Lord Will & Her Grace by Sophia Nash Read Free Book Online

mischief.
    "But I must be allowed to call someone
‘ chérie .' Life will be unimaginably dull if I cannot have a female friend who understands me." Lord William bowed and
looked up with a devastating smile. "You slay my heart, Miss
Somerset. I suppose I'll be forced to turn my attentions to the
Mornington sisters for feminine camaraderie. Do you think they'll
agree to endure the alarming designation?"
    She felt unaccountably irritated by the idea.
And annoyed more so with herself and the way her stomach churned
every time she looked into his dark eyes. She hated being such a
fool.
    A knock sounded on the half-closed door
separating the two chambers. The shiny pate of a small man peered
around the doorframe. "Excuse me, my lord. Shall I await— Oh, I do
beg your pardon, miss," he said, seeing Sophie and bobbing
quickly.
    "That's quite all right," Lord William said.
"Miss Somerset was just on her way in." He looked down at her as
the little man disappeared. "I've something I'd like to discuss
further with you, chér -Miss Somerset. Would you allow me to
escort you to Villa Belza after your fitting?"
    "I'm shocked, sir," she replied, trying to
appear lighthearted. "I had rather thought your appointment with
the tailor would take precedence over taking the air with a female.
But, yes, you may escort me."
    He laughed and brought her hand to his
beautiful, full lips. "I shall await you with impatience then, Miss Somerset ."
    Sophie could not control the slight frisson
of excitement that flowed from her hand to her heart. He looked up
at her, his lips now an inch from her glove, and gently turned her
hand in his own to press a kiss on the sensitive flesh of her
wrist.
    Oh, he was wicked, indeed. It was all so
confusing, she thought as she walked into the fitting room.
    As the tailor went about his work, Sophie
smiled. She forced herself to acknowledge that she rather liked the
idea of continuing their conversation despite the guilt she felt,
knowing her father would never have approved of deepening an
acquaintance with a man of such dubious character. But, she really
had nothing to fear from him, considering his preferences. She had
more to fear, if she was honest, with her own reactions toward him.
He was the handsomest man she had ever seen. She would have to take
care not to make a cake of herself.
    At least, he had not shown any indications of
being a fortune hunter like Lord Coddington. His array of clothes
alone had most likely cost a small fortune. And she hazarded that
gentlemen such as he never married.
    Lord William had only ever exhibited an
inclination toward one particular transgression. And given that
Sophie was a vicar's daughter, and had witnessed some of the basest
aspects of human nature while attending to her deceased father's
parishioners, she did not fear vice as she had learned everyone was
a sinner in the eyes of the Lord. And it seemed that this
particular gentleman's failing didn't hurt anyone except himself,
which was a lesser offense according to her father.
     

     
    Miss Somerset's delightful maid had provided
William the ideal opportunity for a delicate conversation. During
the long walk back to the lady's villa, the maid's fragile slippers
had given way to the abuses of a dirty, pebble-strewn country
lane.
    William had hailed a passing neighbor's
dogcart and enlisted the man's aid in transporting the female back
to her mistress's residence. He had ignored the maid's schemes to
trap him into carrying her back to the villa. If Miss Somerset had
understood the sexual nature of her saucy servant's flirtatious
suggestions in French, the maid would have been sacked in a thrice.
As it was, William was hard put not to take the girl up on her
offer. She was a petite, fetching Frenchwoman despite her
overpowering perfume and bold suggestions.
    But Mr. Derby's demands took precedence. If
William did not secure the necessary funds soon, all would be
lost.
    Now he was left with a brief half hour to
ensnare his