Page 45 of A Wicked Viscount's Stormy Affair
Almost instantly, he found himself transported back in time, back to the ship when the storm raged over head. He had seen Sophie before that moment and even been introduced to her, but that was the first night he really started toseeher, that was the first time he talked to her.
She had been afraid. Deathly scared. So now he was a little worried about how she was doing in her own carriage.
Was this bringing back memories for her just as it was him?
It was not much of a surprise when his carriage screeched to a halt. With lightning flashes now filling the sky, he knew that the horses would be struggling. It was only when he peeked out into the storm that he realized where he was. Nowhere near home, but very close to Matthew’s giant estate. He had not yet been lucky enough to see his friend since he had returned to England, to thank him for the letter, but fate might be intervening here.
If this storm was too much for the horses, then this would be a good option for him.
“Sophie,” he cried out the moment he realized that her carriage had stopped as well. That it might have been her horses that were really struggling. “Are you alright?”
She nodded, but the color had completely drained from her face. It was obvious that she was very muchnotalright. George could almost see the trauma of the storm on the ship flowing through her veins. All he wanted to do was make her feel better, but until he could get her dry, there was nothing he could do.
“I do not think we can continue with our journey,” he informed her sadly, not knowing how she was going to take this. “But I know the gentleman that owns this estate, and he will allow us to shelter from the storm.”
She did not look certain. “But what if the storm lasts all night long?”
George smiled, hopefully reassuringly. “Matthew will allow us to sleep here until the morning. He is a true friend of mine. One of the only people I genuinely trust in London. I am sure your family would much rather you be safe than in trouble in this terrible weather.”
She pursed her lips, but as her eyes darted upwards, Sophie realized that they simply had no choice in the matter. The storm had seemed to come from nowhere, and was relentless. The sky was black with clouds, and showed absolutely no sign of letting up.
So she nodded. She allowed George to lead her up towards the manor house while the carriage drivers guided the poor horses to the stables, where they would be safe for the night. She was shaking, he could feel her beside him, but he could not say any words to make her feel better because the wind was absolutely howling. He knocked hard on the door, hammering until Matthew’s foot man opened up the door to greet the drenched pair.
“Is that you, George?” Matthew cried out behind his foot man. “My goodness, what on earth are you doing in the storm?”
“We got caught on the way back from a party, and were hoping for some respite.”
Matthew glanced his eyes between the pair of them before inviting them inside. George knew that he would because he was such a good person. He treated them both like they were old friends, welcoming in Sophie as soon as he was introduced to her.
“My, my, I must get the staff to help you dry and dress,” Matthew declared. “I cannot leave you soaking to the bone like this. You must be freezing.”
A female maid came for Sophie and led her away. Sophie’s eyes clung on to George for a little too long as she walked away from him which pulled on every single one of his heart strings. He wished that he could follow her, so he could embrace her once more, but he needed to explain himself to Matthew first. George could already feel the questions coming and he had not even spoken yet.
“So, who is the beautiful young lady?” Matthew asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
“She is a friend I have made. I met her on the boat from Sweden.”
“Just a friend?”
George sighed. “I think I am going to need to dry off and share a drink with you before we get into this conversation.”
Matthew laughed good naturedly. “That sounds good to me. We have a lot to catch up on, I am sure.”
Matthew was one of the people that George could speak freely with, and he would also have the same returned. If anything had happened with Gregory over the years while George was away, this was going to be his one and only chance to find out.
Maybe fate really had intervened at just the right moment. The storm was ugly, but the consequences were to be great if he could finally get all the information that he needed from someone he had always had a good bond with.
Chapter 21
It was so lovely to be dry. That storm truly had just exploded from the sky in the most unpleasant way, bringing back very triggering memories of the storm on the boat. Much as she was grateful for the night dress and the warm bed in front of her, there was a part of her that wished she could be at her own home where she was safe and comfortable.
It was not that she did not trust George’s friend. If George trusted him, then there was a great chance he was a good person. She was more unnerved knowing that she was in the same house as George. Especially after the intensity of that kiss.
Sure, the kiss was not supposed to have happened. Not in London with all their staunch rules surrounding romance. It could potentially be reputation ruining, which would leave her with no marriage proposals. Sophie did not want to let her parents down in that way.
After brushing her fingers along her lips, recalling the tingling that tore through her body, Sophie lit a small candle to keep her company for the evening. She knew that she would feel a lot better with a light to keep her company.
Tap, tap, tap.
