Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel by G.G. Vandagriff

There, matters of hygiene, manners, and preparation of the girls for employment could accompany the reading lessons.”
    “Such a scheme would require an income the size of his grace, the Duke of Beverley’s,” Shrewsbury objected.
    Ruisdell raise an eyebrow. “While the original scheme was yours, Shrewsbury, no one expects you to fund such a school. We will find benefactors. I, for one, am certainly willing.”
    “And I,” agreed Frank. “But I think this discussion best be continued when the ladies have adjourned to the drawing room.”

{ 15 }

    WHEN THE TIME CAME for the ladies to retire, Sophie rose and tried to lead with dignity, cursing her limp once again. Since she knew all the ladies present quite well, their conversation was lively. Fanny was summoned to her baby, and Elise took her place at Sophie’s side. “You have managed very well tonight, my dear. Congratulations,” she said in a low tone while Melissa and her mother took a turn to examine the landscapes. “I imagine Frank will be calling on Peter in the very near future.”
    Sophie said, “There is one who will not be happy about it—Melissa. She has formed a tendre for Frank, unless I am much mistaken.”
    “Shrewsbury is not happy either. I thought him more of a gentleman than to sulk in corners,” Elise said.
    “He begs an audience tomorrow. I cannot think of what he means to say.”
    “Be certain Fanny is present, dearest. I would not have him carry you off in an excess of Byronic bedevilment.”
    Sophie giggled. “He is glowering like the Corsair. A pity he is fair instead of dark.”
    Later, when she was playing her violin, Sophie felt Shrewsbury’s eyes burning into her. Try as she might to be completely absorbed in her performance, his hungry aspect could not help but affect her. She was very glad when she was finished and did not feel her customary satisfaction. She hoped that Frank was not too disappointed.
    Not long afterward, her sister and the duke, as well as all the Kents and Shrewsbury, left for the Beverley ball. Fanny and Buck went upstairs to retrieve Alexa, and Sophie was left alone with Frank.
    “I did not play well tonight,” she said. “Lord Shrewsbury unnerved me by staring at me so.”
    “I thought it was splendid,” Frank reassured her. “What think you of your brother-in-law’s idea for what amounts to a girl’s orphanage?”
    “I think it splendid, but I do feel that Shrewsbury was not overly happy about that, either.”
    “He conceived of this idea for political benefit to himself. Now it is being taken out of his hands.” Frank paused, running a knuckle down the side of her neck. “But let us not waste a second more on him.”
    He captured her mouth in a long, heated kiss, gathering her to him. Sophie melted inside, forgetting Melissa and the baron, even forgetting where she was. She loved the sensation when Frank teased her mouth with his tongue, causing her to burn like wildfire. Lost in their desire for one another, they parted only moments before Buck and Fanny appeared.
    “Goodnight, my angel,” he murmured. “Shall I call on Ruisdell tomorrow?”
    She felt herself light up like a lantern. “Oh, yes. If you’re certain.”
    “I have never been more so.”
    ~ ~*
    Sophie had a great deal of trouble getting to sleep, though she was exhausted. Every time she thought of Frank’s kiss, she was aflame. She longed to be with him in the way only a wife could. Just one week ago, he had not even been known to her. And now she was to be married to him.
    For the last few years, the extent of her vision of the future only contained her violin. But as a lady of quality, she would have been prevented from becoming a professional. She adored her nieces and nephew, but they would always have been only a substitute for her own children.
    She, Sophie Edwards, was to marry Gorgeous Frank St. Oswald, Viscount Trowbridge and have a family. It had all happened so fast, she had difficulty taking it in. She had