Free Kathryn Smith - [Friends 03] by Into Temptation Page B

eyes. "I will take care of that. A gift for being such a good friend."
    "You most certainly will not!" Sophia snatched her hand away. "I am not a charity case!"
    Instead of being contrite, Letitia laughed. "Oh, Sophia, you are so silly! Perhaps you would prefer to have my brother foot the bill? Consider it retribution for his being such a beast to you while he has been under your roof."
    Now, that was tempting, as underhanded as it was.
    She shook her head. "I— "
    "Think it over," Letitia insisted, cutting her off. "Please."
    Nodding, Sophia agreed, but she knew her answer would be the same in an hour as it was then. There was no way she was going to put herself under that much of Julian's control as to agree to be a guest in his home. Why had he even suggested it? He had some ulterior motive other than just his sister's happiness, of that she was certain.
    Heat crept up her cheeks as an idea occurred to her. Surely he didn't think that…No! It was too much, even for him. As rotten as Julian could be, he would never expect her to be his mistress right under his sister's nose!
    What other reason could he possibly have for inviting her? He didn't like her any more than she liked him.
    Perhaps she should just ask him.
    After Letitia left to go dress for breakfast, Sophia scampered out of bed and hurriedly washed and dressed. She was still sticking pins in her hair as she hurried downstairs a little while later. She wore the best day gown she owned, a square-necked, modest dress of dark purple. It was her favorite and was still fairly stylish as she had purchased it just prior to Charles cutting off her funds. She felt pretty and confident when she wore it, and she needed all the confidence she could summon when dealing with Julian.
    With her hair secured in a neat chignon, she rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs and strolled toward the back of the house. Somehow, she knew where he would be.
    He was in her library, sitting in her favorite chair, sipping a cup of coffee.
    He looked up at her entrance, and immediately rose to his feet. He was dressed a bit more formally than he had been last night, but his clothing was wrinkled and a day's growth of beard lined his cheeks. He looked the part of a poet now, with his hair mussed and his eyes heavy with fatigue. Obviously he hadn't slept well last night either. Good.
    "I had hoped you would come back," he said, his gaze assessing her just as she had assessed him.
    She frowned. "I beg your pardon?"
    He shook his head. "Never mind. I imagine my sister has already talked with you?"
    "Yes," she replied with a nod. "Jul— Lord Wolfram, I— "
    "Sit," he interjected, offering her the chair he had just vacated. "Please. It feels awkward to stand when we have so much to discuss."
    The fact that he relinquished her favorite chair to her warmed her in ways that were both charming and annoying. Still, she accepted the offer and even passed him his coffee so he didn't have to reach for it from his seat across from her.
    "I want to know why you changed your mind about inviting me to London," she blurted when they were both settled.
    He took a drink of his coffee and smiled. "I imagine you do, and so I shall tell you. I changed it because Letitia would have made my life miserable if I did not."
    Sophia could tell from his expression and the dry tone that he used that he spoke the truth, but there was something more.
    "And?" she prodded.
    He sighed. " And because I hoped that you might be able to help me ensure that my sister makes an attachment by the end of the season."
    "Even if I had such sway over your sister I would not use it."
    Julian's lips twisted into a mocking smile as he arched a brow. "Especially not for me."
    Heat crept up Sophia's cheeks but she did not respond.
    "We don't always have to be on opposite sides, Sophia." He said her name like it was a caress and her body reacted as such, tightening and flushing in a most shameful and delicious manner.
    Setting his cup