Page 39 of Love and Other Disasters

She shrugged. “It was expected in the orphanage that I must help the young ones,” she said, bending to pick up Isabelle. She settled the girl on her hip. “I am content for now,” she promised, and then turned away. “To your beds, children.”

Ah, the afternoon nap. Every day on Nash’s schedule, the children were to be sent to their beds, tired or not. On the far side of the room was a cradle he’d only just noticed, though. Sophie put Isabelle down in her bed and gave it a little rock. He watched the child settled for sleep and the boys lay themselves down without a word of complaint.

Jasper perched more comfortably on the floor, leaning against the wall beneath the window and allowing the breeze to stir his hair as he watched the governess tend to everyone. He’d not spent much time in the nursery in recent years, but it was a place he’d always felt safe as a boy.

Sophie straightened and turned about. She was startled to see him still there, but she passed him by to tuck his nephews into their beds, smooth their hair back and kiss their brows.

He smiled as she stopped to regard him and he grinned up at her. “You’re a very gentle woman, Sophie Radcliffe. Exactly the sort of woman who should have the care of my nephews, and Isabelle too.”

Jasper then tilted his head up and pursed his lips, teasing Sophie that he, too, was ready for his bedtime kiss.

But she shook her head and seated herself opposite him in a chair. “You can leave Isabelle with me for a few more hours if you like.”

He stretched out his legs. “I’ve nothing pressing that needs my attention this afternoon.”

She shifted. “Still, there are more comfortable places for you to be.”

“I am content here with you,” he told her honestly, amused that she was trying to get rid of him. “Besides, I wondered if we might talk about your splendid idea again.”

She glanced across at the children pointedly. Most likely they were too young to understand if they spoke of a scandalous topic in a whisper.

He scooted across the room until he could sit leaning against Sophie’s armchair. “How much time would we need to set your idea in motion if we had Madam Clover involved?”

“A few days at least. Four at the most.”

“There’s only a few days left until my guests depart.” He winced and had to wonder if Algernon and Nash would be gone long enough for him to host a second party at Ravenswood. He was very keen. “And this madam of yours? You really think she would really be interested?”

“Indeed, yes. She’s always looking for new opportunities to make money off wealthy men.”

“Tell me how you met her.”

Sophie rubbed her palms on her skirts. “I was very ill, and she took me in until I recovered.”

“A good Samaritan,” he noted.

“A good woman. She was kind to me at a time when I desperately needed a friend, and since I possessed an education she lacked, when I was well enough, she let me repay her kindness with honest work. To read and write her correspondence and tally her profits each night. Your brother was aware of my employment there before he hired me, if you ever wonder about that.”

Jasper pursed his lips, seeing easily how Laura might believe Sophie had earned her way on her back at such a place. There were not many women who left a brothel with their virtue intact. But if the woman was well educated and could figure and write, any madam who possessed none of those accomplishments herself would use Sophie’s talents for their benefit.

“Your friend. Write to her and send it off in my carriage with an invitation to visit Ravenswood to discuss the matter in private with us. I think it is better if any negotiations occurred face to face.”

“Agreed,” Sophie said, and then swallowed. “But I don’t know if she’ll answer promptly. She has not replied to any of my letters for months and months. But I took the liberty of writing a letter to her this morning again and mentioned your idea in it. Madam Clover will want to meet you before agreeing to any business dealings.”

“Thank you. I’ll need you there with me when we speak,” he said, reaching up over his shoulder for her hand. “This is your idea, too, and you are my partner.”

Sophie slipped her hand into his after a moment. “As long as the children do not need me, I’m yours.”

“You have to let go of them sometimes,” he said, toying with her fingertips and smiling. He’d never had anyone ever claim to be his before. It brought an unexpected warmth to his chest. And then, since he was a rake, he stroked her palm with his fingertips, just as Threadwell had done last night. “You know, one day they’ll be gone off to their studies.”

“Yes, next year Thomas will go to Cambridge,” she said, her voice sounding a little breathless as he continued to seduce her palm.

Jasper let her hand go and turned to face her. She wore a becoming blush now. A blush he’d like to see more of. “So soon?”

“Yes. Lord Nash had everything planned out for their education and for the next ten years,” she whispered, casting an anxious glance toward the boys. “Nothing has been left to chance. Liam is to go live with a tutor near Cambridge. An old friend of Lord Nash’s, from what I understand.”

“And Isabelle will remain behind alone.”

“Yes, I suppose so, unless her mother returns for her.”