Page 14 of The Rogue’s Offer

Chapter 4

Mathias smiled at Baron Sheffield as the man offered him a glass of wine. The baron was a tall, burly man, and his daughters looked nothing like him other than Ophelia possessed some of her father’s height. As he accepted the snifter of brandy from Sheffield, the baron cleared his throat.

“So you’re here to escort Ophelia to the opera.”

“I am. La bohème is at the Lyceum.”

“Odd, she doesn’t like the opera,” Sheffield said with a frown.

“Then I’ll take it as a compliment that she believes she’ll enjoy my company enough to endure an evening of Puccini.”

Mathias bit back a grin as he remembered Ophelia making her distaste for opera quite clear earlier in the day. The baron gulped down the rest of his drink then returned to the sideboard. Narrowing his eyes as he watched the man, Mathias noted how the baron swayed slightly as he poured himself another glass of wine. Although he’d not had a chance to speak with his brother, Mathias had already seen enough of the baron to guess the man had been drunk when he’d wagered Marymont in his game of chance with Charles. As if he’d read Mathias’s mind, the baron turned to face him, his ruddy complexion darkening with a look of assessment.

“Your brother is an exceptional card player.”

“That he is, sir. Charles seems to have the luck of the devil on most occasions. I’ve seldom seen him lose.” Mathias nodded.

“I lost a sizeable piece of property to him recently.” The baron looked down into his brandy for a moment before narrowing his gaze at Mathias. “I don’t suppose you would be in any position to convince your brother to let the property to me.”

“I believe that would be Marymont you’re referring to.”

“How the devil did you know that,” Sheffield sputtered in amazement.

“I manage my brother’s finances and estate. I actually reviewed the property’s paperwork this morning.” Mathias took a drink of his brandy as he watched the baron struggle with his surprise.

“I see.” Baron Sheffield cleared his throat. “So…do you know if Thornbury intends to sell the property?”

The sound of silk rustling outside the parlor caught Mathias’s attention, and he turned his head toward the room’s open doorway. As Ophelia entered the room, the air left his lungs with an unexpected strength that startled him. If someone had asked him to describe her before this moment, he would have said she was attractive. But Sabine had done her work well. Tonight, she looked magnificent.

“Ophelia, you look enchanting my dear,” the baron said jovially as he greeted her with a salute of his glass before downing the remainder of his brandy.

“Thank you, father.” Her voice was soft, but Mathias saw anger flash across her face as she looked at the just emptied glass in the man’s hand. Either the baron didn’t see his daughter’s irritation or he ignored it. He smiled broadly and gestured toward Mathias.

“As you can see, Mr. Gilchrist has been patiently awaiting your appearance.”

“Indeed, I have, and my patience has been handsomely rewarded. You look exquisite this evening,” Mathias murmured as he stepped forward to take Ophelia’s hand in his.

A slight tremor vibrated through her fingers into his as he kissed her hand. The scent of citrus and strawberries wafted off her, and an urge to pull her close tightened his muscles. As he straightened, his gaze swept across her face. Color crested over her high cheekbones, and he smiled at the pleasure he saw brighten her brown eyes.

“I hope I’ve not kept you waiting too long,” she said quietly. Despite her serene expression, there was a breathless quality to her voice that indicated she was skilled at disguising her feelings behind a cool composure. It was a serenity he wanted to strip away to find the real woman beneath it.

“I thought perhaps you were regretting your agreement to attend the opera with me. Your father tells me you don’t care for it,” Mathias said with a chuckle. Ophelia hesitated for a split second before she smiled. The impact it had on his senses was as if one of his sparring partners at the club had landed a hard blow to his gut.

“I have decided to rely on the recommendation of an acquaintance who stated I should consider the company I am in and not the entertainment when it comes to whether or not I enjoy my evening.”

“Then I shall endeavor to ensure you enjoy my company immensely this evening.” Mathias glanced over at the baron to see the man had narrowed his gaze on the two of them.

“Speaking of Ophelia being in your company, Gilchrist, I’ve been remiss in my fatherly duties.” The baron narrowed his gaze at Mathias. “Exactly what are your intentions where my daughter is concerned, sir?”

Caught off guard by the man’s question in front of his daughter, Mathias arched his eyebrows in surprise as he met the man’s gaze. A loud gasp escaped Ophelia as a dark pink flooded her face.

“Forget my father’s poor manners, Mr. Gilchrist.” Ophelia glared at the baron who had the good sense to look ashamed. With a slight shrug Sheffield looked at Mathias.

“Please understand I’m simply looking out for my daughter’s best interests, Gilchrist.”

“Of course,” Mathias murmured as his gaze took in the humiliation that had broken through Ophelia’s serene expression. “I think we will be late if we don’t leave now. Shall we, my lady?”

Relief swept across Ophelia’s face as he spoke, and she agreed with a sharp jerk of her head. The baron, completely unrepentant, stepped forward to kiss Ophelia’s cheek. She immediately recoiled, and Sheffield grimaced as if realizing for the first time how upset his daughter was. Mathias quickly stepped forward to solicitously capture Ophelia’s elbow with his fingers.