After Innocence by Brenda Joyce Read Free Book Online

the men would rejoin the ladies. It was not long to wait—if she dared.
    And if she remained seated, he might never learn of her limp tonight. Sofie knew she was being irrational but found her usual common sense dissipated by the day’s events and her unholy desire to be in Edward Delanza’s presence just one more time. To be the recipient of his electrifying charm.
    “Where are you going?” Suzanne paused beside her.
    “I was thinking of going to bed.”
    Suzanne gripped the railing. “I don’t think you should retire just now, Sofie.”
    Sofie looked at her mother, saw the tension in her. “I do not mean to be rude.”
    “Retiring so early would be rude. Just as it was rude to go off alone today, ignoring all of my guests.”
    Sofie paled. “Mother, I am sorry.”
    “Of course you are. I know it was not intentional. But, Sofie—” Suzanne took her hand “—just the other day I heard someone mention you. She called you a recluse! It is difficult enough that you are considered eccentric.”
    Sofie was wounded, but tried not to let it show. “Mother, what would you have me do? How can I paint
and
go to parties and races and teas? If your friends choose to think of me as eccentric, perhaps they are right. To them I am odd.”
    “You can be as eccentric as you want, dear, as long as you keep up certain pretenses. You have been alone in New York for two entire months, devoting yourself to your art. This weekend you must devote yourself to my guests. Really, Sofie, is it too much to ask?”
    Sofie shook her head. “Of course, you are right, and it is not too much to ask.”
    “Perhaps I should not have allowed you to remain in the city by yourself, perhaps I should have insisted you summer in Newport with your family.”
    Sofie grew alarmed. “That will not make my art go away, Mother.”
    Suzanne grimaced. “Unfortunately, it won’t, and I realize that.” She hesitated, holding her daughter’s gaze. “I watched you with Edward Delanza tonight, Sofie. And I do not think tonight was the first time you have been with him.”
    Sofie gasped, flushing dully. Of course, that evening had not been their first encounter—not for her, at least—but she could not tell her mother that she had been so immoral and depraved as to spy upon him while he made love to their neighbor.
    “I’m right!” Suzanne cried. She was incredulous.
    “Not exactly,” Sofie said. “Not really. I saw him earlier, that’s all, but we never spoke.”
    Suzanne raised her finger. “I want you to stay away from him—do you understand me? If for some incredible reason he pursues you, stay away!”
    Sofie sucked in her breath. “I have every intention of staying away from him. I am not a fool.”
    “But a man like that is adept at turning a green girl’s head.”
    “Not mine. And I am hardly a girl anymore, Mother. Twenty is quite long in the tooth.” Sofie gazed at Suzanne. “Does he really smuggle diamonds?”
    “Yes, he does, and if that is not enough to forewarn you, he is an accomplished, unrepentant rake.”
    Sofie was not as ready as her mother to condemn Edward to the pits of irredeemable impropriety, no matter what she had seen. She recalled his earlier words, how he’d askedher not to believe everything she’d heard about him. “If he is so horrible, then why is he here?”
    Suzanne sighed. “He rounds out the party. A handsome bachelor always does. And Mr. Delanza in particular is popular precisely because his background is so suspect—not to mention the fact of his astounding looks and charm. Who do you think the ladies are talking about now? He has already made my house party a big success.” Then Suzanne came closer, lowering her voice. “You are far past the age of innocence, Sotie, so listen well. If Hilary or anyone else decides to avail themselves of his virility—and his fondness for rich, beautiful, experienced ladies is undisputed—that is their affair. They know what they are doing. You do not. You