“Only after I caught you sniffing his pillow.” The incident had happened the same day Sophia had toured Morris’ gardens. Genie had later revealed that she and Francis had been seeing one another in secret because of some oath he’d made to her father many years ago that prevented him from being with her. Now, it seemed Francis was not only no longer obliged to Genie’s father’s oath but he was also no longer impoverished. Morris and a few others had uncovered a conspiracy that now made Francis one of the wealthiest men in London by being controlling owner of a large import company.
Francis was also Genie’s official fiancé as well. The couple was happy, just as Lorena was happy with Emmett and Alice was happy with Calvin. None of them were married yet for their own reasons but it was only a matter of time.
“I’ve caught you.” Genie pointed a finger at her. “Therefore, you must tell me everything now.”
Sophia groaned. “Is that a new Spinster’s Law?” They did have quite a few already.
“Yes!” Genie grinned. “I’ll tell the others so that we make sure everyone is aware. If one of us catches the other in a compromising position then the offender must reveal all their secrets.”
Sophia didn’t like this new rule, especially when it overlapped secrets that she’d made with others. “You can’t tell the others about Morris and me.”
“What are you talking about?” Lorena stepped out of her room and stared at them. “What are you and Morris up to?”
Sophia’s throat closed. The very last person she wished to know about her secret was Lorena.
She watched as excitement lit her friend’s eyes right before Lorena rushed over. “Oh, has something happened? Are you in love with Morris?”
“Love?” Sophia laughed. “Let us all calm down.” Nervousness had her twitching. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been caught doing anything. She had a feeling that Morris had indeed wished for them to get caught. But why?
“I don’t wish to calm,” Genie said. “I’m much too excited.” She joined Lorena in a squeal of pleasure.
“What’s the matter?” Maura stuck her head out her door, her slim fingers wrapped around the doorframe. She was the innocent sweet version of her cousin Lorena.
“Sophia is in love with Morris,” Lorena told her directly.
Maura’s eyes lit up.
Sophia touched her heart for fear it would fly out of her chest. “I didn’t say that. I never said I was in love.”
Lorena took her hand. “It’s time for a Spinsters’ meeting. Genie, go and get Alice immediately. Tell her this is life or death.”
Sophia broke out into a sweat. “This is not life or death.”
Genie rushed off to do as she was told while Sophia allowed Lorena to marched her down to the family’s private drawing room. Once there were inside, Lorena pushed her into a chair and then fell in beside her, grinning wildly.
“Lorena.”
“Shh,” Lorena whispered.
“But truly, you must know—”
“Wait for the others.” Lorena hugged her arm and turned to the door.
Genie returned with Alice, who wore a curious expression.
“Why have we all gathered?” Alice asked.
“Sophia is in love with Morris,” Lorena told her.
Alice blinked and rushed to Sophia. “Oh, I’m so happy for you.”
Sophia accepted the hug but said, “Why would you be happy? Even if I was in love with the duke, it doesn’t mean he has any feelings for me at all.” It didn’t mean there would be a future for them that wasn’t solely based on sex.
“What happened?” Alice remained close to Sophia.
Lorena said, “I don’t know.” She looked at Genie.
Genie simply smiled. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Sophia chuckled and thought in jest how lovely it was that Genie would leave her to give the important details. Never mind that it was Genie’s excitement that brought this all about. “Genie caught Morris and me in the servants’ stairway.” She started to rise. “Now if you will all excuse me. I must see to the party.”
She was all but attacked by everyone’s hands, pushing her back onto the couch. Even sweet Maura had joined in, grinning. That was when she knew she was doomed. Emotions piled one right after the other. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.
“When did this start?” Lorena asked.
Sophia decided to simply tell them everything in the hopes that they wouldn’t ask her too many questions. She started with the moment she and Morris met and ended with the scene at the stairwell. She did skip their rendezvous in the garden, though when she’d mentioned visiting Morris’ house Genie had smiled knowingly. Once she finished, she stood. “Now, I really must go.” The longcase clock told her she’d been with the woman for over thirty minutes. She hoped no one had needed her during that time. Before they could stop her again, she made it to the door.
“You must tell us the rest later,” Lorena told her.
She turned back. “There’s nothing else to say.”
“But you missed the most important parts.” Lorena leaned forward with a puzzled expression her face. “You left out all emotion.”
Emotion. She had no clue what to feel besides despair, and she hated to burden her friends with it. She smiled and left the same way she'd come, following the sound of a noisy group in the main hall. What she needed was a distraction, and she decided it would be with her guests.
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CHAPTER NINE
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The carriage made its way through the snow, the black horses and carriage a contrast to the white scene. Morris stood on the front steps. Earlier, he’d washed and changed in preparation for his mother’s arrival. He’d also prepared himself mentally and forced his friends who were either unmarried or unattached into hiding. Most of the brotherhood was holing themselves up in the parlor, playing cards and keeping out of sight.
