Sophia nipped at his chin as he did so. She loved this man. She would have handed over the note willingly, but this was much more fun. He thrilled her at the oddest of moments.
“Hm.” He held the note by her shoulder. “Your friend has atrocious handwriting.”
Sophia relaxed her hold and turned around within his embrace. She steadied his hand with her own and made out the note. “Have Rhoda meet Bankly… no, Blakely behind the mews at three in the morning. A readied traveling coach would be greatly appreciated.”
Dev pulled her closer from behind. “How is it you were never as silly as these girls are?”
She tried to think but always had difficulty doing so when his lips trailed along her neck like that. “They aren’t silly, Dev, just scared.”
“Hm. Shall I order a carriage for them?”
Sophia knew he’d do almost anything she asked. She wanted to help them. Rhoda needed to marry for protection, and right away, but Sophia had some serious misgivings about sending her off to Gretna Green with Blakely.
“I didn’t think Emily had it in her to do it, to compromise Lord Carlisle,” Sophia admitted. “I simply thought she’d take the opportunity to garner his attention somehow.”
“She asked me to do something for Blakely,” Dev surprised her by saying. “Because he’s a friend.”
“Blakely?” Sophia twisted around to see Dev’s face. “What could you do for him?”
“I promised her I’d not impart her information to anyone, but it made me think that perhaps her affections lie with someone other than my cousin.”
“But that makes no sense at all! It’s been her idea all along that Blakely should marry Rhoda!”
“Just a thought, my love.” Dev stepped away to tug at the bell pull. When a footman stepped in almost immediately, Dev ordered the coach readied.
“I hope they’re all not making a colossal mistake.” Before Dev could respond, she yawned tiredly.
“Shall we retire, then?” Her brawny husband swung her into his arms effortlessly. Striding around the room, he allowed her to snuff out the candles one by one. They’d done this before.
Except for this time, a knock interrupted their ritual. Dev’s gaze met hers, looking resigned.
“Come in,” Sophia called out.
Rhoda stepped in quietly, followed by Lord Carlisle. Sophia couldn’t help noticing that her friend’s eyes were red and puffy from crying, and Lord Carlisle had one of his hands on Rhoda’s waist and the other tucked into her skirts. If Sophia were to take a guess, she’d have to say they were holding hands.
How very interesting!
Dev nuzzled Sophia’s ear half an hour later within the confines of Dev’s chamber, alone once again.
“I thought this house party was going to be relaxing.”
But Sophia frowned. “I forgot to tell Rhoda to meet Blakely at the mews.”
Only she hadn’t really forgotten. Dev would know. She tilted her head and thrilled that her husband’s touch caused her heart to race, her breath to hitch.
“I wondered about that.” His voice rumbled by her ear. “I’m not certain that you should.”
Sophia pivoted and slid her hands around his neck. “I just couldn’t do it, Dev.”
His hooded gaze met hers and then narrowed in suspicion. “We don’t really want to be involved in these machinations any further, do we? Can’t we simply allow them to work it all out for themselves?” His hand dropped to the swell just below her waist, and he pressed her against his very prominent arousal.
Sophia melted into him. “Cecily disapproves. She thinks Rhoda and Emily are acting desperately, and I’m inclined to agree.” Playing with his hair, she released a regretful sigh. “I need to go to Emily. I think she’d best inform Blakely that Rhoda won’t be there.”
“You stay right here,” Dev growled. “Why not simply send a missive to the mews?”
Sophia’s breath hitched. She needed to take care of these matters before she got carried away by the ache Dev never failed to awaken. “Because…” She took a reluctant step away from her husband. “Because then…”
“What are you up to?” Dev pinned her with that black stare of his. Nonetheless, he turned and handed her paper and pencil. “Send a missive to Miss Goodnight then.”
