Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,25
will be involved directly. I trust you have nothing pressing for the next sennight, for I require your company at Mrs. Pennant’s house party beginning on Tuesday.” He told her briefly about the invitations he had secured for both himself and her, adding that Skye was his excuse to attend.
“I will be more than happy to drop all my engagements for you,” she said, clearly pleased to be included.
Kate smiled with smug delight. “Then you mean to court Sophie after all?”
“Yes,” Jack answered. “Although I cannot declare my intentions openly. I will have to win over her parents first. Her father is sure to be more adamantly opposed than I anticipated.”
“Well, I have faith in you,” Kate declared loyally. “But I still believe that having royal blood could be an advantage for you. You ought to make use of it, Jack.”
When he frowned and refused to reply, Lady Isabella spoke up to ask a question about his father. “What is the latest news of Prince Raoul de Villars? His throne was fully restored to him last year, was it not?”
“It was indeed,” Kate confided. “But his ill health seems to have made his succession more urgent. Prince Raoul wrote again last month, pleading with Jack to visit Navartania.”
Jack grimaced. “No doubt he is exaggerating his condition. A year ago he claimed to be on his deathbed, but clearly he hasn’t succumbed yet.”
“He may not be dying,” Kate retorted, “but he sincerely wishes to name you as his heir.”
Jack felt his jaw harden. He didn’t give a damn about the prince’s wishes. His mother’s death had happened a long time ago, but Jack still felt a fierce hostility toward his father for deserting her and allowing her to die.
Skye must have seen his darkening expression, for she hastened to steer the conversation away from his father. “I expect the feud will be a larger impediment at the moment than your lack of title, Jack.”
“Perhaps,” Kate agreed. “You ought to convene a family council, so we can help you develop your battle plan.”
He forced a wry smile. “I prefer to manage my own battle plan, thank you.”
Lord Cornelius broke in. “Have you read Philip Wilde’s journal yet? Will it be of any help to you, do you think?”
Jack nodded. “It’s possible. The journal entries paint a very different picture than the tale that was handed down in our family history. From what I can tell, Gideon Fortin was more to blame for the duel than our great-uncle Philip was. In fact, Philip tried his best to avoid dueling.” Jack raised his glass to Cornelius. “I neglected to thank you for traveling all the way to Beauvoir to fetch the journal for me, Uncle. I appreciate your assistance.”
“Anything to help, my boy. I have come to think that Katharine’s premise is not so inconceivable after all.”
“There, you see?” Kate said archly. “Even Uncle has become a convert. Romeo and Juliet fits your situation perfectly, Jack. And what better way to honor our Wilde family legacy than to challenge a centuries-old feud and win the heart of our enemy’s daughter? If nothing else, you must admit the plight of star-crossed lovers is highly romantic.”
Jack had to chuckle at his sister’s determination, but he suspected his desire for Sophie Fortin had little to do with the plot of a classic Shakespearean tragedy.
He still couldn’t fully explain his captivation, though, or the uncanny connection he felt with Sophie. Strangely enough, she seemed to understand him, an impressive feat on so short an acquaintance. Not only had she discovered his secret about the Arundel Home when no one else had, she’d hit on his true motives for supporting the vulnerable residents there. His mother’s difficult circumstances—particularly being abandoned by her lover when she most needed protecting—had influenced Jack profoundly, as had the gruesome manner of her death when he was a young child.
Sophie was also right about him wanting to rescue her, Jack mused. He damned well didn’t like to think of her wedding to Dunmore, and he intended to ensure she wasn’t forced into an arranged marriage. She had triggered his protective impulses for certain.
He was not looking forward to explaining his change of heart to Quinn, however. As soon as their family dinner concluded, he would have to track his cousin down and arrange a substitution in a high-stakes carriage race next week while he was away. Quinn would no doubt question whether he’d lost his senses, pursuing a young lady he barely knew.