by HELEN HARDT
Sophie couldn’t deny what Ally said. She had so much talk to her sister about, beginning with Zach’s offer to court her. Imagine, a man as handsome and talented as Zachary Newland wanted to court her? But Ally’s energy was waning. Their sisterly talk would have to wait.
Evan entered from the sitting room. “I think that’s enough, my love. You need to rest.”
Ally nodded. “Yes, Evan, I am indeed exhausted. Thank you for bringing Sophie to me.”
“Anything for you, my Alexandra,” Evan said. “Thank you for giving me two precious little daughters.”
Sophie became uncomfortable. This was a moment for Ally to be sharing with her husband. She quietly stole out of the bedchamber and out of the suite.
She knew now, in all her heart, that Ally would be all right. She would recover, and though she may feel the loss of her womb, her two little daughters would heal her heart and soul.
She smiled, wandering into the nursery adjoining Evan and Ally’s suite. Time to dote on Maureen and little Sophie.
* * *
Sophie woke early to Hannah’s rapping on her door. She had asked the maid to wake her at six in the morning, so she could ready herself for rehearsal.
Goodness, the life of a working girl! Never a life she had imagined for herself, but she found herself strangely rising to the challenge and looking forward to it. With Hannah’s help, she bathed, dressed, did her hair, and then descended for a light breakfast.
Only the earl was up at this hour. “Good morning, Sophie,” he said jovially. “I understand you will be going to the theatre this morning for rehearsal.”
“Yes, I’m a little frightened but looking forward to it. Is there any news on Ally this morning?”
“Blake tells me she’s going to be fine. We’re glad of that. And I’m thrilled with my two new granddaughters. I hear one is to be your namesake.”
Sophie warmed. “Yes, I was quite touched when Ally told me.”
“A beautiful name it is, just like the first in the family to carry it.” He gave her a wink.
She warmed again, remembering that Zach would be coming sometime soon to talk to the earl about courting her. She still couldn’t wrap her mind around that one. Did she even want to be courted? Yes, she did. And God help her, she wanted more…adventures with Zach.
But this morning was all about work. After a scone and some tea, she rose and excused herself.
“A coach is waiting to take you into town to the theatre,” the earl said with a smile. “We are all very much looking forward to your debut, Sophie.”
Sophie nodded, too nervous to answer. She nearly stumbled walking out the door, so skittish she was. The coachman helped her into the lavish coach, and soon they were off, the horses clopping down the dirt roads, taking her off the estate and toward the city of Bath. Sophie shivered the whole way. It was late April, and she was dressed appropriately, but still she quivered, her nerves not allowing her peace. She hoped she had not made a huge mistake agreeing to take this role.
After what seemed like hours, the coach finally arrived in front of the Regal Theatre. The coachman helped Sophie down and escorted her in. The doorman welcomed her and showed her where to go. All performers were to head into the theatre itself and sit in the audience chairs, where Zach and the director would tell them what they would be doing today.
Sophie walked nervously toward the theatre when an arm grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a secluded corner. She looked into the blue eyes of Miss Nanette Lloyd.
“You may be Zach’s flavor du jour, my lady, but I assure you it’s only a matter of time until I am back as lead soprano…and as his lead performer in the bedchamber.”
Zach had slept with Nanette? Of course, Sophie shouldn’t be surprised. She had caught them in that clench.
“What are you doing here, Miss Lloyd?” Sophie asked. “Zach told me you’d been dismissed from the company.”
“That was just a silly misunderstanding between Zach and me. I was not dismissed. In fact, I’ll be taking over your role later today, when it becomes clear that you can’t handle it.”
Oh, this woman did have a lot of nerve! Sophie’s first inclination was to back down and cower in a corner, but an image of Ally, strong and vibrant, popped into her mind. How would Ally handle the situation? She would fight, just like she had been fighting her whole life for everything that meant anything to her. Sophie had grown a lot in the last few days. She had performed at an audition, been intimate with a man, watched her sister give birth to two babies. Sophie had found strength that she never knew she possessed.
