Read Online One Night Scandal by Christie Kelley - Free Book Online Page A

threshold a moment later, and closed the door, cloaking them in privacy. She had her tawny hair pulled into a loose chignon and ink stains on her fingers. “I’m sorry, Sophie. Just as you arrived, I had the best idea for an upcoming scene for my next book. I had to jot down a few notes so I would not forget them.”
    “I understand.”
    Avis had one book published and was working on her second. Sophie felt a little stab of envy pierce her heart at Avis’s successes. Her friend had a wonderful husband, a beautiful little girl, and a passion for writing.
    “What is wrong, Sophie?” Avis sat next to her on the sofa and clasped her hand. “Ever since you matched Victoria and Somerton you have been acting oddly. And honestly, your behavior has been even more unusual since your return from Venice. You have known me longer than any of our friends. I wish you would confide in me.”
    Sophie blinked several times. “It’s a man, Avis.”
    Avis smiled broadly. “I had a feeling it might be. Someone you met in Venice?”
    “Yes. But he is an Englishman.” Sophie glanced down at the pale blue Persian carpet. “And you know him.”
    “I do?”
    “Well, of all our friends, you may know him the least. That is why I came to you.”
    Avis frowned. “Who is it?”
    “Lord Ancroft,” she whispered.
    “Ancroft!” Avis exclaimed with a broad smile. “That is wonderful!”
    Sophie shook her head. “But it’s not. Avis, he is not the man for me.”
    Avis released Sophie’s hand and reached for the tea. She handed a cup to Sophie and then sat back against the brocade sofa with her own cup. “Now, tell me why he isn’t the man for you.”
    “I would know,” Sophie said, then sipped her tea. She let the flavorful liquid wash over her tongue and its warmth soothed her.
    “Explain.”
    “Just as I knew Selby was the man for you. And Blackburn for Jennette, Kendal for Elizabeth, and even Somerton for Victoria. I don’t see Ancroft for me.”
    Avis sipped her tea and then pursed her lips. “Are you certain?” Before Sophie could reply, Avis added, “I mean, perhaps you are not seeing him for you because you don’t believe you deserve such a man.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You are the daughter of an earl who won’t claim you. Your mother was an actress and mistress to several men. Is it possible that you do not feel you are worthy of a man who will someday be a duke?”
    Sophie stared down at the tea in her cup. Was she intentionally blocking her sight for just those reasons? It was possible. But it didn’t explain why she had never seen his face before she knew who he was. Truthfully, she knew she wasn’t worthy of being a duchess but it was more than that.
    Everyone she ever loved deserted her. Her mother left any time a man made her an offer. Her father had rarely ever visited her in twenty-six years. If she fell in love with a man like Nicholas and then lost him to either a wife or mistress, she doubted she’d recover.
    “I don’t know, Avis.”
    “You must forget all those worries. Ancroft is a wonderful man.” Avis leveled a wicked smile at her. “Do what you suggested each of us do.”
    “What is that?”
    “Seduce the man,” Avis replied with a laugh.
    Sophie looked away as her cheeks burned. How did her friend know that seducing him was all she’d thought about from the first time she’d met him? Avis started to chortle.
    “Oh, dear,” Avis said, laughing and trying to catch her breath. “You already have!”
    “Yes,” Sophie admitted. “When you went away with Selby you knew you would be his mistress. Did you ever think you shouldn’t be with him?”
    Avis giggled. “I was certain I shouldn’t be with him. He’d tricked me into choosing him. Plus, he was Jennette’s brother.”
    “But you still went.”
    Avis looked away with a dreamy stare and a slight smile. “I didn’t want to desire him as I did. I was certain it was very wrong.”
    Sophie glanced down at her pale blue