“Blackmail? You want to blackmail us?” Tobias uttered a gruff laugh. “Do your worst. I am not afraid of Mr. Grant.”
“No?” Irene Sangford rounded on Sophia like a cobra, pinning her down with the threat of the poison she had in her bite. “I think Miss Grant does not share your sentiment. Do you, Miss Grant? Perhaps, instead, you writhe with fear at the very thought of being thus exposed. I would wager you would do anything,anything, to keep this from happening.” Her head whipped around so suddenly that Tobias jumped a little in spite of himself. “And you would do anything for your beloved if she asked you, would you not, hmmm?”
Tobias straightened his waistcoat. “What do you want, exactly?”
Miss Sangford clapped her hands and brought them to her chin. “I’m so glad you asked. It is only a very small thing.” Hereyes flashed with avarice. “I would like an introduction to the earl.”
“What on Earth for?” Tobias exclaimed.
“Oh, you have wholly overestimated yourself, Miss Sangford.” Adriana sneered. “The earl will want nothing to do with the likes of you.”
Adriana’s words had no effect on her opponent’s confidence. “We shall see,” she answered with infuriating calm. “Lord Carthige is not a man of the world. He is unpracticed in the social arts. I, on the other hand, know the rules of the game and have played it many times.”
“And yet you remain unwed,” Adriana bit back.
For a moment, something flickered behind Miss Irene Sangford’s eyes. It was quickly shuttered again. What was it? Doubt? Humiliation? Sophia did not know. The moment was gone and the weakness hidden.
“It is to my advantage to refuse all offers that are beneath me,” Miss Sangford said. “But an earl will do nicely.”
“What do you expect will happen?” Adriana continued. “Do you honestly believe Lord Carthige will give up decades of self-imposed seclusion to be bound to such a pasty, bracket-faced scrag? You must be joking!”
Miss Sangford leaped from her seat, thrusting a bony finger under Adriana’s nose. “You know nothing! Men are fools!” In a heartbeat, the inflamed woman subsided into something resembling charm. “Oh, my dear Lord Carthige…” She simpered. “I had not realized there was someone who shared my preoccupation…nay, myobsessionwith books. Why, yes, I would love to see your library. No, I am in no rush. I am content in your company, surrounded by such great volumes.” She straightened up, resuming her usual demeanor. “Do you see?” She opened her palm. “I hold out the seed, and the little bird is in my hand.”
Tobias clenched his jaw. “He is neither infirm of mind nor body. You will be transparent as glass. And if he should grant you any leniency, I would be sure to correct his thinking.”
“Oh, but you won’t. If you speak, I speak.” She threw a glance at Sophia. “Ask her if she has the strength for the truth. Go ahead. I can wait.”
Tobias turned his distraught face to Sophia, who shriveled under his gaze. “Sophia? Would it matter so much?”
She turned her head away. She could not look him in the eye.
Adriana touched his shoulder. “Please, she is not yet strong enough. Maybe, in time. But not today. It will break what little spirit she has regained.”
Tobias scowled. “So, I must trust my uncle not to fall prey to this…this…monstrous thing?”
Sophia burst into tears, burying her face in her hands. “I am so sorry, Tobias.” She had no words for him. None of her studies, none of the numerous languages she had mastered, had given her the right speech for a situation like this. There wasn’t a single line of poetry that could counter the depths of her guilt or the depravity of her enemy.
She felt her beloved’s eyes upon her, waiting for her support. Waiting in vain. Then his gaze lifted, and she heard him say, “Very well. An introduction shall be made. For the good it will do you.”
“Capital! You have one month to arrange it. Or Mr. Grant receives a letter from a concerned member of the public, detailing your various subterfuges. There are likely more I have not yet uncovered. You will decide how motivated I am to do so.”
There was a heavy silence as the threat sank in.
It was disturbed by Frederick Wynn clearing his throat uncomfortably.
“I don’t mean to make this damnable affair any worse, but how, exactly, are we to arrange this? What is the excuse Mr.Mannerly should rely on to invite Miss Sangford to Newcliffe Hall? We all know Lord Carthige is unlikely to be drawn from his home. Nor would he expect his nephew to be friends with Miss Sangford. Especially since his lordship is aware of his affections for Miss Grant.”
“Well, there you have your solution,” said Miss Sangford. “Arrange the introduction through Miss Grant. She must surely have lady friends to tea. Invite the earl along. He is your neighbor, after all.” She rolled her eyes. “Really, must I do all the thinking for you?”
“You don’t understand,” Tobias argued. “Mr. Grant is not accustomed to…”
Miss Sangford held up her hand. “I am becoming rather bored of your lack of imagination, sir. And my friend is waiting for me. You have one month. You may be sure I shall not forget our arrangement. Meanwhile, I bid you adieu.” And she sailed from the room, leaving devastation in her wake.
Chapter Thirteen
Tobias and Sophiaparted from the newlyweds at the posting inn, where Adriana sat glumly on her travel trunk while Freddy made arrangements to hire a coach to take them to their new, shared home. The excitement that had underpinned the day was now undone, all the joy siphoned from it by that quenchless vampire, Miss Irene Sangford.
The sisters hugged each other, an embrace of support, sorrow, and final farewell. Their tearful parting may have lingered indefinitely, but necessity abbreviated its course. Time was running out. Mr. Grant would soon be home.
