Page 18 of Seducing Sophia (Scholars of Seduction)

“Henry!” she cried.

FitzRoy rose to his feet, smoothing his jacket. His face was flushed, but his movements were that of the practiced seducer, affecting nonchalance when caught with his hands in the sweetmeats.

She lifted her hand to her lips and he smiled at her, knowledge and understanding in his expression.

Henry ran into the room. He squealed with joy on seeing Sophia’s pupil, then, remembering his manners, gave a stiff bow.

“Good afternoon, Colonel FitzRoy.”

FitzRoy gave him a beaming smile. “What a pleasure to see you, young man,” he said. “I had hoped to see you today. I have a gift for you.”

He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a small wooden object.

“For me?” Henry’s eyes widened with excitement.

“It’s a toy boat,” FitzRoy said. “While it’s enjoyable to make one out of paper, I find that they never perform as well as one fashioned out of wood.”

“Oh!” Henry squealed with delight and reached for the boat.

“With your mama’s permission, of course.” FitzRoy met Sophia’s gaze and smiled, kindness in his eyes.

“Of course,” she said.

He handed the toy to Henry who inspected it, running his fingers along the smooth lines.

“Where did you get it?” Henry asked. “It’s a rather odd shape for a boat.”

FitzRoy colored slightly and glanced at Sophia.

Heavens—he was embarrassed!

“I fashioned it myself, last night,” he said. “But, if you’d prefer, I can procure one from a toymaker.”

“No, please don’t trouble yourself,” Sophia said.

“It’s no trouble,” he replied, and her heart fluttered at the smile in his eyes.

“I like it,” Henry said, holding it up to the light. “It’ll be different from every other boat, so I’ll always know which one is mine.”

“Then, if your mama has no objection,” FitzRoy said, “perhaps I might take you to the park where we can launch it. Then, if it sinks without trace, I’ll promise to buy you another.”

“We couldn’t possibly impose…” Sophia said, but he interrupted her.

“Yes you could,” he said. “And it’s no imposition—it would be a pleasure. If you require a chaperone, I would be pleased to invite your maid—or even Mrs. Huntington, if she would prefer.”

“I don’t know…”

“Oh, please, Mama!” Henry cried. “Haven’t you said yourself that you wished we could spend more time in the park together?”

“There!” FitzRoy said. “You’re outnumbered.” He addressed Henry. “What say you, young man? Shall we sally forth in a pincer movement such that your mama will surrender to our demands?”

He folded his arms as if in challenge, adopting a stance of boyish charm, with that lopsided smile of his. Henry mirrored the gesture, folding his own arms, and Sophia fought the urge to laugh.

Then she checked herself. How often had she laughed in the past six years?

Or felt her body come alive with desire?

Henry looked at her, his eyes wide in a plea, his eager little face shining with joy as he clutched the toy that someone had taken the trouble to fashion for him.

“Very well,” she said. “We shall be delighted to accompany you.”

FitzRoy’s smile sent a pulse of longing through her heart. His eyes shone with delight, their blue so intense that a woman might willingly drown in them for the promise of pleasure at his hands.

He already possessed the power to command her body. What if he were able to make her heart yield also?

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