At Last by Jacquie D'Alessandro Read Free Book Online Page A

leaving the party with him, arriving at
his townhouse, where you reportedly remained for an ‘indecent
amount of time,’ and looked disheveled when you left.”
    Dear
God . “Who told you this?”
    “ Lady Chapman. She claims
she saw the kiss with her own eyes.”
    Sophia’s heart sank at the
mention of the ton’s most notorious gossip. “And of course she told
everyone.”
    “ Everyone,” Christine
confirmed. “It will certainly be reported in tomorrow’s Times society page.”
Christine’s gaze searched hers. “Is it all true?”
    Sophia pressed a shaking hand to her
midsection. “I’m afraid so.”
    Christine nodded grimly. “Although I’m
burning with curiosity as to how it all came about, explanations
will have to wait. Right now we must discuss your best course to
weather the tidal wave of gossip and ensuing scandal. Given the
lascivious nature of the story, you’re in for a rough time. Every
man in London will believe you’re now available for a dalliance.
Henry told me the betting book at White’s is already filled with
wagers as to who you’ll take as your next lover.”
    The knot in Sophia’s stomach cinched tighter
and she jumped to her feet. “Edward...I must go at once to Eton to
speak to him. Prepare him.”
    “ I’ll come with you. But
Sophia, at the rate this story is spreading, I wouldn’t be
surprised if he’s already heard.”
    A humorless, bitter sound escaped Sophia at
the irony. She and Ian hadn’t made love last night, yet still the
thing she most dreaded--a scandal--had come to pass. Filled with
trepidation, she hurried to the foyer, Christine on her heels.
    An hour later she returned to Christine’s
waiting carriage on Eton High Street. “Did you see Edward?”
Christine asked in an anxious voice.
    Sophia fought the panic threatening to
overwhelm her. “No.”
    Sympathy flooded Christine eyes. “He’s
already heard and refused to see you?”
    “ He heard. Early this
morning. A fellow student confirmed it.” Dear God, she could barely
speak around the lump of dread clogging her throat. “Edward wasn’t
there, Christine. He became extremely distraught upon hearing the
gossip and left school. No one knows where he is.”
    **
    When the carriage arrived back at her
townhome, Sophia ran up the brick walkway, praying there would be
some word of Edward, that he’d come home or sent a note. If not,
she planned to go directly to Bow Street and hire a Runner to
locate him. The instant she entered the foyer, she asked Monroe,
“Have you received any word from Edward?”
    Young Lord Winterbourne arrived home moments
after you left, my lady,” the butler said, taking her wrap. “He
awaits you in the library.”
    Relief weakened Sophia’s knees and she
clutched Christine’s arm. “Thank God.”
    “ Do you want me to stay?”
Christine asked.
    “ Thank you, but no.” She
hugged her friend tightly. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am for
your friendship and support.”
    “ You’ll always have
it.”
    Sophia blinked back her tears and after
Christine departed, she drew a bracing breath and squared her
shoulders. She could cry later. Right now she had to see Edward.
Before she could take a single step toward the library, however,
Monroe cleared his throat.
    “ Lord Winterbourne is not
alone in the library, my lady.”
    Sophia frowned. “Who is with him?”
    “ The Earl of
Marlington.”
     
     
    Chapter 8
     
    With her heart beating so hard she could
hear its echo in her ears, Sophia entered the library. And froze at
the sight that greeted her. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected but
it certainly wasn’t her son and her former lover playing
backgammon.
    “ You’ve the devil’s own
luck, my lord,” Edward exclaimed. “That’s the third double six
you’ve rolled this game.”
    Ian grinned. “’Tis skill, not luck.”
    “ And that’s a Banbury tale
if I’ve ever heard one.”
    “ And precisely what ye
deserve after the trouncing I suffered at your