Free Lover Be Mine: A Legendary Lovers Novel by Nicole Jordan Page A

clever,” Mrs. Pennant warned, “if you hope to evade her father’s
     wrath. And claiming Sophie’s time will not be easy either, as she will be busy helping
     me execute my duties toward my guests. I am much too old for all this fuss, and her
     mother cares little for entertaining or mingling with the ton. Rebecca is not an invalid
     precisely, but she customarily keeps to her rooms. That is another purpose of theparty, by the by—to allow Sophie to display her talents as a hostess to Dunmore.”
    Jack nodded but was eager for a decision. “So may I have your answer, Mrs. Pennant?”
    After a long moment, she responded. “I am inclined to agree to your proposition, my
     lord. On the one hand, I want to promote Sophie’s prospects for an advantageous match.
     As a commoner, she may never get another chance to land someone with so lofty a title
     and fortune as Dunmore’s. Therefore, I am tolerating his suit. But I was forced by
     my own family to marry for wealth, and I thoroughly detested it. I do not want Sophie
     to be miserable as I was. In all honesty, I would very much like to foil her father’s
     scheme to pair her with Dunmore.”
    Before Jack could reply, she continued debating with herself aloud. “Naturally Oliver
     will be furious at me for letting you within speaking distance of his daughter, but
     he wants to keep in my good graces since I hold the purse strings.”
    She returned her focus to Jack. “In my will, I made Sophie my sole heir and bypassed
     her mother entirely because I didn’t want Oliver to see a penny of my wealth. But
     I can threaten to cut Sophie out. He will not want to risk losing my fortune for her,
     at least not until she is safely wed to the duke, so he won’t fight me outright on
     this. But he would oppose you, even without the feud. Oliver Fortin is rather prudish,
     very much the opposite of you notorious Wildes.”
    Her sly humor suddenly returned. “I confess I should very much like to see you take
     on Oliver. It should prove entertaining. And if nothing else, you will provide competition
     for the duke. I want Sophieto see you and Dunmore side by side, so she can realize what she will be missing if
     she weds him. I guarantee she will prefer you to him.
    “But still …” Her voice faded, and she looked as if she were vacillating again. Then
     her gaze sharpened on Jack. “I hope I can trust you to put her happiness before your
     own, my lord.”
    “You can,” he responded honestly.
    “Well, I warn you, if you hurt Sophie or drag her into a scandal, you will answer
     to me, sir.”
    “I promise to be on my best behavior.”
    Mrs. Pennant gave a delicate harrumph. “That is not saying much. I knew your mother,
     Lady Clara. You inherited her passionate nature, and I worry that you might go too
     far with Sophie. Although she is mature for her age and has a good head on her shoulders,
     she has been far more sheltered than your cousin or your sister. Sophie’s parents
     delayed her debut while she was being groomed for the Marriage Mart, and she is rather
     inexperienced when it comes to men in general. She is out of
your
league entirely.”
    Jack returned her gaze solemnly. “I give you my word, I will not break her heart.
     At week’s end, if there is no chance of mutual affection between us, I won’t continue
     my courtship any further. And regardless, I will do my utmost to dissuade her from
     marrying Dunmore.”
    “Very well, then. Ring the bell to summon my butler. I will send Sophie to meet you
     in the blue parlor downstairs so that you may reveal your plan to court her. I have
     tried more than once to talk her out of wedding Dunmore, but my efforts were futile.
     I earnestly hope you can succeed where I failed.”

    Jack felt a surge of satisfaction at winning the first skirmish, but he didn’t expect
     Sophie to fall in line with his plans as easily and so braced himself for a protest.
    His breath caught a little when she appeared at the