Page 3 of His Scandalous Siren
Lucian laughed. “He’s not the same man he used to be. One would think he’d gotten married the way he’s acting.”
Drew frowned. “But he hasn’t and this…” He waved his hand at Alex. “is disturbing.”
“Some men have more obligations than others. I had to stop being so irresponsible.” Alex scrubbed his hands over his face. “All the parties were becoming…tiresome.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. It meant Alex was ready to settle down. Maybe even marry for real. “Maybe the masquerade will change that for you.”
“Somehow I doubt that,” Alex said in a somber tone. “But I will come. Meet me here before it is to begin and we will go over together.”
There wasn’t much else Drew could hope for. His twin gave him what he wanted. He only prayed it wouldn’t be the last night of fun they had together. He got to his feet. “I suppose I will leave you to your ledgers, then.”
“I’ll walk out with you,” Lucian said and stood. “I need to return home to my wife.”
He nodded at Lucian. “Give my sister my regards. Perhaps I’ll stop in and visit later in the week.” He would make sure Angeline didn’t have company first.
“I will do that,” Lucian replied. They fell into step together and left Alex alone in his study. The silence as they exited the townhouse was refreshing and companionable. Drew was thankful some things hadn’t changed, at least.
* * *
The carthat had been sent to collect Sofia, Gabriella, and their friend Claudine Gandolfi from the docks was luxurious. The seats were soft black leather, and the rest of the interior was equally lush. This wasn’t the first time they’d been to England since the war, but it seemed as if it had been ages. The war had changed everything for Sofia. She’d had so many plans…all of them surrounded Andrew Marsden. Then the war happened, making travel nearly impossible, and she had to reevaluate her life choices. Andrew Marsden didn’t want her, and it was time she accepted that. Her heart still ached for him, but she refused to give into the wishes of such a sentimental organ.
Claudine ran her fingers through her soft brown hair and sighed. “Isn’t this exciting?” she said in an enthusiastic tone. “I’m so glad you convinced me to travel to London with you.”
Their friend hadn’t been outside of Italy before their trip. It had taken a lot of to convince her to come with them. She was a young widow—her husband had suddenly fallen ill, then died. Gabrielle and Sofia believed leaving Italy for a little while would help her though. “We’re glad to have you with us,” Sofia said in a warm tone.
“It will make the visit much better,” Gabrielle added. “We will see the country through your eyes and it will make it all new for us.”
Claudine beamed. “I cannot wait to see everything. I have always wished to travel more, but my parents can be so strict.”
After the war, that was understandable. It made everything seem so dangerous. Loss and death seemed much more real these days. At least those they knew that had been affected by the war had made it through relatively unscathed. William had reunited with his long-lost love, and Brianne’s husband hadn’t died like she had thought. Brianne and William were siblings, and American. While they were not family, they were still close. “Do you think Aletha and Rafe will visit England?” Sofia asked. “Before they journey back to Italy after they visit Aletha’s family in America?”
“I cannot say,” Gabrielle answered. “Rafe doesn’t share his itinerary unless he’s forced to—usually by mama.”
Their mother and father, Damian and Pearla, Conte and Contessa Leone, hadn’t traveled with them this time. They had decided Sofia and Gabrielle could make the journey on their own, and they would join them later in the summer, then return to Italy with them at the end of the visit. Sofia had to admit, at least to herself, she was shocked her parents allowed them to travel alone. “Mama probably knows Rafe’s plans, but that doesn’t mean she will share them with us.” Sofia shrugged. “Though she might if we ask.” She wasn’t sure if she wanted the answer that badly. It might incur scrutiny from her mother she was not prepared for or wanted.
“You’re probably right,” Gabrielle agreed. “I suppose we will find out when or if he arrives. I don’t wish to ask mother anything right now. It’s a blessing she allowed us this freedom as it is.”
“Why did your parents allow you to travel alone?” Claudine inquired. “That seems odd, doesn’t it?”
Sofia sighed. “We begged. If they didn’t let us come, then we wouldn’t have much of a visit this year. Aunt Rubina assured them that she would take care of us once we arrived. Still…I’m sure mother is quite anxious and will be awaiting a telegram about our safe arrival.”
“Uncle Noah will make sure one is sent when we arrive at Huntly manor.” Gabrielle grinned. “He will not let our parents fret.”
The car turned a corner and travelled by a string of houses that were pristine in appearance. The war had been hard, but this little corner of the world seemed to have been untouched, or at the very least, expertly repaired. Air raids had changed everything in the Great War. Something that none of them had thought possible at the time. Civilians had a lot to fear during that time, especially when they hadn’t needed to be prior to those raids. England had been more concerned about the shoreline in previous wars. German Zeppelins were game changers.
Sofia understood that better than anyone. The war had done that to her life, and now she was nearly a spinster. She had just turned seven and twenty, and still she hadn’t married, and had given up on that dream. No one compared to Andrew Marsden, and since she couldn’t have him, she didn’t want a husband. Gabrielle seemed interested in Aletha’s brother, but that might not happen either. They would be spinster sisters together, and if Emilia didn’t win over Alexander Marsden, perhaps the three of them could live together.
The car pulled in front of the Huntly townhouse. The driver stepped out of the car and then opened the door for them. Sofia exited first, then Claudine and her sister. They stepped onto the pavement and stared up at the house. “I don’t think anything has changed,” Gabrielle remarked.
“It hasn’t been that long since our last visit.” Sofia tilted her head to the side. “It’s been only six months. We were here for Christmas.”
“That is true,” Gabrielle agreed. “I don’t know what I expected.”
That was what they did. They looked for the worst and were grateful that it hadn’t been handed to them. “Don’t question anything.” Sofia grinned. “Accept that life is finally starting to feel normal. It’s all we can do.”
Claudine wrapped her arms through Sofia’s and Gabrielle’s. “Are we going to go inside or stand out here all day?”
Sofia blew out a breath. “I don’t think Aunt Rubina would appreciate us gawking at the house all day. We best go inside and greet our hosts.”
The three of them went up the stairs. When they reached the door, they didn’t have a chance to knock. It opened immediately and a butler with snow white hair stood on the other side. “Please come in. The duke and duchess are expecting you. I’ll see to your luggage.”
They nodded at him and went to find the Duke and Duchess of Huntly. Sofia wasn’t concerned about her aunt and uncle’s expectations. Truthfully, she didn’t know what she anticipated from this visit. All she’d known was she had to leave Italy, at least for a short time, or the walls of her family home might end up suffocating her. She hoped she found answers while she was in England. Otherwise, she didn’t know what her life might become. At least she knew one thing with certainty—it wouldn’t involve Andrew Marsden.
