Chapter 6

"Are you enjoying London?"

Sophie could hardly contain herself as her grandfather asked her this question. "Oh my! It is a wonderful city. I truly love it. I cannot believe that this is my first time here, it feels like home."

She enjoyed the city and the sights. The unique shops on offer were nothing like the ones in Sweden. The people seemed incredibly friendly and welcoming as well. But best of all for Sophie was spending time with the grandparents she had never been lucky enough to meet before.

The Gracemeadow Estate was a glamorous testament to who they were as people. Their wealth showing in the art work hanging on the walls and the exotic trinkets on every surface.

"Well, as you know, your grandmother and I have loved having you here too. You have been quite the breath of fresh air for us both."

Sophie beamed brightly. She knew that they had come to London to care for her father's mother, but she seemed to be improving day by day just by having her family close to her. To Sophie, it was a sign that they should have moved here so much earlier on.

And not just because her grandfather had just taken her shopping again, allowing her to purchase whatever she wanted. Dresses, jewelry, books… anything at all, as if they felt like they had years to make up for.

"Are there any more stores you would like to visit?" her grandfather asked. "Perhaps to visit the modiste for another ball dress?"

Sophie shook her head gratefully. "I think I have plenty of gowns. I am ready for the Season when it comes."

She could not wait. To finally be at one of the infamous London balls where she could dress up in her finest, loveliest gown and be swept off her feet by some of the most handsome gentlemen that the city had to offer. That was a dream that she kept on having, one that would soon become her reality.

"Well, the Thompson's will be holding their ball to kick off the season at the end of the week, so I want you to be ready."

Her grandfather smiled at her with a cocked, knowing eyebrow. Sophie knew that she probably did not need any other dresses, but she could not resist the temptation. She had not yet explored the modiste's store on this street and she could not wait.

"Alright, let us just take a look in this one last store," she giggled. "See if they have the perfect gown in here. Then we shall go home."

Her grandfather agreed eagerly. It was obvious that he wanted to spoil Sophie as much as he could, to ensure that she really did have everything that she needed to tackle this season. He probably wanted to ensure that she found the right man in London and wanted to stay forever.

Although Sophie was already in love with the city, so she did not need a man for that…

***

Sophie sighed and twirled around as she held one of her new dresses up to her chest to see what it might look like. She was grateful that her grandfather had suggested just one more store because the dress designer in there had been really special. The detailing on these beautiful gowns was just wonderful. She could just envision herself stepping out into London society officially, and letting herself be known by the ton at long last.

She could also imagine the eyes looking back at her.

Eyes including the hazel ones she had seen on the ship, pulling her from her doom, rescuing her.

Sophie's heart raced as she thought about George, as it often did. She had not let that gentleman slip from her mind even in the whirlwind that had been London. Especially when she was alone in the evenings, after yet another wonderful dinner at the Gracemeadow Estate.

That was when she started recalling the touch of his hand as he grazed against her, and the chocolatey richness of his voice.

He had asked her to be friends with him, here in the big city. She had no idea what that really meant, but it still left her very keen to see him again. She prayed that he would also be at the Thompson family ball so their paths would cross once more.

"Miss Sophie, are you ready to change into your nightgown just yet?"

Sophie jumped because her new ladies maid, Lily, had shocked her, dragging her from her daydreams about Lord George Harrington.

"Oh yes, I am ready." She hung her gown back up once more, so it did not get wrinkled before the big night. Although she was not truly sure what dress she would wear. Some moments, she thought the lavender gown would be best, but then there were also times that she enjoyed the midnight blue against her skin. "I am very tired."

Lily helped her change, then spent some time brushing her long hair before she slept.

Sophie enjoyed Lily's company, she was a sweet girl who asked all the right questions and seemed to be able to sense Sophie's mood all the time, knowing when to speak and what to say. She had very quickly become one of Sophie's favorite things about London.

"Did you manage to catch a glimpse of your ship friend while out shopping today?" Lily asked, seemingly sensing who was on Sophie's mind.

"I did not, but I am sure he will be invited to the Thompson ball. He is a rather fine gentleman."

"Then we will have to ensure that you look your best, Miss Sophie. I have been practicing some hair styles that I think will be perfect for your hair color. With matching gems that will make you stand out brilliantly."

Sophie grinned gratefully. "Thank you so much, Lily. That means a lot to me."

