Lover Be Mine A Legendary Lovers Novel - By Nicole Jordan Page 0,55

bliss.

Deliberately she stepped back, out of reach.

After another long moment, Jack finally acceded to her wishes. With a brief bow, he made for the door, giving up without any further fight.

When he was gone, Sophie stood there trembling, torn between cursing and crying at the same time. Eventually she went to the window to look down on the street and saw Jack striding to his carriage. He didn’t glance back as he climbed inside.

Fresh despair filled her as his coach drove off, yet she forced herself to turn away from the window. It was deplorable to be pining after Jack in this shameless way. It was even worse to be having second thoughts about her decision to marry the duke.

Damn Jack for making her yearn so foolishly. Damn and blast him for stirring up such profound dissatisfaction inside her. She had convinced herself she was prepared to wed Dunmore, but now she was no longer certain.…

Sophie clenched her fists again. She absolutely had to gain better control over her treacherous feelings. Lord Jack Wilde was a devilishly charming rogue who turned sensible women insensible, and she was determined to be sensible.

Even if it killed her.

Mrs. Pennant finally woke an hour later but remained in bed, looking haggard. Thus, Sophie was more gentle than she’d intended when she took her aunt to task for deceiving her.

“Why did you not tell me you were in league with Lord Jack?” she chided mildly as she arranged the breakfast tray on Mrs. Pennant’s lap.

The elderly lady appeared only a trifle guilty and offered no apology. “Because you would have objected, of course.”

“Did you plan all along for us to convene with him in Paris? If so, you two must have been plotting against me even before he left Pennant Hall.”

“We were,” she said readily. “After he departed for London, we communicated by letter and special messenger. I do not regret my machinations,” Mrs. Pennant added curtly when Sophie frowned. “I have never concealed my desire to spoil your nuptials to Dunmore. And I was particularly delighted to aid Lord Jack after learning he is heir to a prince.”

“He is not the heir yet,” Sophie corrected. “What is more, he dislikes the very idea of claiming the throne.”

“But his likelihood of being a suitable match for you has improved drastically. In truth, I had intended for us to travel on to Navartania with him to meet his father and investigate his royal prospects for ourselves. I even held out hope that by the time we returned to England, you could be a princess.”

Sophie still could not credit that her aunt would go to such lengths or have such fantastical aspirations for her. “You cannot be serious.”

“Indeed I can—but the point is moot now. I overestimated my stamina and am much too fagged to drive any farther. The thought of spending one more day in a coach, no matter how well-sprung, makes me shudder. And regrettably, you cannot travel halfway across France without me.”

Sophie felt only slightly remorseful at her aunt’s complaint. “It serves you right if your connivances led to exhaustion. You should never have attempted this arduous journey in the first place.”

Mrs. Pennant harrumphed. “You might show some gratitude, my girl. I came all this way for your sake.”

How was it that her aunt was making her feel guilty? Sophie wondered. “So now you are placing the blame on me?”

“You should see that everything I have done has been for your own good, Sophie. I fear I haven’t the strength to attend your fitting with the modiste this morning, however. Fortunately, we needn’t cancel your appointment. Carhill will go with you.” With an eye to safety and comfort, Mrs. Pennant had brought a large retinue with her from England, including her own coachman, several strapping footmen, and her dresser, Mrs. Carhill.

Sophie gave a soft huff. “I see no reason for any fittings. Purchasing my trousseau was only an excuse for you to bring me to Paris.”

“Perhaps. But whether you marry a duke or a prince, you will need wedding clothes. And I do not intend to waste this expensive trip. I hope to feel better by week’s end so that I may resume my duties as your chaperone. Until then you will have to make do with Carhill.” Mrs. Pennant sent Sophie a speculative glance. “As long as we are here in Paris, we should make the most of it. I intended to invite Lord Jack to accompany us to the opera this evening,