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."
Jane looked at her, astonished. "Has he really? If so, then he is far more tolerant than his reputation would lead one to believe."
"My husband is not the devil everyone thinks him," Sophy said coolly. "But to return to the business of finding the owner of the ring. The fact is, I do not intend to bother Ravenwood with this. It is a task I set for myself before I ever agreed to marry him. Lately I have foolishly allowed myself to become distracted by… by other things. But I am finished with those unimportant matters now and I am going to get on with this."
Anne and Jane were both studying her intently.
"You are very serious about this, aren't you?" Jane finally asked.
"Finding the owner of this ring is the most important task in my life at the moment. It is a goal I have set for myself." Sophy looked at her friends. "This time I cannot take the chance that one of you might feel obliged to warn Ravenwood about what I am doing. If you feel you cannot support me fully, I ask that you leave now."
"I would not dream of leaving you to conduct such a search alone," Anne declared.
"Jane?" Sophy smiled gently. "I will understand if you feel you should not be a part of this."
Jane's mouth thinned. "You have cause to question my loyalty, Sophy. I do not blame you. But I would like to prove to you that I truly am your friend. I will help you in this."
"Good. Then it is settled." Sophy held out her hand. "Let us seal the bargain."
Solemnly they all three clasped hands in a silent pledge and then they sat back to stare at the ring.
"Where do we begin?" Anne finally asked after a moment's close thought.
"We began last night," Sophy said and told them about the man in the black hooded cape and mask.
Jane's eyes were full of shock. "He recognized the ring? Warned you about it? Dear God, Sophy, why did you not tell us?"
"I did not want to say anything until I had your solemn promise to support me in this endeavor."