Lily bid her goodnight, leaving Sophie alone in her grand London bedroom. She tucked herself under the sheets and stared up at the ceiling for a moment, again just mentally planning the ball at the end of the week. The closer it came to that night, the more anticipation surged through her veins. She was nervous and excited in equal measures.

But now, she was not just thinking of the dress and planning the dances she wished to partake in, she was lost in her favorite fantasy. Her eyes swooping across the ballroom to seek out her hero. The handsome Lord Harrington, also looking a little lost as he tried to seek her out too. Because of course in this fantasy, he had been thinking endlessly of her, just as she had been of him, and he could not wait to dance with her either.

He did not even need to ask, there was simply an understanding between them, a knowledge that they could not stay apart for too much longer.

They walked towards one another, dragged by an intense magnetic pull.

The rest of the world simply melted in to nothingness. It was only him and her.

By the time he reached out to take her hands, she could hardly wait for the fizzle of desire to race down her spine. Because she recognized the sensation for what it was now. She knew that she ached for him.

In her fantasy, she did not talk. She never needed to talk. She simply rose up onto her tip toes just as he dipped his head low to claim her as well. There was a fire blazing in his hazel colored eyes that she could not get enough of.

By the time his lips met hers, they had moved. They were no longer in the middle of the ballroom with all eyes of the ton watching them. They were in a bed chambers, a little like this one, and he had his hands cupped around her cheeks. The sizzle of excitement tore through her skin, shivering through her entire body as George finally crashed his lips to her and claimed her.

Sophie slid her eyes closed and allowed the kiss to deepen. His tongue invaded her mouth and his eager fingers slid down her body, exploring her hips and waist line in a way that was truly inappropriate. Thank goodness no one was watching them.

But Sophie's imagination did not stop there.

It never did when it came to George.

The kiss intensified and grew more passionate.

He pushed her up against the nearest wall and began to gather up the skirts of her dress.

Sophie's whole body pulsated with desire as she imagined this happening. She could not stop her hands from resting on her own ragged chest where her labored breaths were rising and falling rapidly. She imagined his hands instead of hers, as she allowed them to trickle down to her thighs, close to her undergarments.

"Oh Sophie, you truly are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes upon."

Hearing him whisper those words into her ears thrilled her.

This was the most exciting time she'd ever had with him, even if it only ever happened in her mind.

By the time Sophie's fingers had edged in to her panties, it was him taking control of her. In her fantasy, Sophie had willingly given herself over to this man, and he was scooping her up willingly.

Without a moment of hesitation, she parted her thighs further, and allowed her fingers to glide along her soaking wet slit.

"Oh my, George," she murmured allowed as she finally plunged her fingers deep inside of herself, still picturing George's hand in place of hers. She could almost feel the weight of his whole body pressed up against her as she massaged herself. "George that feels so good."

She moaned in delight, her free hand mussing up her hair as she pushed her palm against her clit every single time she thrust. Perhaps she did not know how it would really feel to have George touching her like this, but she had a feeling that he would know exactly what to do with her body. That his touch would be even better than her own.

Sophie twisted her body onto her side, the friction of touching herself intensifying. She gripped the sheets while she thrust against her hand, picturing that tall, handsome, broad shouldered man stripping down to show her everything that he had on offer as well.

He wanted her, she could see it, and now he was climbing up the bed to claim her, like a predator coming to devour his prey. But Sophie was a very willing prey, eager to be consumed by him.

She tossed her head back, pumping her soaking wet fingers as the pressure of pleasure built within her.

Her toes curled, her stomach flip flopped, and there were butterflies flapping at her core as she drew nearer to the pinnacle of desire with every passing second.

Thoughts of George flooded all of her, every part of her body tingled for this man, she was breathless and dizzy for him. It took every scrap of will power not to scream out his name. The last thing she wanted to do was wake up her whole family at this truly inappropriate moment…

But then she fell, and she lost all control of herself entirely. All she could do was cry out for him.

The burning hot bliss crashed through her as her body convulsed with intense pleasure. Her heart pounded violently, threatening to escape her body as she basked in the glorious desire of him. She felt like she was on fire, sizzling and burning in the best way possible. It was a sensation that she never wanted to end, and she knew if this dream were ever to become a reality, that she would yearn for it to last for the rest of her existence.