The Temporary Betrothal. Lily George

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СКАЧАТЬ her family approved, why should Lord Bradbury care? “I desire to make my own way in the world, doing what I love best,” she replied, raising her chin with defiance.

      He turned to face her again, an inscrutable look crossing his face. “I see,” he replied. “Well, Miss Handley, I give you free rein with my daughters. All of my funds are at your command. Doll them up in any way you see fit.”

      She leaned forward, grabbing the pile of papers from his desk. “Do you wish to see my ideas, my lord?”

      He waved his hand in a listless fashion. “No, I trust your judgment. Nothing too immodest, I assume?”

      Heat flooded Sophie’s cheeks. “Certainly not.”

      He stood, signaling the end of the interview. “Very well, then. I hope you enjoy your work. Do not hesitate to come to me if you need bigger lines of credit at the shops.”

      She grasped her papers in one hand and rose, bobbing a shaky curtsy. “Thank you, Lord Bradbury. I shall endeavor not to disappoint.”

      * * *

      Charlie Cantrill opened the door to his club with a sigh. As the son of a wealthy merchant, there were certain things you could give up, though the other fellows might sneer about it. Liquor and light skirts, for example. He had been living as simply as could be following Waterloo and Beth’s rejection. And yet, one thing remained eternal and unchanged. Devotion to one’s club remained constant, no matter how one might cut corners in other aspects of life.

      He nodded as a valet scurried forward to take his coat and hat. Then, scanning the open hallway, he spied one group of gentlemen playing a game of whist in the next room. He made his way to the lounge, where Lord Bradbury lay before the fire, deep into a glass of Scotch.

      “Cantrill! What ho, man. It’s good to see you.” Rising, Bradbury extended his hand toward Cantrill.

      “Bradbury, good to see you back in town.” Cantrill shook hands and then sank into the opposite chair. “Tea, if you please.” He smiled briefly at the hovering butler.

      Bradbury took up his Scotch with a laugh. “Never could understand how you make do without spirits, Cantrill. They’ve kept me sane these years since Emma died.”

      “I find myself saner without them.” Time for a change of subject. He never enjoyed talking about his abstinence with anyone who wasn’t a close friend. Just as he kept his faith close to the vest, he kept other parts of his life from public scrutiny. It was a private matter, after all. “I understand that a friend of mine is recently in your employ.”

      “Really?” Bradbury leaned forward, cradling the glass in both hands. “Whom are you speaking of?”

      “Miss Handley.” He found it difficult to speak the words. Why was it so hard to say her name?

      “Ah, yes.” Bradbury sat back, a satisfied smile crossing his face. “I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Handley today. What a lovely creature. I was quite surprised to find she was seeking employment—because she is a Handley, and because she’s so beautiful.”

      “I believe she wants to establish some measure of independence,” Cantrill remarked. He didn’t like the light that was kindled in Bradbury’s eyes. The man looked too satisfied and pleased with himself.

      “Oh, I am sure she would be happy to give up that much-vaunted independence when the right offer comes along,” Bradbury said with a laugh. “Pretty young ladies like that needn’t stay employed for very long.”

      The tea arrived, giving Cantrill the distraction he needed to calm down from Bradbury’s comment. After all, wouldn’t marriage be an excellent thing for Sophie Handley? She was a lovely girl, and would likely get an offer of marriage from someone soon. He flicked a glance over Bradbury. The man was older than him by a decade, and yet retained a distinguished and sportive air. His name had been linked to at least one high-born widow in the past year. Might he be in the market for a match? And if so, why did Charlie’s stomach revolt at the thought? It was none of his affair, surely.

      Bradbury glanced over at Cantrill. “How is she connected to your family?”

      Cantrill busied himself with pouring tea into his cup. “Her elder sister married a good friend of mine—Captain John Brookes. Really, he’s almost a brother to me.”

      Bradbury sipped his Scotch with a meditative air. “I see. And she is Sir Hugh Handley’s daughter, is she not? Why on earth would she be working to earn her daily bread?”

      “Well, as I am sure you heard, Bradbury, her father died bankrupt. The family estate was sold at auction and the two girls and their mother went to live in a small cottage in Tansley. After her sister’s marriage, Miss Sophie came to Bath. And that’s really all I know of their story.” He hadn’t meant to sound rude, but the look on Bradbury’s face was raising his hackles. ’Twas none of his affair, and yet...well, he had an obligation to Brookes and to Harriet to make sure that Sophie was protected during her stay in Bath.

      “Well, my daughters adore her, but I must make sure she is the proper kind of young lady for the job, you know. I have acquaintances in Liverpool—I will ask around to find out more about the Handleys and what happened when her father died.” He polished off his Scotch and rose. “Funny. I expected a spinster. Imagine my surprise when Aphrodite burst into my office this morning.”

      Cantrill peered up at the older man, trying to read his thoughts. On the one hand, he seemed to regard Sophie in more than just the usual master-servant manner. And yet, he also seemed unwilling to believe that she was a genuinely good girl, one who was seeking her way in the world in a manner that was admirable. He rose, setting the teacup to one side, as Bradbury began to stroll out of the room.

      “Miss Handley is a fine young woman, and you have nothing to fear from your daughters associating with her,” he responded, willing the flush that was rising up his neck to stay hidden under his cravat.

      Bradbury turned back, a gleam in his eye. “Oh, I am not worried about my daughters associating with her. I am more worried about myself.” With that, Bradbury quit the room.

      Chapter Four

      Thursday morning dawned crisp and cool, but at least the rain had stopped. There was even a bit of watery sunshine peeping through the clouds. And since today was her day off Sophie could do exactly as she pleased in Bath. Not that she minded her work, of course. But there were some days when a girl just wanted to lounge in bed, even if she had the most wonderful job imaginable. Of course, her eagerness to enjoy the day had nothing whatsoever to do with meeting Charlie Cantrill. No. It was just a remarkably fine day. That was all.

      Sophie turned on her side and stared out the window. One of the kitchen servants would be in soon with her morning cocoa. She stretched lazily toward the ceiling. And soon after, she would dress and ready herself for her morning meeting with the lieutenant. She could wear anything she wanted on this day—no more dark grays and plain bodices. And yet, perhaps one shouldn’t dress up too fine for visiting wounded veterans. Her lavender gown with the long sleeves would do the trick nicely.

      A knock on the door snapped her out of her reverie. “Enter.”

      Lucy poked her head around the door frame. “Shall I accompany you this morning?”

      Sophie motioned her in, and Lucy shut the door softly. She was becomingly СКАЧАТЬ