Kathryn Smith - [Friends 03] Read Online Free PDF

carriage, Lady Aberley." It felt odd to call her by that name.
    When Sophia didn't reply immediately, Julian turned his head toward her. She had her hands folded in her lap and her head was bowed.
    "Lady Aberley? You do have a carriage, do you not?"
    Her head came up and the depth of pride in those fathomless eyes of hers struck Julian hard in the chest. "I do not."
    He couldn't have been more surprised if she had told him she was considering entering a convent. Julian didn't know anyone who didn't own at least one vehicle.
    "And may I ask why?" He kept his tone even, afraid that if he sounded as incredulous as he felt she would not answer honestly.
    "My brother-in-law thought it a frivolous expense, since he has several carriages at the great house."
    He supposed that wasn't wholly strange. "Do you agree with his assessment?"
    She turned toward the fire, giving Julian a cameo-perfect view of the gentle slopes and curves of her profile.
    "He handles my finances, Lord Wolfram. I have no choice but to agree with his assessment."
    A suspicion took root in Julian's belly, spreading rapidly through his entire being. "And does your brother-in-law also consider decent furniture and new gowns 'frivolous' expenses?" he questioned softly, watching her expression carefully.
    Sophia closed her eyes. Julian watched as she drew in a deep breath and released it again. The thick fringe of her lashes fluttered open. Then, having composed herself, she turned her head to face him.
    "Recently he seems to have come to that conclusion, yes."
    " Recently? I would think that now that your mourning period is over he would want to see you out in society. Unless of course, you choose to remain in the country?"
    The longing in her gaze almost made him smile. For a split second, she looked like that girl he had once known— before he learned of her true nature.
    "Oh no. I should like very much to be out and about again."
    "Then why do you not tell him that?"
    Her gaze shuttered, but not before Julian saw what she did not want him to see. She had told her brother-in-law. And he hadn't allowed it.
    Why? What had happened during her brief return to society that made the new marquess want to keep her cloistered away in the country. What had she done?
    As if sensing that he knew she had a secret, Sophia rose to her feet. She kept her gaze averted, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
    "If you will excuse me, Lord Wolfram, I believe I will have Mrs. Ellis make some tea to warm you up. I will also have her put on some soup for you and your men. They will no doubt need it."
    "That is not necessary," he replied, suddenly sorry for having discomfited her, when it was what he had wanted originally. She seemed so sincere, and yet he knew without question that she was hiding something. Sophia was always hiding something . Was she purposely trying to make her brother-in-law seem the villain to cover her own sins?
    "No." She met his gaze with a shaky smile that he had to admire. "I think it is. Please excuse me."
    She left the room without a backward glance, leaving Julian peering around the back of his chair after her. As he settled back in his seat, he couldn't help but wonder what it was that Sophia was so anxious to conceal.
    And why the hell he should even care.

    * * *
    She would have to be more careful.
    Pausing outside the parlor, Sophia pressed her forehead against the cool, whitewashed door frame and struggled to pull herself together. How could she have made such a blunder as to trust the Earl Wolfram with details of her life? She shouldn't have mentioned Charles at all. Now he would know there was something going on, and if he pressed Lady Wickford for information, he just might uncover what it was.
    What if he did? Lifting her head, she thought about it for a moment. What was the worst thing that could happen? He could believe she deserved her brother-in-law's harassment and have a good chuckle at her expense. How could that hurt her? She had already