Sophia watched from the shadows with her heart in her throat as the anxious man, his cohort beside him, pointed a pistol at Elliott.

She didn’t pretend to understand what was happening, what these men wanted, or what Elliott and Rutland were doing down here. She only knew the gun could end Elliott’s life.

Elliott slowly stood when she wanted to scream at him to take cover. She knew he’d seen her and was no doubt angry with her for following him once again. In this moment, she didn’t care, nor did she care that he didn’t have any feelings for her. She only wanted him out of danger.

But how?

Frost bent close from where he stood behind her, his whisper barely audible. “I’ll take the one with the pistol. You distract the other.”

Distract? Her mind went blank at the request. Perhaps that was for the best. If she thought this through, she’d be paralyzed by fear.

That would never do. Not with Elliott’s life at risk.

She stepped forward and looped her arm around the second man’s arm, taking him by surprise. “Lovely hall, isn’t it?”

The large man stared at her in surprise then struggled to free his arm, but she held tight and stomped on his foot.

Her efforts were small but provided the distraction Frost requested. Frost hit Popov’s hand before he could react to her presence, knocking the pistol to the ground, then struck Popov in the stomach. Elliott rushed forward to drive his fist into the larger man’s jaw, and Sophia shifted out of the way.

Rutland scrambled forward to retrieve the gun, while Elliott pinned the other man to the floor.

Sophia’s breath stopped as she saw the contents of the box beside the column. “What on earth?”

“You’ll never determine how to stop it,” Popov declared as he struggled to extract himself from Frost’s tight grip.

“What’s going on down here?”

Sophia spun to see Captain Hawke, Lettie’s husband, enter the circle of light.

“When you took so long to return, I came to see if something was amiss. Apparently, I was right.” Hawke raised a brow at Elliott.

“You could say that. Can you three take charge of these men so I can try to diffuse the explosive?” He rose as he spoke, leaving the large man in Hawke’s capable hands. He squeezed Sophia’s hand as he passed by before kneeling before the box.

Sophia stared in shock at this new side of Elliott. Would she ever know him in full? She didn’t understand what was happening, or how he had the knowledge or skills to deal with any part of the situation.

“You cannot stop this.” Popov chuckled, an unpleasant sound that sent shivers down Sophia’s back.

“If I remember correctly from the explosive you left in Paris, the trick is to disengage the fuse.”

Popov sobered as Elliott pulled out his knife once again. The intensity of his expression as he worked had Sophia watching closely, holding her breath. The tension in the room made the music playing above sound harsh and grating.

At last, Elliott sat back on his heels, returned his knife to its hiding place, and dusted off his hands. “That should do it.”

Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief, except for the two strangers. At Rutland’s direction, he, Frost, and Hawke escorted the criminals upstairs. One of Elliott’s associates came and retrieved the box, removing it from the building for safety, leaving Elliott and Sophia alone for a moment.

As the swell of the music above quieted, Sophia braced herself, filled with uncertainty now that she and Elliott were alone. His expression told her nothing.

“I’m sorry I followed you again when you told me never to do so. But when I saw that terrible man follow you down here, I had no choice.”

He didn’t reply, only gathered her in his arms and held tight, as though he’d never let her go. She didn’t know what to think, what to feel. Tears filled her eyes as the warmth of his embrace sank in. She hugged him as well, grateful for the moment.

He eased back, the emotion in the depths of his glittering jade green eyes making her breath catch. “I’m the one who needs to apologize. I’m sorry for the terrible things I said to you. They were all lies. I have no mistress. I didn’t mean any of it. Pushing you out of my life was the only way I could think of to keep you safe.”

Relief filled Sophia at his words. “None of it was true?” As what he said sank in, hope sparked deep inside her.

“I only said those things to protect you, to force you out of my life. After everything you saw this evening, I realize I can no longer hide the truth from you. I would ask that you hold this in confidence. Keeping my secret is the only way I know to protect those for whom I care.”

Though a hundred questions came to mind, she held her silence, waiting, holding tight to the idea that he cared for her.

“My position with British Intelligence has taken enough of my life. I intend to give my resignation to Prime Minister Gladstone before the week’s end.”

Sophia frowned. “Intelligence.” Her mind reeled with the information. “Does that mean you are not truly a...” She hated to say it.

“Scoundrel?” He laughed as he drew a finger along the ringlet trailing over her shoulder, causing her to shiver. “Much of my reputation served as a cover for my work.”