He was under no illusion that, with the exception of Francis, Calvin, and Emmett, the others would willingly sleep with his mother. Her activities in bed were legendary. They only feared facing Morris’ wrath; some of them had already felt it. Julius and Hugh were his mother’s favorites out of his friends and both had stood at the end of Morris’ rifle and didn’t wish to do so again.
The carriage stopped at the bottom of the steps and a footman rushed forward to open the door. He smiled as his mother appeared from the black carriage dressed in a becoming brown coat. It was trimmed with dark fur that made her golden eyes stand out. She smiled as their eyes connected, her face seeming more cat-like, thus the reference of the Grand Lynx. She was a beauty.
She spoke to the footman as she climbed the steps and Morris groaned as he witnessed his mother wrap her hand around the young man’s arm. The footman’s face turned a red that was very noticeable in the weather.
Morris ran to meet her and pried her from the footman. “You couldn’t wait until you were at least inside, could you?”
Lillias Kidd laughed and clung to Morris. “Well, you told me not to prey on your friends during this visit.” She leaned her dark golden head against him quickly before looking at him again. “I’m so glad you invited me.”
“You’re my mother. Everyone invited their families.” He continued to escort her up the stairs, ignoring the shine he saw in her eyes. His mother had a way of making every man obey her wishes, including him. “It wouldn’t look well for me if I didn’t invite you. There are many people here.”
She stopped at the door the butler held open, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold, matching her upturned lips. “But that’s not why you did it. You did it for me.” She touched his cheek. “Sometimes, you can be a very good son.”
He tried to fight the pleasure her words gave him but knew it was no use. He was glad to see her and always enjoyed her
more when they were alone and there was no young gentleman for her to lure. She’d been a kind mother and Morris had never felt unloved by her. His only issue was that he was sure many a man could claim the same, had received far too much of her kindness and had felt another sort of her love.
He placed a hand on her back and helped her into the house. He turned and noticed Sophia there to greet her. She was dressed in the same lilac dress he’d seen her in earlier and just as breathtaking. She’d stolen his breath at their first encounter and Morris had never quite learned to breathe the same since. Her vivid green eyes smiled at the sight of his mother, her expression clear, though he did enjoy the clever gleam that always seemed to be held back. Her black hair had been repinned as he’d had a hand in making more than one well-placed curl fall. He wanted to see that black coat of hair surround him in bed.
Sophia moved to Lillias and Morris did the introductions. “I’m so very glad you are here.”
“My, you’re pretty,” his mother said, touching Sophia’s chin as though she had every right. “So very beautiful.” She turned to Morris. “Don’t you think so?” Her expression was watchful.
Had he given himself away by staring at her?
Sophia laughed and pulled herself out of the Grand Lynx’s hold. “Oh, you are very kind, Your Grace.” She offered Morris a small smile before turning back to his mother. “If there is anything you wish, you only need ask.”
Lillias sighed as the butler took her coat to reveal a very low-cut blue dress. “Oh, I believe I’ll manage.”
Morris had no doubt that she would. His only hope was that she would pick a target and stick to him for the remainder of the trip, leaving his friends alone.
Sophia turned as her father and uncle arrived. “Lady Cort, I would like you to meet my uncle, the Viscount of Dovehaven, and my father, Mr. Taylor.” Morris looked at the two distinguished gentlemen and was only able to tell them apart by Sophia’s introduction. The twins’ resemblance always made Morris slightly uncomfortable. He’d known Mr. Taylor for months and yet when the brotherhood had met the viscount, Morris had only been able to tell the men apart by their clothing on each occasion. They both had Sophia’s deep green eyes and black hair, and they managed to both be graying in the same way, which did nothing to enhance their age. It only made them both appear more noble.
The gentlemen bowed.
Lillias did a dramatic curtsey and let her eyes dance between the two. Her slight awestruck expression was only caught by the one who knew her best.
Morris stiffened and watched the predator in his mother arise, the come-hither smile float on her lips. His mother only set her sights on young men. The fact that she would find either of the Taylors appealing hadn’t occurred to him.
Mr. Taylor chuckled as though aware of what was happening.
Lillias’ eyes snapped to him. “Mr. Taylor, would you be so kind as to give me a tour?”
He smiled and Morris played witness to the two most sexually charged people he knew at their first encounter, both renown in their own right.
The tailor held out his hand. “I’ve not lived here in so many years. I’m afraid I’m only acquainted with a few of the rooms.”
Morris groaned. It couldn’t be clearer that he was inviting her to the room he probably knew best: bedchamber.
“Mr. Taylor. “
“Father.”
He and Sophia had spoken at the same time.
His mother laughed and took his hand. “That’s quite all right. I assure you that anywhere we go will be most pleasurable.” She all but purred her words, using the voice she used to bait her victims.
The viscount coughed into his hand.
Mr. Taylor pulled his mother closer and his eyes grew serious, the air around them seeming to thicken. “Prepare to be astounded.” He was making it clear that he’d not be the victim in their encounter.
The duchess blinked and allowed herself to be led away.
The viscount laughed and said, “If you’ll excuse me. I must see to some guests.” He bowed and hurried from the room.
