Page 40 of Mercenary Princess

Chapter 15

London, England

“How delightful to see you again, Your Royal Highness,” Forde said as he leaned in to kiss both of Sophia’s cheeks in greeting.

Crystal chandeliers glittered in the two-story ballroom filled with men and women in glittering designer evening wear. Tinkling laughter and the clink of champagne flutes mixed with the soft strings of the orchestra playing on a raised dais. Expensive colognes and perfumes fought for dominance over the savory scents of the hors d’oeuvres being passed around by servants in short white coats.

“My lord, it is always a pleasure,” Sophia intoned with a bright smile.

His charming grin and sparkling steel-colored eyes were the downfall of many a woman. But Sophia had always been immune. By the time she’d met the devastating playboy, she’d already developed a thing for one sexy Russian.

They stepped back from the crowd of aristocrats in a show of friendly conversation. Cameras flashed in the distance as the dinner was photographed for the society websites, blogs, and newspapers. Her mother would be scouring every page to ensure Sophia was following orders. Thankfully, she managed to keep her mask of serenity in place as she suffered through dinner, seated across from some of her mother’s old friends. “Thanks. I appreciate the photo op.”

He grinned and laughed elegantly as if she’d said something amusing. She stifled a real laugh, wishing he’d been there all night. After a moment, Forde gripped her hands and leaned in. “This was twenty minutes of my life I’ll never get back. You’re welcome.” With a wink he added, “Have fun.”

She laughed as he made his exit, charming a beautiful blonde in a white silk gown on his way out. His playboy persona fit well with his title of “spare heir” to the wealthiest dukedom in all of Britain.

Sophia looked around, wishing she could leave as Forde had. The after-dinner cocktails were taking so long that she could almost feel the moonlight burning. These were hours of her life she wouldn’t get back, either. It was already close to ten, and the event would go on for several more hours.

She longed for the ability to plead a headache and leave, but her mother had already called, demanding a detailed report on which men from the list she’d spoken to. She couldn’t risk leaving yet, not with her mother’s friends hovering in every corner like potted plants.

Her reward for surviving the night was more time in Viktor’s bed. Just one more night. She’d considered not going, but Forde had been right. She was entitled to some semblance of a life, especially when her mother was forcing Sophia’s hand in a way she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

“My dear, I understand we will have exciting news soon.”

Sophia smiled as the aging Duchess of Lancashire came to stand in the place Forde had vacated.

“So nice to see you here, Your Grace,” Sophia said as she dutifully kissed the woman’s lined cheeks. After a moment, Sophia settled in for a long, mostly one-sided chat, which meant she was saved from having to appear interested in any of the men at the dinner.

“I know your mother favors Hellshire or maybe the Frenchman, Jean Luc.”

Sophia managed to maintain her smile but wanted to vomit at the reminder that Jean Luc had made it on her mother’s damned list. That he’d been ranked so high in others’ opinions made her uneasy. The woman continued chatting while Sophia pasted an interested look on her face.

“But I do believe you are doing well by carefully assessing your options. There is much to consider when choosing a husband,” the duchess assured her, and it was hard not to smile genuinely at the older woman.

“I appreciate any advice you have to offer, Your Grace,” Sophia said, feeling only a minor twinge of guilt when the woman’s chest puffed with pride before providing her advice on the matter. Sophia nodded and asked questions at all the right times while the duchess pro-and-conned the men on the list.

“Hellshire’s London residence is right next to mine. It is a beautiful old home. You will, of course, need to have it redecorated. His mother had dreadful taste.”

Sophia had to force her lips not to twitch at the woman’s love of architecture and its apparent value when choosing a husband. The woman was giving Sophia the advice Her Grace had likely been given by her own mother. Though it was sad that love hadn’t entered into any part of her advisement, Sophia wasn’t surprised. What caught her off guard was her own preoccupation with love.

The duchess kept talking with little prompting. The older woman thought she was helping, and in this case, it really was the thought that counted. As a servant stopped by, Sophia exchanged her half-filled glass of champagne for a full one. She was simply going through the motions with a mask of amused calm firmly in place, but it felt far less forced than usual.

“I have shared all the wisdom I have on the matter. The rest is up to you, my dear. Choose wisely,” the duchess said before leaving her on her own. Sophia had been so lost in thought that it felt as if the conversation had ended far too abruptly. The vacant spot was swept up by another wishing for her time.

The rest of the evening slipped by in a haze that started to dim her upbeat mood from earlier. By midnight, she was beyond anxious to leave. She’d already talked and flirted until she felt physically ill.

After agreeing to a trip to the opera that week, she finally felt she’d done everything that could possibly be expected of her for the night.

With a nod to Antony and Jen, she signaled she was ready to leave. Her guards flanked her as she made her way, smiling and nodding, to the front entrance hall. Once outside, she breathed in the scent of the coming rain.

The car had rolled to the front by the time she descended the wide stone steps. Jen opened her door before closing her in and entering on the other side. Antony, thankfully, sat up front. His watchfulness had been partly to blame for her diminished mood. The rest were her mother’s friends and the aristocratic men vying for a spot on the list everyone apparently knew about. She was grateful for only a twenty-minute ride to her current residence.

She spent the drive gazing out at the large homes they passed. Some were lit for an evening of hosting friends or family, maybe even watching television or cooking together. It made her miss her friends. She missed the time they’d had at school and university, before their personas severed them from her mother’s list of acceptable companions. They all wanted her to walk away from Porenza, but she hadn’t been able to do it then. Was she going to now?

Shaking those thoughts away, she turned to a more pleasant consideration. She wondered whether Viktor hosted friends at his home or if he had childhood friends he spent time with?

It felt like a lifetime passed before they turned into the driveway of her rented home.

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