Scandal by Carolyn Jewel Read Free Book Online Page B

He ought to bring to bear every weapon at his command. Before Sophie he would not have hesitated. Now? Threatening Mercer in such a fashion was, alas, too despicable. “We are bound to meet; you know that.”
    â€œBut you are not bound to acknowledge your acquaintance with her.”
    He drew himself up. He’d had enough of this arrogant puppy. “That’s presumptuous of you, Mercer.”
    â€œLord Banallt.” Mercer scowled. “I very much regret to tell you that you are not welcome here. Nor will you be if you call again. I won’t have her miserable, and misery is all she will ever have from you.” He walked to the parlor door and opened it. “Good day, my lord.”

Six
    Cavendish Square , London ,
MARCH 14, 1815
    Â 
    Â 
    Â 
    THE DUKE’S HOME ON CAVENDISH SQUARE WAS EVERY bit as grand as Sophie expected. The ducal coronet was carved in the stone above the door. The entranceway was white marble with columns and a staircase to the upper floors. An enormous arrangement of roses spread a delicious scent through the air. A butler dressed in black from his coat to his breeches answered the door and gravely accepted John’s coat and hat and Sophie’s coat and muff. “This way, Mr. Mercer, ma’am.”
    They followed a liveried footman into the depths of the house. The servant wore a gray wig and forest green livery worked with gold flowers and silver braid. His heeled shoes clicked on the marble floor. The murmur of conversation grew louder as they proceeded down the corridor.
    â€œJohn,” she whispered when they were shown into a salon with angels cavorting on the ceiling. She came to a halt inside the doorway. Brilliantly dressed men and women filled the room. “You said this was a small party. An intimate one.”
    Her brother patted her arm. “It is small.” He laughed. “For His Grace. There’ll be even more guests after we’ve dined.”
    â€œThere must be forty people here.” In all her life, she’d never been at a party half as large. Before her marriage, she’d been too young to attend her father’s gatherings. Judging from the bills that came her way, Tommy did his entertaining in London.
    â€œYou see?” His mouth turned up at the corners. “An intimate supper.” He raised a hand to acknowledge someone across the room. “Let’s find Vedaelin and get you formally introduced, Sophie.”
    Sophie pushed away her nerves and smiled. She knew the value of an entrance, and while she didn’t expect to make a grand one, neither did she wish to be seen as timid or embarrassed. John needed her to make a good impression, and she intended to do so. Her gown was more than appropriate for a woman of her age and station in life, and John had brought their mother’s diamonds from the vault at Havenwood. Her mother had let her wear them once and they’d made her feel beautiful. She wasn’t an antidote by any means, but she had almost nothing of her mother’s looks about her. At least the diamonds helped.
    The duke’s guests had separated into distinct groups. In one corner of the room several people were gathered around a gentleman playing the mandolin. He was quite good. Others sat on chairs or sofas; still others stood in conversation, some serious, from the looks of it, others not in the least. One day she would write a story in which her heroine came to London. Her villain would be first seen leaning against a wall, examining every female to enter with a haughty expression.
    â€œThere he is. What luck! With everyone you ought to meet.” John’s hand tightened on hers, and she hung back at the pressure of his grip.“This is important, Sophie,” he said. “Most of the men you’re about to meet run Britain.” He touched the tip of her nose. “So, Sophie, please. On your best behavior. No outrageous opinions.”
    â€œJohn, I’m