"Oh Soph, don't be dicked in the nob!"
The phrase took Sophie by such surprise she spilt her tea. Twice within two days she had spilt her drink upon herself. Margot handed her a napkin and composed herself while Sophie dabbed at the wet spot.
"Sorry for my outburst, Soph. But what you just said is not what I said in the slightest. And how can you think I would say such a thing? You, Sophie, are worth a thousand Sinclairs. And you, my dear Sophie, must stop comparing your own undeniable beauty to society’s ideal of the moment. It was not the thin, fair-haired women Sinclair could not keep his eyes off. It was you. Ginger-haired and curvy in all the best places! All I did mean was that your heart needs protecting. I do not see him as a man to settle down anytime soon."
Sophie went over to Margot and gave her a warm embrace.
"You are always my champion, Margot; I should not have assumed anything otherwise. But what if all I want is to experience passion and exploration? Maybe for now, just a tryst, to find out what I do and do not like. Once I have this experience, I can look for someone more compatible."
Margot did not seem convinced but did not argue her point any further.
"I will support your choices, of course. And if he puts those rakish lovemaking skills to use and I get to hear all the decadent details—that would be wonderful. But if he does break your heart, trust me when I say that I will knee him in the bollocks."
They shook hands on the plan, something they had always referred to as a gentleman’s agreement. Just when Sophie felt like she could sit back and serenely finish a cup of tea, one of the cherubs awoke.
"Bollocks," said Jasper, to Margot’s horror.
"If anyone asks, he heard that from Daniel."
Chapter Eight
Sin did not know what was worse for the current state of his hangover: the sharp sound of a drape being drawn back or the rays of light that hit him smack in the face. The erotic dream about the ginger-haired nymph with luscious curves started to fade.
Sophie. Sweet, delectable Goddess.
"Sorry, My Lord. Your father asked that I wake you," the servant said.
"Do not apologise. I am surprised he is not here doing it himself. What time is it?"
"Well after midday. I am also to tell you that I am your new valet; my name is Jack."
Now his dream had faded, and reality was setting in. He needed a plan. A plan to get to know Sophie better before someone stole that chance away.
"Well, Jack. I am unaccustomed to a valet after years of being a lone traveller, but I guess those days are over now that I am back home. Time to behave like a proper gentleman, eh?" He grinned over at the young lad as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. Jack grinned back, now at ease.
"I have drawn a bath and will get your clothes ready if that suits? And there are kippers and eggs waitin' downstairs. Cook said that was your favourite meal after a big evening out?"
"Cook would be right, Jack. Now let's get me bathed and dressed so I can tuck in."
Sin inhaled the aroma as well-seasoned, oiled, and buttered kippers were placed before him. Not a fancy, elegant meal or anything he imagined was too complex to make, just a simple meal Cook always did magnificently. He grabbed a slice of buttered toast, stuffed three kippers in the middle, and folded it, taking a big bite that left him with half.
"You still eat the same way, Sinclair. Even as a young lad, you always ate with this gusto, piling your food together and taking huge bites." His father had evidently been watching him.
"Food is one of the great pleasures in life," he replied with his mouth still half full.
"Gluttony is one of the seven sins." His father’s eyes twinkled as they fell into their old banter.
"Better gluttonous and lustful than greedy and sloth-like." Sin knew the first two sins could be easily associated with his person. He enjoyed his food, enjoyed his women, and they were two things he would never apologise for.
"How was your evening, Sinclair? Was it a smooth transition back into polite society?"
"It was a terrific evening. Spending an evening with Daniel and James was as if all these years had not passed."
"Except they are now married, and Daniel fulfils his viscountcy with great aplomb."
Ah, back for scarcely a day and the shrewd old man is already working his agenda. Duty. Marriage. Responsibility.
Ignoring the intended segue, he responded without acknowledging the comment, "James has a Botticelli on loan. Magnificent piece of artwork. I saw some truly astonishing pieces while I was abroad. I am thinking of acquiring a few, ones I really took a fancy too.”
