A Most Inconvenient Wish (3 page)

“You don't believe in magic.”

“But you obviously do. I really didn't think you were the type.”

“I don't think I take your meaning, sir.”

“Neither of us are the type to leave important decisions up to fate or fairy magic, Sophia. But in this instance I think I'll make an exception. What are you going to do to prevent the wish from coming true?”

She said nothing, her jaw tight, her lips pressed together. He could see her trying to come up with some sort of tart reply to his question. She turned and stomped toward the house.

He laughed. He easily caught up with her again.

“Did your inopportune wish foil some grand plan to marry a certain earl who is arriving tomorrow?”

The stiffening of her body was his answer. She had planned to wish for a proposal from Bateman.

“This should be entertaining to watch.”

“You will not be here to see it.”

But he'd been invited by Bateman himself. The man probably needed money. Funny that he should come to the son of his old steward to fix his problems. “Mrs. Matthews has invited me to stay to even out the numbers of the party. Looks like the wish is working already, doesn't it?”

* * *

Sophia barely contained the urge to turn around and knock Ian McDonald on his bum. She wanted to hit him so badly she could hardly control herself. Hateful man! She turned and threw his coat at him. It hit him in the face. Good.

He ruined everything.

What had possessed her sister to invite this scoundrel to the party? Evening numbers? Seriously? She'd have a chat with Anne about not consulting her before changing the guest list that she'd very carefully put together.

“You didn't answer my question,” he called out after her.

“I have no intention of discussing this further with you, Mr. McDonald.”

Oh, how she wished she could give into the urge to rescind the invitation, but it would only lend credence to his remarks and that she would not do. Sophia was determined that things would be done in a proper manner and no one would change that.

McDonald caught up with her near the rose bushes. They were in sight of the house. She could see Anne watching them through a window.

“Have you let Bateman kiss you?” Ian's voice was low and harsh.

“Of course not. He wouldn't take such liberties,” she spat as she lifted her gown from the higher grass.

“Then he's not in love with you.”

Sophia smiled up at him. “A man doesn't have to be in love to take advantage of a lady. Look at you—you hardly tolerate me, but you had no problem pawing me a few moments ago.”

There was the old, familiar tick of his jaw as her jab hit home.

“You don't deny it?”

“You were a willing participant, Miss Townsend.” He ground out the words.

“Perhaps, but let me ask you another question: Did you kiss me because you have feelings for me or was it simple lust?”

Ian said nothing, attempting an air of boredom, as he usually did when he couldn't win an argument. Sophia let the smugness wash away the bit of lingering desire she'd felt for him. It was so much better to keep him at arm's length. “I'll take your silence as an affirmation.” She turned with a flounce toward the house.

“You have no idea what you're talking about.”

She looked back at him and raised one eyebrow. “I've been groped at enough functions over the last four years to know exactly what I'm talking about. Lust is common. Very common.”

Sophia left him standing in the drizzle. The man drove her to insanity. Why had her heart decided that he was the one who would get her blood moving? Why was he the only one who could push back the panic she felt when a man got near her? What was it about him that instinctively told her he would not hurt her? Why couldn't it be anyone else?

I
an sat across from Sophia during dinner. She was patently avoiding him, but he'd expected that. In any confrontation with the lady in question, she ran away rather than facing her feelings, especially feelings that were contradictory to her current goal: marrying a man with a title.

He wouldn't continue this tortuous pursuit of her had she not responded to his kiss during the storm. He was every bit the cur for taking advantage of the situation, but he didn't regret it. He'd sensed for years there was a fierce passion buried deep within Sophia Townsend. His hunch had proven right. Now there was the more pleasurable task of convincing the lady that she belonged with him and not the high and mighty Lord Geoffrey Bateman.

He was not looking forward to seeing the man again. In Bateman's eyes, Ian was the worst of the nouveau riche for having earned his own way into society. Money had a way of paving the way into even the highest circles. Ian wasn't above taking advantage of it. Bateman and his snobbery could go to the devil.

“Sophia, do you actually expect a proposal from this earl?” Nathaniel asked rudely. The man took his job as brother-in-law quite seriously. Ian didn't approve. He kept his eye on Sophia as she pushed around the food on her plate.

She set her fork down and folded her hands in her lap. Ian knew this meant she was strategically planning her attack.

“I have reason to hope for a proposal, Nathaniel, given his attention to me in Town.” She picked up her glass and sipped. Ian watched as her face grew calmer, sweeter. In his experience, this was the face she made before she went in for the proverbial kill. Ian set his fork down and sipped his wine, waiting for the rest of her statement.

“Of course, had we not had to leave before the Season's end, I would know for sure, wouldn't I?”

Anne quickly moved to diffuse the situation as color darkened Nathaniel's cheeks. “Sophia, we had no choice, dear. You can't blame Nathaniel.”

“I would never hold him responsible, Anne.” Sophia picked up her fork and moved the peas from one side of her plate to the other.

