The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch (best new books to read .TXT) 📗

“And a jolly good idea it is.” Sophie wasn’t ready to acquiesce, and she needed Mamie’s support. “We’re only a few days’ journey from Devonshire. We’ll have the time of our lives. Seeing the countryside, meeting new people. It’s the perfect prescription. And if we get into difficulties—though we won’t—Marcus could be at our side quickly.”

“You cannot go unaccompanied. The risk of highwaymen, foul weather, lack of accommodations …” Marcus shook his head. “No, dear Sophie, it’s unthinkable. Even if I was inclined to let you go, Mother would have several conniptions at the very idea of you traipsing across the landscape unchaperoned. I know you’ve always been given to flights of fancy and thirsted for adventure, but this is too much.”

The flicker of excitement died, doused under Marcus’s cold reasoning.

“Oh, darling, isn’t there some way we could make it work?” Charlotte asked. “Perhaps we could send Partridge along with them? No harm would come to them with Partridge present.”

Sophie straightened, nodding. “Of course. Mr. Partridge would be an excellent protector.” The man was built like the Tower of London. He had been in Marcus’s employ a long time, though what he actually did for her brother remained somewhat of a mystery. Guard, messenger, man-of-all-work?

But Marcus was already shaking his head. “I can’t spare Partridge at the moment.” He sent Charlotte one of those private looks that spoke volumes to her but merely left Sophie puzzled. “No, it’s quite impossible. You cannot go on your own, and I cannot spare anyone at this time.”

“May I interject?” Captain Wyvern cleared his throat. “If it is merely the lack of a male chaperone that is causing difficulties, might I offer my services? I would be pleased to accompany them to Devon and see them ensconced in a cottage at the seaside. If Mrs. Chapman could be convinced to join the excursion, I’m sure the ladies would be safe enough and well looked after.”

Travel with Captain Wyvern?

She wanted to refuse. The journey was an effort to get away from unpleasant associations. How could she do that if the captain went with them?

Marcus pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes. He hadn’t rejected the offer out of hand.

Clapping her hands softly, Mamie almost bounced in her chair. “Captain, that would be most kind of you.”

“I am at your service, madam.” He bowed to her, but he looked across Mamie’s gray curls to Sophie.

His eyes were a singular shade of blue, and sharp as hatpins. A zip of awareness caught her off guard. In that instant, she caught an inkling of what Cilla had seen. He did have a dashing air about him.

“That is most generous of you, Captain, but we wouldn’t want to impose.” Sophie put her hands in her lap. “I’m sure we can find our own way to the coast without putting you out.”

“It is no imposition. As I told you before, I am at your disposal, and nothing would make me happier than to assist you in some way.” He refused to look away, and Sophie couldn’t break his gaze either. “Out of respect for Major Richardson and all he meant to me, please allow me to perform this small service.”

“Of course,” Charlotte broke in. “What a perfect solution. Don’t you think so, Marcus?”

Her brother raised one eyebrow, staring shrewdly at his wife, as if wondering if he were being coerced into something against his better judgment. Then looking from one face to another around the table, he threw up his hands. “I can’t stand against all of you.” He put his palms out to stop anyone from speaking. “Provided you can earn the blessing of the dowager and that you will promise frequent communications while you’re gone.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Sophie pushed her chair back. “I’ll write every day if that is what it takes to alleviate your mind.” If the only way to go on the trip was in the company of the captain, then so be it. He would escort them to the shore, then he would go away, and she could breathe and think and heal in peace.

“Once a week or so should do. But before you start packing dresses and bonnets, you have Mother to convince. It’s not that I think you need her blessing in order to have a happy trip—it’s that I don’t want to be trapped here at Haverly all summer if she’s not in favor of your journey. Living with her would be unbearable under those circumstances.”

Sophie ignored his cautions and flew round the table to hug his neck. “Thank you, dear brother. You don’t know how happy this makes me. We’ll be fine. Mother will give her blessing.” She said this with more confidence than she felt.

He returned her embrace, and when he released her, she noted the smile playing round his lips. “You’d best hope so. Take the captain round to the dower house and introduce him as your minder. She was quite mannerly and subdued last night, but today will be a different story. For all his battle experience, the captain hasn’t faced a foe as formidable as our mother.”

An hour later, with Mamie safely in the care of Charlotte, Sophie tugged on her bonnet and gloves in the front hall. The captain waited patiently, his bicorn pinned under his arm, hands clasped behind his back.

“Thank you, Marcus.” Charlotte’s voice came from the morning room, where she and Mamie had retired after breakfast. “I know you have your reservations, but this is the most excited I’ve seen Sophie since we got word that Rich had been wounded. She’s been far too subdued of late, especially for someone of her exuberant temperament. Perhaps this trip will set her up for winter and allow her to put her mind on things other than her loss.”

Heat swarmed up Sophie’s neck and into her cheeks. Though she hadn’t heard anything ill of herself, it was still odd to discover others talking about her. And in the presence of someone else.

“I hope you’re