The old marquess looked furious now. "You are not some god among men, no matter how much you play at being otherwise, Candlewood! How dare you interfere with Blackwood family affairs?"
The duke drew himself up to his full height, making him almost as imposing as Lewis. His face grew dark and stern as well, all hint of his earlier ennui gone. "I dare when your actions hurt those I care about. That is not a line you wish to cross, I can assure you." Then, Candlewood shook his head sadly. "The world is changing, Dunleighton. Not as fast as some of us might like, certainly, but it is changing. And Silas need not be an embarrassment."
"They will take him away from me. They will place him in Bedlam and I shall never see him again. He might be flawed but he is still my son. And I love him. Please. I could not bear that." Lewis now easily heard the notes of real fear in his father's voice, and he softened a bit towards his sire. Though Lewis had no children of his own as of yet, he could only imagine the horror and pain his father must feel at the idea of his son being taken away.
"I will make certain that does not happen," Candlewood assured the marquess more gently now. "No one will know about Silas if you do not wish it, but even if knowledge of him becomes as common as pigeons in Town, I can assure you that he will not be removed from your care." He shrugged lazily. "I am not always a ruthless man, you know." This time his smile was softer. "Or so my lovely wife assures me."
Dunleighton sighed wearily, clearly ready to acknowledge that this battle was lost. "And in return?"
"That you void the contract," Adam said stiffly, his anger not yet wavering. "It is clear that the lady in question does not wish for it to be enforced anyway. Doing so would only attract more attention to your family as a whole, and to the other branch of your family's, shall we say...deficiencies. From what I gather, you do not wish that, either."
"This entire matter can all be cleaned up quickly and quietly," Candlewood assured the marquess. "I shall have my men handle it personally. As soon as I return home today, in fact, if that is what you wish."
Lewis cleared his throat. "My release from this absurdity in exchange for protection for Silas, Father. I will even pay for his care myself after you and Mama are gone." He looked over at where Hathaway and Candlewood still stood side by side. "That was to be my offer this morning, you know. I was coming here to confront my father about the matter when you found me." He cleared his throat. "To fight for the woman I love. Only to find her here, fighting for me, instead."
"That is Sophia." Hathaway shrugged as if it was simply expected behavior by now - and likely it was. Some things, Lewis admitted silently, would also likely never change with her. "Always needs to be first. And to be right."
"She is far stronger than I had ever imagined that first night." Lewis shook his head, still marveling that a woman like her could love him.
"No, I think you knew all along how strong she truly was," Candlewood corrected. "Had you not, I do not think you would have fallen in love with her in the first place." He titled his head. "You do love the chit, do you not?"
Lewis nodded. "I do." Then he turned to Hathaway. "I would have her to wife if you would allow it."
The duke laughed dryly. "It is not me whom you should be asking, but rather my sister. She is the one you need to convince, not I. But...if she will have you, then you have my blessing."
Sighing with relief, Lewis turned back to his father. "So we are done then?"
"We are. And I am sorry. For what that is worth." There was still pain in the older man's eyes. "This is not how I wanted things to turn out, Lewis. I need you to know that. I never meant to cause anyone pain. All I ever wanted was to protect this family."
"You did an admirable job," Candlewood interjected. "But now, it is time, I think, for a change." Then he looked pointedly at Lewis. "Well? What are you still doing here, man? Don't you have a lady's heart to win?"
Lewis shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "I...ah...have no idea if she will even speak to me." He glanced at Hathaway. "I hurt her terribly."
"She will forgive you," Adam assured Lewis. "Leave that part to me. Now go find your evening clothes and send a footman to my residence to retrieve mine as well. It will require some delicate planning, I fear, and we only have the afternoon. My sister can be a rather difficult creature when she wishes to be."
Lewis did not question Adam's order and instead limped off as quickly as he could to see those orders done. After all, when one was at war, a good solider conceded to the more knowledgeable commander. And this was war. It was a war for Sophia's heart, and Lewis intended to win. Even if he had to fight dirty.
