Chapter 175

Sophia was sound asleep, her delicate face framed by strands of dark hair, accentuating her small, refined features. The hem of her nightgown had ridden up to her thighs, revealing her pale, slender legs. Faint scars encircled one of them, marks etched by years of being shackled with iron chains. Samuel stared at the scars for a long time. Finally, he pushed himself forward and sat on the edge of the bed. Leaning down, he pressed his lips gently to Sophia's. Sophia stirred, startled awake. Her eyes flew open, panic flickering across her face until she realized it was Samuel leaning over her. Slowly, the panic ebbed, replaced by a soft blush that crept over her cheeks. "Samuel… What are you doing?" she murmured. "Do you not like it?" he asked. Samuel pulled back slightly, propping himself up to gaze down at her, but the faint scent on her skin wasn't the one he knew. He remembered Shirley's scent, a part of her he had never been able to resist. With Sophia, however, that feel