Cavanagh Family 02 - A Bright Particular Star by Elizabeth Hanbury

Author:Elizabeth Hanbury [Hanbury, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press LLC
Published: 2012-04-04T20:35:42+00:00

Chapter Nine

They set off promptly after breakfast. Sophie had spent a miserable night tossing and turning in her bed in a way that left the sheets and blankets crumpled and askew, even though there had been no intruders to disturb her. When she awoke to find the room full of sunlight, she was glad to get up and dressed, but she felt exhausted and a dull headache throbbed in her temples.

Now the time for meeting James was drawing near she was entertaining every conceivable doubt. What she would do if he was not at home? Worse still, what if he was there and so disgusted with her behaviour that he gave her the cut direct?

No, that would not happen. He could not have changed so drastically in the intervening years. At least in Madame Lavalle’s outfit she would not arrive looking like a provincial ragamuffin.

She was prey to a wild mixture of emotions. She wanted to see James again —it was the object of her journey after all—but she dreaded saying goodbye to Theo. It was hard to believe she’d only known him for a short time. Last night she had realized with sudden and devastating clarity how much she would miss him.

Unable to resist this last opportunity to study his profile, she peeked at him as he sat next to her in the carriage. He was sterner than usual, but nothing in his expression or his manner gave a clue to any other feelings. He had been the perfect gentleman during the journey. As for when he had almost kissed her, he must be regretting that aberration now. He wasn’t interested in someone like her. How could he be? Theo Cavanagh could have his pick of women so what could he see in an impulsive ingénue from the country? She would never be the sort of woman he would want. Duty and honour was all that bound him to her side; he had admitted as much at The Castle. This dismal reflection made her utter an involuntary sigh.

“Nervous?” inquired her companion.

Sophie, unwilling to reveal the real direction of her thoughts, forced a smile. “A little. Understandable, I suppose, when I have not seen James for several years. I hope he will be pleased to see me when he has recovered from the shock.”

“He’s a fool if he is not,” he said after a pause. “Where is the Verney townhouse?”

“Upper Brook Street.”

“Then we shall take our leave of Peregrine soon if he is staying at Limmer’s.”

“Where is that?” she asked, hoping it was not too near Upper Brook Street.

“The corner of Conduit Street and Hanover Square. It’s usually seething with sporting bloods and, since your cousin fancies himself among their number, it will suit him perfectly.” He glanced at her, his gaze anxious. “Don’t let him bother you, will you? He intends to insinuate himself into your company, but you can refuse. And if he will not be gainsaid, get Verney or his mother to send him packing.”

Sophie shrugged. “I’m not concerned about Perry.

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