Chapter Twenty-Two
It took all of Sophia's restraint not to bounce upon the balls of her feet as they entered Lady Metford's annual Snowflake Ball. She had not seen her brother since she had left him and the others standing in Lord Dunleighton's study. In fact, other than a brief note from Adam asking Sophia to dress for the ball that night and informing her that one of Berkshire's infamous Gray Ladies would be appearing to serve as chaperone since Abby was not well enough to leave home and their mother refused to leave Abby's side, Sophia hadn't heard a word from her brother.
Or Lord Candlewood. Or Dunleighton. Or, worst of all, Lewis.
She had thought that at some point during the afternoon, one of the men might send a missive her way. After all, it was her future they were discussing. However, no word had come from any of them. Only the arrival of a young woman, clad all in gray, and in a hired hack, gave any indication that the men involved remembered that there was still a ball they needed to attend that evening.
The Gray Lady, who introduced herself only as Miss Isabelle, was quiet and polite with impeccable manners. Unfortunately, she knew nothing about what Adam, Lewis and their friends were about. All she knew was that she had received her instructions to accompany Lady Sophia to the Snowflake Ball directly from Lord Berkshire himself, and she was not about to question a directive from her employer. Which was why Sophia now found herself at the ball, having already been introduced, but still waiting to enter the crush of a ballroom, Miss Isabelle by her side in a cloud of drab gray.
By contrast, Sophia was clad in scarlet silk with golden lace trim, another Madame LaVallier original that she had ordered over the summer when she had assumed she would be wed to Alex by this time. The gown dipped daringly low both in the front and in the back, as was the newest style out of Paris, complete with a matching scarlet half-corset that peeped daringly just above the gown's lines in the back where it was trimmed with more gold lace. In the back, the lace was so sheer that it had forced Sophia to forego her usual undergarments, which had created something of a stir when she had first entered Lady Metford's home, as no one was quite certain if she was in the first stare of fashion or merely flouting convention.
It was a scandalous gown to be certain, but Sophia did not care. Tonight would likely define her future, both in Society and out of it. Over the years, her clothing had served as her protection against the world. Tonight she saw no reason that it should be any different.
Sophia had paired the daring gown with golden spangled slippers and had instructed Susie to use the ruby and diamond combs that Adam had bought her on Bond Street last Christmastide to adorn her hair. She wore her favorite diamond pendant at her throat and paired it with diamond and ruby earbobs that had been another gift from Adam. Taken as a whole, she probably looked rather daring and not at all the thing, but she did not give a fig. All of the old dragons that lined the walls could go hang. This was the new and improved Lady Sophia Reynolds, a bold woman on the very cusp of the height of fashion. She didn't care a whit what others thought of her.
Or at least she was trying very hard not to.
As she finally entered the ballroom, Sophia could see many people she knew and some that she didn't. Lord Lansdale was here with his sister, Lady Pearl, which meant that Miss Nightingale, the young lady's chaperone, was likely not far behind, though they appeared to be heading out through a side do
or, likely in search of refreshment. In a far corner, she could also see Lord Francis speaking quietly with Lady Charlotte, so apparently her father had lost that particular battle to keep them apart - at least for now. As Sophia watched the couple, they ever so slowly moved towards the row of potted plants that lined the wall behind them and then, before she could even blink, they were gone, disappearing behind the lush fronds.
Directly across from her, Sophia saw Lord Hunt slip behind a heavy red velvet curtain that was trimmed in holly sprigs, Lady Aurelia following closely behind. Even Frost's other sister, Lady Dorothy, who was known as Dory, was enjoying herself, clearly basking in the attentions of Mr. Harry Greer, the Bow Street Runner who seemed to appear somehow at every Society function, though no one was ever quite certain of how he came to be there in the first place. The two of them were chatting away as they strolled, obviously so engrossed in their conversation that they likely did not even notice that they were headed directly for a darkened hallway - and scandal of the worst sort if they were not careful.
