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Sheffield stood against the pillar as he watched the ton scrutinize him from under their eyelashes. His presence tonight caused quite a stir. He heard the whispered gossip floating in the air around him. He regarded his peers in a different light. Violet spoke of them during their time together. She explained the reasons why they behaved as they did. She described the wallflowers to him, the drunken rogues, the lonely widows, and also the shameful brides. As he watched the people mingling, he saw them through her eyes. Her sweet and gentle nature never spoke a bad word against a soul.
He glanced over to the wallflowers and decided to offer one of the young ladies a dance. His next conquest sat in a chair beside her grandmother, Lady Ratcliff. Sheffield approached them, asking for a dance on her card. The chit glared her hatred at him. However, she couldn't deny him, for if she gave him the cut direct, it would ruin her season. No gentleman would ever court her. She passed him her card, where he signed for the first dance of the evening, a waltz. Excellent, he could spend the dance repairing the damage of his overbearing attitude from the past few weeks. He would apologize, then proceed to invite her for a ride in the park tomorrow. He offered a few kind words to Lady Ratcliff hoping to charm his way into a courtship. After he secured his dance, he wandered onto the balcony.
Sophia watched him from afar. When Sheffield asked Lady Dallis for a dance, her heart tore a little more. She didn’t know if she could bear to watch the beauty dancing in the arms of the man she loved. She wanted to follow him outside. After her first step, a hand gripped her arm, halting her. Sidney softly restrained her with a shake of her head. Sidney was correct. Sophia stopped and sighed.
“Trust me,” Sidney whispered.
Her trust lay in an idea that would only end in disaster, but it was Sophia's only option. She decided as she dressed for this evening that she would fight for him. Sheffield didn’t know who she was, but she wanted him to love Sophia as well as Violet. For him to love Sophia, he must see her for who she was. If she won him as Violet, then she could conquer him as Sophia. She turned her head and flashed Sidney a wavering smile as she squeezed the hand lying on her arm.
Soon, Sheffield re-entered the ballroom and saw Wilde and his bride standing with a small group of people. Within their circle were Lady Sophia and Lord Rory Beckwith. He scowled as the earl stood close to Lady Sophia, whispering in her ear. When her face lighted with laughter and her hand playfully slapped him on the arm, Sheffield was overcome with jealousy. Why would he be possessive over her? She was an opinionated chit who always angered him. It must be the long blonde hair, for it reminded him of Violet. His footsteps led him closer, stopping near. He didn’t understand why he was drawn to Sophia.
Rory noticed Sheffield’s nearness to Sophia, and he moved closer. His protectiveness was for a reason. He was aware of the duke’s fascination with Sophia and disagreed with his actions. He couldn’t defend her honor, but he could prevent it from happening again. Sophia trembled underneath his touch, and her eyes darted to the duke. A blush spread over her face as Sheffield’s stare became noticeable to everybody in the small group. Rory heard Wilde clear his throat. Still Sheffield wouldn't break his stare from Sophia. Anger consumed Rory, and he wanted to call the duke out. He stepped forward, but Sidney stopped him too.
Sidney wondered if she was to restrain everybody this evening. Why didn’t the subjects in this experiment follow the guidelines of proper etiquette? What made this worse was that she acted more proper than everybody else. Whereas before Sidney’s two friends usually had to correct her. Now she held them back from causing a scene. Thankfully, her husband read the message she silently sent and intervened.
“Sheffield, how are you this fine evening?”
Sheffield drew his gaze away from Lady Sophia. “Very well, Wilde. May I say how enchanting you ladies are?”
Sophia blushed at his comment and spoke softly. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Ahh, now he displays the charm,” Sidney teased.
Sheffield laughed at her joke as it broke the tension. “If I may be so bold as to request a dance from both of you lovely ladies.”
“Sorry old chap, my wife’s dance card is full.” Wilde said, wrapping his arm around Sidney’s waist, drawing her to his side.
“Of course, how indecent of me to ask a new bride. Lady Sophia, do you have a dance open to share with me?”
Everybody knew she must answer yes; she fell in the same trap as Lady Dallis if she refused. “I do.” She handed him her dance card.
Sheffield signed his name and then made his excuses as he wandered to mingle with the other guests. He would make his apologies during their dance. He'd requested the second waltz of the ball. It would appear the waltzes of the evening would be full of requests for forgiveness. He hoped both women would excuse his boorish behavior from the start of the season. As he walked the room, his gaze kept straying to Lady Sophia. Her poise and open personality drew every member of the ton to their circle. Her smile would light up the atmosphere. He followed none of the conversations flowing around him, because she caught his attention. Sheffield excused himself and leaned against the wall, nursing his drink as he stared at her.
