“Thank you, Your Grace.”
The two of them sat together in a separate carriage from his mother and brother. Duncan was glad that he did not have his brother to tease him, but at the same time, being alone with Sophia when she looked like this was a challenge unto itself.
“Did mother pick out the dress for you?” the Duke could not help but ask, finally breaking the silence that hung between them in the carriage.
“Oh, no,” Sophia replied, smiling. “It was all my choice. She gave me the liberty to decide on my own.”
“I see.” Duncan furrowed his brow. “Then what was the reason behind you wearing these long gloves?”
Sophia shrugged her shoulders.
“I was told that it was a big event and that there would be many people in attendance. I felt that wearing gloves would be the most formal thing to do.”
“Sophia…” Duncan pressed, not buying her excuse. “Are you sure that is the reason? These gloves are entirely too long, and I know enough that they went out of fashion years ago. My mother would wear these, I’m sure.”
Sophia felt as though the Duke could see right through her.
Strange how he was able to do that, every single time.
“Why, yes. What else reason would I have?” Sophia replied. “Do you not think that gloves are more formal than without?”
“Yes, but I also know that the gloves hide your scars,” the Duke said bluntly. “You do not need to hide them. I told you this before.”
“I do not need to,” Sophia noted, “but I wish to.”
“Did mother say something to you about it?” he inquired.
“No, no one told me to do anything,” Sophia assured him. “I wore them on my own accord. It is not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal because you feel the need to hide yourself,” the Duke argued. “I wish for you to live life without hiding.”
Easier said than done.Sophia knew that there were going to be hundreds of judgmental gazes on her at the event. It would be best if she covered her scars rather than present them to the world.
“Trust me, Your Grace. This is what I want,” Sophia tried to convince him.
A sigh escaped his lips. “As you wish. I do not want to command your actions.”
When they reached the venue, Duncan put out his arm for her to grab onto. Sophia reminded herself that she must not get too close to him but then held onto his arm anyway.
“Are we meant to put on another show tonight?” Sophia asked, wanting to busy herself in conversation, so she did not feel the nervousness of the attention that she was about to receive shortly.
The Duke laughed in return.
“Of course. This might be one of our biggest audiences yet…”
“Then, let us not waste any time, shall we?”
Sophia mustered up all the courage that she had, and the two of them walked into the venue. Immediately, Sophia noticed heads turning in their direction, and some people began to talk amongst themselves.
“Oh, this is why I am not a fan of balls,” Sophia muttered. “I feel like a spectacle.”
“That just means that you are worth looking at,” Duncan replied. “Besides, you need to not be so scared of opinions anymore. I am here, and anyone who wishes to pick on you will have to go through me.”
There it was again, that strange warm sensation that spread all over inside of Sophia whenever the Duke said anything sweet.
“You are quite the gentleman,” she observed.
More whispers as they passed by. Sophia tightened her hold on the Duke’s arm. It was like he was an anchor that was keeping her from sinking.
