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He offered her an arm, and she took it so that he may lead her to the site of their nuptials.

What a very strange week it had been. And now she would wed, hopefully for the only time in this life, which made a strange week even stranger. She could not help but think that life would never be dull with Lord Richard Balfour, the illustrious but sullied Earl of Saunton, and she hoped fervently that she was correct as he escorted her through his grand London townhouse. He was unlike any other man of her acquaintance, and it fascinated her to discover where their path together would lead.

Their vows took place in the library overlooking the gardens. Sunlight streamed in through a wall of French doors edging the length of the room. Everyone was in good spirits. Everyone, that was, except for the aloof Mr. Peregrine Balfour who barely said a word, and, of course, her own seething brother who stood apart from the wedding party, glowering near one of the French doors. When not scowling at her directly, Cecil spent most of the ceremony with his back turned to glare into the gardens. Sophia ignored him. He had created the situation with his greed, and she was unwilling to assume any guilt.

Aunt Christiana sniffed into a handkerchief that Uncle Hugh had handed to her during the vows. She and her aunt might not see eye to eye about a woman’s role, but Sophia appreciated the older woman stepping in to mother her, always doing what she thought was best for Sophia’s future.

Lily was particularly fey, taking in the vows with an expression of sheer joy. Her large brown eyes that dominated her dainty face were lustrous, and she glowed with the light of a thousand candles. There was no doubt that her cousin was happy for the fortuitous turn of events, especially now that she knew about the grave danger facing Sophia.

Lord Saun—Richard—I need to become accustomed to his name … we are marrying, after all!—Richard stared down into her face with reverence, looking not at all like a shameless scoundrel but an enthralled youth, never taking his eyes off her. She did not quite know what to make of it; his green eyes glowed with admiration in the well-lit room. She could drown in his soulful gaze, but she was mildly uncomfortable. She wanted to assist him with his crusade, but she was not a savior, and she hoped his ideal of her would measure up to his expectations.

The ceremony ended and the wedding breakfast began, with the unlikely gathering of personalities sitting around the breakfast table. Her aunt and uncle talked with the vicar, while Lily chattered to Sophia. Perry, as Richard called him, picked at his eggs and ham while swallowing down endless cups of coffee and speaking little unless Richard addressed him directly. Perhaps his brother was recovering from a night of drinking?

Cecil was in the foulest mood, stabbing at his plate aggressively to make loud clinking noises with the cutlery. It was quite ill-behaved, but a minor offense compared to his other transgressions. That her brother had not said a word, even to greet the earl, did not bother Sophia. He was no longer her problem, and Uncle Hugh would address the matter.

She reserved no doubts that Lord Moreland was dealing with her sibling because the Moreland title was synonymous with family. Both her uncle and her grandfather before him were dedicated to safeguarding their household, which had proved very fortunate for both Sophia and Cecil when their parents died within weeks of each other. She still could not believe that Cecil had thrown away such a loyal family connection for the sake of high wagers and spirits.

Shaking her head, she decided she would not waste any further thoughts on the scapegrace, so she turned to Richard only to find him once again staring at her. She shifted uncomfortably.

“You look ravishing today,” he murmured in her ear, his words thrilling against her skin.

“Um … thank you?” Sophia could not claim to be familiar with compliments from handsome men. She had spent much of her time dissuading them of any interest.

“I hope you like the ring? We can get another if you wish?”

Sophia looked down at the gold band on her finger in a floral design of diamonds and sapphires. “I love the ring!”

“It belonged to my mother.”

Sophia felt her cheeks warm with pleasure. It seemed a high compliment to bestow his mother’s ring on her.

“It would seem neither of our brothers are happy to attend our vows this morning.” Richard tipped his head toward where Perry and Cecil sat side by side in silence across the table.

“Peregrine did not desire our match?”

“Perry did not desire any match. He is not … inclined to form attachments. He is having difficulty understanding why I set my current course, but I am hoping in due time he will realize the advantages of clean living and healthy kinship. We never experienced a proper family because my mother passed away when he was just a few years old and my father … was … um … not a family man. Even I hardly remembered my mother until you said … what you said on the terrace. I hope between the two of us we might influence him over the coming months.”

Sophia perked up at the thought of a second challenge. The truth was, she was rather bored living with the Abbott family. They were all so even-tempered and moderate. No one ever needed her help. Growing up with her parents, she had been needed, especially by her mother, who would grow quite despondent during her father’s long, unexplained absences. Sophia had made it her mission to cheer her sorrowful mama by bringing her gifts, such as handpicked flowers, and reading to her novels or poetry. Sophia missed the sense of purpose she had experienced as a child to lift everyone’s spirits and bring the family together.

The Balfour family needed her, and she could not deny the rush of resolve and intention that filled her at the thought of assisting her new family. To be sure, the idle life of a viscount’s ward and heiress had bored her since she had completed her schooling and found herself with nothing to do but prepare for social events. And read, of course.

Now Richard was offering her not just a chance to manage her own household, but to bring his family together. What a delightful challenge to fill her days with a sense of responsibility once more.

“I would like that.”

Richard looked surprised for a moment, then grinned. “You are an exceptional woman, Sophia Balfour.”

He grabbed the hand resting beside her plate and brought it up to his lips to press a soft kiss to her fingers, the contact sending a fissure of warmth up her arm. “I am glad to hear that because I insisted Perry continue to reside at Balfour Terrace. He should not feel displaced by our marriage. I did not know if you would object to his presence.”

Sophia shook her head. “I look forward to learning about Perry … and … you.”

“Then you shall. But today you will only learn about me. Once this breakfast is over, I plan to spend the day alone with you. I have a surprise for the moment your family departs.”

Sophia felt a rush of warmth at his words. Richard was taking their marriage seriously, and it was deeply validating to be the focus of such a handsome and intriguing man. Her thoughts turned to the day ahead, and she found herself eager to finish breakfast so they could share a moment in private—just the two of them. She caught herself as a slight blush crept up her cheeks at the thought. It would be the first time she would be alone with a man who was not a family member. What would it feel like, this new chapter of her life? Whatever awaited her, she trusted Richard to lead them forward with care.

Chapter

Seven