She would use that strength now.
“I assure you I can handle this role, Miss Lloyd. This part is mine and will continue to be mine until the closing of this production. Now, if you’ll kindly get out of my way, I’m late for rehearsal.”
“Not so fast, you little harlot. I know what you’re doing. You’re sleeping with Zach. That’s how you got this part.”
Sophie warmed all over, despite the untruths of what Nanette was saying. She had gotten the part before she and Zach became intimate, and technically they hadn’t even slept together yet, at least not done the physical act. “I’m nothing like you, Miss Lloyd. I do not trade my sexual favors for a role. I won this role fair and square on my talent alone.”
“Well, goody-goody for you. I can assure you, Zach is not at all interested in you.”
Sophie couldn’t help herself. “Oh, he’s not, is he? Then why did he ask permission to ask my stepfather to court me?”
Nanette’s face turned red and her knuckles white as she crunched her hands into fists. “He did what?”
“I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with your hearing, dear. You heard me correctly. Zach would like to court me.” Sophie struggled to hold her stance. She wasn’t nearly as sure of herself as her words indicated.
“That’s absolutely preposterous. Zachary Newland doesn’t court women. He uses them.”
“So are you saying that he used you?”
“Of course not. We had a real relationship. We were in love.”
Sophie bit her lip. Surely Zach hadn’t loved Nanette, had he? It was unlikely…but what did Sophie really know about Zach?
“Whatever your relationship was, it appears to be over now.”
Nanette seethed. “I assure you, whatever you’re doing to get Zach to roll over and beg for you, it will end. He will get sick of you just like he gets sick of every other woman. He has the attention span of a toddler, you know.”
Sophie bit her lip again. Nanette’s words rang with truth. Did Zach really want to court her? Or was he just conniving to make sure she stayed in the production through its end? Sophie didn’t know, but she was damned sure of one thing. She was taking this role, and she was going to handle it to the best of her ability. She enjoyed singing, and if she herself could find joy and also bring joy to others at the same time, she had to do this. She had to come out of her shell and live a little. She had to try to be more like Ally.
“Whether Zach gets sick of me or not is hardly an issue here. I am now the lead soprano, whether Zach is courting me or not. And I will be playing this role, which means you won’t be.”
Nanette’s hand jetted out fast as a whip, and she smacked Sophie across the face.
Sophie jerked backward, stunned. Her cheek was numb for a moment before the pain. Of course, she was used to that. It had always surprised her each time her father hit her—how the pain didn’t come instantaneously. No, the numbness came first and then the pain.
Tears misted in Sophie’s eyes, but she gulped them back. “If you ever touch me again, Miss Lloyd, I shall summon a constable and have you arrested. Now, I am late to rehearsal.” She pushed Nanette out of the way. “Good day.”
Sophie walked unsteadily to the theatre. When she opened the door and walked in, Zach waved to her from the stage. “Ah, here’s our leading lady now. Lady Sophie MacIntyre, everyone.”
The rest of the company seated in
the audience applauded. Sophie’s cheeks warmed further, and not as a result of Nanette’s slap. What was she supposed to do? Take a curtsy? She simply smiled and walked to an empty seat.
“Eugene is distributing your librettos, and our esteemed Lord Thornton is distributing your music.”
Cameron smiled at Sophie as he handed her the packet of music. Goodness, it was over an inch thick! How in the world would she learn all of this? It was still late April, and the show opened on Midsummer Eve. That gave her nearly two months to prepare. Still, she shook her head. What had she gotten into?
Nothing you can’t handle, Ally’s voice said in her head. When the man called Eugene handed her the libretto, she flinched again. Another inch-thick book to memorize. Lord in heaven!
“Today we’re simply going to do a read-through of the written part of the musicale,” Zach said. “I’d like all of the starring and supporting roles to come join me on stage and take a seat in one of the chairs behind me. Small roles and chorus may stay in the audience for now.”