In fact, all around her, each and every one of Lady Metford's guests seemed to be having a splendid time. All except for Sophia herself. And possibly Lord Evan Haddington, the recently named Marquess of Berkshire, and a Miss Cassandra Grove, a close cousin of the late and previous Lady Berkshire, who was currently enmeshed in a very public battle with the new Lord Berkshire over the ownership, such as it was, of the Gray Ladies. Both Lord Berkshire and Miss Grove appeared as if they would happily murder the other where they stood. Sophia sincerely doubted that they were having a good time, at least if the way they were constantly glaring at each other was any indication.
Unfortunately, Sophia did not catch sight of Eliza or Diana. In fact, she did not spot a single one of her older friends in attendance that evening and suddenly, she had never felt more alone. Was this to be her future now that she had lost Lewis? Was she to wander the edges of ballrooms until she, too, started to wear a mobcap and sit in Spinsters' Row with the rest of the unfortunate women and old tabbies?
Moreover, where on Earth was Adam? He had specifically requested that she be here and his request was the only reason Sophia was not at home in her room sobbing her eyes out once more. If he desired her presence here, there was likely a good reason. Perhaps he wished to prove to Society that she was bent but not broken, or that her reputation was still intact. Still, whatever the reason, Sophia did not care. She trusted her brother. Though she did rather wish that he was here beside her proving whatever point he wished to make. She was strong, but she was not certain that she was strong enough to face this entire evening alone, no matter how pretty the decorations or how stunning her gown.
"We should not have come," Sophia said suddenly, clearly catching Miss Isabelle off guard. "This was a mistake. I am certain that whoever contacted Lord Berkshire and engaged your services for this evening had the wrong name or some other misunderstanding."
Miss Isabelle frowned. "I do not think so, my lady. That is not to say there have not been mistakes in the past, but I do not believe this is one of them." She looked around the ballroom in bewilderment. "Why do you say such a thing?
"Because I don't know a soul here!" Sophia hissed. "And those that I do recognize are conveniently disappearing in front of my very eyes." In fact, she could no longer spot anyone that she recognized along the edges of the ballroom. Not even the mutually glaring Lord Berkshire and Miss Grove.
"You know me."
Sophia froze at the sound of the rough, gravely voice behind her. A voice she had truly not expected to hear again, at least not this close to her ear. "Lewis." His name was part curse and part prayer all at once.
"Sophie."
She turned to see him standing before her looking just as handsome as ever. There were some changes, little ones that another might not notice, but that she did. He had cut his hair into a more gentlemanly fashion, the longer locks now shorn away. His evening clothes, while always impeccable, were now pressed just a little bit better. Where he normally wore an onyx stickpin in the center of his cravat, he now had a large diamond and ruby pin, likely part of the Hunterdon earldom.
There was also an air about him that had been missing before. She could not quite put her finger on it, but it was there all the same. Something that made him stand a little taller or a bit straighter perhaps? Though Lewis had foregone his cane that evening, his body still tilted slightly to one side as he favored his right leg. His scar was no different either, that same long slash that traveled down from his temple to bypass his eye and just nick the corner of his mouth before dipping beneath his chin and disappearing under his cravat.
Finally, she nodded. "The earldom looks well on you. I am certain you will do the Hunterdon title credit."
"I shall try." He twisted his lips. "Sophie, I..."
She cut him off. "No. Please. Let us not make this any more difficult than it needs to be." Sophia had shed her tears earlier in the day when no missive from either Adam or Lewis had arrived. If they had won the battle with Dunleighton for Lewis' freedom, she believed that one or both of the men would have sent word. That they had not meant that the situation had not gone in their favor. "Let us both walk away from this with our dignities and reputations intact."
"Sophie, what on Earth are you talking about?" Lewis was truly confused now.
