Shadow Dance by Anne Stuart Read Free Book Online Page B

must say I’m flattered.But sooner or later you’re going to have to develop a taste for the gentlemen. How old are you?”
    “Eighteen,” Sophie said, drawing her guest back to the window seat and pulling her down beside her for a comfortable coze. The large area was surprisingly crowded with the two of them sitting there, but Sophie simply moved closer to her idol. “Old enough to know whether I like men or not. I don’t know if I wish to marry.”
    “Never?”
    “Not if I can help it,” she said artlessly. “You’ve been extremely lucky—you and Mr. Ramsey barely seem to notice each other. Most marriages I’ve witnessed haven’t been nearly so fortunate.”
    Her companion reached over and patted her hand, covering it. “Surely that’s extreme?”
    “Not in the slightest. Most women are slaves to their parents until they marry, and then they become slaves to their husbands.”
    “You don’t seem enslaved by your parents.”
    “That’s the problem. Both of my parents are exceedingly broad-minded. They’ve brought me up to think for myself, to be independent. They taught me I was any man’s equal. I’m worried that I might not find a suitable husband who’d agree with that.”
    “You might be surprised,” Mrs. Ramsey murmured, her strong hand warming Sophie’s smaller one.
    “How do you manage to keep Mr. Ramsey in line? I must confess, I find him rather frightening. He’s so tall, and forbidding, and so very cynical.”
    Mrs. Ramsey shrugged. “He’s quite charming once you get to know him. Besides, I can get him to do just what I want if I go about it the right way. We rub along very welltogether. I don’t interfere in his life and he doesn’t interfere in mine.”
    “As long as you obey certain rules of society,” Sophie said. “Rules dictated by men.”
    “Actually I don’t obey any rules I don’t care to.” Her companion said carelessly, leaning back against the enclosure and stretching her astonishingly long legs out in front of her.
    Sophie glanced at her. “I do envy you your height,” she said wistfully. “Perhaps I might be more self-assured if I weren’t such a little dab of a thing.”
    “Believe me, Miss de Quincey, I don’t beat Ramsey into submission.”
    Sophie giggled. “I didn’t imagine you did. And please, call me Sophie.”
    “Only if you can me Val. After all, addressing me as Mrs. Ramsey only serves to remind both of us that I’m a man’s chattel.”
    “Never that,” Sophie said. She screwed up all her courage. “I do admire you enormously. You’re different from any woman I’ve ever met. I do so wish to be your friend.”
    Mrs. Ramsey had the most shimmering gray eyes. She looked down at Sophie, and for a moment Sophie couldn’t read their expression. There was something both tender and faintly predatory in the glance, something that warmed and alarmed her. “You’re a very sweet child,” Mrs. Ramsey said in her deep voice. “But perhaps a bit too trusting. You know nothing about me or my husband. Who knows, we might be something quite different from who we say we are.”
    Sophie pulled herself upright. “I’m not as naive as you think. I imagine you have some dark secrets in your life—you’veclearly led a life that’s a great deal more adventurous than most. I hope I can be your confidante.”
    “Share my secrets?” A faintly mocking smile played around Mrs. Ramsey’s wide mouth, and for a moment she looked startlingly like her sardonic husband. “Sometimes secrets are better left alone.”
    Sophie wasn’t quite sure whether or not she was being rebuffed. “Have I offended?” she asked miserably.
    The mockery left her companion, and the large hand that still covered hers tightened. “Never, dear child,” she said. “You only remind me how very jaded I am.”
    “Not jaded,” Sophie said loyally. “Just more experienced. I wish you would give me the benefit of your wisdom.”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “I wish