AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Wait… does he wish to be?
“I do not understand you.” Sophia’s voice turned quiet as she shook her head. “You have never pursued me. Never.”
“You were married to my brother.”
“Then, how long have you wanted this?” She arched back over the banister, wishing to get as far away from him as possible. “How long?” Nick’s eyes wandered down her. She shivered at that look, but it was not like the shivers Jeremy gave her. This one was from fear.
“You might not want to hear the answer to that question.”
Sophia swallowed, for she could guess the answer. Nick had been looking at her in this way long before his brother had died. She had been married to his brother when he had thought of her in such a way.
“What did you expect would happen between us?” Sophia whispered, the fear making her voice quiet. “Did you think I would fall into your arms?” She jerked her hand out of his grasp. Fortunately, she surprised him enough that it worked, and his hand moved to the banister beside her, so that he was leaning down toward her.
“I gave you time to grieve. Let us accept the truth though, you were never fond of my brother, were you?”
“I am not having this conversation.” She pushed him harshly in the chest. It made him back up a couple of steps. “It is over. Consider yourself refused, Nick. I am going to bed.”
She turned and tried to go up the stairs again. Once more, he ran ahead and blocked her path.
This time, it was different. All fell silent and still between them. Sophia stared at him, uncertain whether anger or fear swelled within her more.
What does he intend to do now?
“Ah, Lady Elkins, would you like a tea bringing to your room?” The butler’s sudden voice made them both turn on the stairs. The butler was in the doorway, offering his usual jovial smile. He was a kind man and often arranged for tea to be brought to Sophia’s room after a late night.
“Oh, thank you,” Sophia said, forcing a smile.
This is my chance to escape Nick! He can say no more in front of the butler.
“Not tonight though. I think I shall retire. Good night.” Sophia offered another smile and then ran past Nick. She didn’t wait to see what would happen next, though she was aware of the butler asking Nick if he wanted anything, before retiring for the night.
Sophia ran all the way to her room. Once she was inside, she locked the door and backed up through her chamber, going so far and so fast that when she collided with the bed it startled her. She capitulated onto it, sitting down and reaching for one of the four posts at the corners of the bed, clinging to it.
“He’s in his cups, that’s all,” Sophia muttered to herself, wishing to believe it. “His words have simply become looser tonight. Tomorrow, he will be his usual reserved self again.” She hoped it was true, with every fiber of her being. With a little luck, she would wake tomorrow to find Nick cold and reluctant to take part in conversation at the breakfast table.
There was a rattle at the door. Sophia’s eyes shot to the door, watching as the door handle moved.
It is him!
Sophia could remember the door being rattled once before. She had persuaded herself it was her maid come to see her, but now, she knew it never had been after all.
That is Nick. Who else would it be?
He pushed harder at the door, making Sophia cling to the post once again, before he gave up. The door handle fell still, and the unmistakable sound of his hessian boots striking the floor marched away from the room, as he headed to his own chamber.
Sophia fell back on the bed, looking up through the darkness to the bed canopy above her. She knew now how right her husband was. Nick was someone to fear after all.
