will do it!"

"Hurry, love," he urged her, coming to his feet. "Don't speak to anyone. Just run and gather a few things. Be quick. If they know what you are about, they will try and stop you. I will wait for you outside. Hurry!"

He shoved her forward.

Sophie slipped into the corridor, almost colliding with Miss Brillhart. The housekeeper was deathly pale. "Lady Sophie? Who is the gentleman caller?" she asked, looking anxiously at the door Sophie had just come through.

"Urn
. . .
an old friend. Please excuse me, I've a terrible headache," she lied, and pushed past, unable to look her old governess in the eye.

"Lady Sophie!" Miss Brillhart called after her, but Sophie was already sprinting down the corridor. In her rooms, she grabbed a small bag and stuffed two gowns into it, a cotton night shift, and two pairs of drawers. Frantic, she glanced around the room. What did one take when one eloped? There was no time for it! Miss Brillhart appeared in the doorway, her chest heaving with the exertion of having run up two flights of stairs. "My lady, please!" she rasped. "What are you doing?"

Wild with excitement, Sophie shoved Miss Brillhart aside and ran. In the foyer, she paused only long enough to grab a cloak and throw it about her shoulders.

"My lady!" Miss Brillhart shrieked.

With a start, Sophie whirled around, clutching her valise in both hands.

Flanked by two footmen, Miss Brillhart held her hands out to Sophie. "My lady, think of what you are doing!" she begged, taking one tentative step. "Think of the shame you will bring to your brother's good name! You can't do this!"

"I can do this!" Sophie shouted, feeling strangely victorious. "I will follow my heart and not his convention! Love will prevail, Miss Brillhart!" The housekeeper made a sudden move, and in a moment of terror, Sophie threw the valise at her as she whirled and dashed through the door. William was mounted and waiting for her; he yanked her up behind him and sent the horse galloping down the drive. Clinging tightly to him, Sophie glanced over her shoulder to see a handful of bewildered servants and a very pale Miss Brillhart watching them flee.

In London, the rash was festering in Julian, slowly destroying him. He stared blindly at the document in front of him, unable to read it. Claudia had rent him in two, cruelly dividing him between betrayal and longing. Part of him hated her for misjudging him so completely and without cause. Another part despised her for making him mad with desire every time he looked at her. But there wasn't any part of him that could forget what she had done to Sophie—it was the final blow to his battered heart.

He had sworn to his dying father that he would keep the girls safe, and having failed miserably with Valerie, he'd be damned if he would fail with Sophie. Claudia had betrayed him in the most heinous way imaginable by trespassing onto ground she had no right to enter. Her meddling had forced him to take drastic measures he had not wanted to take, and for all he knew, thanks to her, Sophie's reputation was already in tatters.

It was not something he could easily forgive.

This marriage, he thought bitterly, had come to an inevitable end. It was only a question of how.

When Tinley showed a bedraggled footman from Kettering Hall into his library, Julian could see that he had ridden like a desperate man and immediately expected the worst—she was dead, just like Valerie and Phillip. Somehow, he forced himself to take the note from the footman. Somehow, he calmly retrieved his spectacles from his coat pocket, and carefully placed them on the bridge of his nose before he opened the note. A crumpled piece of paper fluttered to the floor but he ignored it, scanning Miss Brillhart's neat handwriting. He did not hear Claudia come in, heard nothing but the rush of blood in his head.

She might as well be dead.

He stooped to pick up the piece of paper that had fallen and recognized Claudia's handwriting. "Dear God, what is it?"