Amelia Grey - [Rogues' Dynasty 06] Read Online Free PDF

if you were a dock worker at a local tavern. Take small, ladylike sips.”
    Her aunt continued to talk, but Sophia didn’t hear what she said. Over the rim of her punch cup she had caught sight of the gentleman who had tried to help her catch the boy thief. She slowly lowered her drink and stared at the man.
    He was superbly dressed in an evening coat that fit perfectly over wide, straight shoulders. His shirt was stunningly white beneath a red quilted waistcoat, and his neckcloth was superbly tied. Black trousers covered strong-looking legs spread far enough apart to lend a touch of arrogance to his stance. Everything about him spoke of power, privilege, and wealth, and her body and her mind were completely aware of him.
    She could tell that he was slowly searching the room and, for a heartbeat, she wondered if he might be looking for her.

Three
    Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish.
    —Ovid
    Sophia’s breaths deepened. Her last sip of punch went down hard as she stared at the stranger. Out of the corner of her eye she saw someone approach her aunts and start talking to them, but she couldn’t take her gaze off the gentleman she’d met on the street. He was still slowly scouring the faces of everyone on the dance floor.
    “Sophia.” June lightly touched her shoulder. “You were just presented to Lord Snellingly, my dear. What do you say?”
    Quickly diverting her attention from the man she’d been watching, Sophia looked up to see a tall, thin man with a large, pointy nose smiling down at her. Her gaze was drawn to his collar and neckcloth. Both were unusually high, completely covering his neck and causing his head to tilt back. It looked woefully uncomfortable to Sophia, and she’d be surprised if the dear fellow could breathe properly.
    She curtsied and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Snellingly.”
    He returned her smile with an ear-to-ear grin. “No, no, Miss Hart, it is always a gentleman’s pleasure to be introduced to such a beautiful young lady as yourself.”
    The earl moved so he was standing right in Sophia’s line of vision, so she stepped a little to one side, hoping to find the handsome stranger whom she could no longer see. Lord Snellingly moved too, and right in her line of sight again. “That’s very kind of you to say, my lord.”
    “Your story is such a fascinating one.”
    She studied on that comment for a moment and realized she had no idea what he was talking about. “In what way?”
    “Well, everyone knows and respects Sir Randolph, and no one had a hint from him that he has been your guardian for over a year. He kept knowledge of you secreted away from us.”
    “There was really no need for him to mention me. I couldn’t come out into Society until my mourning was past.”
    His eyebrows lifted, and he laid a hand over his heart. “It’s never easy to lose a loved one, is it?”
    “No, never,” she answered, not wanting to think about having lost her father or her mother.
    “Tell me, Miss Hart, do you enjoy reading poetry?”
    Sophia was surprised he went from one subject to the other so quickly, but answered, “Yes, of course, I read poetry.”
    “Splendid.” He sniffed into the lace-trimmed handkerchief he held. “I’ve found it can be very comforting, no matter the troubles that tear at a tender heart. And tell me, do you write it?”
    “I’m not very good at writing poetry, I’m afraid,” she said, moving a little to the left again in hopes of catching a glance of the stranger, but once again the earl moved when she did. “I do give it a try from time to time.”
    “Excellent to hear.” His smile broadened, and he clasped his hands together in front of him. Layers of lace cuffs spread across his chest. “I am a member of the Royal Society of Accomplished Poets.”
    “I’m sure that’s a great honor,” Sophia said.
    “Indeed it is. I’m told I’m a dramatic poet.