He stared out the window of his office, watching the snow swirl around, remembering how the flakes would stick to Sophieâs lashes.
Sophie. The name seemed to fit her, yet it was so strange to think of her that way. Like a bloody fool, heâd watched too many of her videos. Maybe he was just a masochist, but heâd wanted to see the real Sophie Blackwood in her element.
Sheâd positively shined and was so personable, so fun.
He hated to admit that he recognized in her the woman heâd started falling for. Heâd thought Roslyn had been just a facade, but Sophie was the same, just like sheâd said. And yet there was such a difference that he couldnât put his finger on. He tried yet again to push the thought away and refocus on work.
The gray skies didnât help his mood right now, neither did the fact that he couldnât pinpoint a location to have the farewell party for Seraphina. He wanted to make things as easy as possible for her and Clint.
His cell vibrated on his desk with an incoming text and Nigel glanced over his shoulder. Ellenâs name popped up.
On a sigh, he grabbed his cell and opened the message.
I havenât heard much from you. Iâm worried. Nana doesnât know anything because she just messaged me about âthat nice American girlâ coming back next month and doing a girlsâ luncheon.
Bloody hell. His grandmother would be heartbroken over all of this. Perhaps he should stick to the original plan of just telling her they broke up. He didnât want to tell her that Roslyn was really Sophie and that sheâd lied to them all.
Granted, heâd taken Sophie home under the pretense of her being his girlfriend so heâd lied, too.
This entire situation was a mess. So much deceit, so much pain.
Nigel typed back a quick text, telling his sister he was fine and just busy at work and that heâd take care of Nana.
He hadnât even put his phone down when it rang and Mirandaâs name appeared.
Nigel swiped the screen to answer.
âMiranda. What can I do for you?â
âI hope this isnât a bad time,â she replied.
Considering he was wallowing in his own self-pity party, this was the perfect time for a distraction...unless there was more bad news.
âYouâre not leaving the show,â he commanded.
Mirandaâs soft laughter came through the phone. âNo, Iâm not. Iâm not calling about work. Iâm calling about your personal life.â
âIs that right?â
âListen, Iâve never stepped foot into your private affairs, but I need to now,â she went on. âI know Sophie was in New York trying to find something damning on me. I also know she was working for you.â
Nigel crossed his office and sank down onto the leather sofa. âDid you know the entire time?â
âI found out before I left the office,â she stated. âI pondered what to do with the information.â
Nigel dropped his head back on the cushion and pulled in a breath. âSo thatâs why you are calling me?
She didnât find out anything, if thatâs what youâre worried about. Thereâs nothing negative about you to be found here, no matter how hard she looked.â
âWell, I appreciate that, but thatâs not the reason for my call.â
Nigel really didnât want to talk about Sophie to anyone. Heâd even dodged talking to his own sister during these past several days.
There was no question heâd been falling in love with Roslyn, even though heâd tried to deny his feelings because heâd wanted to wait. The fact was, heâd been falling from day one. The pain wouldnât be so crippling and crushing if heâd just wanted her for sex. He missed her. He missed her smile, the way sheâd hold his hand, her quick wit and sharp mind... He missed everything.
âIâm the last person who should come to her defense, but I am,â Miranda went on. âSophie and her brothers feel like they were wronged in the will after their fatherâs death. I canât blame them for that.
Theyâve always thought I was after the Blackwood fortune. I wasnât, but given the way things happened with the will, their suspicious do make sense.â
âNot to anyone who knows you,â he informed her. âYou donât have a callous bone in your body.â
âWell, Buck left me strict orders before his death and Iâm just trying to respect those wishes,â she said.
âSophie is loyal to her family, Nigel. I truly believe she never meant to hurt you in any way.â