The smile he gave her triggered another tingling shiver that pooled into a longing ache in her center.Merciful heavens!Why did he have to look at her that way?
“My dear husband,” he repeated in a low, seductive rumble. “I rather like the sound of that.”
“It thrills me to no end that you enjoy being leg-shackled,” she said, without looking back at him again. She couldn’t concentrate because of his present behavior. The man had no shame. He should be alert and looking for the scheming devilthat created this mess, not putting on a show for Maman and the queen.
He gently spun her around to face him. “Those in this room are the queen’s most trusted. Not only did she vouch for them after we shared the latest note with her, but I met them all years ago.” He arched a brow. “Her Highness is quite shrewd, I assure you.” He tucked a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him, something that infuriated her to no end and made her twitch to slap his hand away. She was not a child. How dare he treat her that way?
“Think about it, Sophie,” he continued. “The blackmailer is a coward working in the shadows to benefit from everyone else’s fears. No matter what rumors they attempt to spread, we have completed the first step in disproving them and preventing a scandal.” He leaned in closer, making her heart pound harder. “And it must have occurred to you that the best way to oust someone such as our blackmailer is to act as though we couldn’t care less about what they have threatened. It angers them because we dare them to prove they will do what they say.” He brushed the lightest of kisses across her cheek, yet it was powerful enough to steal every breath from her lungs. “Play the part, my precious swan,” he whispered against her ear. “Do not allow them to control the situation.”
“I knew the two of you would suit,” Queen Charlotte proclaimed as she swept up to them in a stunning gown of gold and shimmering silver. “You may thank me now.”
“We are ever so grateful, Your Majesty.” Sophie curtsied low and kept her gaze downcast, struggling not to choke on the lie. Yes, she had once loved Nash, but it was far too late to indulge in those feelings now. She had to maintain control.
“Indeed we are,” Nash echoed with an obedient bow. “Most grateful.”
The queen beamed at them. “You may show me your appreciation by naming your first daughter Charlotte. You have my blessing to do so.”
Sophie forced a smile that made her cheeks ache. “Thank you so much, Your Majesty. It will be our delight.”
“Charlotte Lavinia does have a ring to it,” the dowager countess said as she joined them. “We must take our leave now, my dear children. Our beloved queen grows weary and should seek her rest.” She cast a concerned glance at the monarch’s slightly swollen hands. “Thank you so much for today, Your Majesty. Your kindness and generosity are more appreciated than you could ever imagine.”
Queen Charlotte acknowledged the dowager’s sentiments with a regal tip of her head, then glanced around and motioned for them all to move in closer. “The announcement will happen tomorrow,” she said in a hushed tone. “Edwards has seen to it, as well as to the erection of the headstone in Calais where thefourth earlwished to be laid to rest. A coffin of an appropriate weight to be convincing shall be sent there, guarded by two of my best, of course.” The queen lowered her voice even more. “A carriage accident brought on by highwaymen giving chase is how the poor earl died.” She cast another covert glance at the servants tending to the elaborate tea she had provided, then turned to Nash. “You will receive Georgie’s proclamation naming you the new Earl of Rydleshire week after next in a letter bearing his seal and mine. Even though the family will still officially be in mourning, there is no need to wait to announce the new earl because of the possibility of there being another heir. All will be complete then, and the blackmailer can say whatever they desire.”
“I still mean to capture the devil,” Sophie couldn’t resist saying.
Maman cleared her throat. “Thank you again, Your Majesty. Please try to rest now, my precious queen. I worry about you.”
Queen Charlotte reached out and took the dowager countess’s hands. “You are one of the few who does indeed worry about me for me and not for what I can do for them. Your friendship is priceless to me, Nia.”
“As is yours to me, dear lady,” Sophie’s mother whispered.
Sophie realized Nash was gently tugging for her to join him and give the two women what little privacy a room full of servants might grant them. She hooked her arm through his and released a heavy sigh that did nothing to ease her tension as they stepped out into the sunshine. “Queen Charlotte is not well.”
“No. She is not.”
“Maman has a wedding supper planned for us. Nothing large, mind you. A small something for those not invited to join us here at Kew. Friends whose company we enjoy and those we must invite to anchor our marriage in Society’s minds.” Sophie popped her knuckles, then cast a quick glance back to make sure her mother wasn’t close enough to hear what she had done.
“It would be wiser for you to check for your mother’s whereaboutsbeforemaking that hideous noise rather than after. You do realize that, do you not?” He grinned down at her.
She found his lightheartedness difficult to understand, then realized the probable cause. In a short time, the man would be an earl, a member of the aristocracy—a rare advancement in status for someone who was not a member of the royal family. As much as she did not want to believe that was the real motive for hismaking the best of things, as he kept telling her to do, it had to be a factor. After all, he had never loved or wanted her as she had wanted him. Why would he do so now?
“Sophie?” His amusement vanished, replaced by gentle concern as he took her gloved hand and held it between both of his. “Many marriages have started far less amicably than ours,my swan. Do not worry. At the very least, we will be lifelong friends.”
She didn’t want another friend. She wanted to be loved and adored the way Maman still loved and adored Papa. With a forced smile, she offered him a subtle warning. “I have heard it said that swans can be very vicious creatures.”
“They are also known to be true to their mates for life.”
“A pity the same cannot be said for people. Especially men. I am sure Lady Margaret Shireton would agree with me, as well as several other ladies of your acquaintance.”
He released her hand and stepped back, making her immediately regret the childish retort. It was too late now. After all, there was no such thing as un-ringing a bell.
She turned and scowled at the door. “Where is Maman? She was the one urging us to leave the queen in peace.” She shaded her eyes and glanced skyward, then gathered up her full skirts and stepped up to the carriage. “Do help me inside, Nash. The sun is quite warm, and I left my parasol at home.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
All friendliness and good humor had left him, and it was her fault. She clenched her teeth, scolding herself for allowing the situation to turn her into an ugly, waspish little wretch. Her irritation with herself swelled to epic proportions when he sat in the seat opposite her rather than beside her.
“Nash?”
