‘There would be no point in my trying to deny it. The wager is written down in a place where any gentleman in London could see it. But I am far more concerned with what he told you about it than with the fact that it exists.’
‘He said you were looking for the most beautiful woman in London to be your mistress,’ Sophie said quietly. ‘He said the wager was your idea—’
‘My idea?’
‘Yes. He believes gambling is your way of dealing with what life has thrown at you.’
There were times, Sophie realised, when words were not enough to describe the depth of anger in a man’s soul. This was one of those times. ‘I trust Oberon mentioned that he was also a party to this wager?’
‘He did, but he said you put his name to it against his will.’
His anger became a cold, dangerous fury. ‘By God, even I had not thought him so devious. For what it’s worth, the wager was not my idea and I did not agree to participate in it. Oberon has told you a monstrous lie, and I suspect a good many others as well. But only one thing matters right now, Sophie. Do you believe him? After all, it is my word against his.’
‘Yes, it is, and I do not believe him, Robert. How could I, knowing what I do of you?’ She looked down, reluctant to meet his eyes. ‘Knowing what has…passed between us. But neither did I wish to keep my knowledge of the wager, or anything else he said to me, a secret from you. I would have honesty between us, if nothing else.’
‘If nothing else.’ Robert stared at the table, as if to see answers magically appear in the surface. But there were no easy answers. They both knew that.
‘Sophie,’ Robert said finally, ‘this is neither the time nor the place, but I must say something because this cannot go on a moment longer.’ He looked up, and his burning gaze held her still. ‘If I was to secure Lord Longworth’s approval, would you allow me to speak to you?’
For a moment, it was as though her brain shut down. As though his words failed to penetrate the fog swirling around her. He wished to speak to her? But…a gentleman did not ask to speak to a lady unless he intended to speak of marriage. And he had already told her he had no intention of marrying. Besides, there was the issue of her being French—
‘Your hesitation leads me to believe you are not as firmly fixed in your affections as I had hoped,’ Robert said slowly. ‘If that is the case—’
‘No, I know exactly where my affections lie.’ Sophie pressed her hand to her throat, aware that her heart was beating so loud he must surely hear it. ‘But I thought…that is, we have both stated our intentions not to marry. And yet…’ She looked at him and her breath cut off. ‘Here we are.’
To her surprise, he smiled. ‘Yes, here we are—and you still haven’t answered my question.’
Laughter erupted from one of the card tables. Sophie heard the clink of a glass and the muted sounds of a string quartet coming from another room. Candles sputtered and perfume wafted and, wonder of wonders, Robert wished to speak to her. ‘Yes, I would allow it,’ she said. ‘Most happily, I would.’
It was not triumph she saw in his eyes. It was…peace. He reached for her hands and drew them to his lips, oblivious to anyone who might be watching. ‘Do not consider Oberon’s offer. Ignore him. Stall him. Lie to him, if you must, I really don’t care. All I know is that he is the man behind these rumours, and that once I have proof, I’m going to expose him for the blackguard he is. He’ll never bother you again, Sophie. On that, you have my word!’
It was with that same sense of purpose that Robert set out the following morning. His brief conversation with Lord Longworth before he’d left Lady White’s had resulted in the meeting he was about to have, and over the last few hours, he had gone over the details of what he wanted to say. In light of recent developments, matters had reached a point where something had to be done.
Oberon had betrayed him. Heartlessly. Unemotionally. Irreparably. He had lied to him and told lies about him—and to the only woman who had ever mattered. For that, Robert would make him pay. He was shown into Lord Longworth’s library and found the gentleman waiting for him. ‘Good morning, my lord.’
‘Robert.’ Longworth waved him into a chair. ‘Can I offer you something in the way of refreshment? I fear it’s a bit early for brandy.’
‘Thank you, but I won’t take up much of your time. I’ve come to speak to you about Mr Oberon and Miss Vallois.’
‘Have you indeed?’ Longworth sat down in the chair opposite. ‘What is it you wish to say?’
