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Sophia stood next to Sidney as she delivered her vows of devotion to Wildeburg. Her experiment ended with her falling in love. Sidney had set out to expose to London the gentlemen of the ton with examples of their unsavory behavior. However, she became involved in her own scandal. Oh, for a scandal to end so promising. The couple was hopelessly in love, and Sophia had helped guide them to this stage in their life.
Her glance slid from them having their first kiss as a married couple to the best man standing next to Wildeburg. Sheffield stood with a frown as he watched the bride and groom, his lips twisting in disapproval. Wilde confused Sophia when he asked Sheffield to stand up with him. Why would any man rejected by the bride be the best man for the groom who stole his fiancée away? Best friend or not, it only drew the throngs to the ceremony. The overcrowded church expected a scene but held disappointment, because all they witnessed was the love of Sidney and Noah.
Sophia's thought changed into more of a sensual nature. As she watched his mouth, all she could imagine was coaxing the frown into a smile. Her tongue tracing his full lips open so she could explore him. Would he taste like whiskey again? She licked her lips as her gaze rose to lock with his. Her eyes widened, but she couldn’t look away. His dark stare froze her in place. His eyes narrowed in confusion and he tilted his head in his condescending way, cocking his eyebrow at her glance. She was as bad as Sidney. Sidney explained how she looked at the gentlemen with the same perusal they did to her. Sophia felt the heat of a blush spreading across her face.
What on earth was she staring at? Sophia Turlington was a strange chit. He pulled his handkerchief out of his pocket and made a swipe across his mouth. Did Grimes leave a spot of shaving cream on his lips? As she continued to stare, he waited for her gaze to meet his. He wanted to give her a look that anybody else would glance away from. But she didn’t. When her eyes met his, she continued to stare. He also noticed the blush spreading across her cheeks. Well, at least she was embarrassed that he caught her gawking. When her glance still didn’t waver, he shook his head and looked away. It would appear his day would be a long one.
When Wilde approached him with the question to be his best man, Alex had conceded his loss and agreed. He didn't want to lose his friendship with Wilde over a matter of little importance to him. Sidney Hartridge was only a piece to a puzzle in his life. A piece in the end that didn’t fit. He was frustrated that Wilde once again had beaten him. Even though he never held a chance to begin with. Now he was saddled with Lady Sophia for the day. Since they stood with Wilde and Sidney at the altar, they were now the honorary guests at the wedding reception. They would be seated together at the bridal table and offer toasts to the happily wedded couple. It was their role to mingle with the other guests. Also, he had that ridiculous apology to make. Belle would hear if he didn’t.
Lady Sophia was to ride in his carriage to the reception. There he would offer his apology and agree to a pleasant afternoon for appearance’s sake. That should appease Belle enough into making his proposition to Violet.
The church echoed with applause at the married couple. As the pews emptied to proceed to the reception Sheffield offered his arm to Lady Sophia. He noticed her reluctance as she slid her hand onto his forearm. Her touch was light and not clingy. Most women, when granted his arm, stated their presence by clinging and pressing their body to his side in a most unbearable situation. However, she was a lady personified, with her soft touch and her skirts only brushing across his trousers occasionally as they walked along the aisle. She didn't try to press her breasts to his arm or smother him with perfume. Actually, she smelled sweet. It was a fragrance he couldn’t quite recall, and he racked his mind for the memory. He couldn’t remember where he caught a whiff of it before. Oh, well it did not matter. For after today, his time spent with Lady Sophia would only be at a minimum. Just because they were both friends with the bride and groom didn't mean they would engage much.
Sophia tried to stay calm as her hand rested on his arm. She wanted to press tighter to feel his strength. However, she resisted. His scent was as intoxicating today as it was on the other occasions she was in his presence. As he escorted her out of the church and handed her into his carriage, she waited for his grandmother to join them. Except he closed the door and tapped on the roof, ordering the driver to take them to the Hartridge’s.
“Shouldn’t we wait for your grandmother?”