Morris turned to Sophia. “Allow me to apologize on my family’s behalf. I had no clue your father would be targeted.”
Sophia sighed and looked in the direction their parents had disappeared. “No, I should have known this would happen. My father knows exactly how your mother is and he’s not stood at the door to greet any other guest. He all but planned to have her.” She looked at him. “Does that bother you?”
“Yes.” He let out a heavy breath. “But I’m sorry to say that I’d rather it be your father than my friends. Julius and Hugh went missing for weeks before anyone was able to find them. I’m sure your father can handle himself.”
“Let us hope your mother can as well.”
He placed a hand on her back and began to usher her toward the breakfast room. “Be prepared to not see your father for the next few days.”
Sophia’s laugh seemed to soothe away all his worries.
He was glad to find the breakfast room empty.
She turned to him. “Breakfast was served nearly an hour ago.”
“And I imagine you have yet to eat.”
She touched the table linen as though to expect its cleanliness. “I haven’t eaten. I’ve had so much to do.”
He pulled out a chair. “Sit. I’ll have something prepared for you.”
She shook her head. “Later. I still must see to the children’s room.” She made a move to leave.
Morris wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, seeming unable to be around her for long and not hold her. Her body was soft against his and the fragrance of frankincense lifted from her warm skin, the scent sweet like honey.
She placed her hands on his arms and glared. “Morris, anyone can catch us.”
“Let them.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you know what will happen if I am compromised?”
“Yes, we’ll both get exactly what we want, each other.” He’d set his heart on Sophia. “I want you for my wife.”
Her face hardened. “You didn’t at first.”
“I was a fool then.” He regretted that time with the fear that it would always stand between them.
“Let me go.”
“Eat and I will.”
She pushed his arms. “Fine.” She moved to the seat he’d pulled out and he pushed her in.
He let his lips trail her throat before whispering, “I’ll be right back.”
He left to speak to a footman about bringing her a meal and then returned to find that a lady had joined them. He didn’t allow his disappointment to show as he took a chair at the small table, returning the smile. “Lady Beth.” He bowed.
Lady Beth Ashford stood and curtseyed before quickly retaking her seat. “Lord Cort, are you to join us for breakfast?” Her blue eyes danced with joy at the prospect, though Morris knew very well that the woman had known of his plans and had sought him out. For the last week, he’d been unable to make a move without the lady or her mother appearing out of thin air with the same agenda, seeing that the young Lady Ashford married the duke.
Sophia smiled and that gleam in her eyes said she knew what the lady was up to as well.
He held back a groan as took his seat just as a footman arrived. Morris accepted the coffee that was poured and watched Sophia help herself to the dishes before her. Lady Beth did the same but took smaller portions.
The lady laughed as she looked at Sophia’s plate. “Are you truly going to eat all of that?”
Sophia smiled politely. “Why, yes, I believe I will, Lady Beth.”
Morris couldn’t help but take notice of the difference in the two women. Sophia was more rounded in every place that counted as opposed to the very thin Lady Beth. He could see the lady’s appeal. She was pretty and well-bred but Morris was through looking for a wife. He had every intention of making that woman Sophia.
Sophia changed the subject. “How was ice skating this morning?”
“Oh, wonderfu
l.” Beth turned her blond head to Morris. “Do you enjoy skating, Your Grace?”
“No.” He took another sip and put his cup down.
The lady picked up her tea. “Oh, yes, I was told that you and some of the others went hunting. Did you bring in anything?”
“A fox or two.” He watched Sophia eat, keeping to her word of eating everything on her plate.
“How extraordinary.” Beth’s voice was breathy but changed before she spoke to Sophia. “I believe there was a lord who wrote a book on the subject of hunting. Miss Sophia, do you know if your library contains it?”
Sophia wiped her mouth. “I’m unsure.”
“Would you be a dear and find out?” Her expression made it clear that she wished for Sophia to leave the table all the while she was the one who was interrupting. She spoke to Sophia as though she were nothing more than a servant and perhaps in the eyes of a lord’s daughter, that was all Sophia was to her.
She made this clearer with her next words. “You do organize these events so well. I do say if you weren’t so good at writing, you’d make a very fine housekeeper.”
Morris put down his coffee. “Lady Beth—”
Sophia stood. “Thank you, Lady Beth. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must go look for that book.”
Lady Beth smiled at Sophia’s retreating back and turned to Morris. “You know my father believes you’ll make a fine Prime Minister with the right woman on your arm. You do realize that he is close friends with the king?” She waited for his reply.
Morris pressed his lips together and remembered the reason he trod lightly around the woman. Still, there was no excuse for Lady Beth’s comments. “I shall thank your father for his vote of confidence.” He paused. “Lady Beth, surely you believe that Miss Sophia is much too fine a woman for housekeeping. As the niece of a viscount, she’s nearly gently bred.”
Lady Beth laughed. “Oh, but nearly is not the same as actually being, is it?” She tsked. “Your Grace, a woman like Miss Sophia will hardly be accepted amongst the ton. She’s a by-blow.”
Miss Sophia's Spirited Spinster's Society (The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 7
