Winning the Gentleman (Hearts on the Heath #2) - Kristi Ann Hunter Page 0,103

mind carrying the conversation by herself. As fascinating as her stories were, responding to them was outside Sophia’s capabilities. The way she saw it, her only task was to maintain her composure while deciding what to do next.

She fell asleep listening to Miss Hancock speak of ice skating in Russia.

AFTER AN INTERMINABLE wait, Aaron climbed aboard the mail coach. As much as he would prefer to ride Shadow to London, it would take too long. The coach would drive through the night, changing horses and passing tolls.

It wasn’t as if he intended to stay in London more than a few days. He’d be too busy to ride in Hyde Park anyway.

Sleep came in fits and bursts, and exhaustion rode him hard by the time he exited the coach at a London inn. Rest could come later. First, he had to see to the most important part of his plan.

He took a hack to a perfume store on Bond Street and climbed the stairs to the set of rooms he rented above the shop. He paid his landlord’s daughter to keep it clean and ready for whenever he came to town. It appeared she’d been doing an excellent job. The only dust and dirt in the place was what came off him as he shed his travel clothes and cleaned himself up.

Though the room felt fresh, the clothes he took from the armoire were rough and stiff, the boot leather creaking from lack of proper care. It all felt ill-fitting and out of place.

Rather like him.

Dressed and clean, he set out across Mayfair to a house he’d been to countless times.

Never without Graham, though.

Standing on the street, he looked up at the building, hoping he could trust the assurance he’d been given that this was the one place in London that would always grant him entrance. Would they still mean it when Graham wasn’t in residence? Even more important, once he was inside, would they want to help him?

Graham’s parents had always treated Aaron well, but Lord Grableton was still an earl. The idea of walking up those stairs and asking to see him rather than his son was daunting.

The door opened, and the butler appeared. He cleared his throat. “Lord Grableton wanted me to see if you intended to stand on the street all day.” The man held out a coin. “If you do, please purchase a copy of Sporting Magazine when the lad comes by.”

Aaron shook his head and climbed the stairs. “I don’t mind getting a paper, but perhaps I could find the lad after I’ve completed my business.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, sir,” the butler said, face devoid of any judgment. “He doesn’t come by until tomorrow morning. This way, please.”

To Aaron’s amazement, he was chuckling as he followed the servant. Everything seemed possible in this house. If a miracle could happen for him, it would happen here.

Lord Grableton stood and shook Aaron’s hand as he entered the drawing room. “Nice of you to join us.”

“Grableton, be nice.” Lady Grableton smiled at Aaron. “Do sit down. I’ve rung for tea, so it should be here momentarily. Is this a simple visit, or have you business with Lord Grableton?”

Aaron lowered himself to the settee. “Actually, my lady, I needed to speak with you.” He took a deep breath and pushed on. These words were for Sophia. He could get them out. “I need a favor.”

WHEN SOPHIA WOKE, the sun was streaming in the window, and the chair Miss Hancock had occupied had been replaced by a chaise in which Jonas lounged. Sophia shoved her hair out of her face and sat up with a small wince as every muscle in her body announced its displeasure. “What time is it?”

“You might want to start by asking what day it is.”

Sophia blinked at her brother. “I slept more than a day?”

“No, but it isn’t the day you fell asleep anymore.” He frowned. “I suppose that’s normally the case when one goes to sleep, though.” He shrugged. “We just don’t usually start at five in the afternoon.”

Sophia blinked again, not yet awake enough to follow his thoughts.

He sighed. “Last I looked it was almost eleven.” He stood and crossed to the bellpull Sophia hadn’t had the nerve to use yet. “They told me to pull it when you woke and someone would bring you a breakfast tray.”

Considering Jonas’s face when he performed the task, he was as comfortable with the idea of summoning a servant as she was. He pulled his