Free Kathryn Smith - [Friends 03] by Into Temptation

piece of bacon off a platter and took a bite as he stretched his legs out before him. "Yesterday I discovered that my sister is at the home of Lady Aberley. Today I discovered 'twas you who introduced the two."
    Lady Wickford's round face showed neither concern nor contrition. "I thought they would like each other," she replied, dabbing her lips with her napkin. "I was right."
    Straightening, Julian leaned his elbow on the table and rubbed his hand over his face. "Sophia Morelle is deceitful and untrustworthy, and she is a poor influence for a young woman."
    Lady Wickford arched a thin brow. "Letitia is hardly a young woman anymore, Julian." She toyed with the rim of her tea cup, the rings on her hand sparkling in the light. "Besides, your opinion of Sophia is colored by one unfortunate incident."
    Julian choked on a disbelieving bark of laughter. "I have seen for myself just what effect her influence has had on my sister. Letitia refuses to come to London without her!"
    The old woman's face lit up as she poured him a cup of coffee. "London! Oh how marvelous, Sophia is due for a trip."
    Julian blinked. Was Lady W losing her senses? "There is no way I would allow that woman to be a guest in my home."
    "Why ever not?" Lady Wickford inquired, lifting her cup to her lips. "What harm could possibly befall you for taking Sophia to town?"
    Julian couldn't believe they were even having this conversation! "What harm? Good lord, have you forgotten the scandal?"
    Lady Wickford waved a large hand in the air. "Oh, pooh. No one will remember that foolish incident. Sophia would be there as Letitia's guest and companion, not your bit of muslin. Or is there still an attraction between the two of you?"
    The shrewdness of her gaze had Julian flushing to the roots of his hair. "Of course not!"
    The countess leaned forward, as though she were about to impart some great secret wisdom.
    "You keep your enemies close, dear boy. What better way to determine Sophia's designs on Letitia— if indeed she has any— than to keep her under close scrutiny? And just think of how agreeable your sister will be if she can take her friend along? And who knows? You might just make an ally out of Sophia. Perhaps you can use that 'influence' you claim she has over Letitia to your advantage."
    Good Lord, why hadn't he thought of any of this? Because he'd been too busy thinking what the consequences of taking Sophia along would be rather than the possible benefits. If she was truly Letitia's friend, she would want what was best for her, and if she was still the mercenary girl he remembered she would urge her friend to marry well. A few well-dropped hints and she could help him nudge Letitia to the altar.
    And maybe a little more time together might cure him of this damnable attraction he felt for her. Reconcile the present with the past, prove once and for all that he was lucky to have escaped her clutches.
    "Perhaps you are right," he allowed. "Perhaps I have been looking at this the wrong way."
    Lady Wickford smiled patiently and Julian half expected her to pat him on the head and congratulate him on finally figuring that out.

    * * *
    Letitia was still in bed when he returned to the cottage. So was Sophia, Mrs. Ellis informed him. Why, Julian wasn't certain.
    He bounded up the stairs, oblivious to the noise his boots and the squeaking boards made. He didn't care if he woke Sophia. In fact he hoped he did, then his head wouldn't be filled with images of her lying peacefully amongst a tangle of blankets, bare limbs peeking out.
    He burst into his sister's room without even knocking. Still foggy and grumpy with sleep, she pushed herself into a sitting position against a mountain of pillows.
    Her room, Julian noted, was much warmer than his own.
    "What do you want?" Letitia demanded.
    "Get up, brat," he ordered cheerfully, tossing her wrapper at her. "We are leaving for London later this morning."
    Scowling, Letitia dropped back against the cushions as her robe fell