Ian smiled inwardly. Sophia Townsend was a master of the art of dramatic pauses. This trait had cost him an argument with the lady on more than one occasion.

“I do, however, feel we should have had more notice before leaving Town,” Sophia continued. “Luckily, I was able to issue the invitation to Bateman and his sister before we actually left.”

“For which you did not ask permission,” Nathaniel said.

“I didn't think I needed permission to invite friends to call on me in the country. Bateman has an estate in Carlisle. Beetham is the perfect stopping point.” Sophia smiled at Nathaniel. “Surely even you see the benefit in such a connection.”

“Sophia—” Anne tried to interrupt.

Sophia ignored her. “Aren't you the one who wished me to marry a man with the proper connections?” She looked at Anne. “Didn't I hear that correctly?”

Anne looked to the heavens, picked up her glass of wine, and drank deeply.

Lady Danford laughed. “She has you there, Nathaniel.”

“I didn't mean for her to take four years to find a husband. Lord, Juliet only took two Seasons.”

“Juliet married your brother, Nathaniel. Hardly the same thing,” Lady Danford said. She turned to Sophia. “I have to say, though, that at your age, you had better hope Bateman proposes. There won't be many more opportunities for you.”

“She might as well start wearing those stupid caps spinsters wear,” Nathaniel threw in.

Ian watched the color rise in Sophia's cheeks. It was clear she was sensitive about her age.

“You make me sound decrepit,” she grumbled.

“You aim too high,” Nathaniel said. “And because of it, you shall end up a spinster.”

“A man can be ambitious and he's praised for it. Look at Mr. McDonald, here. He is a successful attorney and sheep farmer and we all praise him.”

“Don't draw me into your argument, Miss Townsend.” She had the bit between her teeth now. Ian really felt sorry for Nathaniel. An angry, righteous Sophia Townsend was a sight to behold. Her cheeks turned a delicate rose color. Her dark eyes flashed.

“Yet a woman who is ambitious is looked at as a social climber or worse, aiming too high for pushing to improve her station in life. Why should I not marry an earl or a duke? I am within my own sphere. I am the daughter of a baronet.”

“It's not the same thing, dear,” Lady Danford said. “Your brother is not a peer of the realm. Dukes and earls marry within their own social set.”

Sophia threw down her napkin. “I've seen it done.”

“Yes, but those women were much younger and much wealthier than you, Sophia,” Nathaniel said. “Given how much older you are than the other young ladies, you don't stand much of a chance. Bateman could do much better.”

“I would have thought you'd be happy to marry me off at the earliest convenience.”

“I would have been, had you accepted one of the many offers you had that first Season in London. No, you had to wait for a better offer and now there are none.”

“There are offers.” She bit out the words so quietly that Ian had to doubt the truth of her statement. Had she had any offers this Season?

Nathaniel glanced at his wife, who shook her head. Nathaniel had been lucky to marry for love. Ian was in a different position. He was in love with a woman who wanted something completely different. She wanted a fashionable marriage and a fashionable life.

“I'm not going to ask you to name them, Sophia,” Nathaniel said quietly.

Sophia looked relieved. The conversation as a whole was making Ian uncomfortable. While Ian enjoyed the banter, he didn't want to witness what was turning into a very personal fight between Sophia and Nathaniel.

Nathaniel picked up his fork again. “If things get desperate, I'm sure Ian, here, would have you.”

Ian watched as Sophia went pale as the words sputtered out of her mouth, making no sense. Nathaniel had no idea of his and Sophia's very passionate kiss in the shed, but it was clear Sophia was remembering it—and not in a good way.

“I have no plans at present to marry, Miss Townsend, so you are safe from me.” Ian worded his sentence with care. He wanted her to feel more comfortable, but he didn't want to give up yet. Her face relaxed and the color returned.

“You're even too old for him,” Nathaniel crowed.

Sophia glared at him. “Wasn't my sister my age when she married you?”

“I believe I was,” Anne added. “And I wasn't wearing caps yet.”

“Nor shall I.”

“Personally, I prefer a lady to be a bit older. Those debutantes in town are witless, always chatting about gossip or fashion. A man can't even hold a decent conversation with one of them,” Ian said.

“I believe he has you there, Nathaniel,” Sophia said with a smile.

“Can we all quit this arguing and eat?” Lady Danford added. “This topic grows as cold as my food.”

Sophia resumed eating her own food, her lips forming a small smile. Ian wanted her to raise her eyes to his, acknowledge that he'd stepped in and defended her, but she didn't. Disappointment took the edge off the triumph he'd seen in her face for a brief second after he'd made his comment. He should have known she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

“What activities do you have planned for our guests, Sophia?” Anne said.

“The gentlemen will want to do some shooting,” Sophia replied. “We'll go horseback riding with the ladies. And there's always shuttlecock.”

“How long will they be staying?” Nathaniel asked.

