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“What do you mean?” She hated how her voice quivered slightly. Somerton would never hurt her. His attempts to frighten her were nothing more than his way of taking control.
“Perhaps they are not meant to be together.” He moved away from her and began pacing again.
“Do not doubt my powers, Anthony.”
He spun around at her. “Powers? What powers? You throw two people together in a situation that would have anyone thinking about sex and love, and yet you believe you are the world’s greatest matchmaker.”
She decided it was best to ignore his outburst. “You need to find out if the rumor is true.”
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bsp; He laughed again. “So you want me to just walk up to people and ask them who Elizabeth’s real father was. I am quite certain that will cause more than a little talk.”
Sophie clenched her fists in frustration. “I believe you may have other ways of obtaining information rather then asking such a delicate question outright.”
“Perhaps I do. But my patience is wearing thin, Sophie.”
“We are almost there. She admitted they had been intimate. She wouldn’t have made love with him if she wasn’t already in love with the duke.” Sophie paused and finally said what she knew he wanted to hear. “As soon as they are married, you will get the woman’s name.”
“No more games?”
“I promise,” she replied, making a little cross over her heart.
“I will see what I can do. But this is a very delicate situation and any information I discover could be disastrous if the wrong person figures out my motive.”
“I understand, Anthony. Do your best.”
With a shake of his head, he left.
Will waited for Elizabeth to return from her calls but dreaded seeing her again. Once more, he would have nothing but bad news for her. Seeing the constant agony on her face was killing him. A sense of futility filled him. He had never felt so worthless in his life.
Hearing the front door open and shut, he assumed she had returned. Her soft footfalls approached his study. He took the last sip of his whisky before looking over at her.
“No luck?” she said.
“I have no luck with anything,” he muttered. No luck with women, no luck with love, and no luck with finding lost diaries. At least no luck finding the right diary.
“Sophie was of no assistance, either.” Elizabeth sat in the chair across from him and removed her bonnet. Red curls rested on her forehead and one fell over her eye.
He longed to reach forward and gently move the curl from her eyesight. But he could not do that any longer. He had no right to touch her. No matter how hard the desire rode him. He might never be able to touch her again.
“Will,” Elizabeth started.
“Yes.”
“Lady Cantwell was at Sophie’s today. She inferred that she had information about my parents.”
Will frowned. “Why didn’t she tell you?”
“She wants us both to call on her.” Elizabeth glanced over at the clock on the mantel and shook her head. “It is too late now. We must get ready for the Hollingtons’ ball.”
“I think we should stay in tonight.” He had no desire to go to a ball and pretend to have an enjoyable time. The idea of dancing with other women when all he wanted to do was take Elizabeth in his arms was driving him mad.
“Ellie and Lucy will be dreadfully disappointed if we don’t attend.”
“Elizabeth, we cannot pretend this didn’t happen.”
“I know, Will.”
