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Sophia rested in a chair near the fire, nursing a cup of tea, as Sidney glared at her from across the room. She'd avoided her friend the last couple of days. Every time Sidney visited her home, Sophia would plead with the servants to lie on her whereabouts. Sophia knew that by not staying at the Hartridge’s home she would endure her mother’s wrath when her parents returned home. The memories of Sophia’s time with Sheffield would help to ease the punishment she would face. Finally, guilt settled in her stomach after she read a note from Sidney. The letter apologized for Sidney’s meddling and promised Sophia she only wanted to see her friend that she had missed while away on her honeymoon. So, Sophia visited Sidney during afternoon tea, knowing she would be too busy with visitors as the new Marchioness Wildeburg.
Wilde was explaining, “She only wishes for you to have the same happiness as her.”
“Then she needs to stop interfering in my life.”
“Those are harsh words. I realize we have not been friends for very long, but your behavior is unlike you.”
Sophia rose and wandered to the window away from the other guests. Wildeburg joined her to finish their conversation. She'd thought it would get easier to carry on with her deception, but she found it more difficult to lie to those she loved. Avoiding them in her home was easy, face to face was another story. However, she needed to venture out before suspicion surrounded her. If it wasn’t Sidney or Rory calling on her, there was the steady stream of letters requesting her presence at Madame Bellerose. When they first arrived, they were from Belle at the request of Sheffield. Some were private notes from Alex. Each letter more intimate than the one before. They began with concern over her welfare, with the last of them begging for her company. She didn’t reply to them, except for the one this morning. Her emotions were too raw to consider meeting him again.
After they made love, he fell asleep with her wrapped in his arms. As she watched him sleep, she saw a vulnerability in him that caused her to fall deeper in love. She slid out of his embrace to dress. Belle assisted with her return home with nobody aware of her absence.
“I apologize, for I am not myself.”
“I may not be Sidney, but perhaps I can help you as you helped me.”
Sophia’s laugh was bitter as she stared out the window. “Nobody can fix the mess I created myself.”
He opened the door leading to the terrace and guided Sophia outside away from prying ears. She obviously needed to confide in somebody. When they were out of earshot from his guests, he turned her toward him.
“If the mess you are mentioning is the one concerning Sheffield, then you are not to blame. I will take care of him for you.”
Sophia turned toward Wilde, gripping his arm, “No, you shall do nothing of the sort. He has done nothing wrong.”
Wilde’s eyebrow rose, “Hasn’t he?”
“What do you know?”
“Beckwith confided to Sidney and me on how Sheffield accosted you twice. Both of them are seeking vengeance for your virtue.”
“Wilde, you must stop them. I do not want a word breathed. There will be a scandal and I won’t be forced to wed him. Please, I beg of you.”
“Phee, did Sheffield violate you?” Wilde whispered.
“No. No. He ... I cannot explain it to you without you thinking less of me.”
“Try.”
Sophia raised her head high and closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts before she spoke. She needed to construct her words carefully so that Wilde wouldn’t seek Sheffield to harm him.
“Yes, he attempted to kiss me twice. We are both guilty of the kisses spiraling out of control. After he finished kissing me, he spoke a few callous words, and then departed. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Nonetheless, he did not have your permission either time,” Wilde growled.
“Well ...”
“Well?”
“Well, not at first, but during maybe.” Sophia cringed.
Wilde was furious with Sheffield for taking advantage of Sophia. She was an innocent miss. The next time he encountered Sheffield, he would feel his fury. Better yet, he should take his leave now and approach Sheffield at home. Sophia had become one of his dearest friends, not to mention she was like a sister to his wife. Beckwith had the right idea on destroying the man. As he regarded Sophia, he noticed she wasn’t as angry. The entire duration Sheffield courted Sidney, Sophia expressed nothing but distaste for the man. Now she stood before him, begging him to call off Sidney. Wilde grew more confused with the turn of events.
“You care for him.”