However, it was as if he hadn't even spoken. "I knew that going to your father was a gamble and that I would likely lose, but don't you see? I had to try. And I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you would go to him and fight for me, as well." Sophia had rehearsed this speech all afternoon on the off chance that she might see Lewis tonight. Now that she was facing him, however, she found her courage faltering more than a little. "We might have lost, but you did try and that is the important thing."
On the small stage to the right of them, the orchestra Lady Metford had engaged for the evening began to play the first strains of a waltz. Sophia hadn't even bothered to peek at her dance card. If she had, she would have made certain to be well clear of the ballroom by the time the scandalous dance was starting.
She glanced away to where the musicians were seated, hoping to gather enough strength to say farewell to Lewis and then walk away from him forever. However when she looked back, he was grinning at her with a look so sloppy and sweet that it didn't seem to belong to him, for she had never seen such an expression upon his face before.
"Sophie. We didn't lose. We won. Did you not get my message?" Lewis took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. Shaking his head, he sighed. "I swear. You cannot trust messengers these days. Well, no matter. You are here and I am here. So let us go from there, shall we?"
Then he swept her into the dance and Sophia could not think of another thing to say, at least not at first. There were, of course, hundreds of questions flitting through her mind. Had Dunleighton really relented in his insistence that Lewis marry the Watts chit? If he truly had, then why? Was Silas still safe from discovery because truly, she did not wish to see him hurt either, for he was the most innocent among them? What part had her brother and Candlewood played in all of this? Had her visit swayed the old marquess in the least? Did this mean that Lewis loved her? Or did he think that she simply wished to hear the words, even if he did not mean the sentiment? Now that he was free to choose a bride, would he still select Miss Watts in order to obtain the earldom? Yet it appeared that he was already the earl, so what did that mean for him and his family? For Miss Watts? Better yet, for Sophia herself?
Yet she voiced none of those questions and instead, simply allowed Lewis to lead her into the dance. The music swirled and she looked up into his deep blue eyes. She saw something in their depths that she prayed was love, but she could not be certain that she was not imagining things. The last few days had been difficult and she knew that her mind tended to get away from her if she allowed it to do so. She had hope, certainly, but she could not allow herself to lose her head.
For now, however, Sophia simply
allowed herself to become lost in the music, her body swaying in time with Lewis'. They did not dance quite like other couples, his injured leg allowing them to only move through certain steps of the dance. Though dance they did, and by the time the music ended, Sophia felt a sense of peace steal over her that she had not known before.
Whatever the outcome of this night, she would manage it. She was whole again. She was Sophia again. No one, not even Lewis, could take that from her. Even if they walked away from each other tonight, she would manage. For she was stronger than even she had realized. And no one, not Lewis or Miss Watts or Dunleighton or Society could take that knowledge away from her.
As Lewis slowly led her off the dance floor, Sophia noticed almost immediately that her friends had all returned to the ballroom. Hunt and Aurelia had emerged from behind the curtains, even though Aurelia's coiffure did look a bit more mussed than it had before. Francis and Charlotte had reappeared from behind the wall of potted plants as if they had never been gone. Even Eliza and Diana had appeared on their husbands' arms looking rather pleased with themselves.
"This was planned," Sophia growled suspiciously as she allowed Lewis to lead her to the far left of the room where a set of terrace doors led out into the gardens. They were closed now, but she could see the now-dark ornate lanterns in the garden being pelted by an icy rain. "You made my friends disappear."
"I couldn't have you disappearing on me or hiding amongst your friends." Lewis refused to make apologies for not giving Sophia any place to hide this evening. "I know you, Sophia. What you did this morning cost you greatly. I could tell the moment I walked in tonight and saw you in that scandalous red dress. You are hiding. And you would have hidden from me if we would have allowed it."
"What if I still wish to leave? To hide, as you say?" Lewis could tell that she didn't truly mean what she had just said so he simply shrugged.
A Gentleman by Moonlight Page 28
