He might appreciate how stunning she suddenly looked – could not ignore the fact that she had grown into the sort of woman he might have considered pursuing if he’d been in London and she’d been an unhappy wife or widow. Instead she was here, in Oxfordshire, embodying the very essence of virginal purity. Regardless of her situation, Sophia Fenmore was not the sort of woman a self-respecting man dallied with unless he meant to marry her. Which was something Jack could not consider. In spite of his argument with his father, he respected his duty toward the title and as such, had resigned himself to the idea of eventually doing what most men in his position did and marrying for convenience alone.
For the first time in four years however, this very thought left a bitter taste in his mouth. It lingered as he followed the party into the dining room some moments later. He surveyed the place cards and instantly groaned. Of course he’d been seated beside her. Why the hell wouldn’t he be?
2
It tooktremendous effort on Sophia’s part not to tremble as she slid into her seat at the table. More so when Jack lowered himself to the spot beside her. His nearness was like a jolt to her senses. Her heart had been racing madly since the moment she’d entered the parlor and seen him. Lord, her memory did not do him justice. Somehow, the last four years had carved away at his features to create a more chiseled appearance. It also seemed as if his shoulders had gotten broader, though that couldn’t be quite right. Could it?
She dropped her gaze to the soup she’d been served and reached for her spoon with hesitant movements. It would be impolite not to eat, but she wasn’t sure how to go about doing so when her stomach had been reduced to a tangled mess.
“I must confess,” Jack murmured, the soft wool of his jacket grazing the bare skin on her arm as he leaned in close. “Your announcement caught me off guard. Please forgive me and allow me to offer congratulations.”
Awareness pulsed through her – the warmth of his nearness, the throaty sound of his voice thrumming around her, the enticing scent of sandalwood filling the air a heady concoction indeed. She swallowed and took a deep breath. Jack might have the power to make her feel more alive than anyone else, but he was a dream, a childish fantasy best forgotten. And she was engaged to Edward now. So she squared her shoulders and forced herself to meet his gaze.
Searching brown eyes pierced hers, almost making her catch her breath as her stomach curled inward. She took a moment to gather her strength. “Of course. I appreciate the sentiment.”
A smile pulled at his lips. “You’ve changed, Sophia.
“Have I?”
He nodded, and then his gaze dipped lower, and something inside Sophia died. For four years she’d explained away the gossip about him, building excuses for him in her head, refusing to think him the rake scandal sheets painted him. And yet right now, with his attention directed toward her breasts, she had no trouble believing he was the worst sort of scoundrel.
Indeed, she wanted to toss her napkin in his face, or better yet, her wine.
The incident passed with swiftness – too quickly for anyone else to take note.
“I must say though, I never pictured you pairing up with Edward.”
Coming on the heels of his blatant perusal, Sophia failed to hide the sudden flare of irritation his comment provoked. “And why is that?”
“It seems unnatural.”
She stared at him. “What?”
“I mean, you’re practically related.”
“Except we’re not.”
He reached for his wine. “Come now, Sophia. You’re like brother and sister.”
“No more so than you and I,” she hissed in annoyance.
“I have to disagree with you there. You and Edward were raised together. Like siblings.” His lips quirked with seemingly innocent curiosity. “I mean, is that not how you’ve always viewed each other?”
Lord how she wanted to place her hands around his neck and strangle him. She tightened her grip on her spoon. “It is.”
“So then, what difference does it make if you don’t share the same birth parents?”
“I’d say it makes a world of difference when it comes to marriage,” Sophia clipped. She turned away from him and started eating her soup while all manner of insults directed at Jack flew through her head. Why she’d ever fawned after him, she’d no idea. He was a cad.
“Do you perhaps find him desirable?”
The whispered words chipped away at her manners even as they swept over her shoulders and caused her to shiver. She cursed him for making her body respond with unwelcome pleasure. “Of course not. That would be…”
She stopped herself just in time and continued eating her soup.
“Odd?” Jack prompted with a low chuckle. “Impossible?”
Refusing to answer, she willed him to shut up and give his attention elsewhere. Or perhaps she should do so. Only Edward, who sat to her right, was presently engaged in conversation with Lady Turner.