‘I am aware that Oberon has spoken to you about his interest in Miss Vallois and that you have given him your permission to speak to her. I would ask you now to revoke that permission at the earliest possible opportunity.’
A brief hesitation. ‘I take it you have a good reason for asking?’
‘I have two. The first is that I believe Oberon to be a liar and totally without character. The second is that I am in love with Miss Vallois and wish to marry her myself.’
Longworth’s brows rose. ‘Perhaps not too early for that drink after all.’ He got up and crossed to the sideboard. Pouring two glasses of brandy, he handed one to Robert, tossed back his own and sat down again. After a moment, he said, ‘You’ve made some very strong statements. Would you care to back them up with fact? Apart from your feelings of affection for Sophie. I think I understand those well enough.’
‘I do not make the claims lightly, my lord, but because of something that happened between Oberon and myself a few weeks ago, I believe he is behind the despicable stories circulating with regard to my sister.’ And then briefly, but succinctly, Robert told the man everything. His conversation with Oberon at the Black Swan, the nature of the mistress wager, and the depth of his concern about the other man’s growing obsession with Sophie. The only thing he left out was Oberon’s most recent proposition. Judging from the expression on Longworth’s face, Robert suspected Oberon would have been facing pistols at dawn. As it was, Longworth swore viciously under his breath. ‘By God, if what you say is true, the man should be shot!’
‘I have every reason to believe it is true, but he will certainly deny it if asked. When I spoke to Miss Vallois yesterday about my concerns regarding Oberon’s involvement in Jane’s disgrace, I saw how shocked and displeased she was. It was last night at Lady White’s that I asked if I could speak to her, if you were to give your approval. I’m well aware that my own position in society does not recommend me in any way.’
‘No, I can’t say that it does,’ Longworth agreed. ‘Nor do you have the wealth or position I would have liked for Sophie.’
‘Surely I have enough,’ Robert said softly, ‘for the daughter of a farmer from Bayencourt.’
The look of shock on the viscount’s face had Robert bracing for an explosion—but it never came. Longworth’s expression of anger slowly gave way to grudging acceptance. ‘She told you, yet you said nothing to me. To anyone.’
‘I was afraid of how she would be treated by the ton if word of her origins leaked out,’ Robert said. ‘I know better than most how cruel people can be and I did not relish the thought of Miss Vallois being exposed to ridicule and censure. I also thought that since you and Lady Longworth had not made mention of it, you would not be pleased at hearing it spread around by someone else.’
Longworth sighed. ‘Perhaps it would have been better if it had leaked out. We might not be in this predicament now.’
‘Don’t be too sure. Oberon’s obsession has no basis in logic. As for myself, while I may not be rich, I’m far from being a pauper. More importantly, I would love her with all my heart.’
Longworth studied him in silence for a moment. Finally, he nodded. ‘Very well. If Sophie will have you, you have my blessing. I am more concerned that she be happy than anything else.’
‘Thank you, my lord.’
‘One thing. If you are able to prove Oberon’s misdeeds, come to me at once. He must be held accountable for what he has done.’
‘I will not come without proof
, though I fear it will be difficult to obtain.’
‘Devious men seldom leave well-marked trails for others to follow. And the people they hold in their hands, they hold on to tightly.’
Robert nodded, thinking of poor Lawrence Welton. ‘Indeed, my lord. Of that, I am most painfully aware.’
For Sophie, the hours ran all too quickly into days. She lived in a constant state of nervous anticipation, waiting for the next blow to fall. As the countdown to her meeting with Mr Oberon approached, she began to fear that even Robert might not have the power to stop him. And then, three days into her allotted time, another rumour began to circulate throughout the drawing rooms of society. A rumour accusing a certain gentleman of having made up the bold-faced lies about Miss Silverton visiting a man in his rooms, when, in fact, nothing of the sort had happened. Furthermore, if Miss Silverton had spoken to someone in the park, it was nothing more than the polite exchange of greetings expected between a lady and a gentleman during the course of their social day. Certainly nothing grievous enough over which to defame her character.
