My Once and Future Duke (The Wagers of Sin #1)(49)

“Goodbye,” he managed to say.

She brushed her lips against his once more, and then she was gone. He threw up the shade in time to see her tug her hood over her head and join the throng of people hurrying to market. It was still early, and she should be able to reach her home unnoticed.

“Ware House,” he murmured, staring at her and not at the footman standing smartly by the door.

“Yes, Your Grace.” With a snap, the door closed, and the carriage resumed moving.

Jack let out his breath. She was gone.





Chapter 14




Sophie went to the back of her small house, startling the cook and Colleen at their breakfast when she let herself in through the scullery. “Madam!”

“I’m home,” she said with a forced smile. “And in desperate need of a bath.” She wasn’t really, but it would give her servants something to do and put off their questions. Colleen scrambled up to attend her while the cook went for water, and Sophie breathed a sigh of relief once she was back in the privacy of her bedroom.

“We didn’t expect you back for two more days,” said Colleen, bustling around the room. “That servant who came said you’d been called away urgently and wouldn’t be back for a week.”

Her breath hitched at the thought. She might have spent two more days in Jack’s arms . . . But no. It was better to be home now, before things could spiral completely out of control.

“He also said it was a very secret reason, madam,” Colleen added with evident curiosity, “and that I wasn’t to speak about it.”

“Oh—-Oh, yes, it was very sudden,” Sophie said quickly. “A very personal reason, which I would like to keep secret.” When she’d hired Colleen, it had been on the understanding that the maid wasn’t to gossip about her. That had been to conceal the fact that Sophie was not a widow and gambled for a living, but now it paid immeasurable dividends as her maid rushed to assure her she hadn’t said a word to anyone.

“How have things been here?” she asked to change the subject.

“Quiet.” Colleen unpinned her hair from its twist and began brushing it. Sophie closed her eyes against the memory of Jack’s hands tangled in her hair as he kissed her, his body hot and heavy above hers. “Mr. Carter called and left his card, as did Lord Philip. And there’s some letters from Lady Georgiana and Miss Cross.”

Nothing out of the ordinary, but a pointed reminder that she had a fine line to tread in the next several days. “Bring the letters after I wash,” she directed. “What did you tell the gentlemen?”

“I didn’t know what to say, so I told them you were ill. Was I right?”

She let out her breath in relief. “You did very well.”

Colleen’s eyes met hers in the mirror for a moment. “Are you . . . well again, madam?”

No. Jack had upended and jumbled everything in her life, and already she missed him more than she could say. She could still almost feel his freshly shaven cheek against hers. “I’m home again, aren’t I?” she said briskly. “That’s what matters—-and that no one knows I was gone. How did the gentlemen take the news of my, er, indisposition?”

Colleen went to unfasten her dress. “Mr. Carter looked relieved. He sent flowers.” Her hands busy with the buttons, she nodded toward the writing desk by the window, where a bright bouquet sat in a vase. “Lord Philip didn’t take it quite so well. He demanded to see you, and when I refused, he scowled and muttered about traitors.” She motioned for Sophie to stand and take off the dress. “He came twice. The second time I thought he might try to force his way upstairs, but finally he went away when I said you specifically didn’t want to see him.” She paused. “I couldn’t think how else to persuade him, ma’am. I hope I did right.”

Blast. She had hoped Philip would leave her in peace now. “Yes, exactly right,” she told Colleen. The maid handed her a dressing gown to wear until the bath was ready, and she couldn’t help thinking of Jack’s blue velvet banyan. Would his next lover wear it, too? Would he take another woman to Alwyn House? I want you in my blue banyan, up against a wall, your legs around my waist . . .

“Letters,” she said to force her mind away from that. “You said there were some . . . ?”

“Yes.” Colleen fetched them. There were three, one from Georgiana and two from Eliza. Sophie took them to the chair by the window to read while Colleen prepared the tub.

I have heard the most alarming rumor about you, began Eliza’s first letter. Can it really be true? After G and I teased you so about Lord Philip, it is incredible you would wager with his brother! Did you really? I did not know you were even acquainted with him. Everyone seems to be talking of it, although your part is overshadowed by that of the Duke of Ware. Papa said he thought the man was made of stone. It has left everyone quite scandalized that he would behave so . . .

Sophie set it aside and opened Georgiana’s note. It was far shorter, only a few lines:

Lady Sidlow says I may write you this once to ask if it is true, that you gambled with the Duke of W. If it is true, I may not be permitted to write again, but I would still cry bravo! I hope you are taking my advice to make one of the patrons there fall in love with you. Ware is the most splendid catch in Britain, and so very handsome—-you could not have done better. If it is not true, you must write to me at once, in language suitable for Lady Sidlow, so that I may come to call again and hear the true story—-I know you well enough to know something occurred. Reply as soon as you are able, as I am absolutely perishing of curiosity.