by HELEN HARDT
Sophie smiled. “Actually, Zach, it explains perfectly. You had so little control of your own life. It makes perfect sense that you would want to exert control in the one place that you could—the bedchamber.”
“That makes a little bit of sense, but now I own my own theatre. I have complete control over everything in my life.”
“But you didn’t always. You were dependent on others for your very existence for much of your life. That is when our psyches are formed. I no longer have Ally taking beatings for me, but somehow I seem to feel guilty for all that she took all those years ago, and it makes me crave them now.”
“Well, as I said, that’s just a theory.”
“And while you have a lot of control now, you still don’t have total control. When you were framed for Nanette’s murder, you didn’t have control, even though you knew you were innocent. Perhaps that is why you went so far today.”
Zach furrowed his brow. Was this making sense to him?
“Perhaps,” he said finally. “But again, just a theory.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “They are just theories.”
“I suppose what is important, Sophie, is that we both have something the other person needs.” He ran a soft cloth between her breasts. “The truth is…I have very intense feelings for you.”
Sophie shivered. Was the water getting cold? No, it was still nice and warm. The shivering came from the inside. “I have feelings for you too. You must know that I would not have been intimate with you if I hadn’t sensed something special in you.”
“I do know that. And the fact of the matter is…” He drew in a breath. “I have fallen in love with you, Sophie MacIntyre.”
Sophie’s heart raced, and sunshine exploded within her. She rose from the tub, dripping, and jumped into Zach’s arms.
Zach laughed. “Does that mean you’re happy about my revelation?”
“Happy? I’m ecstatic. And I love you too, Zach. Completely.”
“Well, since your father has demanded that I do right by you, he shouldn’t balk at us marrying.”
“I love my stepfather, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me, Ally, and our mother. But I am of age, Zach. He can’t force me to marry anyone. I choose you of my own accord.”
“Then you’ll marry me?” he asked.
“Of course I will.” Sophie smiled.
Zach twirled her around, splattering water all over the bath chamber. He squeezed one globe of her bottom and then jerked backward, nearly dropping her. “I’m so sorry. You’re probably still sore.”
“Really, do you think I care? I, timid Sophie MacIntyre, just received an offer of marriage from an amazing, handsome, wonderful man. Zach, I truly thought I was destined for spinsterhood.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” He smiled. “I’ll take care of you, my love. Your stepfather may not believe I’m worthy, but the theatre is a good business.”
“Of course it is, and I’ll be happy to perform for you as often as you like.”
“Would you still? After marriage?”
“Of course. Why would I give something up that has brought so much joy to my life? I want to be part of the theatre, Zach. It’s a huge part of your life, and now it will be a huge part of mine.”
“Then we’ll run it together, my charming soon-to-be Mrs. Newland. I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
She winked. “Not anything?”
He laughed. “Perhaps a few things.” He carried her to the bed, placed a pillow under her bum, spread her legs, and kissed her in her most private area. “I’m going to feast on you, Sophie, my lovely wife-to-be. I’m going to eat you until you come and come again and are begging for me to stop.”
Sophie spread her legs eagerly, and Zach dived between them, sucking on her clitoris, sliding his tongue through her slick folds.
“You taste so delicious. I will never tire of eating you.”
Eating her… Words she’d considered vulgar a mere few weeks ago. Now they aroused her. She wanted him to eat her. She would gladly spread her legs for him whenever he asked.
He pushed her thighs forward and slid his tongue across that most private place. “One day, my love.”
Sophie nodded against the comforter. She had read of the act in the story of Lord and Lady Peacock. Angelica got taken in the arse, and Poppea did it to herself with a… Well, in the story, it was called a glass phallus. Perhaps another name existed for it. She would ask Ally.
“Such a bewitching little puckered hole, my Sophie. It’s a tight heaven, I tell you.” He slid his tongue over it again.
She shivered—such an intense feeling. Who knew such a forbidden place could create so much pleasure?
She felt his tongue probing and even entering it. Then he moved back to her pussy and then up farther, meeting her gaze, his chin glistening. “My love, may I show you the hidden joys of this little gem?”
Sophie nodded. She could not deny him anything now. She had already given him so much more than she’d ever given anyone, had ever even thought of giving anyone.
He smiled. “You won’t regret this, sweet.”
He glided his tongue along her anus again and again, and just when she was getting used to the amazing sensation, his fingertip slid inside the tight hole.
She jerked, the burning pain invading her senses.
“Breathe, Sophie. You will adjust. Give it a few seconds.”
She let out the breath she only then realized she’d been holding.
“Trust me,” he said soothingly. “Trust me.”
She did trust him. With her life, in fact. She let out the breath again and forced herself to relax. Soon the pain was gone, and he was slipping his finger slowly in and out of her anal opening. He leaned down and took her pussy in his mouth while still finger-fucking her arsehole.
Oh, the pleasure—such that she never imagined. A few more seconds of his tongue tantalizing her, and she shattered into a euphoric climax.
When she had come back to earth, she opened her eyes and found his head between her legs, his gaze meeting hers.
