Page 42 of To Redeem an Earl

Sophia tilted her head, recalling her mention of security the day before. Was it possible that conversation had prompted him to do so? She felt slightly mollified until her attention returned to Richard, who, she noted, was fidgeting like a schoolboy caught in a lie. Then, no. Something had happened, but he elected not to inform her. Sophia flushed with resentment. He had promised that they would be honest with each other, but now, after a mere three days of marriage, he was keeping a secret.

He did not trust her! She thought they had made so much progress, but …He does not trust me!

Taking a deep breath, she tried again. “Are you sure there is nothing you wish to tell me?”

Richard looked like a guilty child, shaking his head in dissent. The resentment in her chest burst into flames. She wished to claw him in her anger—the stupid, glib idiot.

“I met your dear friend, Lady Partridge, today.” Richard visibly flinched. Behind her, she heard Perry choking back a laugh.

“She is very eager to renew yourspecialacquaintanceship.” This time, there was no concealing it. Perry laughed out loud.

Richard held out his hands in appeal. “It was two or three years ago—”

Sophia did not wait for his excuses. She was already heading out of the room, ignoring his response.

* * *

Richard lefthis brother in the study to follow Sophia. When he could not find her in the library or lower rooms, he eventually tried her chambers and found her sitting on a window ledge, seething. Her eyes were directed out to the street, but he sensed she was not seeing anything, instead lost in her thoughts.

He wished to tell her the truth, but more than that, he wanted to maintain her esteem and admiration. How could he tell her that, despite the fact she sought security by becoming his wife, not three days into the marriage, he had brought the enemy to the gates? He could not. He thought about what the duke had advised him, but he still could not bring himself to risk losing her regard.

Instead, he would need to use his well-honed charms to coax her out of her mood. A little misdirection to restore her good humor. “I apologize for not informing you about the guardsmen.”

She turned her head to scowl at him.

“You and Ethan are too important. Having a family depending on me is an unfamiliar experience. I promise I am being cautious because I care about you.”

His knees went weak with relief when her face softened to its normal composure. “I appreciate that. I appreciate that this is new to you.”

Richard moved over to stand beside her. “I have never had a woman like you in my life. And a child … such a tiny child. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with the sheer responsibility of it all.”

She tilted her head back to look at him, her iridescent blue eyes speculative. “This is quite a change in circumstances, is it not?”

He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “I had no idea one’s life could change this much in such a short period. I had to step in when I inherited the title. But this … this is different. This is … real. Living, breathingfamilyunder my roof, depending on me to make the right decisions to keep both of you safe.”

Sophia reached out a slender hand to capture his own. “I understand. I apologize for my impatience.”

He looked down at their clasped hands, and something stirred in his chest. Mayhap Halmesbury was right. Was it possible that a Balfour was developing a true depth of feeling for his wife? What horrific timing to have his emotions entangled for the first time in his adulthood, just when he needed to keep a clear head and find the source of the machinations plaguing his life.

He raised her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her fingers, relieved that he had distracted her from her suspicions.

CHAPTER13

Sophia knew her foolish husband believed he had distracted her from her suspicions, but she merely relented when she noticed the strain visible in the tense lines of his face. For a man of just seven and twenty, his worries were aging him before her eyes these past few days. If only he would share the burden with her, but the oaf was keeping secrets. Most likely because of ridiculous male pride. However, she had promised him patience while he grew used to having a partner in his life, so she would provide it. Within reason.

She set aside her suspicions to enjoy dinner with him. Afterward, he had proved his devilish reputation was well-deserved when he joined her in her bed for the night to debauch her twice, after doing unspeakably wicked things to her with his tongue. Her blood heated at the recollection of the peaks of pleasure he brought her to. She could practice further patience if he continued to do such entrancing things to her body.

But now it was morning. And practicing patience, fortunately, did not mean she could not take steps to investigate what he was hiding from her. Which was why she currently pressed her ear to the door of his study to eavesdrop while he discussed the secret problem with his brother.

“… the night guardsmen reported they saw a man out in the square until late who could have been watching Balfour Terrace.”

She heard Perry whistle. “So, it is true, then? There is one perpetrator for your wedding night fiasco, the spiteful print, and the note?”

Note? What note? She knew it! Richard was hiding something from her.

“It would appear so. I think I should increase security. If this continues—I will do whatever it takes to keep Sophia and Ethan safe.”

Just then, Sophia heard the clip of Radcliffe’s shoes approaching. She straightened up in haste and smoothed her skirts before lifting her hand to knock on the study door. Her husband called for her to enter.

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