Page 3 of Love Unraveled
She tugged him to her again, confident he would surrender. And she was right. Later, lying in the afterglow of their first lovemaking, he shared his plan.
“Count Tessaro has arranged a rendezvous tomorrow night with a local fisherman. You must go about your day, act as you normally do, and pack only a few things. Dress plainly.”
His chest warm beneath her cheek, he stroked her arm as he talked. She snuggled closer, drifting in contented happiness. The bed dipped, and Sophia opened her eyes. Gaston was fully dressed and pulling on his boots. She sat up, tugging the cover to her chest. How could she have fallen asleep?
“My sleeping beauty awakes.” He tugged on the second boot and shifted to face her. “Midnight. Be ready. There will be no time to spare.”
Excitement and fear coursed through her. She did not want him to leave but knew he must. Tears stung, and he lifted her chin so she looked him in the eyes.
“I will return. I promise.” He kissed her one last time, and she watched as he opened the window and disappeared. The wind rattled the pane, and she got out of bed, the marble floor cold against her feet. She opened it and peered outside, but she could see no one. “Je t’aime,” she whispered into the darkness before latching the window and crawling back into bed. She held the pillow against her as though it was Gaston. His scent still lingered, and the pungent smell of the stable he had slept in was now a comfort.
A few more hours and there would be no more goodbyes.
Chapter One
And we turn’d to the growing dawn, we had hoped for a dawn indeed,
When the light of a Sun that was coming would scatter the ghosts of the Past.
—Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Despair”
Thornwood lowered hisvoice. “Napoleon is on the March again.”
“But I understood the thorough thrashing he received on the Russian front last year had depleted his army? The expectation was for him to lie low, was it not?” Walford’s eyebrows narrowed.
“He’s reconnected with his oldGrande Armée. They’re on the shores of the River Saale. We are bracing for a confrontation.”
Lord Walford shook his head. “I am woefully out of touch.”
“You have been distracted,” said Stratton. “By a beautiful baby boy,” he added in his booming baritone.
Sophia cursed under her breath. She’d been straining to hear the men talking while appearing interested in what the women were saying. A feat she was admirably achieving. Now Stratton had derailed the conversation, and everyone was looking at the baby. Baby Daniel was undeniably cute, but Sophia knew the child would draw everyone’s attention, and Lords Thornwood and Walford would not get back to their topic of discussion.
However, she’d heard enough to know she might be of more use back in town than the country. She far preferred the city at this time of year, anyway. The season was in full swing, and she could enjoy endless activities while keeping her ears and eyes open.
“I would like to go to London,” she said when everyone had finishedoohing andaahing over the baby. “Come with me,miei amici. It would be much fun, no?”
Sophia did enjoy their company—they were the dearest of friends—but in truth, they also made great decoys. She often hid her activities behind their presence, and she never knew when she might need them as a screen. Of course, they were unaware of her private agenda. Although, perhaps the men might be suspicious of her now, as she had been involved in their spying escapade a few weeks ago. She looked pointedly at Lord Stratton, who was usually an ally.
“I’m not weighing in until I hear Catherine’s decision,” Stratton said. “Not leaving my grandson for a minute, if I can help it.”
Sophia swung her gaze to Stratton’s daughter, and parts of Sophia softened as they always did when she watched Catherine. She was seven years Sophia’s junior, and much more sedate than she, but they’d become close in the years they’d known each other. When Catherine had been waiting for her soldier husband to come home, she had leaned heavily on Sophia for comfort. It had felt good to be needed.
“Bella, will you come?”
Catherine looked at Walford, who simply raised his eyebrows in response. Catherine pursed her lips and frowned at him, and Sophia wondered what was playing between them when Catherine burst into laughter. “You win. You win,” she said, still looking at her husband, who was grinning in return.
“He wins what?” Elizabeth asked, leaning forward and glancing between Catherine and Walford.
Sophia loved that her two friends were now friends themselves. In their company, there was a freedom she’d not experienced in years—and a sense of security unrivaled by any other relationship she’d had in over a decade.
“He wins me. And Daniel.” Catherine giggled. “Nicholas has been pestering me for days. He’s going to London to take care of business and wants me to go with him, but I feel it is too soon.” She looked at the swaddled babe nestled in her arms.
“It’s not too soon,bella. Motherhood is beautiful. Come shine your light on the town.” Sophia was confident she had at least won the Walfords’ company.
“That is what I said, although not quite as poetically,” Walford said cheerfully before looking at Richard and growing serious. “Thornwood, you might want to consider joining us. Off the coast of Ireland, several merchant ships were raided and taken. As a result, there have been monstrous increases in insurance. Randall’s worried about the fleet.”
Richard nodded. “Yes, I received word even though my commitment to his company isn’t legally signed yet. Brave of him. I could back out.” Richard raised a hand before Walford could say anything. “I’m not going to, of course. It speaks well of him that he is so candid. He’s also applying for privateering commissions.”
