Julian scowled at him. "This from a man who may someday seriously have to contemplate marrying for money? Do not worry about Sophy's jewelry collection, Daregate. I assure you, I am quite capable of seeing my wife properly outfitted in that department."

"About time. Pity about the emeralds, though. When are you going to announce that they have disappeared forever?" Daregate asked unrepentantly.

Miles stared. "They've disappeared?"

Julian scowled. "Stolen. One of these days they will show up at a jeweler's when somebody can wait no longer to pawn them."

"If you don't make some explanation soon, people are going to begin to believe Waycott's claim that you cannot bear to see them on another woman after having first given them to Elizabeth."

Miles nodded quickly. "Have you explained to Sophy about the emeralds having disappeared? Be most unfortunate otherwise if she were to hear Waycott's remarks about you not wanting her to have them."

"If it becomes necessary, I will explain the situation to Sophy," Julian said stonily. In the meantime she could damn well learn to wear the jewelry he did choose to give her. "About the black ring," he went on softly.

"What about it?" Daregate eyed him. "Are you worried about Sophy wearing it?"

"Can't see that there's anything to worry about other than that people will think Ravenwood's being damned stingy about giving his wife jewelry," Miles said.

Julian drummed his fingers lightly on the arm of the chair. "I would like to know a bit more about this old college club. But I do not want anyone to know I am seeking answers."

Daregate leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankles. "I've got nothing better to do. I could make a few discreet inquiries for you."

Julian nodded. "I would appreciate that, Daregate. Let me know if you get wind of anything."

"I'll do that, Ravenwood. At least it will give me something interesting to do for a change. One can get very bored with gaming."

"Don't see how," Thurgood muttered. "Not as long as one wins as frequently as you do."

Much later that night Julian sent Knapton out of his bedchamber and finished his own preparations for bed. Sophy had been home for some time, according to Guppy. She would be sound asleep by now.

Shrugging into his dressing gown, Julian picked up the diamond bracelet and the other gift he had purchased late that afternoon after the bracelet had been rejected. He collected the note he had painstakingly written to accompany the presents and started toward the connecting door.

At the last moment he remembered the gypsy scarf. Smiling, he went back to the wardrobe and found the scarf in the pocket of the black cloak.

He walked into Sophy's darkened bedchamber and put the bracelet, the other package and the note and scarf down on the bedside table. Then he took off his dressing gown and climbed into bed beside his sleeping wife.

When he put his hand on her breast she turned to him, sighing softly in her sleep and snuggled close. Julian woke her slowly with long, deep kisses that drew forth the full response of her body. Everything he had learned about her on the two previous occasions when he had made love to her, he employed now. She responded as he had hoped she would. By the time her lashes fluttered open, Sophy was already clinging to his shoulders and parting her legs for him.

"Julian?"

"Who else?" he muttered huskily as he slowly sank deeply into her damp warmth. "Do you have room in your arms tonight for a man who seeks to change his luck?"

"Oh, Julian."

"Tell me of your love, sweetheart," he coaxed as she lifted her hips to meet his slow, careful thrust. She felt so good, he thought. So perfect, as if she had been fashioned just for him. "Tell me how much you love me, Sophy. Say the words again."

But Sophy was already convulsing gently under him and there were no coherent words to be had from her, only the soft, vibrant cries of her release.

Julian shuddered heavily, pouring himself into her, filling her, losing himself in her.

When he finally raised his head a long time later he saw that Sophy had slipped back into a deep sleep.

Another time, he promised himself as he drifted off, another time he would have the words of love from her.

THIRTEEN

When Sophy opened her eyes the next morning the first thing she saw was the scarf of her gypsy costume draped across the pillow next to her. The diamond bracelet Julian had given her yesterday was lying on top of the scarf, its rows of silver-white stones sparkling in the early light. Under both was a large package wrapped in paper. A note had been tucked between the bracelet and the scarf.

Sophy sat up slowly, her eyes never leaving the small offering on the pillow. So Julian had known who she was last night at the masquerade ball. Had he been teasing her with all that talk about wanting to become lucky at love or had he been trying to tell her something, she wondered.

She reached over and plucked the note off the pillow. Unfolding it, she quickly read the short message inside.

My Dearest Wife:

I was told last night by a reliable source that my fortune was in my own hands. But that is not altogether true.

Whether or not he desires it, a man's fortune as well as his honor, frequently rest in the hands of his wife. I am convinced that in my case both of these valuable possessions are safe with you. I have no talent for scribbling sonnets or poems but I would have you wear this bracelet occasionally as a token of my esteem. And, perhaps, when you have occasion to examine the other small gift, you will think of me.

Julian's initials were scrawled boldly across the bottom of the crisp page. Sophy slowly refolded the note and stared at the glittering diamond bracelet. Esteem was not exactly love but she supposed it did imply some degree of affection.

Memories of Julian's heat and strength enveloping her in the darkness last night swept through her. She told herself not to be misled by the passion he aroused in her. Passion was not love, as Amelia had discovered to her cost.

But she had more than passion from Julian, if this note was to be believed, Sophy told herself. She was unable to quell the burst of hope that welled up within her. Esteem implied respect, she decided. Julian might be angry about the incident at dawn yesterday, but perhaps he was trying to tell her he respected her in some ways.

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."