Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] by The Rogue Steals a Bride Read Free Book Online

the only one who could answer a question for us and settle a bet we have going. Do you happen to know where he is?”
    “I spoke to him not ten minutes ago,” she said. “I’m sorry, he’s already gone home.”
    “Home, you say? Well, I won’t be getting the money on my wager tonight, it seems. Would you mind mentioning to him that I’m looking to ask him a question about the hot air balloon venture he was involved with a year or two ago?”
    “Yes, of course,” Sophia said, knowing all about Sir Randolph’s failed attempt to garner investors to open a hot air balloon travel business, and his many other endeavors that never seemed to come to pass. “I won’t see him again tonight, but I’ll be happy to do that for you tomorrow morning.”
    Sophia glanced at Mr. Brentwood. His blue eyes had darkened intensely, as if a shadow had crept in front of them. The easy smile had left his lips, and a wrinkle had formed between his brows. She had a feeling he now knew exactly who she was.
    “Are you related to Sir Randolph?” Mr. Brentwood asked in a low voice.
    There was an uncomfortable edge to his voice that she hadn’t heard before, and tightness around his eyes. No doubt it was the mention of the man rumored to be his father that had changed his disposition. She knew finding out his name had surprised her.
    “No,” she answered, thinking he must have just arrived at the ball when she saw him if he had not heard that she was Sir Randolph’s ward. “We’re not related by blood. He’s my guardian.”
    “You look surprised by that, Mr. Brentwood,” Lord Waldo offered.
    “Do I?” Mr. Brentwood said quietly, though his gaze never left Sophia’s face.
    “I thought so, but perhaps not. As I’m sure you know, Miss Hart and Sir Randolph have been the whisper of the party all evening.”
    Mr. Brentwood’s intense gaze focused on Lord Waldo. “You know what my brother and I think about gossip, don’t you?”
    Lord Waldo cleared his throat and took a step back. “Yes, quite right. Well, thank you, Miss Hart. Mr. Brentwood.”
    As Lord Waldo walked away, a shivery feeling stole over Sophia, and her heart raced. “Which twin are you?”
    “Matson,” he said. “It’s too bad Lord Waldo took the challenge out of finding that out.”
    “You and your brother are the twins who have caused Sir Randolph so much grief.”
    His shoulders stiffened. His forehead creased, and his face drew into a frown. “What? Did you say we caused him grief? That’s the most laughable thing I’ve heard in weeks, Miss Hart. Just how did we do that?”
    She swallowed uncomfortably. “You came back to London. He and your parents had worked out a plan to keep you and your brother in Baltimore so no one would ever know that you are his sons.”
    Disbelief shone in his eyes. “He worked out a plan with my parents?”
    Sophia realized she had started on a subject that was obviously very raw to Mr. Brentwood. “You didn’t know that?”
    “Not that Sir Randolph was a party to the plans. My parents were already deceased when I learned of the affair. I’m wondering how you know more about my past than I do.”
    “I’m sure I don’t, and I don’t think I should say anything more about this.”
    “It’s too late to play the innocent, Miss Hart.”
    She lifted her chin slightly. “I’m not playing anything. How could I have known that you didn’t know? Sir Randolph was my father’s best friend for many years. He told my father everything.”
    “Everything? Are you telling me he told your father about his affair with my mother?”
    “Well, I have no idea exactly how much he told Papa. I only know that he never wanted you to know what had happened between him and your mother, and… and…” She stopped and sighed in dismay.
    “What?” he asked, stepping closer to her once again.
    “That you resemble him, which I don’t think you do. I mean, not very much, anyway.”
    “And why did Sir Randolph tell you this?”
    “He