The reason for the man’s lies was not made clear, but neither did it seem to matter. Montague Oberon had been heard to speak up strongly in the lady’s defence, and with his name behind the rebuttal, no one was going to argue.
‘And so, there we have it,’ Lavinia said at the conclusion of her recounting. ‘It would appear Jane’s name is cleared and her reputation fully restored.’
Sophie raised the teacup to her lips. What would Lavinia say, she wondered, if she knew how steep a price Mr Oberon had demanded in exchange? ‘Does Jane know?’
‘I suspect the news will have reached her by now. It was the only topic of conversation at Lady Orville’s this afternoon and given that most of the ladies arrived already in possession of the news, I can assure you it has been widely discussed.’
Again, Sophie could feel nothing but relief for her friend. It was over, the terrible stories finally laid to rest. Jane was once again free to move about in society, knowing that she would be welcome at any house she chose to visit, and that churlish whispers would not follow her wherever she went. That it put society in a dismal light was a fact Sophie could not deny. If people were so willing to believe a pack of lies on the strength of one man’s word, what did it say when they were so ready to put it all aside on the strength of another’s?
‘I fear it is a rhetorical question,’ Lavinia said. ‘Society is what it is and I doubt it will ever change. People were willing to believe the lies when they were nothing more than rumours, so they could hardly not believe Mr Oberon when he came forwards to dispute them and publicly condemn the man who started them.’
Sophie’s eyes widened. ‘He actually named the perpetrator?’
‘Oh, yes. And I was deeply saddened to learn of it.’ Lavinia looked unhappy. ‘I never thought a fine young man like Lawrence Welton would do such a thing.’
Robert was at his club when he heard the news. ‘Lawrence Welton?’ he repeated in stunned disbelief. ‘But that’s impossible!’
‘Of course it is,’ said Captain John McIntosh, the gentleman imparting the information. ‘But Oberon was most definite in his naming Welton. He said he had spoken with him a few days earlier and gained the man’s confession, after which Welton bolted.’
Robert was too angry for words. So that was what Welton had meant in his letter. Oberon obviously held a packet of Welton’s vowels and Welton’s agreeing to become the foil for Oberon’s monstrous plan was the price he demanded for discharging them.
‘Still, it’s cleared your sister’s name,’ McIntosh said.
‘And made Oberon look like a hero into the bargain,’ Robert muttered. ‘And that bothers me no end. Lawrence would never do something like this.’
‘Of course not.’ McIntosh drained his glass. ‘But he has a weakness for cards and, by his own admission, only a fool gambles with the devil. Well, I’d best be on my way. Good to see you again, Robert.’
‘And you. I appreciate the information.’
The captain’s smile held more than a trace of regret. ‘I’m just sorry it couldn’t have been better.’
Robert sat quietly after the other man left, thinking over all that he had heard. So, Jane’s life had been made better at the expense of Lawrence’s. Obviously that was what Oberon had meant when he’d said he held people’s lives in the palm of his hand. He had no qualms about using whomever he pleased in the achievement of his own ends, and this time, his old friend Lawrence had been the expendable one.
But where did that leave Sophie? She was now in the unenviable position of believing herself indebted to Oberon for having restored Jane’s good name when nothing could have been further from the truth. Robert knew the entire episode had been a carefully devised plot to strike back at him for having dared to interfere, and to put Sophie in a position of obligation to Oberon. And Oberon’s price for revealing the so-called deception was her hand in marriage.
It was unthinkable! An outcome that must be avoided at all costs. Whatever it took, Sophie must not be allowed to become a prisoner to Oberon’s tricks. The man was evil, and if Robert was able to do only one thing, it would be to ensure that his sweet Sophie never became prey for the monster.
Robert called on her the same afternoon. He was told that Lord Longworth and Mr Vallois were not at home, but when he advised Banyon it was Miss Vallois he wished to see, he was taken into the morning room where Sophie and Lavinia were sitting quietly doing their embroidery.
‘Mr Silverton, what a pleasure to see you,’ Lavinia said.
