Page 74 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Thirty-Eight

But since the affairs of men rest still incertain,

Let’s reason with the worst that may befall.

—William Shakespeare,Julius Caesar

“Ibeg yourpardon?” Richard asked, although he did not need to hear Sophia repeat her statement. He’d heard it loud and clear, but his aching head was wrestling with the fact that she was spot on.

“There is no need to pretend with me. Patricia Paisley.” Sophia held up a finger. “Works for Mrs. Tate.” Up went another finger. “Has been passing information to you.” Rather than raising a third finger, she pointed at him. “What I don’t know is her relationship to you and the depth of your involvement with her.”

Richard pushed his tea aside and got up. “I need a drink.”

He strode to the side table and uncorked the crystal decanter. He needed a few minutes to gather his wits. How could Sophia possibly know all those things? He poured a cognac and hesitated. He might not be the only one in need of a bracer. He looked over his shoulder. “And you?”

Sophia nodded but didn’t say anything. Her demeanor demanded a response to her question, but he’d given her enough of his secrets today. He wasn’t going to share the reason Patricia had solicited his assistance. Elizabeth would never believe his innocence if she knew of their prior relationship. Not that he wanted her to be convinced of his innocence. Did he? Wouldn’t a clear conscience bring some peace?Devil confound it, he wasn’t thinking straight. He needed Elizabeth to believe in his culpability, not grant him clemency.

He strode back to the table, placed the brandy in front of Sophia, and took his seat. “I don’t know why I was the chosen one,” he said, holding her stare.

Although it would ensure Elizabeth never came near him again, he could not bring himself to tell her Patricia had once been his mistress. If Elizabeth had to know that information, it would come from him. He hoped he could avoid causing her unnecessary pain.

“May I ask how you know about all this?” He circled his hand in the air as though he was harnessing the events of the past two months and pulling them down for her to see.

“I know much about many things,” she said cryptically. “And about many people.” She took a delicate sip of the cognac before going on. “I also know the woman has been kidnapped.”

Richard almost spit out his brandy. Instead, he swallowed it roughly and studied Sophia as he choked. She remained impassive. As the coughing subsided, he continued to stare at her, his pulse pounding from more than his headache. “How the devil do you know that?” he finally asked.

“You forget the broad company I keep. It is easy to find out what I need to know. Men are…how do you say?” She looked to the ceiling as though the answer was there. She shook her head, wrinkling her nose. “They are naive. Easily convinced to give their secrets away.”

Like he had done. He’d spilled his heartache at the first sign of a sympathetic ear. He was a fool, but his pain was hardly on the level of government secrets.

“And what are you going to do about her, this…this…la prostituta?” she asked before he could pursue who these men were who so easily divulged such information.

“Why should I do anything about her disappearance?”

“I have known you for almost ten years, and I know you to be a man of honor. If you have had dealings with this woman, you would see her safe, no?”

“How do I know she has not vanished of her own free will?” He rubbed his temples. That was what had been bothering him as he waited for instructions on how best to approach the situation. He had no way of knowing if anything untoward had truly happened to her. It was one man’s word. He wished Walford were in the city. He had access to more information than Richard.

“You doubt she has?”

“I encouraged her to disappear,” he said. “I gave her money to ensure she would.”

She arched an eyebrow but didn’t comment about the payment. “There has been a note,” she said instead.

He leaned forward in his chair. “Have you seen it?”

Sophia shook her head. “But I have no reason to doubt its authenticity. Do you?”

There was the rub. He didn’t, but he was wary. He told Sophia as much.

“It is good to be cautious, but if it is true, she is in grave danger, no?”

His skin prickled. Patricia had seemed genuine in her desire for a fresh start. He’d not like to see any ill befall her. “I’ve heard nothing from the man who told me of this. I’ve been waiting for his instructions,” he told her truthfully.

“I know,” Sophia said. “It is why I am here. Mr. Miller has asked me to help out. Since it involves you, I have agreed.”

“Miller? How do you know Miller?” There was no way the man ran in Sophia’s social circle, of that he was certain.

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