Page 18 of His Scandalous Siren
Eight
Sofia stared at her reflection and frowned. Dark circles had formed under her eyes. A testament to her lack of sleep over the past several days. Dreams plagued her nightly. They were not nightmares, but in some ways, they might as well have been. Instead, they had been erotic and consuming, and she’d wake on the verge of a precipice. Ready to reach climax but unable to peak fully… As a result, she was constantly on edge and irritable.
A knock echoed through her bedchamber. Sofia sighed and yelled, “Come in.”
The door creaked open and Claudine entered. “I’ve come to fetch you. Your intended has come to escort you for a walk in the park.”
She rolled her eyes. Drew had been quite attentive. She had tried to speak to other gentlemen in his presence, but he seemed bored more than anything. She was starting to wonder if he didn’t care if she strayed to other men for pleasure. “Tell him I’ll be down shortly.” It had been a fortnight since the announcement of their betrothal in the times. She was making no progress in dissolving it, and that added to her frustration.
Claudine fidgeted at the doorway. “Sofia…”
She turned her attention back to her friend. Claudine was a widow and had experienced love and loss. Since her husband had died during the war, she was now alone in the world. “Yes?” Perhaps Sofia should be more careful with her words. This entire situation may be bothering her friend.
“I was wondering…” She twisted her fingers together in front of her. “Do you truly wish to end your betrothal? As long as I can remember, you talked about him and now much love you felt. What if he could grow to love you in time? Is that not worth the risk?”
Sofia sighed. There was a time she would have wholeheartedly agreed with Claudine. “Don’t you think he’s had plenty of time to do that?” She shook her head, dismay filling her as she did so. “He’ll never feel that way for me. He probably cares for me in some fashion, but that’s not enough. I deserve more.”
“And what if you’re with child?” Claudine said softly.
She jerked her gaze to meet Claudine’s. “Pardon me?” How could Claudine possibly have known she’d lain with Drew already?
“I cannot say with any certainty,” Claudine began. “And no one has been brave enough to ask. But he wouldn’t be so insistent on marriage without a reason. Did you give yourself to him?”
Sofia closed her eyes and sighed. No onehadasked. Why was that? Were they truly afraid of the answer, or was there another reason? Perhaps it was time to confess her sins. She’d willingly followed him to that bed. “I did,” she admitted. “But it is doubtful I am carrying his child.” They had only been together once, after all. “If that is why he wants this marriage to happen, perhaps I should broach the topic with him.”
Claudine smiled. “It is definitely something you should discuss with him. But dear, how can you be so certain? Have you had your monthly since then?”
She frowned. Sofia thought back and frowned again. “No,” she began slowly. “But it is not due yet.” God help her if he had planted his seed inside of her. Then any choice she had would have been ripped away from her.
“I think that you need to resign yourself to your fate.” She walked toward her and placed her hand over Sofia’s cheek. “But if you are still dead against it we will stand by you. No matter what, we will be here for you. All of us.”
“You don’t think I’m lucky enough to not be enceinte, do you?” She was probably right. Luck had not been Sofia’s friend for some time now. If it had, she wouldn’t be betrothed to a stubborn man who refused to take her feelings into account.
“For your sake,” Claudine began. “I hope I am wrong. But let’s talk about it more later. Your betrothed is waiting for you. We wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.”
Sofia nodded and followed her down the hall. They descended the stairs slowly. She was in no rush to join Drew. She wanted this entire debacle to be done. If only wishing made it so… When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Drew was there waiting. So were Emilia and Gabrielle. They hadn’t allowed Drew any time alone with her, and for that, she was thankful.
“Are we all ready?” There was a bit of irritation in Drew’s voice. Good. She hoped that feeling continued to grow throughout their excursion.
Sofia pulled on her gloves and slid her lips into a big grin. She could pretend this was what she wanted, if it was necessary. If only to make Drew miserable…then it would be worth the effort. “Why, of course we are. We have all been excited about our walk. It’s the highlight of our day.” She batted her eyelashes on. “Please lead the way, Drew, dear. I’ve missed you since our last meeting. Tell me what you have been doing to occupy your time.” She held her arm out to him.
He stared at her. Confusion filled his clear blue eyes. Had she laid that on too thick? Oh well, no turning back now. “What are you up to?” There was wariness in his tone.
“Nothing,” she said. Hopefully, the innocent tone she had attempted sounded that way. “What makes you think something is amiss?”
“Because you’re you,” he told her. “I would expect nothing less that a nefarious plan.”
“That’s probably wise,” she conceded. “But I promise that nothing so dastardly has entered my head today.” She smiled sweetly. “I, however, cannot reassure you something of that sort may not come to fruition in the future.”
“Uh huh,” he said, then looped his arm with hers. “I’m so informed then. Ladies,” he said and nodded at Claudine, Emilia, and Gabrielle. “Let’s go for that walk.”
This time Sofia held back a smile. Perhaps this walk would be the one to make him see reason.
* * *
Drew was growing moreand more frustrated as the days went on. He wanted the wedding over with already. He had resigned himself to marriage and now he wanted what little benefits that such an institution offered.
He wanted Sofia in his bed.
