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Sophie pressed her hands to her temples. This day had gone exceedingly bad. Miss Wainscott had actually called on her today to find out before the Northwoods’ ball if Lord Claybrook was the perfect man for her. Instead of the blackness Sophie had seen with Nicholas, the vision for Miss Wainscott was completely clear.
And the only man for Miss Wainscott was Lord Claybrook.
Sophie would have to tell Nicholas that she had been wrong about her vision for him. But this time, she would be prepared. Since Lady Northwood was a client of hers, the woman had insisted Sophie attend her fancy dress ball. Wearing a mask would allow Sophie to remain anonymous and still watch Nicholas.
By studying whom he danced with and spoke with, she could determine a perfect match for him.
A commotion from the hall snapped her out of her musing. She strode to the entrance to find Nicholas pinning Somerton to her front door.
“Is your beautiful wife not enough for you, Somerton?”
Somerton laughed in a low deep tone. “Oh, she is plenty for me, Nicholas. And I would suggest you let go of me now.”
“Leave Miss Reynard alone.” Nicholas leaned in closer to him. “And never associate my name with hers again.”
Somerton angled his head to make eye contact with Sophie. He smirked at her. “And you wonder what made me place the wager?”
“Nicholas, leave Anth—Lord Somerton alone.” She’d barely caught herself from using Anthony’s Christian name.
Nicholas released Somerton and turned toward her. “Would you like to explain why this married man was in your study with the door shut?”
Sophie glared at Nicholas as her anger surged. “As a matter of fact, no. It is none of your business.” She did her best to ignore Somerton’s smirking face behind Nicholas.
“Did you hire the footmen as I suggested?” Somerton asked.
She waved her hand at Hendricks who stood like a statue aghast at the gentlemen’s behavior. “You can see that I have not. Why?”
“This is the very reason,” he said, inclining his head toward Nicholas.
“Just go,” she said, exhausted with the both of them.
“I believe I was leaving,” Somerton said with a laugh. “Good luck, Sophie.”
There were days she really wanted to strangle her half brother . . . and this was one of them. As the door closed behind Somerton, Nicholas advanced on her.
“Should I call for another footman?” Hendricks asked, finally recovering from the shock.
Now the man has the sense to ask for additional footmen. Perhaps her brother was right that she should hire a few more. If Hendricks hadn’t worked for her since she was a child, she might consider replacing him after this. But she just could not do it.
“I can deal wi
th Lord Ancroft.” She hoped. “Nicholas, I believe you should leave now.”
His slight smile brought a stab of fear to her. “First, we will talk.”
She backed up a step. “No.”
“Oh, yes.” He reached her position and clasped her elbow in a tight grip. “We have much to discuss.”
“Very well.” She walked into the study.
Nicholas slammed the door behind him. Anger and frustration coursed through his veins. He could think of only one reason why Somerton would have been here behind closed doors. And why he used her Christian name.
“Are you having an affair with your best friend’s husband?” he demanded.
Instead of the look of shock at his discovery, she only laughed. “Oh, yes, Nicholas. I have known Somerton for almost ten years, but I would wait until he married one of my dearest friends before falling into bed with him.”
Hearing her sarcasm, he felt like a fool. “I had no idea you’ve known him for so long.”
