She got out of bed and carefully placed the bracelet in her jewelry box next to Amelia's black ring. She must be realistic about her marriage, Sophy told herself firmly. Passion and esteem were all very well as far as they went but they were not enough. Julian had made it clear last night that he wanted her to trust him with her love but he had also made it clear he would never trust any woman with his own heart.
As she turned away from the jewelry case she remembered the other package on the bed. Full of curiosity, she went back across the room, picked up the heavy gift, and hefted it. It felt like a book, she decided and that thought excited her in a way the bracelet had failed to do. Eagerly she unwrapped the brown paper covering.
Joy bubbled up inside her as she read the author's name on the impressive, leather-bound volume in her hands. She could not believe it. Julian had given her a magnificent copy of Nicholas Culpeper's famous herbal, English Physician. She could hardly wait to show it to Old Bess. It was a complete guide to all the helpful herbs and plants that were native to England.
Sophy flew across the room to ring for Mary. When the girl knocked at the door a few minutes later she gaped to see her mistress already half-dressed.
"Here, ma'am, what's the rush? Let me help you. Oh, do be careful, ma'am or you'll split the fine seams of that dress." Mary bustled about, taking charge of the dressing process. "Is somethin' amiss?
"No, no, Mary, nothing is amiss. Is his lordship still in the house?" Sophy leaned down to tug on her soft leather slippers.
"Yes, ma'am, I believe he's in the library. Shall I send word you wish to see him?"
"I'll tell him myself. That's fine, Mary. I'm dressed. You may go now.
Mary looked at her in shock. "Impossible. I can't let you go out o' this room with your hair down like that ma'am. It wouldn't be right. Sit still for a minute and I'll put it up for you."
Sophy surrendered, muttering impatiently as Mary put up her hair with two silver combs and several strategically placed pins. When the last curl was in place, she bounded up from the dressing table chair, grabbed the precious herbal and practically ran out the door, down the hall and down the stairs.
Arriving breathless at the library door, she knocked once and then burst into the room without waiting for a response.
"Julian. Thank you. Thank you so much. You are so kind. I do not know how to convey my gratitude. This is the finest gift anyone has ever given me, my lord. You are the most generous husband in England. No, the most generous husband in the whole world."
Julian slowly closed the journal he was working on and got cautiously to his feet. His bemused eyes went first to her bare wrist and then to the book Sophy was clutching to her bosom. "I see no sign of the bracelet so I assume it is the Culpeper that is causing all this commotion?"
"Oh, yes, Julian. It is magnificent. You are magnificent. How can I ever thank you?" Impulsively Sophy darted across the room to stand on tiptoe in front of him. Still holding the book very tightly she gave her husband a quick, shy kiss and then stepped back. "Thank you, my lord. I shall treasure this book for my entire life. And I promise I will be exactly the sort of wife you want. I will not cause you any more trouble at all. Ever."
With a last brilliant smile, Sophy turned and hurried from the room, unaware of the silver comb that slipped from her hair and fell to the carpet.
Julian watched the door close behind her and then, very thoughtfully, he touched his cheek where Sophy had kissed him. It was, he realized, the first spontaneous caress she had ever given him. He walked across the room and picked up the silver comb. Smiling very slightly, he carried it back to his desk and put it down where he could see it as he worked.
The Culpeper, he decided with deep satisfaction, had obviously been a stroke of genius. He owed Fanny for the recommendation and he made a mental note to thank her. His smile broadened as he acknowledged ruefully that he could have saved the six thousand pounds he'd spent on the bracelet. Knowing Sophy, she would probably lose it the first time she wore it—if she remembered to wear it.
Sophy was in high spirits that afternoon when she sent a message to Anne and Jane that she wished to see them. They arrived around three. Anne, vibrant in a melon-colored gown, swept into the drawing room with her customary energy and enthusiasm. She was followed by a more sedately dressed Jane. Both women undid the strings of their bonnets as they seated themselves and looked at their hostess with expectation.
"Wasn't last night lovely?" Anne said cheerfully as tea was served. "I cannot tell you how much I enjoy masquerades."
"That's because you take great pleasure in fooling others," Jane observed. "Especially men. One of these days your liking for that pastime will get you into serious trouble."
"Rubbish. Pay no attention to her, Sophy. She is in one of her lecturing moods. Now, tell us why you wished to see us on such short notice. I do hope you have some excitement for us."
"Personally," Jane remarked, picking up her cup and saucer, "I would prefer a bit of peace and quiet for a while."
"As it happens, I have a very serious matter to discuss with both of you. Relax, Jane. I do not seek any further excitement. Just a few answers." Sophy picked up the muslin handkerchief in which she had wrapped the black ring. She untied the knot and let the fabric fall away to reveal the contents.
Jane leaned forward curiously. "What a strangely designed ring."
Anne reached out to touch the embossed surface. "Very odd. And very unpleasant looking. Do not tell me your husband gave you this thing? I would have thought Ravenwood had better taste than that."
"No. It belonged to my sister." Sophy stared down at the ring lying in her palm. "It was given to her by a man. It is my goal to find him. As far as I am concerned, he is guilty of murder." She told them the full story in short, crisp sentences.
When she was finished, Anne and Jane sat staring at her for a long moment. Predictably enough it was Jane who responded first.
"If what you say is true, the man who gave your sister that ring is most certainly a monster but I do not see what you can do, even if you manage to identify him. There are, unfortunately, many such monsters running around Society and they all get away with murder."
Sophy's chin lifted. "I intend to confront him with his own evil. I want him to know that I am aware of who and what he is."
"That could be very dangerous," Jane said. "Or, at the very least, embarrassing. You can prove nothing. He will simply scoff at your accusations."
"Yes, but he will be forced to realize that the Countess of Ravenwood knows who he is," Anne said thoughtfully. "Sophy is not without some power these days. She is becoming quite popular, you know. And she has the rather sizable degree of influence that comes from being Ravenwood's wife. If she chose to exercise a measure of her power she might very well be able to ruin the owner of that ring socially. That would be a serious punishment for any man of the ton."
"Assuming he belongs to polite Society," Sophy amended. "I know nothing about him, except that he was most likely one of Elizabeth's lovers."
Jane sighed. "Gossip has it that is a very long list."
"It can be shortened to include only the man who wore this ring," Sophy said.
"But first we must find out something about it. How do we go about it?" Anne asked, her enthusiasm for the project obviously growing rapidly.
"Wait, both of you," Jane implored quickly. "Think before you leap into another adventure. Sophy, you have only just recently experienced Ravenwood's anger. If you ask me, you got off quite lightly. Are you really so eager to arouse his wrath all over again?"
"This has nothing to do with Ravenwood," Sophy said forcefully. Then she smiled, remembering the herbal. "Besides, he has forgiven me for what happened yesterday morning."