Page 63 of Seducing Sophia (Scholars of Seduction)

CHAPTER16

With the change of the seasons came a blaze of color—bright, vibrant flowers in a myriad of tones and hues, contrasting against the dark green of the leaves in the park. The weather had grown warmer as summer reached its height, bringing families, courting couples, and a whole host of visitors to the park.

To Sophia it seemed as if the whole of London had descended on Hyde Park. Fortunately, having spent the past few years of her life searching for solitude, she was well acquainted with the hidden paths where she could escape the company of others when it became too much.

But, for now, she relished Maria’s company. Maria had been a resident of Summerton Hall almost from the day Mrs. Huntington acquired it, and she was one of the first of the inmates to befriend Sophia, having ingratiated herself with Henry by letting him play with her pugs. Henry had loved animals ever since he was old enough to crawl. Most people shied away from letting a toddler near their pets, but Maria recognized Henry’s gentle enthusiasm for what it was—curiosity, and an eagerness to learn.

Maria walked beside Sophia with five of her pugs on the lead, trotting side by side, in unison, like little soldiers on parade.

“It was most kind of you to offer to accompany me today, Sophia,” Maria said, “though I fear our walk will be shorter than you’d like.”

“No matter,” Sophia replied. “I just relish the opportunity to take some air.”

“Yes—Adelia told me you’d been confining yourself to the house since your return from the country. It’s good to see you out again.” She gave Sophia a saucy smile. “Though I somehow doubt your renewed enthusiasm for the outdoors stems from a desire to accompany a litter of pugs.”

Sophia let out a sigh. “Is everyone discussing my business?”

“Forgive me for intruding,” Maria said. “We’re all very fond of you at Summerton Hall—and we adore Henry. He’s a credit to you—did you know he helped me knit one of the pugs’ coats last week? A most unmanly pursuit, I told him, but he was determined. He said that a gentleman’s duty, first and foremost, was to assist whenever he can.”

Sophia laughed. “Henry is a much more thoughtful child than his mother ever was.”

“He told me that his friend Adrian taught him that,” Maria said. “He also said that he wonders why Adrian doesn’t come to see him anymore, but he hasn’t wanted to ask you about it.”

“So—you have been discussing my business.”

“I’m only repeating what Henry said,” Maria said. “He misses his friend, and I suspect you do, also. Why else would you wear that rose in your hair?”

Sophia’s cheeks warmed. “I merely find it becoming.”

“It is—the color sets off the yellow trim of your jacket to perfection. But I doubt you wear it to satisfy your vanity.”

Maria was right. Of all the women at Summerton Hall—save, perhaps, Lysetta—she was the most insightful.

As the path turned toward the edge of the Serpentine, Maria let out a laugh.

“There he is!” she cried. “I swear I could set my watch by him, if I had one. He’s determined, I’ll give him that.”

Sophia’s heart soared, and she looked up—only to be disappointed when she caught sight of the gentleman standing by the water’s edge. Strikingly handsome he might be—but he was not the man she yearned to see.

“Sophia? Are you well?” Maria’s gaze turned from the man on the path ahead toward Sophia, concern in her eyes. Sophia smoothed her expression into a bland smile.

“Yes, I’m quite well.” She nodded toward the gentleman. “He looks familiar. Have I seen him before?”

Maria gave a wicked smile. “He’s the Earl of Axford,” she said. “By all accounts he’s something of a rake.”

“By all accounts?” Sophia asked, “or just Lysetta’s?”

“Lysetta has warned me about him,” Maria said, “but I suspect she’s right. I saw him last season with at least three different women on his arm on different occasions. Their attire was a little too—delectable—for them to be ladies.”

“And he’s waiting here for you?”

“He’s called on me once or twice,” Maria said, “and has expressed an eagerness to learn more about my dogs.”

“Because he believes that is the way to your heart?” Sophia asked.

“Not at all,” came the reply. “It’s because he believes it will lead him beneath my skirts.”

Sophia gave a gasp. “Don’t say you’re letting him?”

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