“Please. We both know that is not going to happen. If there is one thing about mother, it is her fondness for grandeur. She will make sure that everyone who is anyone attends the wedding.”
“Then it is a good thing that the wedding date is so near,” the Duke replied with a wry smile. “I am sure that many will not be able to come since it is such short notice.”
“I would not count on that. If anything, everyone must be curious to see you marry Sophia. She has a reputation as you know. Not that I agree with it. It is baseless.”
“Are you referring to the curse?” the Duke demanded, feeling irked that Jacob brought it up. “That is nonsense, and I would prefer if you do not mention it to Sophia. I suspect that it must be a touchy topic for her.”
“I was not going to,” Jacob assured him. “I am not insensitive, nor do I believe in these superstitions.”
“Good,” the Duke affirmed. “Now, I cannot waste my time here talking to you. There are urgent tasks that demand my attention.”
“As you wish. Your Grace,” Jacob teased. “As you wish.”
Sophia could not help herself from replaying her moment with the Duke in her head. She continued feeling flustered for the remainder of the lesson, even though the Duke had now left the room.
“Are you distracted by something, Lady Sophia?” Mrs. Harington asked. “You keep missing your step, and this is the third time I have told you.”
“Oh, I am terribly sorry, Mrs. Harrington,” Sophia replied, blushing. “I suppose it has been a long day of lessons.”
Mrs. Harington cast a sympathetic glance in her direction, but the Dowager was quick to step into the conversation.
“You still need to practice some more. We need to make sure that everything goes perfectly on the day of the wedding,” she reminded them both. “However, I see how it is much harder now that you do not have a dance partner. Perhaps Clara can assist you.”
The Dowager gestured for Sophia’s lady’s maid to join them, and the two began practicing the dance. With Clara there, Sophia felt much more at ease. Familiarity was indeed the biggest blessing.
They practiced for another hour, and then, finally, it was time for Sophia to go home.
“It is a shame that we did not get a chance to have that cup of tea,” the Dowager said as she was bidding them goodbye at the door. “But I have a solution in mind.”
“Pray tell,” Sophia urged, eager to know.
“Well, I believe that we should go out for a picnic this week,” the Dowager suggested. “It would be a nice opportunity for both families to get to know each other better.”
“I will relay that to my aunt. I am sure she would love to do so,” Sophia agreed.
“Very well. I shall send out a formal invitation then as early as tomorrow,” the Dowager decided. “For now, it is time for us to bid farewell.”
Sophia gave her one last goodbye and climbed into the carriage with Clara. With the doors now closed behind them, Sophia let out a breath that she had been holding all day.
“Tired, My Lady?”
“That does not even begin to describe it.” Sophia shook her head, taking in the view outside the window. The estate grew smaller and smaller as the carriage rolled forward.
“I am sure that it must be exhausting,” Clara laughed. “But they seemed to like you. I told you that your worries were unfounded. You did very well.”
“You think so?” Sophia looked at her for some reassurance. She was knotting her fingers in her lap, going over the events of the day in her head.
“Yes. In fact, when the two of you were dancing together, I could just imagine you both will make such a lovely couple. The Duke and his Duchess…”
Sophia’s cheeks burned with embarrassment once again.
“Oh, but I made such a fool of myself. I tripped. That is such an ungraceful thing to do.” Sophia buried her face in her hands.
“I am sure the Duke did not mind, My Lady,” Clara said. “He seemed to be quite relaxed while dancing with you.”
“Did he?” Sophia questioned. “I feel that I can never really tell what is going through his mind. Even though he is my husband to be, he remains an enigma to me.”
“But is that not part of the fun, My Lady? I have never been married, but I suspect that intrigue must be a great thing to feel.”