Sophie inhaled a deep breath and stood, making her way to the stage. She chose a chair on the end, so as not to bring too much attention to herself. She looked hurriedly through the libretto and found her character, Lady Eliza Canterbury. Lady Eliza was a woman of the peerage who fell in love with a commoner living on her father’s land.
Zach himself played the role of the commoner, Brendan Smith.
Papers rustled as the actors and actresses took their places on stage and opened their librettos. Zach finally took a seat with the rest of them, opposite Sophie.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s begin our first read-through of Love on a Midsummer Night by the Earl of Thornton.”
Sophie’s voice cracked on her first line, but soon her nerves stopped skittering and she became immersed in the enchanting story unfolding before her. Zach had done an amazing job with these words. Perhaps memorizing her part would not be such a problem. She’d been hoping she would sing on this first day, but the read-through went until noon. Zach dismissed everyone for the day right before lunch, telling them to take their music home and work through it themselves. Tomorrow morning, they would break up into groups and practice the music and then do another read-through in the afternoon, including the music.
Sophie shook her head. She was decent at the pianoforte, but this music was difficult. Still, she could play it note by note and learn it this afternoon. It would keep her busy and keep her mind off of Ally.
Zach cornered her on her way out. “Lady Sophie, could I see you in my office, please?”
She bit her lip worriedly. “Yes, of course…Mr. Newland.”
He led her to his office and closed the door. Before she knew it, he had pushed her against the door and clamped his lips onto hers. The kiss was slow and deliberate, loving and caring. But within moments, it became hot and passionate, demanding and searching. Sophie responded in spite of herself, yearning for him, leaning into him, and pressing herself to him.
After several frenzied moments, Zach broke the kiss. He hit his forehead on the wall. “Forgive me. I know you must still be worried and upset about your sister. But ever since I saw you walk into the theatre this morning, I had to have a taste of you.”
Sophie’s breath came in rapid puffs. She nodded, trying to speak, but no words emerged.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to talk,” Zach said. “How is your sister doing?”
“Better,” Sophie said. “She woke up last night, and I had a chance to speak with her. She seems better. I just don’t know if…”
“Know if what?”
“I don’t know if Evan has told her that she’ll never have more children.”
“She is strong, your sister. She will accept her lot. She has two beautiful babies. She will be fine.”
Sophie nodded, hoping Zach spoke the truth. She bit her lip. “Zach, you know I’ve never performed before…”
“What is it?”
“The music and the libretto—they’re so much…more comprehensive than I expected them to be.”
“Yes, it is a little daunting at first. But realize that, even with a leading role, only about a quarter of those words and music are yours.”
Sophie let out a shaky laugh. “That’s still an awful lot to learn.”
“It is. But I wouldn’t have given you the role if I didn’t think you were more than capable of doing it. You’re a smart young lady, Sophie, with an incredible talent. We’ll be working long and hard on this production, and there will be some late nights for you because I want you to have extra voice instruction.”
“But I thought you loved my voice.”
“I do. The reason for the extra instruction is to teach you how to sing in a healthy way, so you won’t strain your vocal cords. You’re going to be singing for hours and hours each day, and if you don’t do it correctly, you will lose your voice.”
There was so much Sophie didn’t know about all of this. “Who will be instructing me?”
“I’ll handle some of the instruction myself, but I’m also bringing in a female professional singer—she has an amazing voice—who will be able to teach you nuances that I, as a male, cannot.”
“When will these extra voice lessons begin?”
“Probably tomorrow evening, after rehearsal.”
Sophie bit her lip again, worried.
“Is something the matter?”
“Oh, no. It’s just…I’ll be away from the estate so much. And I really did want to keep an eye on Ally.”
“I understand.” He looked at her, his forehead creasing. “Perhaps we could make arrangements to do the extra instructions at your estate. Dame Helga—she’s the soprano you’ll be working with—and I could come to the estate three or four evenings a week, if that would be amenable to you and your family.”
