Raven (Gentlemen of the Order #2) - Adele Clee Page 0,4
seconds before he stepped into the room. As always, his bitterness dissipated when he locked gazes with Sophia Adair. His body tricked him into believing this was another time, another place. The deep yearning in his gut commanded his full attention. The sudden rush of excitement made him forget she had married someone else.
He could live in this euphoric place forever, in a state of blissful ignorance, but he came crashing back to reality the moment she said, “Mr Cole. How good of you to come.”
She had used the same formal greeting upon his return from Belgium. He’d expected her to race down the gravel drive, arms outstretched, calling his name. But she had been reserved and dignified when she led him into her father’s house to meet her husband.
Sophia rose from her fireside chair. “You may leave us, Blent, and close the door. Place Mr Cole’s saddle-bag in his room.”
The servant bowed and left.
The atmosphere changed with the click of the latch. It became harder to breathe. His throat grew tight, every muscle in his body taut, strained. Arrogance was his only defence against the unwelcome attack.
“Why didn’t you tell me the truth about Jessica? I thought she was happily married to Mr Archer and living in India.” He had taken solace in the fact someone he cared about was content and settled.
Sophia clasped her hands in front of her body. As he studied her, he realised she looked nothing like the lady who held a privileged position in society, much more like the woman from his past. No doubt she wore the plain blue dress to breach his defences. Her silver-blonde hair was tied loosely at the nape, not fashioned into an elaborate coiffure—another ploy to unsettle him.
“I wanted to tell you,” she said, “so many times, but didn’t want you to blame yourself. I didn’t want to make matters worse.”
“Blame myself?”
“For not coming home sooner.”
Finlay snorted. “You make it sound as if I were sowing my wild oats on a Grand Tour, not floundering on the brink of death in a hellhole in Leuven.” Knowing Sophia was waiting for him at home had given him the strength to recover.
He prepared himself for a sharp retort, but she surprised him by saying, “I cannot bear to think of you suffering, though it is nothing like the pain of being told you were dead.”
Hell!
His heart plunged like a rock kicked from the cliff edge.
Sophia hugged her abdomen and turned to stare at the flames dancing in the hearth.
He couldn’t do this.
He could not revisit emotions that were so raw they still wept.
He should leave, but duty held him rigid.
“None of that matters,” he lied. It all mattered. “You approached Lucius Daventry because you needed help and I am here to bring an end to your problems.” Though numerous times in the last few minutes he’d considered braving the haunted woods and returning home. “Let us consider this a business arrangement. Push all personal feelings aside.” He had been doing the same for years.
Sophia cast him a sidelong glance. “An arrangement between old friends?”
“Yes,” he said, already reinforcing the wall he kept between them. “We will work together and have the matter resolved in a few days.”
Her sapphire blue eyes widened. “So soon?”
“There are few suspects.”
“That I know of, yes, but I fear there is something more sinister afoot.”
Sinister?
“When scared, the mind plays tricks and feeds our fears.” Hell, he had almost imagined devilish creatures hiding in the woods. “Once we examine the facts, things will appear clearer. Perhaps I should return in the morning, begin proceedings when your mind is more alert.”
She swung around to face him. “Return in the morning? But Mr Daventry assured me you would remain here.” A wild panic filled her eyes. “Jessica often goes missing at night. It is at night when I need you most.”
Merciful Lord!
When journeying along the woodland path, he’d sensed this visit would be a form of retribution. To hear she needed him at night was like a prod with the devil’s pitchfork.
“Besides, where would you go at this late hour?” Sophia added.
He had not given the matter any thought. But he knew a thousand miles was not far enough away to banish his craving for her.
“Come.” She stepped closer and gestured to the red velvet Knole sofa close to the fire. Once, she might have grabbed his arm and tugged playfully. Now, she knew not to touch him. “You’ve ridden a long way, and we have much to discuss.