“No, she has joined Lord and Lady Hartridge in their carriage. I wanted a few moments alone with you before the reception.”
“This is highly improper. If you escort me into the reception alone, there will be talk,” Sophia declared as she settled into the seat.
“There will be no gossip. Nobody would dare to whisper a word regarding my behavior. Also relax, I have no plans to maul you.”
“Mmm, your past behavior speaks otherwise. You are a conceited arse, aren’t you?”
“Arse? What language coming from a lady such as yourself. But then again, you are no lady are you, Sophia?”
Sophia stilled in suspicion. Did he discover it was her at Madame Belle’s?
“What are you implying, Your Grace?”
Sheffield sighed. This wasn't what he'd intended. Instead of apologizing, he'd insulted her. He ran his hand through his hair, frustrated at the position he put himself in.
“Nothing,” he mumbled.
Now she was more confused than ever. Did he know? Impossible. If he knew her to be the lady in the mask, he would have exposed her. It was in his nature. Sophia sighed as she relaxed against the carriage cushions. Her secret was safe. For now, anyway. He must be referring to all the times she called him on his rude behavior. She waited for him to speak as she stared out the window. The passing scenery was homes filled with beautiful landscapes. One day, Sophia hoped to have a house of her own where she could make a home with a loving husband. Where their children would run the grounds playing their silly games. Sidney had embarked on that journey today.
Her sigh echoed loudly around the silent carriage. Her glance swept to Sheffield to see he paid no attention to her and was deep in thought. If he only knew that he consumed hers. For the image of the loving husband that kept floating in her mind was of him. Which was preposterous. There was not a loving bone in his body. Sexual yes, but loving, no. Plus, if he discovered Sophia was his mystery lady, the sexual would be replaced with disgust. Her gaze once again returned to the window, because it was a much safer view. She would embarrass herself again if she continued with her fascination of him. He'd already regarded her haughtily when he caught her staring inside the chapel.
“I wanted a private word with you before we reached the reception. It seems I owe you an apology for my past behavior in your company. It was ungentlemanly of me to kiss you in the garden. Lady Sidney injured my pride, and in my frustration I took advantage of your innocence. For that I humble myself for your forgiveness.”
Sophia didn’t know how to react. She sat dumbfounded until a reply flew out of her mouth.
“The great Duke of Sheffield sinks to bestow someone as lowly as a mere mortal of my standings an apology. Will wonders never cease? I feel the world should shake at such a declaration.”
“You’re an ungrateful shrew. I knew you wouldn’t accept my kind gesture with your own kind acceptance. I don’t understand why I bothered.”
“Yes, why did you bother, Sheffield?”
“For reasons I would not normally burn your ears with. However, if you must know, I asked a favor from a friend and in return for said favor, I was to apologize to you.”
“So, I am only a means to an end.”
“Something like that.”
“Wait, if your friend knows of our kiss in the garden, then so do other people. You ruined me. I will not be burdened with you for a husband.”
“I was not aware I offered.”
“Well ...” Sophia stuttered.
“Your virtue is safe and so is your reputation. At least from me, anyway.”
“That wasn’t the case the evening of the Havelock Ball.”
“I already explained my reasons. You were available. Any other woman would have satisfied me. Probably more so,” he laughed. “Your innocence hardly has the desired effect on a man such as myself.”
Sophia didn’t have to reply. The carriage had arrived at its destination and the door opened. Sheffield alighted and reached for her hand. He asked if she accepted his apology and Sophia nodded in agreement as he helped her down the stairs. All she could think of was how misleading he was. Her very innocence enticed him to a passion she wanted to explore.
They entered the Hartridge residence with no regard mentioned to their time alone. Everybody only paid attention to the newly wedded couple. Thoughts of Alexander Langley moved to the back of her mind as she decided to enjoy the day rejoicing in her friend’s happiness. She would endure his company when needed, other than that he would have to become a forgotten memory. Their personalities did not mesh, and they never would.