Tainted Bride (8 page)

She loved that someone knew of her parents. It was almost like they were there. “Yes, my lady. My parents and my brother are still in Philadelphia.”

“You have a brother? How marvelous.” Now her eyes were bright, the marriage market mamma coming to the surface. “Is he older or younger than you, my dear?”

“Mother, Cissy is only making her debut tonight. Don’t go sending her off to America just yet.”

Sophia giggled. “Anthony is older but only by one year. I’m afraid he’s not quite ready for marriage.”

Still grinning Janette shrugged. “Perhaps a bit too young for Cissy, but one never knows.”

“Mother, you are incorrigible.”

She frowned, but her eyes were still twinkling with humor. “I’m a mother with two unmarried children. It is completely normal to try to find them suitable mates. In fact, it would be remiss of me if I did not.”

He beamed at her. “Perhaps, but it is the unabashed way you go about it that is tiresome, dear mother.”

“Why should I not be shameless? If I’m not, then what will become of my daughter?” The lament was met with a chuckle from Daniel.

He tipped his head to one side. “Here is the wastrel now. I’m sure Miss Braighton can see why you are so worried. How will we ever get her married off?”

The girl who approached was as petite as Janette with the same hair and eyes. Her skin was fair and unmarred and she had a pert little nose and a strong chin. For a girl of perhaps sixteen, she walked with decided confidence. She saw Daniel and her eyes lit up. Her joy made her even more stunning as she hugged and kissed him. “You came. I’m so glad.”

“I would not miss your debut, sweetheart.”

Sophia thought about her own brother’s expression when he learned of her plans never to marry. He’d been upset with her and disappointed that she refused to do her duty. She couldn’t tell him the reasons. She was too afraid of what he would think of her, or worse, he might decide to do something rash and get himself in trouble. No, it was better he didn’t know, even if it meant he thought she was disobedient and willful.

The Fallon’s affection made her long to see her own brother and beg his forgiveness.

Daniel made introductions, but Sophia was miles away in her own thoughts and snapped out of it when she heard her name repeated. “I’m so sorry. It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fallon.”

Lady Marlton stared her head tipped to the side. “You must miss your own family very much, Miss Braighton.”

Daniel’s mother’s intuitiveness surprised her. It was either that or everyone could read her thoughts as Thomas had said. “I do, but my aunt has been wonderful and I’m enjoying London immensely.”

“I wonder if you and your aunt would come to tea tomorrow?” Lady Marlton asked.

Sophia tried to hide her shock at the invitation, taking deep even breaths and relaxing her face. “I’ll have to check with Lady Collington, but I don’t think we are otherwise engaged. We would be delighted. Thank you.”

“Until tomorrow then, Miss Braighton. Cecilia, I would like to introduce you to Lord Hadlington.” With that, Daniel’s mother turned to walk away with Cecilia in tow.

“Yes, mother.” Cissy followed, rolling her eyes, but her smile never wavered.

“They are very nice,” Sophia said.

“I agree. Shall I return you to your aunt, Miss Braighton, or would you be willing to walk in the gardens with me?”

His voice was so soft and imploring, she nearly said yes to his invitation.

Dory and Elinor ran across the ballroom skirts fully flowing like two ship’s sails in pale pink and sky blue.

“What a marvelous ball. Your mother has outdone herself, my lord.” Elinor bubbled with enthusiasm.

He bowed to the two young ladies. “I shall tell her you said so, Miss Burkenstock. If you ladies will excuse me? Perhaps another time, Miss Braighton.” He bowed again, took her hand and kissed it.

Her heart thundered so violently, she might need to take a seat. Then he was gone.

“What was that about?” Dory demanded.

Sophia shook her head. “Nothing. He just introduced me to his mother and sister. They are lovely. Miss Fallon is so pretty she took my breath away.”

Dory’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed.”

“Have you seen Sir Michael? I thought perhaps he would be here, since he and Lord Fallon are such good friends.” Elinor’s words came in a rush.

“I have never seen him, so I would not know him if he was here in this crowd,” Sophia said.

