The Scoundrel Takes a Bride: A Regency Rogues Novel by Stefanie Sloane Page A
Authors: Stefanie Sloane
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from the room, locking the door
after her. “Exactly what I was looking for, Mr. Royce.”
Afton House
M AYFAIR
L ONDON
Sophia sat still as her companion deftly pinned up her long hair. “Lettie, have you
ever done something you shouldn’t have?”
The woman selected a ruby encrusted pin from the side table and secured a curl into
place. “Yes. Hasn’t everyone?”
“Well, that was rather easier than I thought it would be,” Sophia countered, surprised
at her companion’s response.
Lettie took up a second pin and moved to the opposite side of Sophia, looking into
the mirror to check her handiwork. “You must remember: there are actions one undertakes,
and then there are
actions
.”
Sophia supposed her dear friend’s statement was true enough, though her guilty conscience
was having difficulty deciding where the line should be drawn between the two.
“Tell me what you’ve done, my lady.”
Sophia cringed. “I believe I’ll list my transgressions in chronological order—much
more organized, you see.”
Her companion raised one eyebrow in reaction, remaining silent.
“Very well,” Sophia announced with more phlegmatic fortitude than she felt. “Last
night, when I told you I had a headache? I did not; it was an excuse. I snuck out
and made my way to the Albany—where I broke into Nicholas’s apartment. Then I lied
to Mr. Singh and Mouse concerning my identity. And finally, I convinced Mr. Royce
of the Runners that a nagging detail was the reason I required access to the file
room. When, in fact, I needed to gain entry in order to steal information. Which I
did, obviously.”
Lettie reached for the final pin and secured the last curl, stepping back to admire
her work.
“You haven’t said anything,” Sophia pointed out, painfully aware that she’d failed
to include the kiss, arguably the most important action of all.
The older woman lifted a glittering ruby and diamond necklace that had belonged to
Lady Afton from the lacquered jewel box atop the dressing table. “I’m thinking.”
Sophia admired Lettie’s control and thoughtfulness. She’d been an admirable mentor
while Sophia was young, daily exhibiting such qualities.
Now Sophia wished she’d simply spit out something—
anything
.
Lettie fastened the clasp and adjusted the ruby drop until it was centered precisely
above the sapphire silk gown’s low-cut bodice. “First, not every action was criminal,
correct?”
“Correct, though—”
Lettie raised one finger and began to pace. “Now, what was your reason for visiting
Mr. Bourne?”
“Four days have passed since we returned to Londonfrom the Primrose,” Sophia answered. “I was worried that Nicholas would proceed without
me. He made it absolutely clear that was his preference.”
Her dear friend nodded and clasped her hands behind her back. “A reasonable concern,
I’ll give you that. And this Mr. Singh and Mouse? Why did you deceive them?”
Sophia considered mentioning Nicholas’s part in the charade, but thought better of
it. “Nicholas and Mr. Singh were acquaintances in India, and thus he knows the loyalty
and self-control of the man. But the boy Mouse’s discretion is a mystery to both of
us. It seemed best if my position in society was kept hidden for now.”
Lettie nodded and continued to walk back and forth, her lips set in a grim line.
“A second reasonable concern, wouldn’t you agree?” Sophia pressed.
Lettie finally ceased pacing, stopping in front of Sophia. “If you will not give up
this dangerous pursuit, at the very least I beg you to be more careful. The ton’s
gossipmongers like nothing better than embroidering tales about a lady such as yourself
and a man with Mr. Bourne’s questionable reputation.”
Sophia considered her companion’s words. “You’re right. Of course you’re right,” she
replied. “Somehow it is all too easy to become caught up in the theatrics and
after her. “Exactly what I was looking for, Mr. Royce.”
Afton House
M AYFAIR
L ONDON
Sophia sat still as her companion deftly pinned up her long hair. “Lettie, have you
ever done something you shouldn’t have?”
The woman selected a ruby encrusted pin from the side table and secured a curl into
place. “Yes. Hasn’t everyone?”
“Well, that was rather easier than I thought it would be,” Sophia countered, surprised
at her companion’s response.
Lettie took up a second pin and moved to the opposite side of Sophia, looking into
the mirror to check her handiwork. “You must remember: there are actions one undertakes,
and then there are
actions
.”
Sophia supposed her dear friend’s statement was true enough, though her guilty conscience
was having difficulty deciding where the line should be drawn between the two.
“Tell me what you’ve done, my lady.”
Sophia cringed. “I believe I’ll list my transgressions in chronological order—much
more organized, you see.”
Her companion raised one eyebrow in reaction, remaining silent.
“Very well,” Sophia announced with more phlegmatic fortitude than she felt. “Last
night, when I told you I had a headache? I did not; it was an excuse. I snuck out
and made my way to the Albany—where I broke into Nicholas’s apartment. Then I lied
to Mr. Singh and Mouse concerning my identity. And finally, I convinced Mr. Royce
of the Runners that a nagging detail was the reason I required access to the file
room. When, in fact, I needed to gain entry in order to steal information. Which I
did, obviously.”
Lettie reached for the final pin and secured the last curl, stepping back to admire
her work.
“You haven’t said anything,” Sophia pointed out, painfully aware that she’d failed
to include the kiss, arguably the most important action of all.
The older woman lifted a glittering ruby and diamond necklace that had belonged to
Lady Afton from the lacquered jewel box atop the dressing table. “I’m thinking.”
Sophia admired Lettie’s control and thoughtfulness. She’d been an admirable mentor
while Sophia was young, daily exhibiting such qualities.
Now Sophia wished she’d simply spit out something—
anything
.
Lettie fastened the clasp and adjusted the ruby drop until it was centered precisely
above the sapphire silk gown’s low-cut bodice. “First, not every action was criminal,
correct?”
“Correct, though—”
Lettie raised one finger and began to pace. “Now, what was your reason for visiting
Mr. Bourne?”
“Four days have passed since we returned to Londonfrom the Primrose,” Sophia answered. “I was worried that Nicholas would proceed without
me. He made it absolutely clear that was his preference.”
Her dear friend nodded and clasped her hands behind her back. “A reasonable concern,
I’ll give you that. And this Mr. Singh and Mouse? Why did you deceive them?”
Sophia considered mentioning Nicholas’s part in the charade, but thought better of
it. “Nicholas and Mr. Singh were acquaintances in India, and thus he knows the loyalty
and self-control of the man. But the boy Mouse’s discretion is a mystery to both of
us. It seemed best if my position in society was kept hidden for now.”
Lettie nodded and continued to walk back and forth, her lips set in a grim line.
“A second reasonable concern, wouldn’t you agree?” Sophia pressed.
Lettie finally ceased pacing, stopping in front of Sophia. “If you will not give up
this dangerous pursuit, at the very least I beg you to be more careful. The ton’s
gossipmongers like nothing better than embroidering tales about a lady such as yourself
and a man with Mr. Bourne’s questionable reputation.”
Sophia considered her companion’s words. “You’re right. Of course you’re right,” she
replied. “Somehow it is all too easy to become caught up in the theatrics and
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