“Nonsense.” Sophia strode ahead, walking down the stairs to the garden.
Wilde followed at a slower pace, allowing her to walk off her frustration. He chuckled to himself at the irony of Sophia Turlington falling for Alexander Langley. They were as different as night and day. Sophia was caring, generous, and always spoke a kind word to everyone. While Sheffield was ... well, Sheffield. An overbearing ass who expected the world to bow down upon his feet. He wanted to guide Sophia away from Sheffield, but it was hopeless judging by her expression. He wondered how Sheffield felt about Sophia.
“Tell me how I can help, Phee.”
She turned to stare at him with the saddest eyes. “Can you make him love me?”
“Fallen that hard, have you?” he teased.
“Unfortunately, yes. Pathetic, aren’t I?”
“No, my dear, never that.”
“I realize this is improper to ask, but can you keep this a secret from Sidney?”
“You know my wife; she will find out, Phee.”
“Promise me a few days. Once I sort out my feelings, I will confide in her. Please, until the end of the week.”
Wilde nodded his agreement. “I will keep her occupied for a week. Then you are on your own.”
“Thank you, Wilde.”
“We are friends, Phee, and I still owe you a few.”
A voice interrupted them. “This is where they have disappeared to. I was telling Rory how I witnessed my husband abscond with my best friend to the garden and he did not believe me.”
“You are correct as always, Lady Wildeburg,” Rory laughed.
Sophia turned to her friends with a fake smile plastered on her face. Wilde sent her a wink, promising to keep her secret. However, Sidney noticed the exchange. Nothing ever went by her. Which meant Sidney would question Sophia until she could pacify her with lies.
“If you gentlemen will excuse us, we need some time alone.”
Both men bowed to the women and sauntered away. Sophia watched them, aware Sidney would bombard her with questions. She wandered to the bench to sit, knowing it could be a long afternoon. Well, at least with Sidney badgering her, it would keep her thoughts from straying toward Sheffield and the decision she needed to make when she returned home. By now he would have received her message. How he would react, Sophia didn’t know.
“I do not know where to begin on offering my apologies for being a miserable friend. But please forgive me. I dislike this distance between us. I miss you,” Sidney said.
“You have nothing to beg forgiveness for, Sid. It is I who am a mess. I only ask for your patience while I figure out my thoughts.”
“Not for Sheffield?”
“Sid ...”
“Anybody but him, Phee.”
“Sidney.”
“I will stop. Except, from the gossip I hear, he is courting Dallis MacPherson. I don’t understand how you have fallen for him.”
Sophia laughed. “Neither do I, my friend. That is why I plead for your understanding while I decide if Sheffield is the one for me.”
“If he is, what then?”
“Then I will expect your help in turn for the guidance I offered to you and Wilde during your so-called courtship.”
“When will you make your decision?”
“Give me until Saturday.”
“On one condition.”
Sophia sighed. She should have known Sidney would not give up so easily. “Only one?”
Sid laughed. “Yes, only one.”
“What is your request?”
“You will let me host a dinner party in your honor.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“All right, send me an invitation and I shall be here.”
“Excellent.” Sid hugged Phee.
“I missed you, Phee.”
“I missed you too, Sid.”
She did too. As an only child, Sophia's mother smothered her with attention. The only peace she had was during her time spent with Sidney. Their mothers were best friends, so her mama always trusted her if she was at the Hartridge’s. It would scandalize her mother if she learned her daughter visited a brothel not once, but twice. And on the second visit she gave herself to the Duke of Sheffield. Her mother would chase him to the altar and continue the hunt if she held a clue that her daughter was not only contemplating a third and perhaps a fourth return to Madame Bellerose’s establishment. After her talk with Wilde and Sidney, her decision became clear to resume her rendezvous with Alex for the rest of the week. She'd promised him this time together. Also, it would help her to decide if she wanted to share her true affections with him. Was he worth the scandal involved in revealing her identity?