Page 32 of Love Unraveled
She swung her legs over the side and dusted the floor with her feet until she made contact with her evening slippers. She stood and shook out her hair, running her fingers through it haphazardly. Cara was not going to be pleased with the mats. For that matter, nor was Sophia. She hated the yanking it took to unknot them.
A tug on the bellpull brought both Harris and Cara faster than expected. They must have sprinted up the stairs. Of course, ever efficient, they had probably been nearby waiting for a signal. Once Cara had ensured Sophia’s decency, Harris directed in a footman who drew the drapes fully open. Sophia squinted at the contrast in lighting, her head aching as though she’d had too much drink, which she absolutely had not. What she’d had was too much emotion. Overindulging in brandy would have been preferable.
“What time did Monsieur Durand leave?” she asked.
“He did not leave, my lady.” Harris’s expression did not change, nor did the level tone of his voice. If he was appalled his mistress had spent the night in her drawing room with a man, he did not show it. Of course, it was why she’d kept him on even when later provided with the opportunity to have a French or Italian butler. Harris was the soul of discretion and ensured all staff fell in line. Still, even though many men came and went, this was the first to stay directly with her through the night.
“Where is he?” Sophia assumed Gaston was in the breakfast room and was surprised to hear he was sequestered downstairs in her library. She walked toward the door with the intention of heading directly down but changed her mind. She’d been vulnerable last night, and she had no wish to have Gaston assume she remained so. She could forgive herself a weak moment, but she had no intention of repeating it.
“Cara, please,” she said to her maid and walked back across the room and through the far door, through her private sitting room and into the boudoir.
As Cara brushed her mess until the dark locks gleamed in the sunshine, Sophia contemplated the previous night. If the duke did cheat at cards among friends, what else did she not know about him? She prided herself on easily reading men, yet she seemed to have failed with the duke. Had the desire to belong overshadowed her good sense? She was no longer certain she could consider him at all. She remembered the weight of Gaston’s arm, the warmth of his body pressed to hers. She’d felt safe. She could not imagine experiencing the same calming security in the duke’s arms.
Gaston had made the horrible jest about the headless statue, and she’d almost come undone. She’d thought he’d not made the connection to their past, but when he’d apologized, it was clear he had. And his words were enough. Being with someone who knew her, with someone who knew the pain she carried, had overwhelmed her. It had been years since she did not have to pretend. Even with her aunt inVenezia, she’d had to conform, had to be someone she was not. Perhaps she should genuinely give Gaston a chance. Explore the possibility of a renewed relationship.
Sophia chose a lavish day gown, a luscious jewel-toned purple, draped low in the back and the front. Cara wound her hair in a simple knot at the base of her neck, and Sophia finished the look with amethyst earrings and a matching necklace. She pinched her cheeks and pushed from the dressing table, feeling as though she was back in her own skin, Sophia Tessaro’s skin. Sophia Tessaro was curious about this man Gaston Durand, and she was ready to see where things might go with him.
“Cara, see we are served in the morning room instead of the breakfast room.”
If it was to be a fresh start with Gaston, the morning room was the perfect setting. It was bright, like the sun shining on a new day. Swathed in yellow with perpetual fresh-cut flowers and looking onto the small garden, it was a cheerful room, a room in which to get lost in daydreams. Maybe a room where such dreams might now come true.
The door to the library was not fully closed, and she pushed it open quietly, expecting to see Gaston languishing with the morning paper. Instead, he was at the large table. He jumped to his feet when she entered.
“Sophie,” he said, coming around the table with his hands held out. “You are as beautiful in the morning as you are at night.”
She allowed him to take her hands and kiss each cheek.
“Ma chérie, I trust you slept well.”
His kiss tickled her ear, and a hint of coffee followed it, making her smile. It was so natural, so comfortable. “Oui, it was a dreamless night.”
His eyes narrowed with concern, and he cupped her cheek. “You still dream?”
She pulled away. She did not want to talk of her nightmares. They did not come as often as they’d used to. Well, they hadn’t until Gaston had arrived. But she would tame them once again. There was no point dwelling on what could not be undone. Her focus would continue to be on what could be done. Including with Gaston.
“What were you doing?” she asked to change the subject and was surprised with Gaston’s unexpected blush.
“Nothing,” he said and strolled quickly to the table. He folded a piece of paper and slipped it in the tail of his jacket. “I dabble in sketching when I’m bored,” he said, returning to her side.
“Oh, do show it to me,” she said, playfully grabbing at his jacket.
“I’ll show you something, but it will not be my poorly drawn flowers.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips.
Sophia was entirely agreeable to it, pulling him closer and holding him there until he had thoroughly devoured her. He leaned his forehead against hers. “Sophie” was all he said, but she heard the recollection of their youth, the pain of the years apart, and the thrill of renewed desire. She recognized it because she felt it all too. She took a step back. It would not do to go too fast. She must sort through her feelings for the man he’d used to be before fully investing in the man he was now.
“Let us go have breakfast,” she said, scooping his arm. “It is the most important meal of the day, no? Of course, so is dinner. Oh, and buffets. I adore buffets after dancing.”
Gaston laughed, and Sophia smiled, pleased with herself. Yes, Sophia Tessaro was back. In full control. She wondered if Gaston was man enough to handle her.
*
They lingered overbreakfast, reminiscing about their childhood, stopping shy of discussing anything beyond it. Sophia was determined to enjoy the day, and that meant leaving the shadows of the past in the corners. For now. Eventually, they must discuss it all, but not today.
“I would like a ride in the park,” she announced when the last of their dishes was cleared. “You will join me, no?”
“Although I regret it, I cannot.” Gaston stood. “I have some business to attend to. I am free this evening.”
“Well, I am not.”
