Seduction (31 page)

estate fells into your hands we all know you will do whatever you have to do in

order to save it."

"Yes." Daregate tossed back his port and reached for the bottle. "It would keep

me busy, wouldn't it?"

"As I said a moment ago," Julian remarked, "I think it's time to change the

subject. I have a question for both of you and I do not want either it or the

answer to go beyond the three of us. Is that understood?"

"Certainly, ' Daregate said calmly.

Miles nodded, turning serious. "Understood."

Julian looked first at one and then the other. He trusted them both. "Have you

ever seen or heard of a ring of black metal embossed with a triangle and some

sort of animal head?"

Daregate and Thurgood glanced at each other and then at Julian. They shook their

heads.

"Don't believe so," Miles said.

"Is it important?" Daregate asked.

"Perhaps," Julian said quietly. "Then again, perhaps not. But it seems to me

that I once heard rumors of such rings being used by members of a certain club."

Daregate frowned thoughtfully. "I believe I remember those rumors too, now that

you mention them. A club formed at one of the colleges, wasn't it? The young men

supposedly used black rings to signal each other. It was all very secretive and

I don't recall anyone ever saying what the purpose of the club was. What makes

you mention it now?"

"Sophy has come into possession of such a ring. It was given to her by—" Julian

broke off. He had no right to relate the full story of Sophy's sister Amelia.

"By a woman friend in Hampshire. I saw it and was curious about it because the

sight of it tugged at my memory."

"Probably just an old keepsake now," Miles said easily.

"It's an unpleasant looking thing," Julian said.

"If you bothered to give your wife some decent jewelry, she would not be obliged

to wear old, cast-off school rings," Daregate said bluntly.

Julian scowled at him. "This from a man who may someday seriously have to

contemplate marrying for money? Do not worry about Sophy's jewelry collection,

Daregate. I assure you, I am quite capable of seeing my wife properly outfitted

in that department."

"About time. Pity about the emeralds, though. When are you going to announce

that they have disappeared forever?" Daregate asked unrepentantly.

Miles stared. "They've disappeared?"

Julian scowled. "Stolen. One of these days they will show up at a jeweler's when

somebody can wait no longer to pawn them."

"If you don't make some explanation soon, people are going to begin to believe

Waycott's claim that you cannot bear to see them on another woman after having

first given them to Elizabeth."

Miles nodded quickly. "Have you explained to Sophy about the emeralds having

disappeared? Be most unfortunate otherwise if she were to hear Waycott's remarks

about you not wanting her to have them."

"If it becomes necessary, I will explain the situation to Sophy," Julian said

stonily. In the meantime she could damn well learn to wear the jewelry he did

choose to give her. "About the black ring," he went on softly.

"What about it?" Daregate eyed him. "Are you worried about Sophy wearing it?"

"Can't see that there's anything to worry about other than that people will

think Ravenwood's being damned stingy about giving his wife jewelry," Miles

said.

Julian drummed his fingers lightly on the arm of the chair. "I would like to

know a bit more about this old college club. But I do not want anyone to know I

am seeking answers."

Daregate leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankles. "I've got nothing

better to do. I could make a few discreet inquiries for you."

Julian nodded. "I would appreciate that, Daregate. Let me know if you get wind

of anything."

"I'll do that, Ravenwood. At least it will give me something interesting to do

for a change. One can get very bored with gaming."

"Don't see how," Thurgood muttered. "Not as long as one wins as frequently as

you do."

Much later that night Julian sent Knapton out of his bedchamber and finished his

own preparations for bed. Sophy had been home for some time, according to Guppy.

She would be sound asleep by now.

Shrugging into his dressing gown, Julian picked up the diamond bracelet and the

other gift he had purchased late that afternoon after the bracelet had been

rejected. He collected the note he had painstakingly written to accompany the

presents and started toward the connecting door.

At the last moment he remembered the gypsy scarf. Smiling, he went back to the

wardrobe and found the scarf in the pocket of the black cloak.

He walked into Sophy's darkened bedchamber and put the bracelet, the other

package and the note and scarf down on the bedside table. Then he took off his

dressing gown and climbed into bed beside his sleeping wife.

When he put his hand on her breast she turned to him, sighing softly in her

sleep and snuggled close. Julian woke her slowly with long, deep kisses that

drew forth the full response of her body. Everything he had learned about her on

the two previous occasions when he had made love to her, he employed now. She

responded as he had hoped she would. By the time her lashes fluttered open,

Sophy was already clinging to his shoulders and parting her legs for him.

"Julian?"

"Who else?" he muttered huskily as he slowly sank deeply into her damp warmth.

"Do you have room in your arms tonight for a man who seeks to change his luck?"

"Oh, Julian."

"Tell me of your love, sweetheart," he coaxed as she lifted her hips to meet his

slow, careful thrust. She felt so good, he thought. So perfect, as if she had

been fashioned just for him. "Tell me how much you love me, Sophy. Say the words

again."

But Sophy was already convulsing gently under him and there were no coherent

words to be had from her, only the soft, vibrant cries of her release.

Julian shuddered heavily, pouring himself into her, filling her, losing himself

in her.

When he finally raised his head a long time later he saw that Sophy had slipped

back into a deep sleep.

Another time, he promised himself as he drifted off, another time he would have

the words of love from her.

THIRTEEN

When Sophy opened her eyes the next morning the first thing she saw was the

scarf of her gypsy costume draped across the pillow next to her. The diamond

bracelet Julian had given her yesterday was lying on top of the scarf, its rows

of silver-white stones sparkling in the early light. Under both was a large

package wrapped in paper. A note had been tucked between the bracelet and the

scarf.

