Page 47 of Seducing Sophia (Scholars of Seduction)

“Because we made love?”

The blush on her cheeks deepened. “I have no wish to be under an obligation,” she said. “But, after tonight, I feel I can trust you. I hope my trust is not misplaced.”

“It’s not, Sophia,” he said. “I promise I’ll never let you down, or betray your trust.”

“Yes,” she nodded, a soft smile on her lips. “I believe so. I never thought I could trust a man again.”

Ah—there it was—what he’d suspected all along. She’d had her trust betrayed—and, most likely, by her late husband.

But what made Adrian any better? He had set out to seduce Sophia for a bet.

In fact—he was worse than Mr. Black, for even though he suspected she’d had her heart broken, he had still set out to seduce her.

“You can trust me,” he said, his voice sounding hollow in his ears.

She nodded. “Even if I didn’t—I would still accept your offer.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I must put my son first, Adrian,” she said. “It would be selfish of me to refuse your help, when Henry would be the one to lose out as a result. If he benefits, then I should be prepared to place myself under obligation, for he is all that matters.”

She lifted her glass to her lips. Her hand trembled, and he took it, curling his fingers around hers to steady her.

“Hush,” he said. “You matter just as much.”

“Do I?”

“To me, you do,” he said. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but it seems that your husband valued you too little when he should have been placing you on a plinth and worshipping you.”

She drained her glass and set it aside. “William was inclined to worship nobody but himself.”

“William? Was that your husband’s name?”

She stiffened and grew pale. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m merely remarking on the coincidence,” he said. “My best friend was called William, though he never served in the army.”

“It’s a common enough name,” she said.

“Perhaps, but…”

“Please!” she cried. “Can we not speak of him?”

He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Of course,” he said. “You can trust me not to mention your late husband again.”

She blinked and a tear splashed onto her cheek. He caressed her cheek to wipe it away and she leaned into his touch.

“Yes,” she said. “I believe I’ve finally found someone I can trust.”

A stab of guilt pricked at him. Would she trust him when she learned that their relationship had been founded on deception—on Peterton’s ridiculous scheme? Her late husband was clearly a man without honor. If Adrian were to show even a shred of honor himself, then he must tell her the truth.

He clasped her hand in both of his, then let out a sigh.

“Adrian, what’s the matter?”

“I have something to confess,” he said. “I cannot deceive you any longer.”

Her eyes widened. “Is-is it to do with William? Do you know something?”

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