“Perhaps a week, maybe a fortnight.”

“I'm sure it will depend on the seriousness of Lord Bateman's suit,” Ian mumbled.

“Ladies, shall we leave the gentlemen to their brandy?” Anne said, standing.

Ian got to his feet as Sophia rose from the table to follow Lady Danford and her sister. Nathaniel chuckled as the door closed behind the ladies. “You have it bad.”

Ian glared at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Why don't you just marry the girl and take her off my hands?”

“She won't have me. She wants the title and the prestige that goes with it.” There were times when he questioned his attraction to this one woman above all others. What made her different? “She wants Bateman.”

Nathaniel said, “Sophia doesn't know you are the son of Bateman's steward, does she?”

Ian shook his head. “It's common knowledge in the Ton. I'm sure she's heard the gossip.” He'd be a fool to remind her of his lower status in society.

“You are going to have to remind her.”

“To what purpose?”

“Sophia does not deal well with surprises and Bateman will bring up the connection.”

Ian only nodded. Bateman would surely bring up the connection to reinforce his own superiority. How could he counter the truth?

“Lord Bateman isn't coming here because he's planning to propose to Sophia, is he?”

“I received a letter from him recently insisting he wanted to meet me here.”

“You had little contact with him in London?”

Ian shook his head. “I was well beneath his notice in Town.”

“It is odd that he contact you to meet him here of all places.”

“Bateman owns land adjacent to my estate in Dumfries. I've offered to buy it.”

“Do you think Bateman will sell?

Ian shrugged. “The earldom is in dun territory. My offer is fair, so I suspect he's suggested meeting me here to finish the sale.” Ian hoped that was the case. The estate in Dumfries had stood almost empty for a long time.

“He's that desperate? I had no idea. I suspect Sophia doesn't know either.”

Ian nodded. “Lord Bateman takes great pains to hide how bad his finances are. I know because of my connection to the estate.” Money was the only reason Bateman would acknowledge his presence. Of course, it helped that the meeting was so far out of London that no one would hear of it.

“There are many other peers in the same circumstances.”

“The world is changing and we must change with it. Those who choose not to change with the times are going to find themselves sinking deeper.”

“I doubt very seriously the aristocracy will be going anywhere,” Nathaniel said. “They are too firmly entrenched in society. If it were going to change there would have been a revolution by now.”

Ian laughed. “Aren't we in a revolution of sorts?”

“You have a point, sir. How do you plan to explain to Sophia your connection with Bateman? She is bound to notice the familiarity. He won't hide the connection, especially this far out of London.”

Ian didn't want to tell her he was the son of old Bateman's steward. She already saw herself as being above him; he didn't want to add any more fuel to that fire. “I'll tell her tonight. It's not going to help my cause, but I'll do it.”

“Do you honestly think there is cause to hope?”

Ian shrugged again, not wanting to answer Nathaniel's question. Sophia felt something for him. Her responses to him were too passionate for her not to have some strong emotion toward him. He just wasn't sure if she wanted to acknowledge the emotion.

* * *

Sophia settled a wrap around Lady Danford's shoulders. “That should keep the chill away.”

“Thank you, child,” Lady Danford said.

“Sophia, I wish you would not argue with Nathaniel in front of guests. What must Mr. McDonald think?”

Sophia took a seat beside Anne and picked up her embroidery. “I really don't care what Mr. McDonald thinks.” The man got under her skin worse than a rash.

“He likes you,” Lady Danford said. “He's always liked you.”

“I can't see why,” Anne inserted. “You've treated him horribly.”

“I'm polite.”

“Barely.”

“A man likes a woman with spirit. Lord Danford was always riling me up,” Lady Danford said, her eyes closed. “Said it made me prettier.”

Sophia looked at Anne. “I don't care whether Mr. McDonald likes me or not. He's not my type.”

“Evidently, there is no one who is your type,” Anne said. “I've always thought you were too picky for your own good. You've turned down quite a few perfectly good marriage proposals. What are you waiting for?”

“What happens to a girl who isn't settling?”

“There is not settling and there is trying to grasp for something you know you can't have. A smart woman knows the difference,” Lady Danford said.

“I am not grasping. Is it wrong to want to live my life a certain way?”

“It is time to face reality, Sophia. You are firmly on the shelf now, and you've let perfectly good opportunities pass you by. There won't be many more chances after this,” said Anne.

“No thanks to your husband,” Sophia grumbled. “What's wrong with going to London for the Season?”

“It's a terrible inconvenience, especially with two young children.”

Sophia had to agree with that. Anne's two boys and the long carriage ride had her ready for Bedlam before they even reached the halfway point. “Perhaps Lady Danford and I could go?”

“I'm done with Town,” Lady Danford said. “I'm too old.”

“Lady Danford, you say that every year, then you change your mind.”

“I won't be changing my mind this time, Sophia. The trip is too laborious. It takes me at least two days to recover from the carriage ride.”