CHAPTER TWELVE
The warm sunlight streamed through the Worthington manor's windows, casting a golden glow on the bustling preparations within. Servants flitted about, arranging delicate china and crystal on polished tables, while the scent of freshly cut flowers lingered in the air. Suzanne, overseeing it all, wore a radiant smile. There was an almost tangible sense of anticipation, as if something extraordinary were just beyond the horizon.
In the drawing room, Lady Carina, resplendent in a lace-trimmed gown, was seated at an antique writing desk, her quill poised over a list of final arrangements. The lavish wedding, set to take place in just a few days, was to be a grand affair, with nobles from every corner of society expected to attend. Her daughter, Mirabelle, the bride-to-be, sat nearby. She was quiet, distracted, lost in thoughts of what the day ahead would bring, though the bustle of preparation seemed to provide a comforting barrier around her.
The heavy oak door creaked open, and Reginald and Lucas entered, their energetic presence immediately shifting the atmosphere in the room. Reginald's eyes widened in surprise upon spotting Sophia.
"Oh my, what brought you here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow with a hint of irony.
Lady Carina, ever the gracious hostess, intervened with a smile. "Sophia, dearest, brought Mirabelle a lovely wedding gift." She gestured to the trousseau resting on the table—a chest of delicate lace and satin garments.
Sophia, elegant as ever, offered a sweet smile as she placed the gift before Mirabelle. "Dear Mirabelle, I couldn't wait until the wedding to present this. I feared it might get lost in the festivities." Her tone was sweet, but there was a certain calculation behind her eyes.
Carina's face lit up as she accepted the gift. "How thoughtful of you, Sophia. Thank you."
Reginald's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Dearest indeed! A trousseau for the wedding night, how perfect!"
His gaze flicked to Sophia, and his tone took on an edge. "Tell me, Sophia, are you aware that it's Maximilian and Mirabelle's wedding?" He emphasized the names with a mocking flourish, taunting her.
Sophia's expression remained serene, but her eyes flashed with irritation. She took a slow breath before responding, her voice smooth as silk. "Of course, I'm aware. It's the event of the season, after all."
Lady Carina, sensing the tension in the room, quickly redirected the conversation. "Reg! Behave," she said lightly, before turning to her sons. "Lads, will you have dates for the wedding?"
Lucas grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Yes, Mother. I've found someone special. My heart beats for her." His gaze slid to Suzanne, who entered the room at that moment to carry the gift to Mirabelle's room. Suzanne's cheeks flushed as Lucas's eyes crinkled at the corners.
Reginald's lips curled into a smirk. "As a matter of fact, I'd like to bring a date to the wedding as well. Someone special."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Reginald's chasing a shadow."
Reginald's smile faltered, and his jaw clenched at the remark. "We'll see about that," he muttered, the tension in his posture unmistakable.
Lady Carina, oblivious to the undercurrent of hostility, clapped her hands together. "How lovely, lads! We'll make sure to save seats for your guests."
Reginald stood abruptly, his expression darkening. "Mother, I have an urgent matter to attend to. Excuse me," he said, his voice tight.
Carina's brow furrowed in concern, but she nodded. "Of course, dear Reginald. Take care of it."
As Reginald departed, Lucas let out a languid yawn. "Mother, I'm famished. I'll go find something to eat." He darted out of the room, leaving Sophia, his mother, and Mirabelle alone.
Sophia rose gracefully, her eyes lingering on the delicate trousseau one last time. "Lady Carina, it was delightful visiting with you. I should take my leave."
Lady Carina smiled warmly. "Thank you for coming, Sophia. You're always welcome."
Mirabelle, who had been unusually quiet until now, looked up and smiled shyly. "Thank you for the lovely gift, Sophia."
Sophia's gaze softened, and her smile was genuine, though her eyes held something else—something darker. "My dear Mirabelle, you're welcome. I wish you every happiness." With a final nod, she turned and exited the drawing room.
As the door closed behind Sophia, Lady Carina turned to Mirabelle, concern etched on her face. "Dear, are you feeling overwhelmed?"
Mirabelle's eyes dropped, and her fingers twisted nervously in her lap. "A little, Mother. So many guests... Max... I haven't met him, I don't even know him."
Lady Carina's expression softened, and she reached for her daughter's hand. "We'll discuss this later, dear. For now, let's focus on the wedding preparations. Everything will be just as it should."
As Sophia's carriage rolled away from the Worthington manor, her mind was already turning to the next phase of her plan. Her lips curled into a calculated smile. Soon, Carina's joy will turn to despair. The wedding of the season will become a scandalous farce.
Her thoughts lingered on Max. He was at Ravenswood House now, safely in her custody, and he wouldn't be attending his own wedding. Not that he would have been of much use to Mirabelle anyway. But that was of no concern. The Worthingtons' grand plans would soon unravel, and Sophia would be the one to pull the strings from the shadows.
As the carriage made its way along the winding roads, Sophia's voice was low but decisive. "Rupert, take me to Ravenswood House."
Her coachman, a weathered man with a stoic face, gave a nod. "Yes, milady."
Sophia leaned back in the plush seat, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction as the manor and its pretentious grandeur faded from view. Ravenswood House awaited, and with it, the final pieces of her carefully orchestrated scheme.
Ravenswood House, her family's dilapidated estate, had once served as her father's hideout for his illicit business. The same house where Max was being held