Courting Miss Vallois Read Online Free PDF Page A

see the door standing open and a swarm of black-coated servants emerge, like bees flying out of a hive. A couple stood on the top step, and while the beautiful woman in the exquisite silk gown was not known to her, the man…oh, yes, she knew the man. There might be lines around his mouth that hadn’t been there before, and traces of grey peppering the dark, wavy hair, but his eyes were still the clear bright blue of a summer sky and his smile was still as warm as an August day in Provence. She would haverecognised him anywhere. ‘Lord Longworth,’ Sophie said, breathing an audible sigh of relief. ‘It has been…a long time.’
    â€˜A very long time.’ Nicholas Grey started down the stairs. ‘So long I scarcely recognise the beautiful young woman you’ve become. And I’m not sure exactly what to say except…welcome to England, dear Sophie. And may I say how very, very happy I am to see you again.’
    It was almost like coming home. Sophie stepped into his embrace, feeling as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. ‘No happier than I, for you look much better than when last we parted.’
    â€˜I dare say it would have been difficult to look worse. But even the deepest of cuts and bruises heal and I am pleased to say I had exceptionally good care.’ Nicholas glanced at the young man standing quietly on the street behind her, and slowly extended his hand. ‘Antoine. I was afraid you would not remember who I was. Or choose not to come if you did.’
    â€˜Under the circumstances, you would be a hard man to forget,’ Antoine said, his greeting more reserved than his sister’s, but his tone cordial as he shook the viscount’s hand. ‘I take it your memory is fully restored?’
    â€˜It is, though it was several months after the accident before I could claim a complete recovery.’
    â€˜I have learned that injuries like yours often induce temporary memory loss.’
    â€˜So it would seem.’ Nicholas smiled. ‘I understand you are apprenticed to a surgeon in Paris.’
    Sophie glanced at him in surprise. ‘To Monsieur Larocque, yes, but…how could you know that?’
    â€˜I suspect there is very little Lord Longworth doesn’tknow about us,’ Antoine said. ‘No doubt he has had us thoroughly investigated.’
    â€˜Antoine!’
    â€˜No, it’s all right, Sophie,’ Nicholas said quietly. ‘I regret that such duplicity was necessary, but it would serve no purpose to lie and I will not insult your intelligence by doing so. Yes, I hired someone to find you and they did what was necessary in order to uncover your whereabouts. But the investigation was discreet and nothing of its undertaking made public. So unless you told anyone of your reasons for coming to England, I can assure you that no one here knows.’
    It was a moment before Antoine said, ‘I told the gentleman to whom I am apprenticed that I was coming to visit an old friend, and that time was of the essence given the precarious state of his health. However…’ he looked at Nicholas and began to smile ‘…you appear uncommon well for a man on his deathbed, my lord.’
    In full understanding of the situation, Nicholas chuckled. ‘I’m glad I was able to hang on until your arrival.’ He reached up to scratch his ear. ‘Am I in imminent danger of expiring?’
    â€˜Not imminent, but the prognosis isn’t good.’
    â€˜In that case, I suggest we go inside before I take a turn for the worst.’
    â€˜Thank heavens,’ Lady Longworth said. ‘I thought the entire visit was to be conducted on our doorstep.’
    Making a sound of disgust, Nicholas said, ‘Forgive my abominable manners. Sophie, Antoine, my beautiful wife, Lavinia, who, I can assure you, has been as anxious about your arrival as I.’
    â€˜Of course I’ve been anxious. But you must both