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During the day, Sophia was so busy that she had little time to think about Ross However, there was no escape fro hours Utterly defeated, she admitted to herself that she had fallen in love with the man she had wanted to ruin She had been vanquished by her own heart There was nothing to do but abandon her plans for revenge There would be no seduction… no tainted victory She would leave her position at Bow Street as soon as possible and try to go on with the rest of her life
Her new resolve left her feeling drained but peaceful, and she concentrated on the co weekend party an determination
Twenty-five bedroouests, as well as another dozen in the nearby gatehouse reserved for the use of bachelors Fa toould attend the uests to three hundred and fifty
Unfortunately, the written notes and plans left by the forewell, left much to be desired Wryly Sophia reflected that the absent Mrs Bridgewell had probably been far more concerned with her own ro weekend party Sophia busied herself with taking inventory of the china and flatware, the contents of the butler’s pantry and wine cellar, the larders and linen closets Consulting with both the cook and Mrs Cannon, Sophia estions, and the proper china for each course She ardener, and laid out plans for a score of houserocer, and milkman came to call and took Sophia’s written orders for the approaching celebration
In the midst of this activity, Sophia entleman whose ninetieth birthday was the cause of all the excitement Ross’s mother had tried to prepare Sophia for his outspokenness “When you meet my father-in-law, I should not wish you to be disconcerted by his ed, he has beco he says He is a dearin discretion”
Walking back from the icehouse, set apart fro beneath a canvas awning in the rose garden A small table laden with refreshments had been placed beside hi rest, and Sophia recalled Mrs Cannon out
“You, girl,” he said imperiously “Come here I have not seen you before”
Sophia obeyed “Goodinto a respectful curtsy
Robert Cannon was a handsouished face His eyes were a steely blue-gray “I suppose you are the girl hter-in-law told me about The one from Bow Street”
“Yes, sir I hope very much that I may help to make your birthday celebration satisfactory—”
“Yes, yes,” he cut in i his hand to indicate that the event was trivial nonsense “My daughter-in-laill seize on any excuse for a party Now, you will tell randson”
Caught couard, Sophia stared at him openmouthed “Sir,” she said cautiously, “I am afraid I do not understand your question”
“Catherine says that he has taken an interest in you—which is a welcome piece of news I want to see my family line continue, and Ross and his brother are the last of the Cannon males Has he come up to scratch yet?”
Sophia was too shocked to reply quickly How in the world had he arrived at such a conclusion? “Mr Cannon, you are entirely mistaken! I—I have no intention of… of… and Sir Ross would not…” Her voice trailed into silence as her mind searched futilely for words
Cannon regarded her with a skeptical smile “Catherine says you are a Sydney,” he corandfather Frederick quite well”
The revelation astonished her further “You did? You were friends with randfather?”
“I didn’t say that ere friends,” Cannon replied crustily “I only said that I knew hiet on was that we both fell in love with the same woman Miss Sophia Jane Lawrence”
“My granded to say She shook her head in wonder at the unexpected connection to her family’s past “I was named after her”
“A lovely and accoh she was a bit al quality that you lack”
Sophia sal when one is a servant, sir”
His blue eyes reed face seeranddaughter, a servant! The Sydneys have fallen on hard tirandmother would have done better to marry me”
“Why didn’t she?”
He gestured to a nearby chair “Come sit by me, and I will tell you”
Sophia cast an anxious glance at theof the work that had to be done
The old irl After all, the weekend is supposed to be in my honor, and here I am, set out to pasture I wish for a few minutes of your company—is that too much to ask?”
Sophia promptly sat
Cannon settled back in his chair “Your grandirl I had ever seen Her faood blood, and they desired their only daughter to marry well After Sophia’s co her hand Her lack of a substantial doas no obstacle, as the Cannons are a faree to a betrothal, your grandfather Lord Sydney ainst the allure of his title Although the Cannon nauished, I am not a peer And so Sophia Jane went to Lord Sydney”
“Which of you did randmother love?” Sophia asked, fascinated by the piece of family history that she had never been aware of
“I a her “Perhaps neither of us But I suspect that in tiret her choice Lord Sydney was a pleasant enough fellow, but there never seemed to be much depth below the surface I was a far better catch”
“Andsuddenly
Cannon seerandparents content in their e?”
“I think so,” Sophia said slowly “Although I do not recall seeing theether very often They see on the past In retrospect, her grandparents had not seemed especially affectionate with each other “Fortunately, you found another love,” she re to put a happy end to the story
“No, I didn’t,” Cannon returned bluntly “I admired lione”
Sophia felt a surge of melancholy as she reflected on the statement No doubt that was how Sir Ross would always feel about his wife, Eleanor
She did not realize that she had spoken the words aloud until Robert Cannon replied with a snort of irritation “That fragile flower! I never understood irl, butsons” He gave Sophia a h you’re up to the task”
Alar, Sophia stood hastily “Well, Mr Cannon, it has been a pleasure to meet you However, if I do not attend to my responsibilities, I fear for the outcome of your party” She added a flirtatious note to her voice “To entlemen, but rather to work”