“Much but not all.” Sophia smiled, her heart singing.

Elliott sobered, his gaze dropping to her lips. “Sophia, this is a terrible time and place but I cannot wait a moment longer.” He took her gloved hands in his and met her gaze. “I love you. I will never let you go, not ever again.”

The sweet declaration had Sophia blinking back tears once again. “I love you, too, Elliott. More than I can say. More than I ever imagined possible.”

Elliott waited in the foyer of his home, pacing the small area as impatience burned within him.

Ten days had passed since the terrible night at the concert hall. Ten long days as Sophia had went to stay with the Fairchilds at Elliott’s insistence so he might court her properly. He’d advised the prime minister he would no longer be working for the Intelligence Office. Gladstone had attempted to change his mind, but Elliott remained firm.

He had a new focus now, and it didn’t involve playing the rogue or gathering intelligence. While he felt he walked on shaky ground without either of those identities, he was determined to forge a new path with Sophia at his side.

His grandmother was delighted at the change in circumstances and insisted that had been her plan all along after meeting Sophia. She’d had no doubt that her new “companion” would be the perfect match for Elliott.

Like any good grandson, he’d thanked her for her meddling from the bottom of his heart.

Guests would arrive any minute for the party Sophia and his grandmother had spent so much time planning. The countess insisted Sophia dress for the event here, in case any last minute preparations were needed.

Elliott hoped for a moment alone with Sophia, but if she and her grandmother didn’t come down soon, that moment would be lost.

As he turned to pace in the opposite direction, movement from above caught his eye.

His breath whooshed from his lungs at the sight of Sophia descending the stairs. The pale rose silk gown fit her perfectly, emphasizing her slim curves. A trail of pearls swirled along the front, echoed by a pearl pin in her dark curls.

Her hazel eyes caught his and didn’t let go until she placed her gloved hand in his.

“Sophia. You are beautiful.”

She smiled. “I feel like a princess this evening. When your grandmother selected this gown for me, I thought it too ornate, but she was right. I love it.” Her gaze swept over his black and white attire. “You look so elegant.”

He bowed over her hand then drew her close. “I wanted a moment alone with you. Before the guests arrive.”

“Oh?”

Steeling his nerves had become an easy task over the years, but tonight, he couldn’t push them back. His stomach trembled with them, he couldn’t catch his breath, and the words he needed eluded him.

All because of the woman before him.

With his heart in his throat, he went down on one knee. “Sophia, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She gasped in response, eyes wide as she stared at him in shocked delight. Her beautiful eyes glittered with tears as joy lit her face. “Elliott!”

He rose, her hand still in his as he kissed her long and deep in an attempt to show her just how much she meant to him.

Then he eased back to look into her eyes. “I don’t think you’ve answered,” he said, his nerves threatening to return.

“Yes! Oh, yes. I love you more than I can say.” She tugged her hand free to lift on her toes and wrap her arms around his neck, kissing him until his passion urged him to take her back upstairs.

“Well now,” the countess interrupted as she descended toward them. “I assume this means someone has something to tell me?”

Elliott shared a smile with Sophia before reaching for his grandmother’s hand. “Indeed, we do. Sophia has just agreed to become my wife.”

“That is excellent news.” His grandmother beamed at both of them. “Especially since this is an engagement party. I feared I had the timing wrong after all. Wait until you see the cake Cook baked to celebrate.”

Elliott shook his head at her. “You are incorrigible.”

“I do believe your grandfather said that once or twice as well.” She gave Sophia a hug. “Welcome to the family, my dear. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

“Nor I, my lady.” Sophia smiled brightly.

“And you, dear boy.” She gently pushed Elliott’s chest. “I thought you were never going to open your eyes and realize the treasure standing before you.”

“My apologies for taking so long to come to my senses.” Elliott chuckled.

“The pair of you may have another minute or two, but I expect you both in the receiving line shortly to greet our guests. I’m going to check the ballroom one last time to be certain all is as it should be.”

Elliott wasted no time drawing Sophia into his embrace for another kiss. “I love you, Sophia. I don’t know how I’ve lived this long without you.”

“I never realized tempting a scoundrel would be quite so exciting. I just needed to tempt the right one.”

“I cannot wait to show you how exciting it will be.” With a smile, Elliott kissed her once again, his heart full now that Sophia was in his arms forever and always.

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