“Again,” he said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Six Weeks Later
Sophie took her second, third, and then an unprecedented fourth curtain call after the finale of Love on a Midsummer Night. A total of four dozen red roses were handed to her, from Zach, from the director, and from two of the theatres’ benefactors.
Life had been good these past several weeks. The ominous notes had stopped, despite the fact that Mr. Bertram, still incarcerated, maintained his innocence. Though she and Zach hadn’t been able to spend a lot of alone time together due to their unrelenting schedules, they constantly stole looks at one another during rehearsals, reminding each other of their love. Ally had recovered, and babies Maureen and Sophie were thriving.
Yes, life was good.
Breathless and exhausted, Sophie left the stage for the dressing room. She was waylaid by Ally and Evan, her mother and the earl, Lily and the duke, and Rose, who had accompanied Lily and the duke because Cameron was working the performance.
Ally looked radiant, her chestnut hair pulled up and tumbling over her neck in ringlets. Her golden eyes were dancing. She pulled Sophie into a fierce hug. “Oh, my darling, you were absolutely spectacular. Your voice never sounded sweeter. You will be the toast of the town in no time.”
Sophie couldn’t speak. She just smiled.
“My dear Sophie,” her mother said, “you are positively glowing.”
Sophie didn’t doubt it. She was warm and clammy and on top of the world.
Everyone wanted a hug, and everyone wanted to congratulate her. She appreciated it, she truly did, but she really wanted to see Zach. He had disappeared after the curtain calls, no doubt to his office.
She finally forced herself to speak. “Thank you all for coming. I do so appreciate your support. And I’m so glad you enjoyed the show. Rose, Cam is a genius. His music and Zach’s words were a joy to sing. They
made me look good.”
“Don’t be silly,” Rose said. “Cam and Mr. Newland are both geniuses, but so are you.”
The others all agreed, hugging Sophie again. She was blessed to have such a loving and supportive family. Most of all, she was betrothed to the most wonderful man in the world. Sophie missed him. They had sneaked in some kisses when they could, but Sophie was looking forward to spending some quality time with her husband-to-be.
Tomorrow was Sunday, and Zach had promised the cast a day off—the first since May Day. Sophie planned to surprise Zach at his townhome and spend the day in his bed.
She finally broke away from her family, and instead of going straight to the ladies’ dressing room, she made a detour to Zach’s office. She was surprised to find it dark. She opened the door, but still blackness greeted her. Zach was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he was in the men’s dressing room, removing his stage makeup and changing into street clothes.
Sophie made her way to the ladies’ dressing room to do the same. The ladies applauded when she entered, and Sophie’s heart melted. They had finally opened up to her and accepted her. She had proved her worth during the grueling six weeks of rehearsal, working as hard or harder than they all did. She would not be seen as a pampered lady of the peerage. And truth be told, she was not a pampered lady of the peerage. She had probably grown up in worse circumstances than they had.
After removing her stage makeup as best she could, she changed back into her street clothes with the help of one of the dressers.
She quickly ran past Zach’s office. Still dark. So she strode to the men’s dressing room and waited outside. When one of the male cast members came out, she said, “Barrington, have you seen Mr. Newland?”
“I’m sorry, Lady Sophie. I didn’t see him the entire time I was in the dressing room.”
Sophie wrinkled her forehead. “That is odd. He’s not in his office either.”
“Perhaps he had business to attend to with benefactors. I’m sure he’ll turn up. Have a pleasing day off on the morrow.”
“Yes, thank you. You do the same.”
The man disappeared down the hallway.
Well, Sophie couldn’t stick around waiting for Zach. Mother and the earl were holding their coach for her, and she didn’t want to keep them waiting any longer. She let out a sigh and headed for the lobby.
On second thought, she went back to the dressing room. She wanted to take some of her roses home to grace the estate. She grabbed one of the bouquets, and a small envelope dropped out of it and onto the floor.
“Curious,” she said aloud. She picked up the small parchment and opened it. Her heart nearly stopped.
Only one more obstacle to go… You will be mine.
* * *
Zach awoke on the floor of his bedchamber. He opened his eyes. Where was he? And how had he gotten here? Through his blurry vision, he saw his hand lying next to him, soaked in something red and sticky. Blood. He lifted his hand and balled up the blood between his fingers. He lifted his head— Augh! Big mistake. His skull throbbed, as if someone were hammering inside his brain. Where was the blood coming from? He touched his forehead lightly, his hair stiff and sticky.
Fractured images came back to him. He’d been waylaid after the performance by a gentleman who was asking questions about donating to the theatre. He had walked the man out to his coach…
That’s the last he remembered. Had the man hit him in the head? Slipped something in a drink? Yes, they’d had a drink. Here at his home? Think, Zach. Think. What had happened?
It was still dark. What time must it be? He was alive, so perhaps he hadn’t been hurt that badly. The wound on his head seemed to have stopped bleeding. He should get up and take a look in the looking glass, but he couldn’t seem to move.
Sophie. Where was Sophie? His heart started thundering. She would have gone home with her parents. Of course. God, please let her be all right.
