page28 (1/2)

“My gown, in the evidence roonantly “No doubt it has been shoved onto some filthy shelf!”

As she hurried out of the office, his curses could be heard down the hallway

Rather than allow Sophia to wear the lavender silk, Ross had actually sent three runners out to investigate various dress to sell a gown that was part of another order It would cost a fortune, the dressmaker warned, as she would probably lose one of her most valued clients as a result Ross paid the hefty sum without a word of protest

To Sophia’s private relief, the dressoith a flattering square-cut bodice and a fashionably loaistband The full skirts were adorned with glittering beadwork flowers, as were the full, elbow-length sleeves It was a nificent creation that fitted her almost perfectly and required very few adjustenerosity, the dressowns from her other client’s order, so that Sophia would have day dresses to wear at Silverhill Park

On their wedding day, Sophia wore her hair pinned in curls atop her head, with silver ribbons woven throughout A necklace of pearls and diaift that Ross had sent to her that very own, the clicking weight of pearls around her neck, the heeled satin shoes on her feet The wedding cererip of Ross’s hands and the silver intensity of his eyes At the conclusion of the vows, he bent to brand her with the possessive heat of his lips, a brief caress that contained the promise of much more

Chaht-course feast that was followed by a lavish ball Sophia was introduced to hundreds of people, and before long she eary of s It was impossible for her to remember more than a few of the multitude of new faces So Sir Grant Morgan’s wife, Lady Victoria Having long been curious about what kind of woiant, Sophia was surprised to discover that his as quite small of stature Lady Victoria was also one of the most spectacularly beautiful woure, a profusion of vivid red hair, and a vivacious smile

“Lady Sophia,” the petite red-haired woman said warmly, “no words can express how thrilled we are that Sir Ross has finally married Only a remarkable woman could have enticed him away from erhood”

Sophia returned her se of the match is entirely mine, I assure you”

Sir Grant interceded, his green eyes twinkling warmly He seemed far different from when he was at Bow Street, and Sophia observed that he basked in the presence of his wife as a cat would in sunshine “I beg to disagree, es for Sir Ross—which is obvious to all who know him”

“Indeed,” Lady Victoria added thoughtfully, her gaze finding Ross’s dark for line “I’ve never seen him look so well In fact, this may be the first time I’ve ever seen him smile”

“And his face didn’t even crack,” Morgan commented

“Grant,” his wife scolded beneath her breath Sophia laughed Morgan winked at her and drew his wife away

As the musicians played a piece by Bach, Sophia searched the crowd for a glimpse of Ross Unfortunately, he was nowhere to be seen now The sweet s and a transverse fluteskirts of her gown, Sophia sined the pleasure her parents ht have felt if they had known she would rief they would have suffered to learn what had beco very much alone, Sophia wished that her brother could have attended her wedding, although that was obviously impossible He and she lived in different worlds, and there would never be a way to close the distance between them

“Lady Sophia” A voice intruded on her thoughts, and she was confronted with the last face she would ever have expected to see

“Anthony,” she whispered, her heart dropping in a sickening plunge

Anthony Lyndhurst was just as she had re a self-iall to approach her Stricken, she did not curtsy in response to his bow

“My congratulations on your e,” he said softly

It took all of Sophia’s strength to conceal her turmoil Frantically she wondered why Anthony had come and who had invited hi day?

“Walk with allery that branched off the drawing room

“No,” she replied in a low tone

“I insist” He proffered his ar a scene Pasting a brittle sers on his coat She accoallery, which was far less crowded than the drawing room “You’ve done quite well for yourself, Sophia,” Anthony reive you considerable status and fortune Well done”

She let go of his ar of family portraits “Who invited you?” she asked coldly

Anthony smiled “The Lyndhursts and Cannons are distantly related by e I am frequently invited to the Silverhill estate”

“I am sorry to hear it”

He gave a brief laugh “I see that you’re still put out withso precipitately when last we ent business that had to be attended to”

Conte your wife, perhaps?”

He smiled a bit sheepishly, as if at ato do with us”

“You asked me to marry you when you were already married A bit deceptive, don’t you think?”

“I only did that to nudge you into doing what you already wanted to do There was a strong attraction between us, Sophia In fact, I sense that it is has not vanished entirely”

She was astonished by the appraising glance he gave her Good Lord, how easy it was for hiust and sha fro”

“Women,” he replied, clearly amused “You always say the opposite of what you mean”

“Take it as you will But stay away from me, or you will have to deal with my husband”

“I don’t think so,” Anthony entleman, and a cold fish besides His kind always looks the other way”

If Sophia had not been so outraged, she would have laughed scornfully at the notion that Ross was toocuckolded “Stay away froht control she maintained over herself