"I was never led to believe men particularly valued brains in a woman."
"It's true that some men have not sufficient brains themselves to appreciate such a commodity in a female." Waycott's eyes were intent on her face. "I would venture to say that Ravenwood is one of those benighted males."
"You are wrong, my lord," Sophy said bluntly.
"Then I apologize," Waycott said. "It is just that I have seen little evidence of Ravenwood's appreciation for his charming new wife and it gives a man pause."
"What, pray tell, do you expect him to do to show his appreciation?" Sophy retorted. "Sprinkle rose petals outside our front door every morning?"
"Rose petals?" Waycott's brows lifted. "I think not. Ravenwood's not the type for romantic gestures. But I would have expected him to present you with the Ravenwood emeralds by now."
"I cannot imagine why," Sophy snapped. "My coloring is all wrong for emeralds. I look infinitely better in diamonds, don't you think?" She moved her hand in a graceful gesture that drew attention to the bracelet Julian had given her. The stones glittered on her wrist.
"You are wrong, Sophy," Waycott said. "You would look lovely in emeralds. But I wonder if Ravenwood will ever trust another woman with them? Those stones must hold many painful memories for him."
"You must excuse me, my lord. I believe I see Lady Frampton over by the window. I really should see if my digestive aid helped her."
Sophy swept off, deciding she really had had enough of the Viscount. He seemed to be at nearly every social function she was attending these days.
As she moved through the crowd it occurred to her that she should not have let Utteridge go so quickly. Even if he was not the man she wanted, he apparently knew a great deal about Elizabeth's activities and was willing to talk about them. It struck her belatedly that he might be able to provide valuable information on the other two men whose names were on Charlotte's list.
Across the room Cordelia Biddle was declining another dance with Utteridge. Utteridge, in turn, appeared about to exit into the gardens. Sophy started to weave a path toward the open doors.
"Forget Utteridge," Waycott drawled from close behind Sophy. "You can do better than him. Even Elizabeth did not dally long in that direction."
Sophy's head came around very quickly, her eyes narrowing in anger. Waycott had obviously been following her. "I do not know what you are implying, my lord, nor do I wish to have you explain your meaning. But I think it would be wise of you to cease speculating on my associations."
"Why? Because you're afraid that if word gets back to Ravenwood he will drown you in that damn pond the way he did Elizabeth?"
Sophy stared at Waycott in shock for an instant before she turned her back on him and swept through the open doorway into the cool night air of the gardens.
"The next time you drag me off to a gaming hell as miserable as this place, I trust you will have the decency to see to it that I at least have a chance at winning." Julian kept his voice to a low, annoyed growl as he turned to follow Daregate away from the table.
Behind him other players stepped forward with a studied casualness that did little to conceal the feverish excitement in their eyes. Dice clicked softly and a new game of hazard was begun. Fortunes would be won and lost tonight. Estates that had been in families for generations would fall into new hands this evening because of the luck of the toss. Julian could scarcely conceal his disgust. Lands and the privileges and responsibilities that went with them were not to be risked in a stupid dice game. He did not comprehend the mind of a man who could do such a thing.
"Stop complaining," Daregate chided. "I told you it was easier to get information out of a cheerful winner than it is from a disgruntled loser. You got what you wanted, didn't you?"
"Yes, damn it, but it cost me fifteen hundred pounds."
"A pittance compared to what Crandon and Musgrove will lose tonight. The trouble with you, Ravenwood, is that you begrudge any money not spent directly on your estates."
"You know your own attitude toward gaming would alter completely tomorrow if you inherited your uncle's title and the lands that go with it. You're no more a confirmed gamester than I am." Julian signaled for his carriage as they stepped out into the chilly evening. It was nearly midnight.
"Don't be too certain of that. At the moment I am rather devoted to the gaming tables. I fear I am rather dependent on them for my income."
"It's fortunate you have a talent for dice and cards."
"One of the more useful skills I picked up at Eton, " Daregate said negligently. He leapt up into the carriage as it drew to a halt in front of the two men.
Julian followed Daregate and settled on the seat across from his friend. "Very well, it cost me enough. Let us examine precisely what I have got for my fifteen hundred pounds."
"According to Eggers, who I must tell you, is usually quite knowledgeable in matters such as this, there are at least three or four men left who still wear the black rings," Daregate said thoughtfully.
"But we only managed to get two names out of him. Utteridge and Varley." Julian reflected on the man to whom he had just lost his money. The more Eggers had won, the more he had been willing to gossip to Daregate and Julian. "I wonder if one of them was the one who gave the ring to Sophy's friend. Utteridge, I believe, spent time at the Abbey. And so did Varley, I'm almost certain." Julian's hand clenched at his side as he forced himself to recall Elizabeth's seemingly endless list of conquests.
Daregate pretended to ignore the implications and stuck to the subject at hand. "We have a starting point, at least. Either Utteridge or Varley could be the man who gave your wife's friend the ring."
Damn. I do not like this, Daregate. One thing is for certain, Sophy must never again wear that ring. I shall have to see to it that it is destroyed immediately." And that action, he reflected with an inner wince, was going to cause more trouble between himself and Sophy. She was obviously very attached to the black ring.
On that point, I agree wholeheartedly. She must not wear it now that we have ascertained its meaning. But she does not know just what the ring signifies, Ravenwood. To her it is merely a keepsake. Are you going to tell her the truth?"
Julian shook his head grimly. "That the original wearer belonged to a secret club whose members placed bets on who could cuckold the highest ranking members of the ton? Not bloody likely. She already has a sufficiently low opinion of men in general."
"Does she really?" Daregate asked with amusement. "Then you and your lady are well matched, aren't you, Ravenwood? Your opinion of women is not particularly high. Serves you right to be married to a woman who returns the compliment."
"Enough, Daregate. I have more important matters to attend to tonight than sparring with a man whose opinions on women do not differ greatly from my own. In any event, Sophy is different from the common run of females."
Daregate looked at him, smiling slightly in the shadows. "Yes, I know. I was beginning to wonder if you realized that feet, yourself. Guard her well, Ravenwood. There are wolves in our world who would take great delight in savaging her."
"No one knows that better than I." Julian stared out the window of the carriage. "Where do you wish to be set down?"
Daregate shrugged. "Brook's I suppose. I am in the mood for a little civilized drinking after that hell we just left. Where are you going?"
"To find Sophy. She is attending Lady Dallimore's rout tonight."
Daregate grinned. "And no doubt reigning supreme. Your lady is quickly becoming the rage. Walk down Bond Street or into any drawing room these days and you will find that half the young females in the vicinity will be in a charming state of disarray. Ribbons dangling, hats askew, shawls trailing on the floor. It is all quite delightful but no one can carry it off the way Sophy does."