Elinor perked up and her blond curls bounced. “Yes, that is true. He could be here and I just have not seen him yet. Perhaps I’ll take a turn around the room and see if I can spot him. Will the two of you join me?”

With no way out of it, both girls agreed to walk the perimeter of the ballroom in search of Sir Michael. They were not successful in their quest, but they did manage to fill up their dance cards.

An hour later, Sophia danced with Thomas Wheel. “What happened to Lord Fallon’s fiancée?”

Thomas’s brows drew together. “Perhaps that is a question for his lordship.”

“He didn’t wish to tell me,” she admitted.

“Then I shall not tell you either.”

Sophia knew she should drop the subject. Yet it nagged at her. “How long were they engaged?”

He sighed. “Nearly six months. The wedding was only two weeks away.”

“That’s awful. Who broke it off?” She stopped dancing.

Thomas pulled her along. “Do not lose your step, Miss Braighton.”

She liked Thomas. He was real and honest when most people pretended. “Mr. Wheel, would it be terribly inappropriate for us to call each other by our given names? I do so like you and I think we shall really be good friends.”

“But nothing more.” His voice was sad but he kept the crooked smile in place.

“I’m afraid, while I’m fond of you, I shall never have those kinds of feelings for you, Mr. Wheel.”

“A shame to be sure. Addressing each other by our Christian names is completely inappropriate and therefore, I insist you call me Thomas or Tom and I shall always call you Sophia when we are out of earshot of the ton.”

“Excellent!”

The dance ended and they walked to the side of the room, where he obtained two glasses of lemonade.

“It was him, wasn’t it? He broke off the engagement, didn’t he, Tom?”

He nodded.

“Why?” Her voice was soft, so as not to have anyone overhear their conversation. The noise level of the party was such, that it was unlikely anyone over a foot away could hear a word. Hundreds of people talked, argued and laughed. The band played and the pounding of dancers’ feet made it quite difficult to have a private conversation.

Thomas shrugged. “The lady’s honor came in question.”

Sophia stiffened. “I see.”

“Do you?” His crooked smile had returned.

She looked him in the eye. “Of course. Someone claimed the young lady did something and everyone believed it. Thus, her reputation was ruined and his lordship ended the engagement to save his own reputation. It is very clear to me.”

His eyes widened and he took a step forward. “Sophia, you are mistaken. I cannot go into the details, but your friend, Dory, was out at the time. I think if you ask her, she can tell you more.”

She’d heard enough about Daniel Fallon to last a lifetime. She stood straight. It was a relief to find his flaw. Her heart sank. “I’m sure that won’t be necessary.”

The next dance started and she was swept away by another gentleman.

The garden was cool and quiet. Sophia had talked Elinor into joining her for a walk. She needed to get away from the crowds and noise to think. The idea that Daniel had ended the engagement because he questioned his fiancée’s honor continued to roll through her mind. How could Daniel not stand beside her when she’d needed him most? He was no better than every other man. It was almost a relief to know his true character, so she would no longer have trouble dispelling her feelings for him.

“I was not out yet when the earl was engaged. I only know the rumors,” Elinor said.

“And, what was the rumor?” Sophia’s anger burned higher.

Elinor cringed.

Sophia sympathized. “Never mind, Elinor, you need not tell me.”

“I hate rumors.” Elinor’s weepy tone sounded much more a little girl’s than a young lady’s. “They often get exaggerated and none of us really know the truth. Well, except those involved.”

“Yes, of course you’re right.”

The bushes rustled to their right. A young man watched them.

Her heart skipped a beat and she grab Elinor’s arm ready to pull her into a run toward the house.

He stepped into view as soon as their gazes met. He bowed and the firelight shone in his dark hair and bright blue eyes. His fine clothing was rumpled and a leaf stuck to the shoulder of his jacket. “Forgive me, ladies.”

“Michael,” Elinor said.

Sophia’s nerves settled down. At least this was not some kind of attack.

“I was trying to wait until I could speak to Miss Burkenstock alone. I hope I did not startle you.” His fingers clutched and released while he moved from one foot to the other.

Elinor blushed and tears already filled her eyes.

“Shall I leave, Elinor?” Sophia asked.

Elinor looked at her as if just remembering she was there. “Thank you, Sophia.”

