Page 72 of Love Unraveled
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Sophia had takenher time, sponging herself with cold water before strolling into her dressing room to select a new gown. She’d hoped Gaston would come looking for her and find her naked. She knew what she would ask him to do. Heat pooled in her abdomen, and she smiled. It seemed she was hungry for more than spice cake.
She chose a white linen and sash, imagining herself playing the younger version of herself for Gaston when they were safely away from prying eyes. Elizabeth had said she would ensure the suites were side by side. They could recreate that night of long ago. She laughed gaily, picturing Gaston climbing through a window.
Some strands of hair had fallen, but she liked the look so decided to leave them down. A little bit of naughtiness to contrast with her pristine attire. Gaston was not in the bedroom, nor in either of the drawing rooms. She had thought they’d eat in their room, but he must have had other ideas. She drifted down the stairs, trailing a finger along the banister, humming softly. She knew it was off-key, but happiness was bubbling through her, and she had to let it out somehow. Besides, there was no one around to hear her not-so-dulcet tones. Except for Gaston, but he’d love her anyway.
The door to the library was closed, but she could hear muted voices. Knowing Gaston, he’d had their tea set in there to make it easier on Harris. She pushed open the library door and froze, trying to process what she was seeing. Gaston was bound, his hair matted, a river of blood covering the right side of his face. Harris lay beside him, bound and gagged but clearly unconscious. She swallowed a gasp and scanned the room but could see no one. She listened for noise elsewhere but heard none. The thieves must have left.
She ran to Gaston, fell to her knees, and swiped at the blood on his face. He rolled his head back and forth groggily, trying to speak. “Shush,mon amour, let me untie you.” She leaned over his body and pulled at the rope. It was snug, and she could not loosen it. Gaston squirmed, and she sat back on her knees. “Oh, my darling,” she said, leaning forward and wiping again at the blood.
“Well, well, isn’t this a pretty tableau?”
Her mind scrambled for a foothold, quickly processing this turn of events. Not thieves. She’d know his derisive voice anywhere. She swung around. The Duke of Salinger stood in the doorway to the anteroom, a look of utter disgust twisting his face. Sophia quickly calculated her chance of success if she charged him, and dismissed it immediately. She must keep her distance so he could not bind her too.
“What do you want?” she stood slowly, trying not to alarm him.
“I wantedyou, but you have become quite…” He did not disguise his disdain as his eyes swept her from head to toe and back up again. “…distasteful.”
“So why bother with this?” Sophia waved her hand around the room, sparing a quick glance at Gaston, who seemed to be rousing, his eyes looking clearer as he watched her. “Why come here if you find it all so distasteful?” But she already knew the answer. It was clear by the barren walls what he was looking for.
“I said I found you distasteful. I find your money incredibly attractive.” He took a step into the room, and she took one back toward the foyer door, calculating how close she needed to be to successfully run out onto the street. At this time of day, there should be others about. And surely he would not harm Gaston if others knew he was here?
“Where is your safe, Countess?”
“I do not keep money on the premises. A woman alone would not be so foolish.”
“Liar!”
The duke’s shout was startling. He took another step toward her, and she backed up one more. His face had reddened, and she could not risk his anger propelling him toward her. It was time to bolt. She spun around, stopping instantly, her battering heart plunging to her stomach. Lord Drake stood in the foyer, the gun in his hand pointed at her head.Mon Dieu, what was she to do now? The only thing she knew for certain was she could not let them see her fear, especially for Gaston.
“Lord Drake,” she said smoothly, “how lovely to see you again so soon.”
The man’s expression did not change. She turned her back to him and strode into the library, avoiding looking at Gaston. She could not be Sophie Auclair right now. She must be Countess Sophia Tessaro. “Oh, do tell your lackey to lower his gun, Your Grace. I am hardly worthy of such dramatics.”
She didn’t wait for an answer. She went to the side table and poured two brandies, proud her hands were not shaking, even when she handed one to the duke and took a seat on the chair. “Come,” she said. “Let us talk like civilized human beings.”
The duke eyed her suspiciously but did as she said. He did not order Lord Drake to lower his gun, so she had no idea whether the man still had it aimed at her. She refused to show her concern by turning to look.
“Now why would you do something as”—Sophia searched for a less inflammatory word thancowardly—“uncharacteristic as this?”
“You were supposed to have left for Newmarket,” he said as though that explained it all. The red in his face had receded, and his customary dough-colored flesh glistened with sweat.
Sophia tilted her head, now fully immersed in her role as countess. “And you would steal from me?”
“I would take what I am owed.” He took a sip of his brandy, apparently unfazed by the accusation.
“Owed?” She arched an imperial eyebrow.
“Indeed, owed. We had an understanding. I would make you a duchess, and you would make me rich.”
“We had made no such agreement; although, I have admitted I did consider it.”
“You were more than considering it. It was clear to everyone. It was simply a matter of when.”
It was ludicrous that they were sitting, calmly having this conversation, while Gaston and Harris lay bleeding a few feet away. However, there was no choice but to engage him. She needed to buy some time to work out a strategy. Again, she resisted the urge to look in their direction. To see Gaston might undo the countess.
“Perhaps. But I broke no promises, for none had been exchanged. And you would never have gotten the bulk of my money. Thornwood helped me ensure no one could touch it. It’s in a trust. He is thoroughly knowledgeable about the laws, you know.”