His eyes devoured her. She lifted her head and their gazes met. Her look devoured him. For endless moments they were lost in each other. What color were her eyes? Violet? He was dismayed at what he was doing—how could he forget Violet so easily for another? The ladies shared similarities, nothing more. Violet held his heart, didn’t she? Before he pulled his gaze away, he glimpsed at the hurt in her eyes. When he glanced back, she continued to stare at him. He smiled and lifted his drink. She sent him a smile filled with sadness. Soon the conversation was flowing around Sophia again.
The orchestra played a few notes, drawing the dancers to the ballroom floor. He rested his drink on a platter a servant carried. He approached Lady Dallis and escorted her onto the dance floor. Sheffield also saw Beckwith leading Lady Sophia through the steps. He needed to focus on the woman in his arms, she was his only hope for the future. He required Lady Dallis to help ease the scandal of his family document. If he couldn’t charm her into becoming his duchess, then the Sheffield line would be in disgrace. With one last glance at the possessiveness of Beckwith’s hold, and the smooth glide of Lady Sophia’s body as she moved to the music, he turned his focus toward Lady Dallis.
“Thank you for agreeing to dance with me.” He attempted civility with the chit.
“Well, your rank guaranteed that I would respond with a yes.”
He sensed her hatred, so he tried again. “I would like to offer my apologies for my boorish behavior toward you from earlier in the season. I understand I came off strong and assumed you would fall at my feet in gratitude. It has come to my attention how disrespectful it was of me to treat you in that nature.”
Dallis didn’t want to dance with the duke. His conceited attitude during the previous occasions they'd met infuriated her to no ends. When she gave him a put-down at the last ball, her odds of finding a husband this season ended. But when the duke disappeared from social functions for over a week and nobody turned their back on Dallis or her grandmother, she considered herself safe. When he requested a dance this evening, Dallis became on guard waiting for their dance. At any moment Sheffield could embarrass her.
When he started talking again, she lost her concentration. Her gaze caught Lord Rory Beckwith dancing with the known beauty of the ton, Lady Sophia Turlington. She had not met the blonde, but everybody spoke of how her loveliness was not only on the outside, but it filled her soul. Never a mean word passed from her lips about another person. They say she would find something special about everyone and make them believe in it too. Her eyes had stayed glued on the couple once they walked into the soiree together with Lord and Lady Wildeburg. The earl never left Lady Sophia’s side. When Sheffield approached their group, Lord Beckwith became possessive over Sophia. Were they a couple? No gossip spread of him courting her. Was she mistaken? Disappointment settled as Dallis viewed their familiarity with each other and he swept Sophia across the dance floor. Dallis thought she'd grabbed the earl’s eye at the Caulfield Ball, when he rescued her from Sheffield. But he'd never paid a visit to her grandmother’s or asked for a dance since then. She sighed. When Sheffield swung her in a circle, Dallis lost view of them. She returned her attention to Sheffield. He was in the middle of explaining his past actions and apologizing for his indecent behavior. What?
“I am sorry, Your Grace. What were you saying?”
“I am offering my sincere apology for assuming you should be grateful for my regard. It was wrong of me to be so callous.”
Dallis searched his gaze, listening to his wholehearted words, and saw his sincerity. Her stare took in the sadness lurking in his depths. Something had recently happened to cause him this despair.
“Thank you for your apology, Your Grace.”
“If I may continue to be so bold. Can I escort you with a ride through the park on the morrow?”
“I have a fear of horses, but we can walk if that is agreeable with you.”
“Yes, that is agreeable with me.”
The waltz ended with Sheffield returning her to Lady Ratcliff and the promise of seeing her tomorrow for their outing. His eyes searched for Lady Sophia again. He couldn’t find her, but he did see Beckwith walking inside alone. They had been dancing. Was she now on the terrace? If so, this was the perfect moment to offer his apology instead of when they danced. He didn't understand why, but when they were to dance, he only wanted to hold her and not to grovel at her feet.
Sophia rested against the balustrade, the necklace clutched in her hand. She sensed Sheffield's regard the entire evening. Had he guessed her identity? She couldn’t wear the locket, so she kept the jewelry hidden inside her reticule. When Rory left to fetch them a drink, Sophia assured him she would be safe. She pointed out how Lady Dallis occupied Sheffield’s attention, which only deepened his scowl. Did Rory continue to harbor an attachment toward Lady Dallis? If so, it would explain the reason for his hostility toward Sheffield. She would question him when he returned.
“A lovely evening to enjoy the stars.” A voice spoke from behind, startling her.
She gasped as she spun around. Sheffield stood silhouetted in the moonlight. The dark enhancing his powerful stature. Her eyes devoured him as if she had not seen him in ages, when only this morning she'd left his side. He dressed simple this evening, with a dark suit and red cravat and vest. She wished to smooth her hand across his jacket and straighten his tie, but knew such an intimate action would arouse his curiosity. She gripped her hands tighter to prevent herself from reaching out, and remembered she held the locket. Hurriedly she shoved the necklace into her reticule, only to drop it on the ground. She knelt to gather it, and their hands met.