Dame Helga? The name sounded slightly familiar to Sophie. “If this Dame Helga is as remarkable as you say she is, why isn’t she the lead soprano?”
Zach let out a resounding jovial laugh. “She’s sixty-six years old, Sophie. I don’t think she can accurately portray a twenty-year-old lady of the peerage on stage.”
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. In the midst of her mirth, Zach leaned down and kissed her once again. His firm lips made her knees quiver. He reached for the doorknob, and she heard the lock on his door click softly. What about luncheon? And what about rehearsing the music on her own this afternoon?
Well, if Zach wasn’t worried about that, why should she be?
He turned her around so she faced the closed door, unbuttoned her dress, and brushed it softly over her shoulders. He loosened her corset and removed it. Sophie throbbed between her legs. Zach turned her back around to face him and pushed her chemise over her shoulders. Soon she stood naked and vulnerable except for her drawers.
“How is it,” she asked, chewing on her bottom lip again, “that I always end up naked and you fully clothed?”
He smiled. “We can take care of that if you would like.” He removed his jacket and loosened his cravat.
Sophie longed to reach forward and tear off his shirt, but her timidity did not allow it. Instead, Zach unbuttoned his shirt, and Sophie swallowed, her skin heating as each new inch of golden skin was exposed. The mahogany hairs over his nipples and chest drew her gaze. So very glorious.
When his shirt was in a white heap on the floor, Zach began to work on his britches. Sophie’s nerves scampered across her skin. She had never seen this part of him, though she had felt it through his trousers. Even now, the large bulge unnerved her. He unbuckled his belt and unbuttoned his trousers. When he brushed them down his thighs, he stood in front of her wearing only his drawers. A small wet spot the size of a pea dampened the fabric. What might that be?
Slowly, Zach brushed his drawers over his hips and down his thighs. Sophie widened her eyes. His…cock—good Lord, the word “cock!”—stood at attention, springing from a bush of auburn curls. She couldn’t help staring. It was large—
larger than she had ever thought possible. The tip of it wept slightly, explaining the tiny spot of moisture on his drawers. It was majestic and magnificent, with two veins swirling around it like marbling.
She resisted the urge to reach for it.
Zach let out a happy laugh.
Sophie had no idea what was so funny. “What is it?”
“Here I stand, hard as granite and ready to take you, and I forgot one very important detail.”
“What might that be?”
Zach looked down. “I forgot to take off my boots first.”
Sophie erupted in peals of giggles. She hadn’t even considered his boots. In fact, she couldn’t even remember how her own shoes had come off during their previous encounters. Zach must have taken care of it like he took care of everything. Even now she stood, her shoes and stockings still on her feet.
Zach pulled off his boots and discarded his stockings and other garments. Then he knelt to Sophie and unlaced her shoes, removing them along with her stockings.
For once, Sophie was less naked than Zach was. She still had her drawers on. She smiled, her gaze still drawn to his cock.
“You can touch it if you want,” he said.
She gave him a small smile.
He took her hand and led it to his erection. “Please, touch me, Sophie. I want you to. I need you to. Every night I fall asleep dreaming of your hands on me, pleasuring me, your lips kissing me.”
Sophie unclenched her hand and timidly touched his penis. It was warm—so warm and so very hard. Her pussy throbbed. How might it feel inside her? Should she put her lips around it? Ally had told her men like that…a lot.
“Yes, yes, sweet. Just like that. Your touch feels so good. Ignite the fire within me.”
Zach put his hand over hers, guiding her, showing her how to touch him, how to find his rhythm. She had never imagined that a cock would have a rhythm, but it did, and it matched perfectly the throbbing inside her. Zach moved his other hand toward her breasts and tweaked a nipple. She jerked, sensation traveling like lightning from her skin inward, culminating in the warm spot between her legs.
