As soon as they were alone in the corridor, James took hold of Sophia’s hand, kissed it, and held it as they walked. “Perhaps next time you’ll accompany me to Wentworth,” he said, “and spare me the agony of sleeping alone.”
Sophia’s voice was flirtatious. “I didn’t like sleeping alone, either. And I would have gone with you if Clara wasn’t here. But she needs me, James. In that regard, there is something I must tell you, and I hope you won’t be angry: I took her to a Cakras Ball last night.”
James stopped and let go of her hand. “You did what? Why in the world would you do that?”
“It’s a long story, but I must confess all, for I worry that the situation could become dangerous if we don’t soon learn about a particular gentleman who has made quite an impression upon Clara.”
“And this man was at the Cakras Ball?”
She nodded.
“That’s not a good sign to begin with. But why did you take her there, Sophia? It’s hardly a suitable destination for a young lady seeking a husband.”
Sophia explained the whole situation—how Clara had walked into the wrong ball a week earlier by mistake, and how she had not been able to forget the man who had informed her of her error.
“We returned last night to try and discover his identity,” Sophia explained.
James took hold of her hand again. “Did you?”
“Only his given name. It’s Seger.”
James thought for a moment. “Seger. The only Seger I know of is Seger Wolfe, the Marquess of Rawdon.”
“He’s a marquess?”
“If he is indeed the same man.”
“Have you met him?”
“No, he doesn’t sit in the House. He has no interest in politics, or perhaps he simply doesn’t like to show his face. He was involved in a divorce scandal a few years ago. He was called to court as a witness to testify for a fellow peer, to prove his wife’s adultery.”
Sophia tried not to sound glum as she walked slowly down the corridor beside James. “So, I gather the marquess is not respectable?”
James spoke plainly. “As I said, I’ve never met the man, so I cannot say. But do warn Clara to be careful if she encounters him again, especially in light of what happened to her before. Is this what has you worried?”
Sophia exhaled heavily. “You don’t think she’ll make a mistake like that again, do you?”
“What I think is that you should try to have confidence in her. She is an intelligent young woman and from what I have seen, she is no longer naive. She has been quiet and careful these past two years, choosing to postpone her first Season. That is self-restraint at its best, especially for an adventurous girl like Clara, who attended our wedding with dreams of romance in her eyes, longing for such happiness for herself. We must trust that she will be prudent, for she has said on many occasions in her letters to you that it is her greatest wish to be sensible.”
“Yes, but she is inherently passionate, and sometimes love can turn one’s head.”
“Like it turned yours?” He gave her a look.
“But you were a good man, James. We don’t know anything about the marquess, and I fear that I might have become caught up in the excitement of her infatuation and advised her poorly. Perhaps I should have set a better example and refused to let her return to Livingston House.”
“She saw him again, I presume?”
“Yes, they danced twice, and again, he asked her to leave. She was in a romantic daze the whole way home. I’m worried, James.”
He nodded as they reached the door to the nursery. “You mustn’t trouble yourself. We will do what we can to help Clara. I will make inquiries about the marquess. Now let us dispense with our concerns for the time being and see what our sons have accomplished today. Perhaps John has discovered his thumbs.” He opened the door to the nursery, and they walked into the warmth of morning sunlight streaming in through the windows.
“I have good news and bad news,” Sophia said to Clara that afternoon, as soon as they were out of earshot of the groom, who rode behind them in Hyde Park. Both in their riding habits, crops in hand, they sat high in their sidesaddles, maintaining a leisurely pace along the bridle path.
“Did James know anything?” Clara asked.
“Yes, if he was talking about the same Seger. The good news is, he’s a peer. His name is Seger Wolfe, and he’s the Marquess of Rawdon.”
“Truly. A marquess, you say. Mother would swoon.”
