Free Lord Will & Her Grace by Sophia Nash Page B

honor of becoming my wife."
    Sophie recovered sufficiently to speak. "Your
wife?" she asked faintly.
    He leaned forward and patted her hand before
cupping her face with his warm fingers. "My darling, I hadn't
thought it would be such a shock. Had you not guessed of my change
of heart?"
    "But what of Mr. Farquhar?" she asked.
    "Why, he'll be delighted when I tell
him."
    "But I thought you and he were…" No she
would not, could not, say it .
    "Were what, chérie ?"
    She stared at him.
    "Did you assume we had more than just a
servant-master connection? Hmmmm, and I was just remarking on your
excellent character. I've known Jack Farquhar for over a decade and
a half, my darling. We met at a most provident time, when we were
both independently captured during a mission. I discovered
Farquhar's excellent acting abilities and devious mind—both very
useful when we decided to join forces working in secret for the
Crown."
    Sophie plucked at her pantaloons. "But, then,
you tricked me. You allowed me to believe you were attracted
to…"
    "Say no more, my darling. You've cured me of
every failing and I will promise to avoid falsehoods in future and
remain faithful to you, always." His posture oozed charm and
confidence.
    "And you probably lied to me about the
parson. Did you pay him to get me alone again?"
    "Now, Sophie, I thought this would be a most
roman—"
    "Why you're the most pompous, self-important,
presumptuous… ass! You expect me to accept a marriage proposal from
you after you've deceived me, tricked me and even entered into a
false wager with me? You know nothing about me, sir. I wouldn't
have you if you were the last man on earth!"
    "My, my, chérie , such language," he
said, sure of his eventual success. "Now let's be serious, for I
think if we joined—"
    With that, Sophie grabbed an oar, stood up,
and pushed at his chest with the paddle. The angle and force were
enough to make him lose his balance on the high, narrow bench. His
eyes widened in surprise as he toppled head over heels into the
sea. The only reminder of male arrogance was his tall beaver hat
floating on the bubbling water.
    Sophie took enormous satisfaction watching
him bobble to the surface, and gasp for air. "And in case you
didn't fully comprehend my signal, Lord Will, in the language of
the oar—not the fan, mind you—that means, 'Stay away from me, you,
you puffed-up imposter, if you treasure your life.' "
    He treaded water while simultaneously
attempting to remove his heavy boots. "Have a heart, Sophie," he
said laughing. "Take pity on a drowning man! On the man who adores
you and will father your children."
    "Not on my life," she said. "I don't have
pity for lying devils."
    "Well, at least I've risen a notch in your
estimation over the last minute. A devil is at least a human form…"
He stopped when he saw the fury in her face. "I shall make it my
mission in life to earn your good opinion, darling."
    She grabbed the two oars and began rowing
back to the shore in earnest.
    Well, he thought, as he began swimming to the
beach, the idea of a post-engagement celebratory kiss had been,
perhaps, a bit optimistic. It seemed that, indeed, hell hath no
fury like a woman… deceived.
    No matter. She loved him and he would have
her in the end. Her initial refusal just heightened his interest.
Ah, she was a true delight and they would share a wonderful life
together once he wooed her back. And he hadn't a doubt he would
accomplish it.
    Had he not spent the better part of his
adulthood charming females of all types into his arms? And success
would be all the sweeter with this briefest of missteps.
    The score stood, one for his sweet Sophie and
one for the devil.

Chapter Six
     
     
    THE dinner party at Villa Belza was as
uncomfortable as Sophie had imagined it would be. During the entire
five courses and removes, Lord Will refrained from saying a single
word to her.
    He barely even looked at her.
    Well, at least he had taken her refusal
seriously.
    And he