He didn’t mean to frighten her; he only wished to apologize. When she turned at his comment, her eyes grew large in what Sheffield perceived to be fear. It was then he understood his past actions regarding Sophia would haunt him. The disappointment surprised him. Sheffield aspired to live his life in a way to make Violet proud. To achieve that, he must offer amends to Lady Sophia. For whatever reason, this woman rubbed him wrong. They always sparked when they were near each other. Most of her dislike came from comments he'd made toward Lady Sidney when he'd courted her. The rest were by his actions. Two times he kissed her with no regard to her reputation. For that he was sorry. He didn’t even remember the kisses, only that he took them in anger. He should never treat any lady in that degree.
Sheffield saw Sophia place an object inside her reticule, before the bag slipped from her fingers. He knelt to retrieve the purse. Their hands met, and he heard the sharp intake of her breath. Her hands were small, and her touch gentle. He wished to caress her more, but their gloves prevented him from feeling how soft her skin would be. His thumb brushed across her knuckles before she withdrew from his grasp. She rose from him and took a few steps backward. He followed, holding her reticule. His eyes met Sophia's and became lost in her soulful gaze. Once again, he wondered at the color, only for the dark night to deny his wish. He secretly wished them to be violet. Was he so desperate for Violet that he even wished the one lady he couldn’t get along with to be her?
He was too close. Sophia needed to leave before she poured out her heart. His kindness was her undoing. Why did he treat her differently this evening? She could handle this situation better if he was Sheffield. The overbearing, egotistical, arrogant, Duke of Sheffield. No, instead he behaved as Alex. Her heart ached as she felt the need to vanish. He handed her the reticule with the chain from her necklace hanging out. He attempted to untangle the chain and she grabbed it from him, afraid that he would see his gift. He stepped away and dropped his hands.
“I am sorry.”
“No, it is my fault. I am the one who dropped my reticule.”
“No, that is not the reason I seek your forgiveness.”
Lady Sophia looked upon him in confusion. Her lips pursed into a cute bow. When she brought her teeth out to bite her bottom lip, as she tried to figure out the reason he needed to apologize, he felt a stirring of desire. He craved to slide his tongue along and sooth her bruised mouth. Then he wanted to explore the sweet taste. He remembered kissing her, and the memories of her innocence as he ravaged her. She never pushed him away but kissed him in return. Would she let him kiss her again? His body behaved with a mind of his own as he took a step closer to feel her heat. When she didn’t retreat, he lifted his hand to brush a curl lying across her cheek. He still couldn’t see the color of her eyes, but he noticed that they darkened at his touch.
“What are you sorry for, Sheffield?” she whispered.
Alex consumed her. She needed Sheffield to show his true colors before she melted at his feet. As much as she would regret this, Sophia pulled the curl out of his grasp and moved away. She walked farther along the terrace, closer to the doors.
Sheffield stared as she walked away. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to forget her. Lady Sophia was not Violet. Trying to turn her into Violet in his mind would not solve his need to move on with life. He'd come tonight intending to right his wrongs. Touching Sophia and wishing to kiss her again would not bring Violet back.
“If you would allow me to explain.”
Lady Sophia nodded, waiting for him to declare his intentions.
“This past week, someone has brought to my attention my rude behavior. Upon reflection, I now understand how my actions have caused you distress. So, for that I want to beg your forgiveness and I promise never to behave in that manner again.”
“Might I inquire as to why your change of attitude?”
“A very special woman came into my life recently and impacted me greatly. Through her vision I have re-evaluated how I live and treat people. It pains me to admit that I have been a bore. I want to do justice to the short time we spent together and hope to make her proud.”
Sophia drowned in his words. Tears rushed at his honest confession. She wanted to shout to him that she was proud.
“This woman is special to you?”
“Yes, more than she ever understood.”
“I will admit, she has changed you. Your new behavior has made an impression. It will be interesting to watch what other differences she makes in your life.”
“Sadly to say, none.”
“Thrown her over already?”
“No, she left.”
Why she kept asking him questions was beyond her. Sophia knew the answers. Ego? Did she want to hear him praise her more? Or did she not wish to leave him? The sadness in Sheffield's voice matched that in Sophia's heart. She needed to return to the ballroom, she could no longer play him false.
“I am sorry for your loss. I accept your apology, Sheffield.”
“Thank you.”
Sophia smiled sorrowfully as she turned to enter the ballroom. Before she took a step, Rory stormed through the door. The fierceness of his gaze as he saw Sheffield fueled his anger. He advanced on Sheffield and slugged him across the jaw. Sheffield, unaware of any coming assault, didn't have time to react and stumbled backward. However, Rory wasn’t finished with his fists. He punched Sheffield in the gut, causing him to double over in pain. Rory threw more punches, each one with more force. With a final punch to his head, Sheffield toppled over and passed out.