Chapter Twenty-Two

The following morning Sophie sat in the drawing room with her mama. The housekeeper had set out a lovely breakfast of toast, eggs, ham, and seasonal fruit to enjoy after the successful ball the night before, but she could eat very little. Her stomach still churned at the thought of Lord Carr's threat.

"Where is His Grace this morning?" her mama asked as she picked up her tea and took a satisfying sip.

Sophie did the same and slumped into the cushions of the yellow- and silver-striped silk settee. "He's gone to Whites, but I do not know why. After our ball last evening, I would not think many of our friends would be up this early to venture to their club."

Her mama looked about the room and, satisfied they were alone, met Sophie's gaze. "What are we going to do about Lord Carr, my dear? I think it is best to tell the duke what his lordship did to you and hope that he believes you, not Lord Carr and his disgusting insinuations. If His Grace knows the truth, it voids any trouble Lord Carr can do to you."

"He could always go public with his threats." Sophie's stomach renewed its upset. The idea of anyone other than her mama knowing her secret was too horrific to imagine.

Society would think the poor country mouse had thrown herself at the only lord who lived nearby and had given herself to him in an attempt to secure his hand. Something she had not done and nor ever would. Lord Carr was a toff, a gentleman too high in the instep, and everyone in Highclere knew his disagreeable nature.

But that would also not stop the ton from thinking the worst. She was by no means wealthy, and as a way of securing her mama's future happiness and her own well-being in the years to come, many would believe his lordship's lies.

"If he shared his threats, he loses any possibility of receiving payment for his silence. But if the duke knew and protected you with his position in society, Lord Carr would not dare open his mouth. Who would go up against a powerful duke such as Holland? You would indeed be mad if you did."

"He is mad, Mama. You saw him yourself last evening. He's determined to have his money, and I'm doomed no matter what I decide. Should I pay him for his silence, I know he will return for more. And if I tell Henry what happened to me and what Lord Carr is threatening, I risk ruining my marriage before it has even commenced. Henry may hate me when he learns the truth. He may believe Lord Carr's lies, and then where will I be?"

Her mama's features crumbled, and she regretted her words, but they were the truth. The situation was hopeless. "The duke would not send you away, would he? I can vouch for you for that evening. I can tell him what state you came home in after chaperoning Lord Carr's grandmother at his engagement ball. Your torn dress, bruised face and chest, not to mention other places on your person that were soiled and discolored."

The memory, one she had long tried to forget, to bury well in her past, smothered her yet again, and she took a calming breath, but could not seem to get enough air.

"I cannot breathe, Mama," she said, leaning forward, focusing on the pretty blue-and-white tea set before her as she tried to calm her racing heart.

Her mama came and sat beside her, a comforting hand on her back. "Breathe, dearest. Deep, slow breaths and you will beat this spell." Her mama growled at her side. "Oh, I wish I could eradicate Lord Carr. Be done with the bastard once and for all."

Sophie shook her head, knowing that was not how they would be able to deal with the man. "There is no way I shall be able to ask Henry for a thousand pounds before the end of the month without raising suspicions. I do not even know if the duke has such readily available funds."

"I'm sure he does, dearest, but you are right. He will be curious, and he will unlikely give it to you without knowing why." Her mother's eyes filled with compassion. "You must tell him the truth about your past and hope that he sees reason, believes you, and stands at your side. If he does not, then he is not the man I thought he was."

Sophie nodded, but the idea of telling her account to the man she loved, a man who believed her to be as pure and virginal and unsullied as he was, was too much to bear. Would he judge her cruelly? Would he send her away? Would he shun her and throw her to the wolves, who were the London ton?

"I cannot tell Henry. He will be devastated and angry."

"Surely not at you, dearest. He will be furious at Lord Carr, but never you. You did nothing wrong, Sophie. You never did. You did a kindness to his lordship's family, and he attacked you when you walked home. You did not ask for any of his attention."

Her mama pulled her into her arms, and Sophie relented, held tight to her parent, and wished the comforting arms of her mama could sort all her troubles like they did when she was a little girl. But they would not. She had to find a thousand pounds or tell Henry, and unfortunately, a sinking feeling told her it would have to be the latter.

***

Henry rode to Whites early, before most of the gentlemen were present, and went directly to the betting book. He scrolled through the many bets, numerous ones made after the one involving Sophie, and swore.

Where the hell was it?

He flipped through the many pages dating to before the Season had commenced, and still, there was no sign of the page. Working his way through, he looked at the seam of the book and noted that, indeed, a page had been torn from the tome.

He ground his teeth. Who the hell had beaten him at doing such a thing, and why? Henry glanced about the room, not seeing anyone who took an interest in his business with the betting book.

With nothing left to do, he strode over to an empty table and slumped into the leather chair. Someone had the page. Lord Bankes was particularly interested in the bet and had courted Sophie quite adamantly during the Season before her attention diverted to him. Could it be him?

He mulled over the notion a moment before Lord Carr entered the upstairs coffee room and sauntered over to him. A knowing smugness to the man's features was evidence enough of who had stolen the page.

But what could he want with it?

"Your Grace?" Lord Carr said, bowing before sliding into the leather wingback chair across from him. "I was hoping to find you here, although the day after your nuptials, I'm surprised you're here and not in bed with your lovely wife."

Henry's ire grew, and he ground his teeth, reminding himself that violence was not tolerated in Whites and he could not hurt the bastard, no matter how much he wanted to.

"Lord Carr, forgive me for being so forward, but we're not friends, nor shall we be. There is something underhanded about you that I do not like and do not want to associate myself with. I think it is best you leave and socialize with the friends who enjoy your company and cease this longing for us to be acquainted."

"Oh, that does wound." Lord Carr gasped, clasping his chest as if Henry's words had wounded him like a knife to the heart. "But I know we're not friends, and I do not wish to be, but there is something you can do for me so your new marriage remains merry."

"My marriage is not your concern, nor is it on dangerous ground. Leave before I ask for you to be escorted out of Whites."

"I have every right to be here as much as you as a paying member, but I have come here to see you, and I shall say what I must. Now, you may leave, but I would advise you do not, for I think what I have to say will be of interest to you and your future contentment."

Henry did not want to ask him to explain himself, for an unsettling thought in the pit of his stomach told him he already knew what the cur would say. Still, he would not leave until he heard what he wished to impart.

"Very well, what do you wish to explain to me, Lord Carr?" he finally asked, thanking a footman when he delivered two whiskies.

Lord Carr's smile did not reach his eyes, and there was a meanness about this man he did not like. "I have your bet, Your Grace. The one involving the duchess, and you're going to do as I ask, or she'll learn of it. Now, what say you? Are we in business?"