His lips were parched and his tongue dry. If only he could get up for a dipper of water… He could feel his legs but couldn’t seem to move them. He gathered all his strength… His legs moved slightly, twitching, but he couldn’t focus enough to sit up.
Objects began to blur. His hound dog, Rufus, entered the room, sniffing. He licked Zach’s face. It felt kind of like a mini massage… His consciousness wavered, and he fell back into oblivion.
* * *
“Thank you,” Sophie said to the coachman as he helped her down. “Please be back for me in a couple of hours. On second thought, stay for a few moments. If Mr. Newland is not at home, I will be back out.”
“Yes, my lady.”
It was a glorious morning in Bath. The sun shone over the city. Sophie knew better than to inhale. City air was not nearly as fresh as the country air at the estate. Still, the town was pretty, and Zach’s townhome sat in a nice little neighborhood.
If only Sophie could enjoy it. Worry bubbled in her gut. She hadn’t told anyone about the note. She wanted to speak to Zach about it first. Perhaps Mr. Bertram was innocent after all.
She rapped on the front door.
No answer.
Hmm, strange. She rapped again. Finally, Zach’s butler answered the door. “Lady Sophie, I thought you would be at the hospital.”
She widened her eyes, her heart hammering. “Hospital? What do you mean?”
“Mr. Newland is at the hospital. His valet found him this morning in his bedroom, unconscious with a wound to the head.”
Sophie gulped. Dear God… The note… The obstacle…
Forgetting niceties, she turned and ran from the butler and back down to the coach. “Take me to the hospital,” she yelled to the driver.
“Yes, my lady.”
Sophie bit her lip and fidgeted with her hands during the entire drive. She tried to assuage herself with the knowledge that hospitals were no longer places where people went to die. The one in Bath possessed the most up-to-date equipment and the most knowledgeable staff. Last year, Cameron’s little sister, Katrina, had spent some time there when she was stricken with an infectious illness. She came home good as new.
So would Zach.
Sophie had to believe that.
She could not lose Zach. A tear fell down her cheek. She just could not.
The hospital smelled of alcohol and ether. Nurses floated around in the long black gowns with white pinafores across their chests and white hats on their heads. Sophie ran up to the desk clerk. “I need to see Mr. Zachary Newland.”
“Are you a family member of Mr. Newland?”
“Well, we are going to be married.”
“I’m afraid there is no next of kin listed on Mr. Newland’s paperwork,” the clerk said. “Therefore, you will not be allowed to see him, but I can check with his doctor and get a report for you.”
Sophie bit her lip. That would have to do. “Thank you. I would appreciate it.”
The clerk left her station and returned a few moments later with a man Sophie recognized.
“Dr. Blake,” she said, “are you Zach’s doctor?”
Blake nodded. “Lady Sophie, I hear you’re asking about Mr. Newland.”
“Yes, anything you can tell me?”
“He was apparently drugged with something in a beverage. We don’t know exactly what, but his vital signs are good and we expect him to recover.”
“What about the head wound?”
“It was superficial. Luckily, the bleeding stopped on its own. He has a mild concussion, but he will recover.”
“When will he be released? We’re in the middle of the production.”
“I understand that, my lady. He will probably be released in a few days. His understudy may have to take the role for a couple performances.”
Sophie’s heart fell. Zach never missed a performance. But his health and well-being were more important. She thanked God he was all right.
“Thank you so much, Doctor. I’m so very relieved.”
“Not at all, my lady. If you will excuse me.” He
nodded, turned, and walked down the corridor.
Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. At least Zach was safe. But who had sent that ominous note to her last evening? She had been on top of the world and hadn’t let it sink in as much as it should have.
She rode home in the carriage. The time had come to tell her mother and stepfather about the new note. She wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.
She found her stepfather and mother in the main parlor, which had been completely redecorated after the birth of Ally’s twins. “Mother, my lord, I need to speak to you both.”
“Of course.” Iris looked up. “What is it, Sophie?”
“I…I received another one of those notes last night after the show.”
The earl stood upright from the divan. “What?”
“I received another note. It was in one of the bouquets of roses.” She pulled the note out of her pocket and handed it to him.
Brighton cleared his throat. “I’m no expert, but the penmanship does seem to be similar to the others. However, there is a suspect in custody—Mr. Bertram—and our own Graves found him writing the notes.”
“He has maintained his innocence this whole time,” Iris reminded her husband.
Brighton nodded. “It is curious… Sophie, I’m afraid you won’t be able to do any more performing until—”
Sophie stomped her foot. “No! I will not allow this man to control me. I was controlled by a man my whole life until Father died. So were you, Mother. I was a sensation last night. I will continue being in the show.”
“Sophie!” Iris shook her head. “What has gotten into you? You cannot speak to David like that. This is so unlike you.”
“Maybe I’ve changed, Mother. Maybe I’m not timid little Sophie who never causes any trouble anymore. I will perform. It’s bad enough that the leading man will have to miss a few shows.”
“Mr. Newland? What are you talking about?” Iris asked.
“Zach was attacked in his home last night. He is in the hospital recovering from poisoning and a head wound.”
