Page 1 of His Scandalous Siren
Prologue
July 1913
Miss Sofia Leone leaned against a tree and stared up at the sky. It was a beautiful summer day. The birds were chirping a merry tune and the bright rays of the sun spread warmth over her skin. She was happy and content. At least for the moment… She had traveled with her sister Gabrielle to England from her home in Italy to visit her cousin, Lady Emilia St. John.
Her Aunt Rubina had married an English duke, and they traveled often to visit them. Her father, Conte Damien Leone, was close with his sister and had wanted to ensure her happiness as often as possible. Something that Sofia could relate to. She was rather fond of her own brother, Rafael. Her sister, though…they had moments where they hated each other. But when it mattered, Sofia could always count on both of her siblings.
“What should we do with our day?” Emilia asked.
“I’m rather fond of what we are doing now,” Sofia proclaimed. “Why change something that is perfect as it is?”
Gabrielle wrinkled her nose. “We’ll get too much sun if we stay outdoors all day. We should go inside.”
“Perhaps later,” Sofia said, then sighed whimsically. “It will get stuffy inside with this heat.” She smiled softly. “Besides it was raining for three days straight not too long ago. I say we enjoy this nice weather before England remembers it likes dismal days.”
Emilia laughed. “She’s right and you know it. We’re lucky it has been sunny long enough to dry the grounds. Otherwise she wouldn’t be enjoying sitting under that tree.”
Gabrielle frowned. “Her skirts are still going to be filthy. She shouldn’t be sitting there. Mother will have a fit if she sees her.”
“Mother will understand,” Sofia replied in a nonchalant tone. “She understands me.”
Their mother was English too, and no doubt understood what it was like to live with all the rain the country endured. Italy was far nicer, but Sofia loved England too. It was her second home, after all. There was another reason she adored it so. Lord Andrew Marsden…the future Viscount of Torrington. Most would have preferred his twin, Alexander, the current Earl of Devon. He already had a far loftier title that made the normal English miss watch him with envious intent. But they didn’t know the twins. They were identical in almost every way…but Drew… He had a wry sense of humor and an innate kindness a rare few were privy to. Sofia had seen that side of him and had fallen in love.
If only he saw her the same way…
Sofia lived with her unrequited love, but she hoped to one day change that. She was seven and ten, and not quite ready for marriage. In another year, though she had every intention of pursuing him. He wouldn’t know what to make of it, and that fact almost made her laugh out loud. She could start planting seeds of interest now. Sofia would have to consider what her best course of action should be.
“Mother,” Gabrielle interrupted Sofia’s musings, “will not understand.”
“Aunt Pearla isn’t the harsh disciplinarian you’re making her out to be,” Emilia replied. “Sofia is right. She will understand. Dirt can be washed out of skirts. Sunny days should be enjoyed.” With those words, Emilia sat down next to Sofia by the tree. Gabrielle continued to glare at them, but then she sighed and sat next to Emilia.
“I suppose you’re right,” Gabrielle said in a resigned tone. “It is a lovely day. We should stay outside a little while longer.”
“I love coming to England. Especially when we spend time at Uncle Noah’s country estate. It’s far lovelier at Huntly Castle than the London townhouse.” Sofia leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees. “Though London does have some finer points, too.” She had a far better chance of crossing paths with Andrew Marsden in London.
“Next year, I think I should visit the two of you in Italy.” Emilia tilted her head to the side. “I don’t leave England unless mama wants to visit, and she’s content here most of the time. I wonder if she’d allow me to travel without her…”
“It would be wonderful if you could come to us,” Gabrielle replied. “But that would mean Sofia couldn’t come here to wallow over a certain future viscount.”
“Oh, do be quiet,” Sofia demanded. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Emilia smirked. “Everyone knows how you feel about Drew. You need not pretend.”
Horror filled Sofia at Emilia’s words. “Everyone?” How could they? She never once said out loud how much she adored that blasted man. He ignored her on a good day, and well, he could be downright dismissive any other time. Oh, he was always polite and kind to her. But he didn’t actually see her as anything more than an honorary cousin. They were not and never had been related. Why couldn’t he notice her as a woman?
“Well,” Emilia began. “Everyone except maybe Drew. I’m sure Alex knows, though. He is more observant than his twin.” She frowned. “Most of the time.” There was a little bit of irritation in her tone with that last statement. What had the eldest Marsden twin done to vex Emilia?
“How…embarrassing,” Sofia said. “Perhaps I should stay home next summer. I don’t want him to think of me as he does all the other young debutantes. He always complains about them.” What Sofia hoped from him was something far deeper and more lasting than the annoyance he felt toward those on the marriage mart. But she couldn’t make her wishes known or he would lump her in with them. She had to stand out for a different reason. The problem, of course, was she did not know how to accomplish that task.
“Don’t stay away on accord of Drew’s lack of foresight or imagination,” Emilia said. Her tone was light and comforting. “Otherwise I’d never see you. The Marsden Twins are both obtuse for different reasons, and in opposite ways.”
“They’re practically inseparable,” Gabrielle replied. “It’s funny how contrary their personalities can be, and yet they complement each other.” She turned toward Sofia. “I think you have the right idea of staying away for the summer next year. Take that time to become the woman you’re meant to be, and if he doesn’t notice you the next time you see him, then he’s not worth having in your life. You are remarkable. Don’t define who you are by the man your whimsical heart chose.”
She knew her sister was right. If she lived her life for Drew, she might end up sorely disappointed with her choice. Women had little choices as it was, and some were definitely trying to change that, but real change was still too far away. Once she married, she would still be her husband’s property, and she would have no real say in her life. If Drew did notice her, and if they married, and she ended up regretting it… That would be far worse than any actual heartbreak. She would have a shattered heart that would never heal.
“I’ll decide later,” she announced. Mainly because she didn’t want to let her sister know how much her words had penetrated Sofia’s fragile shell. “It’s not as if Drew is going to walk up to me and make me an offer I cannot refuse.” She shrugged. “Life is never that simple or predictable.”
Emilia laughed. “Truer words have never been spoken.” She stood. “Let’s walk a little. I’m feeling a bit restless.”
Sofia didn’t see any reason to argue with that. She felt a similar rush rolling through her. There was much she had to consider, and sitting under a tree pondering all of life’s questions didn’t see à propos. She needed to move and maybe with a simple task like walking, the answers would become clearer. She came to her feet. “A walk would be good.”
“Now you want to do something,” Gabrielle grumbled. “I was just getting comfortable.”
Emilia laughed. “Sorry, cousin.” She held out her hand to Gabrielle. “One can’t always control the moods that overtake us. Forgive me.”
“Always,” Gabrielle replied. She tilted her lips into a smile. “A walk isn’t a terrible idea, anyway. Exercise will be good for us.”
With those words, the three of them started walking along the trail that led back to the extensive gardens at Huntly Castle. They didn’t talk. The silent companionship was all they needed, and it gave Sofia the space to consider the path she wanted to take with her life. She wanted Drew, had always desired him. Now she had to either discern how to win his love, or move on and give up on that dream.
After a while, she made a decision. She would try, but not until she was certain of who she was and what she wanted for her life. She would take Gabrielle’s advice and stay in Italy. If Drew married while she was on her quest for self-discovery…then it wasn’t meant to be, and she would find some way to live with that. He wouldn’t appreciate her if she wasn’t a woman who could stand her ground and be more than an insipid female that batted her eyelashes at him. She would be everything she needed to be, for herself, and for him…