“Are you certain you will be safe?” Sophia gave Sir Michael a stern look.

He smiled. “You have my word I shall not harm her in any way.”

“Elinor?”

“I will be fine.”

Sophia nodded and walked away only looking back once to see the two gazing longingly at each other.

Sophia walked away from the lovers hoping she was doing the right thing. It would be a disaster if they were discovered. Elinor would never recover from two indiscretions.

She walked and admired the torch-lit garden. It was grand and elegant. The full moon and the fine weather made for a particularly bright night. Not at all the dreary, rainy place her mother had described.

A beautiful fountain displayed several cherubs. Planted all around were the most stunning yellow roses. She knelt and breathed in the sweet fragrance when she heard footsteps. She looked up and Daniel appeared as if out of the ether as he always seemed to do.

“You will ruin your dress.” He walked over and offered her a hand up.

She hesitated before taking it then she pulled away. “Thank you.”

“You are angry with me again.” It was not a question.

“I barely know you, my lord. Why should I be angry with you? I can have no reason.” The echo of Thomas’s words rippled through her mind.

“I do not know, Miss Braighton but since you are incapable of keeping your feelings from your face, I can see clearly you are angry.”

She stepped away aggravated with herself for not being able to hide her feelings.

He followed and put his hands on her shoulders. His fingers gently rubbed the skin of her neck as he spoke. “I do not recall doing anything to upset you this evening. We did not argue and my mother liked you very much. Whatever it is that I have done? You can tell me and I shall make every effort to make it right.”

As gentle as his touch, his calluses surprised her. Why was an earl doing the kind of labor that would create rough hands? It wasn’t gentlemanly. “I don’t wish for you to make anything right with me. You haven’t done anything to me and I have no claims on you. You may do as you wish.” Her heart pounded. Why did he have such an effect on her? She took a step away and touched a yellow rose climbing up a nearby trellis.

Once again, he was behind her and his scent flooded her senses. Then his lips touched her neck. Her heart pounded and she struggled to catch her breath. “What are you doing?”

He kissed further up her neck and put his hands on her hips to pull her back against him. “I do not know. Whenever I see you, I lose all rational thought.”

“Then perhaps we should avoid each other.” Her feet were rooted in place.

He caressed her from her hip to just under her breast. The sensation of his touch reached every inch of her body and culminated between her legs. She’d never felt anything so wondrous and frightening in her life. She was afraid, but she didn’t stop him. In fact, she wanted more, more of Daniel and more of his kisses.

“You are right of course. That’s my other problem. I cannot seem to stay away.” He traced the edge of her dress with his lips spreading kisses along the line where it met her shoulder and he pushed the light fabric aside. His hand crept around her waist until his palm was flat against her stomach.

She couldn’t breathe or think. In three years, she’d never allowed herself to be alone with a man. This was a mistake. She should leave. He was so warm, safe and it felt so right to be in his arms. Safe? A crazy thought to have about a man.

He pressed her more firmly to him. Through the fabric of his trousers and her gown, he was hard against her backside. Her breath caught in her throat. A weight constrained her chest. Nothing about the garden scene was warm and safe. Reality crashed down around her, she shuddered and backed down the path. “No.”

“Sophia, there is no reason to be afraid. I would never harm you.” He stepped forward.

“Stay away from me.” She put her hands out as if that might ward him off. She had to escape, had to get away from him.

He stopped. “I will not harm you. I will not touch you if you do not wish it.”

“Just stay away, Daniel.”

“I will not advance, Sophia, but if you do not watch where you are going, you will tumble into the fountain and then we will really be in dire straits.”

She looked back and he was telling the truth.

“Do you want to tell me why you are afraid of me?”

She shook her head. Telling him the truth wasn’t an option and her throat was tight with emotion.

“How about telling me why you were so angry with me a little while ago?”

Nothing she could say would make any sense. She repeated her head shake.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you will change your mind at some point but until then, perhaps you had better return to the ballroom.” His voice was kind and soft as if he were talking to a lost child.

Yes, the ballroom would be safe. She sidestepped around him and ran toward the noise of the house. She went several yards before turning.