Sophy sat up slowly, her eyes never leaving the small offering on the pillow. So

Julian had known who she was last night at the masquerade ball. Had he been

teasing her with all that talk about wanting to become lucky at love or had he

been trying to tell her something, she wondered.

She reached over and plucked the note off the pillow. Unfolding it, she quickly

read the short message inside.

My Dearest Wife:

I was told last night by a reliable source that my fortune was in my own hands.

But that is not altogether true.

Whether or not he desires it, a man's fortune as well as his honor, frequently

rest in the hands of his wife. I am convinced that in my case both of these

valuable possessions are safe with you. I have no talent for scribbling sonnets

or poems but I would have you wear this bracelet occasionally as a token of my

esteem. And, perhaps, when you have occasion to examine the other small gift,

you will think of me.

Julian's initials were scrawled boldly across the bottom of the crisp page.

Sophy slowly refolded the note and stared at the glittering diamond bracelet.

Esteem was not exactly love but she supposed it did imply some degree of

affection.

Memories of Julian's heat and strength enveloping her in the darkness last night

swept through her. She told herself not to be misled by the passion he aroused

in her. Passion was not love, as Amelia had discovered to her cost.

But she had more than passion from Julian, if this note was to be believed,

Sophy told herself. She was unable to quell the burst of hope that welled up

within her. Esteem implied respect, she decided. Julian might be angry about the

incident at dawn yesterday, but perhaps he was trying to tell her he respected

her in some ways.

She got out of bed and carefully placed the bracelet in her jewelry box next to

Amelia's black ring. She must be realistic about her marriage, Sophy told

herself firmly. Passion and esteem were all very well as far as they went but

they were not enough. Julian had made it clear last night that he wanted her to

trust him with her love but he had also made it clear he would never trust any

woman with his own heart.

As she turned away from the jewelry case she remembered the other package on the

bed. Full of curiosity, she went back across the room, picked up the heavy gift,

and hefted it. It felt like a book, she decided and that thought excited her in

a way the bracelet had failed to do. Eagerly she unwrapped the brown paper

covering.

Joy bubbled up inside her as she read the author's name on the impressive,

leather-bound volume in her hands. She could not believe it. Julian had given

her a magnificent copy of Nicholas Culpeper's famous herbal, English Physician.

She could hardly wait to show it to Old Bess. It was a complete guide to all the

helpful herbs and plants that were native to England.

Sophy flew across the room to ring for Mary. When the girl knocked at the door a

few minutes later she gaped to see her mistress already half-dressed.

"Here, ma'am, what's the rush? Let me help you. Oh, do be careful, ma'am or

you'll split the fine seams of that dress." Mary bustled about, taking charge of

the dressing process. "Is somethin' amiss?'

"No, no, Mary, nothing is amiss. Is his lordship still in the house?" Sophy

leaned down to tug on her soft leather slippers.

"Yes, ma'am, I believe he's in the library. Shall I send word you wish to see

him?"

"I'll tell him myself. That's fine, Mary. I'm dressed. You may go now.'

Mary looked at her in shock. "Impossible. I can't let you go out o' this room

with your hair down like that ma'am. It wouldn't be right. Sit still for a

minute and I'll put it up for you."

Sophy surrendered, muttering impatiently as Mary put up her hair with two silver

combs and several strategically placed pins. When the last curl was in place,

she bounded up from the dressing table chair, grabbed the precious herbal and

practically ran out the door, down the hall and down the stairs.

Arriving breathless at the library door, she knocked once and then burst into

the room without waiting for a response.

"Julian. Thank you. Thank you so much. You are so kind. I do not know how to

convey my gratitude. This is the finest gift anyone has ever given me, my lord.

You are the most generous husband in England. No, the most generous husband in

the whole world."

Julian slowly closed the journal he was working on and got cautiously to his

feet. His bemused eyes went first to her bare wrist and then to the book Sophy

was clutching to her bosom. "I see no sign of the bracelet so I assume it is the

Culpeper that is causing all this commotion?"

"Oh, yes, Julian. It is magnificent. You are magnificent. How can I ever thank

you?" Impulsively Sophy darted across the room to stand on tiptoe in front of

him. Still holding the book very tightly she gave her husband a quick, shy kiss

and then stepped back. "Thank you, my lord. I shall treasure this book for my

entire life. And I promise I will be exactly the sort of wife you want. I will

not cause you any more trouble at all. Ever."

With a last brilliant smile, Sophy turned and hurried from the room, unaware of

the silver comb that slipped from her hair and fell to the carpet.

Julian watched the door close behind her and then, very thoughtfully, he touched

his cheek where Sophy had kissed him. It was, he realized, the first spontaneous

caress she had ever given him. He walked across the room and picked up the

silver comb. Smiling very slightly, he carried it back to his desk and put it

down where he could see it as he worked.

The Culpeper, he decided with deep satisfaction, had obviously been a stroke of

genius. He owed Fanny for the recommendation and he made a mental note to thank

her. His smile broadened as he acknowledged ruefully that he could have saved

the six thousand pounds he'd spent on the bracelet. Knowing Sophy, she would

probably lose it the first time she wore it—if she remembered to wear it.

Sophy was in high spirits that afternoon when she sent a message to Anne and

Jane that she wished to see them. They arrived around three. Anne, vibrant in a

melon-colored gown, swept into the drawing room with her customary energy and

enthusiasm. She was followed by a more sedately dressed Jane. Both women undid

the strings of their bonnets as they seated themselves and looked at their

hostess with expectation.