‘Lady Longworth. Miss Vallois. I called to apprise you of the good news regarding my sister.’
‘Indeed, sir, we have already heard and we are both overjoyed at the outcome. Speaking of which,’ Lavinia said, rising, ‘I have written a note to dear Jane and would ask that you take it to her. I shall just go and fetch it.’ She left, giving Robert a knowing smile as she passed.
Finally, it was just he and Sophie alone. He walked towards her slowly, suddenly anxious as to how she would receive what he wanted to say. ‘Well, Miss Vallois, it would seem at least one problem has been put to bed.’
‘It has, and I am so very pleased, for Jane’s sake. Thank you for coming to tell us.’
‘That wasn’t the only reason I came.’ He halted in front of her. ‘I think you know that.’
Her eyes rose to his and then fell, long lashes casting shadows on her skin. But she smiled, and he heard her take a quick breath as she said, ‘And what is this other reason?’
As he looked down at her, he wished for the first time in his life that he had been blessed with a poet’s gift for words. ‘I believe it safe to say that you and I did not get off to an auspicious start that night at the inn. I won’t ever forget you telling your brother that you’d rather sleep in the barn than accept an offer of help from me.’
She laughed, but sent him a reproving glare. ‘You are not kind to remind me of that, sir.’
Robert smiled. ‘No, perhaps not. But I’ve since come to learn that I was wrong about so many things. We talked in the garden at Lady Chiswick’s about making mistakes. Well, I’ve made more than my fair share with you. I let ignorance cloud my judgement to the point where it almost blinded me to the truth, and you, dear Sophie, suffered for that ignorance.’
‘You were only acting on your beliefs.’
‘Misplaced beliefs. I saw a man I thought would do me no harm destroy the reputation of my sister and cause a fine gentleman to lose his home and his good name. I saw a woman I…cared deeply about forced into an untenable position as the result of her own desire to protect someone who wasn’t able to protect herself. And I let my steadfast belief in my own lack of suitability stand in my way of my telling her how I really felt about her. But all that’s in the past. From now on, I intend to tell her every single day how much I love her.’ He slowly sat down beside her. ‘Sophie Vallois, would you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’
H
e waited, heart in his mouth, for her answer. Never had he believed the seconds could move so slowly. That he would feel himself age as he waited for her response. That he might see his world fall apart at the thought of her saying no. But such was not her response. ‘Yes, I will,’ she whispered. ‘Just as soon as matters can be arranged.’
He felt almost lightheaded with relief. He stood up and held out his hand, drawing her to her feet. ‘Lord Longworth already knows of my intentions, but I will speak to your brother immediately upon his return. I would like to have his approval, but I’m prepared to marry you without it.’
Her smile was golden, like the sun emerging after the rain. ‘Antoine will approve, as long as he knows I love you. He only wants me to be happy.’
‘Then I shall do my best to convince him of it. And I shall arrange for a special license, and we shall be married on the day of your choosing. I want you as my wife as soon as possible.’ Then, drawing her close, he kissed her, his lips gently tracing the outline of her mouth. There was no experience to her kiss, but the taste of her nearly drove him mad. And when his tongue teased her lips apart and he delved into the sweetness of her mouth, he was lost.
‘Enough!’ He set her gently away, blood coursing through every part of his body. ‘I have no wish to frighten you.’
Her smile reassured him. ‘You don’t frighten me, Robert. I want this too. Can you not feel it when you hold me?’
‘I feel that, and more.’ He reached for her left hand and raised it to his lips, gently kissing the finger that would soon wear his ring. Then, at the sound of approaching footsteps, he reluctantly released Sophie and stepped back. But when the door opened and Lavinia walked in, he knew she saw their happiness.
‘Oh, my dears, I am so very pleased for both of you.’
‘Thank you, Lady Longworth,’ Robert said. ‘Perhaps you would be good enough to send me a note as soon as your husband returns. I would speak to him, and to Mr Vallois, at the earliest opportunity.’
Courting Miss Vallois Page 18
