Page 18 of His Regency Goddess (Curves & Cravats)

Chapter Eighteen

Sin sat in the study of the Montgomery townhouse and folded the note he had just written. He toyed with writing another note, but now considered delivering the words orally. He sighed as he fingered the paper in his hands. It was eight o'clock in the morning, too early for a drink, but he needed something to numb his senses. Sin knew he had uttered the wrong words the previous evening as soon as they left his mouth. He had not meant to imply she could not afford to buy the bowl. Sophie's cold tone still echoed in his mind. His independent, saucy, clever, luscious Sophie – his Goddess. He had attempted to break down her walls so she would say yes to his proposal but instead he had added another layer to penetrate. He groaned out loud and placed his forehead on the desk. It was not being a jealous fool that ruined things, it was being a presumptuous fool.

"Why am I such a complete fool?"

"Pardon me, My Lord. I believe you called for me?"

Sin glanced up at an uncomfortable-looking Jack, who had evidently witnessed his descent into this pathetic and rueful state. He had called for him to deliver a letter to Mr Welles, to advise him that he no longer had an interest in the Ming bowl. He gave Jack the letter and instructions and went back to his brooding.

"Sinclair, what are you doing awake at this early hour?" He heard his father's voice.

"I am lamenting, Father, for I have been a fool."

He took a seat in front of Sin and smiled. "Does this involve the mysterious woman you find yourself infatuated with?"

Sin nodded. "You know, when I came home at your behest I had no interest in settling down. But before I even arrived home, I caught sight of this woman and I have fallen hard for her. Harder than I even knew was possible."

"Any woman to bring you to your knees must be quite a woman indeed. When do I get to meet her?"

"Well, that is the problem. I fear I offended her last evening, and she isn't the type for whom flowers and a sorry will do. Worse than that, I had asked her to marry and she was thinking it over. I apologise for not letting you know sooner that I had proposed to someone."

His father waved him off. "Not at all. You know I do not like to meddle. All I want for you is to be happy. That was all I wanted for your brother as well. What any good parent should want. I know I harp on about your duty to the family name and that stems from pride. We are Montgomerys! But with your brother and now with you, affairs of the heart will be your choice."

Sin felt a rush of affection for his father; he was a good man. Whenever they spoke of Andrew’s passing it helped the continuous healing that is grief.

"Anyhow, Sinclair, tell me more about this woman and let's see how you can earn back her good graces."

Returning his father's grin, he threw up his hands.

"Her name is Sophie Westcott. She is widowed and best friends with Daniel’s wife. She is clever and cultured; we share a passion for art and artefacts. Her hair is a fiery ginger that sets off her jade green eyes. And her body is all soft, round curves. You would think she is a Greco-Roman statue. You were right; she has a fierce independence that I find very desirable."

He realised he sounded like a love-struck chit, but he didn't care.

"She sounds wonderful, Sinclair. From what you tell me, I think you need to speak with her in person and clear up whatever this misunderstanding is."

Sin banged the desk with his hands and rose to his feet.

"You are absolutely correct! I am going to call on her now and see if we cannot sort this out. And if we can, I am going to spirit her off to Gretna Green lest I put my foot in it again!".

"Off you go then, my boy.”

Sin did not bother with a carriage and saddled a horse in order to get there as quickly as possible. Daniel's butler lifted his eyebrows ever so slightly in surprise when he opened the door to Sin and a horse.

"Sorry for the early hour, good man, but I must speak with Her Grace. Have a stableboy take care of my horse." He had barely remembered she was the widow of a Duke.

"Is that you I hear, Sin?" said Daniel from behind the butler.

"Yes, it is me, I must speak with Sophie." He handed the reins to the butler and stepped inside.

"Make yourself comfortable in the drawing room. She is probably still asleep, Margot is."

Daniel asked the housekeeper to check on Sophie and advise her that Sin was here. They sat in the drawing room and Daniel poured them each a cup of strongly brewed tea.

"So what is this all about? Our Sophie has certainly gotten under your skin, hasn't she?" Daniel tried to hide his smile behind his teacup, but Sin saw the corners of his eyes crinkle.

"Did Margot tell you that I asked Sophie to marry me? I gather Sophie informed her."

"Yes, she told me last night after I asked an incessant number of questions as to the tension between you and Sophie."

"In these few short weeks, I have fallen utterly and completely in love with her and I want to marry her."

The sound of a throat being cleared made him turn his head and he felt his cheeks flame. It was Sophie.

"Ah, I will give you two some privacy," Daniel said as he made a hasty exit.

"Sophie, I hope I did not wake you?" She looked a vision in a white day dress with accents of green that complimented her colouring.

"No, I have been up for a while. I did not sleep very well." Her tone was not warm but neither was it cold. She sounded weary? Curious?

Do I acknowledge what she just overheard now or after my speech?

"Sophie, first and foremost, I want to discuss what happened last night."