Free A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) by Tina Gabrielle Page A

evening, Lady Sophia.”
    “Thank you, my lord.” A deeply buried part of her was thrilled he had noticed.
    He turned to Jane. “I presume this is your cousin, Lady Stanwell.”
    Jane curtsied.
    “My gratitude for your services as Sophia’s chaperone for the upcoming house party,” he said. “Your cousin means the world to me, and I would never do anything to make her feel uncomfortable.”
    The double meaning of his words was not lost on Sophia. If she didn’t want to go through with their ruse, she had only to say the word.
    Oh, he is as cunning as he is charming, Sophia thought.
    Robert motioned to Gareth. “May I introduce a friend, Mr. Gareth Ramsey.”
    Gareth bowed. “A pleasure, ladies.” Dark obsidian eyes traveled over Sophia to rest upon Jane.
    Jane stiffened at his heated stare.
    “Are you ready, Sophia?” Robert asked. “Lady Cameron is eager to make an announcement before the supper room is opened.”
    He offered her his arm and Sophia placed her gloved fingers on his sleeve. Nervousness gripped her. Unexpected as this engagement was, she couldn’t back down. Not now…not when her goal was so closely within reach. With the Home Office investigating the case, her father’s murderer would not go unpunished.
    Robert led her to where Lord and Lady Cameron waited. The earl had a sparse head of hair, pleasant features, and twinkling blue eyes. The countess was a tiny woman, with an abundance of once auburn curls now fading gently to gray.
    “You will make a handsome couple,” she said.
    Sophia smiled. “Thank you, my lady.”
    The older woman leaned close and lowered her voice. “Lord Cameron and I were saddened to learn of your father’s passing. Haverton was a dear friend and a brilliant man. Society can go to the devil; there was nothing ‘mad’ about him.”
    Sophia’s throat tightened at the kind words.
    Lady Cameron clasped Sophia’s hand. “Most believe Haverton is out of town on business. As close friends of the family, it’s acceptable for us to announce the engagement. Are you ready, my dear?”
    Sophia gave a curt nod. “Yes.”
    The countess waited for the last dance to end before clapping her hands and drawing the attention of her guests. “It is my pleasure to announce the engagement of Lady Sophia Merrill and Lord Kirkland.”
    There was an awkward silence as the guests digested the news that the daughter of the Mad Marquess was to marry an earl. Then Lady Cameron kissed Sophia on both cheeks, and Lord Cameron embraced Robert and slapped him on the back.
    Circulating the ballroom, a dozen footmen carried trays of bubbling champagne, and the guests toasted their future happiness. Members of the haute ton approached to offer their congratulations.
    Robert shook outstretched hands with a cool smile, and Sophia marveled at how easily he slipped into the role of engaged gentleman.
    Just what situation would unnerve him? she wondered.
    Lady Cameron motioned to the conductor and the orchestra struck up a waltz.
    “Come, Sophia,” Robert said.
    He led her to the dance floor and placed his hand at her waist. As if in a trance, she put her hand in his and rested her fingertips on his shoulder. They stood so close their bodies almost brushed. Aware of every eye upon them, her heart beat so loudly she feared she would faint.
    “Smile, Sophia. You wanted this, remember?”
    Forcing her chin up, she met his eyes. “I won’t back down.”
    “I never thought you would.”
    He swept her into the dance. Her stomach was in knots, but he was a marvelous dancer and as he whirled her around the floor she felt like she was drifting on a cloud. Her heart continued to pound—no longer from fear—but from excitement. The dance, the music, the man…all were thrilling. For a woman who had spent the past six months sequestered in her father’s workshop, grieving the loss of her parent and obsessed with obtaining justice for his murder, dancing with him was exhilarating. She tilted her face up