Page 5 of To Redeem an Earl

Richard interjected, “I do feel that if I did ruin them, they would be the most immediately in need of assistance due to their lack of financial resources and connections.”

Johnson cleared his throat. “Indeed. Then I am to continue the investigation and locate a further eight widows in order to determine their current situations,along with any consequences from your past … relationships.”

“That is correct. I did not include any courtesans or any women I found to be more debauched than myself when we …”—frigged—“interacted, for I determined that I was not the cause of their ruin and that responsibility fell to someone else. After all, the list must have a finite end point, don’t you think?” Richard gave a hollow laugh.

Johnson echoed him with his own lifeless laugh. “Yes, my lord.After all, an infinite list of amends would require infinite access to funds.”

Richard and Johnson both looked away, each finding the furnishings in the room far more fascinating than the endless parade of women in Richard’s past. Turned out, this redemption business was difficult. Needing another’s aid in the redeeming was as mortifying as he had expected it to be when he first contemplated this restorative rite.

He had met with his cousin, the Duke of Halmesbury, for his advice early that morning. Fortunately, he had not encounteredhis former betrothed, Annabel,during his visit. Halmesbury was visibly appalled by his scrawled list of paramours, although Richard had not revealed their names. It had been a prop for their conversation regarding Richard’s quest to take responsibility for his actions. Showing his cousin the actual list?Nowthat, he thought to himself with a healthy dose of irony,would be the height of poor taste.

Richard blushed as he thought of the earlier meeting and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Really, his cravat feltawfully tight for some reason. Thankfully, the duke had given his wholehearted support of the endeavor and provided excellent guidance on what forms of amends would be appropriate for the various situations Richard might contend with.

Whetherit be him or Johnson, one of them would need to break the stilted silence soon or this would become … decidedlyembarrassing?

Taking a deep breath, Richard exhaled and spoke. “I need regular reports and, of course, you will let me know when I have ameetingto attend.”

Johnson nodded, tucking the lists safely into his portfolio.

A thought suddenly struck Richard. “Johnson, instead of taking my lists with you, copy them out for yourself and leave me with the originals.I wouldn’t want something to happen to them and have to make the lists again.” He cleared his throat, and then, thinking to lighten the mood, continued with an attempt at a smile. “Please.”

Johnson’s eyes widened, apparently spooked. “Please?” he repeated back.

A fresh wave of shame hit Richard. “Please,” he confirmed with firmness.

Egads, how pompous had he been with Johnson in the past that the man was astonished by Richard’s rudimentary display of manners? This restoration of honor business was proving to have endless ramifications for his peace of mind, he feared. He was not sure he liked his new heightened awareness of what other people thought of his behavior. But it was imperative that his quest begin before he attended Viscount Moreland’s ball tonight. He wanted to see Miss Hayward, but he needed to be armed with some sort of defense when he next encountered the young lady.

* * *

Sophia stoodat the edge of the ballroom, watching the colorfully attired dancers twirl in time to the music. She had never had high hopes for her first Season. She had vaguely hoped she might meet a gentleman and marry for love, then experience the newfound freedoms one attained as a married woman. However, the more her brother’s poor choices over the past few years had mimicked those of their late father, the more Sophia had grown fearful of being trapped in a marriage such as her mother’s. Her indistinct hopes had quickly turned into a determination to avoid marriage at all costs. Not that she could let her uncle and aunt know of her decision because the conversations would be endless and trying, so instead she had developed her two strategies for gently repelling would-be suitors.

Now into her fourth Season, it promised yet again to be evenings filled with dreary small talk, mindless conversations, and fine-crafted performances on her part. Parliament, in its infinite wisdom, had determined that the 1820 session would run longer than usual, stranding the peerage in London during the odorous summer, which she found terribly disheartening. Not to mention the gossip regarding the new king’s plans for an ill-conceived trial of Queen Caroline. Hopefully, Sophia’s slight anxiety at being forced to engage with sizable crowds would dwindle due to prolonged exposure as the year wore on.

Fluttering her dance card, she mused that the novelty presented to her when she first arrived was turning out to be useful to cool herself in the crowded ballroom. Aunt Christiana’s friend, Lady Astley, had recently returned from Vienna where such aProgramme du Ballwas the height of fashion, so now that word had spread about them, they would likely appear at all the events this Season as hostesses attempted to outdo each other.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she realized someone was standing beside her. She sighed, pasted on a smile, and turned to see who it was. It startled her to come face-to-face with Lord Saunton, undeniably handsome and unquestionably morally bankrupt. Her heart—and her smile—sank as he greeted her and reached for her card.Had she not already repelled the man at the Astleys’ ball?

“I see your next dance is available,” he said in his smoothbaritone. “May I have this waltz with you?”

Belatedly, she curtsied. “Of course, my lord.”

Lord Saunton led her to the center of the ballroom. As he moved into position and took up her hand in his much larger one, he spoke unexpectedly.“I have been thinking of you.”

Sophia’s head whipped up in surprise. She looked at him, stunned. Toostartled to catch herself, she blurted her thought out loud. “Why?”

Lord Saunton laughed sheepishly. “You are more direct than I remember from our last dance.”

Sophia inwardly cringed. “La, my lord, I am flattered you remembered our one dance together.” She hastily executed a flirty flutter of her eyelids.

He grinned and chided, “Now, now, Miss Hayward, I preferred it when you were direct. It was not the dance that was unforgettable, it was your unfettered thoughts about my character that you shared with your friend on the balcony.”

Sophia blanched as she frantically tried to recall what she had said to her cousin Lily about Lord Saunton thatnight.

“Do not be concerned; you gaveme pause for thought. Consequently, I have made a decision. Several decisions. And, as a result, I was thinking I would like to call on you tomorrow?”

Sophia shook her head.No, no, no, no!This was a horrible turn of events. Her aunt would literally skin her alive if she failed to accept such an invitation. From an earl, no less. This couldn’t be. She could not get involved with an incorrigible rake. She couldn’t get involved with anyone! During their first dance, she had made a point of boring the earl to avoid garnering his attentions. Now she was memorable?It would not do. It would not do at all!

“Sophia?” She winced at his intimate use of her name. In a lowered voice, he spoke again. “Sophia, please say yes. I will not embarrass you or tell your aunt if you do not agree.” Wait! Was he reading her thoughts? “I would very much appreciate the opportunity to call on you, and I would like it to be with your permission.”

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