“Sophia…” The Duke saw how her confidence was waning. “You do realize that no one here likely has one intelligent thought to their name? Why are you so intimated by them?”
“It is going to take me some time to get to use to this,” she explained. “I feel like I can just hear them saying awful things about me, even if they were not.”
“Would it help you if there was another voice to drown it all out?” he asked. The two of them had found a nice corner of the room now, and Sophia was happy that at least she did not have to weave through the crowd anymore.
“Another voice?” she asked, scrunching up her eyebrow.
“Yes, mine.” The Duke’s tone was assertive. “Remember me telling you that you should own up to your scars. Wear them like an armor.”
The Duke took her hand in his and gently slid off her glove before she even had a chance to protest.
To her surprise, she did not feel the urge to stop him. She watched as he slowly brought her hands to his mouth and kissed the contour of her scar.
It made her tremble, and she had to take a moment to compose herself.
“See?” he said, still holding her hands in his. “You look just as fine without it.”
“I will try and take your word for it.” She shot him a weak smile.
“I just want you to feel comfortable,” he explained and then a look of concern took over his features. “Have you been having any nightmares as of late?”
Sophia was surprised that he had brought up the topic in such a public place. Just as she was about to answer, a voice directed their attention elsewhere.
“Your Graces, congratulations on your recent nuptials. How delightful it must be to be wed to the Duke of Blackmoore….”
The voice was shrill, and it belonged to someone whom Sophia remembered from that first night when she had met the Duke for the first time.
“Barbara…”
CHAPTER 17
Duncan’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, a subtle sign of the annoyance that stirred within him. Sophia glanced at him with concern.
“I did expect to run into you here,” Duncan replied flatly.
Or rather I did not wish to,but he kept that part to himself for the sake of politeness.
“Your Grace, of course, I was going to be in attendance,” Barbara scoffed. “I am a socialite; I would never sit out a ball, let alone the last one of the season.”
Without meaning to, Duncan found himself drawing mental comparisons between the two women in front of him. Sophia was the exact opposite of Barbara. She was not eager to attend events like this as most socialites of the day were. It made her quite unique in his eyes.
“Of course,” the Duke replied dryly.
Barbara’s gaze shifted to Sophia, and a sly smile played on her lips. “Your Grace, dear, I must say, the choice of your gown is… interesting. I suppose some scars can’t be hidden no matter how exquisite the fabric.”
“Thank you, Lady Barbara,” Sophia replied politely, but she seemed visibly uncomfortable.
“And those gloves… were they custom made for you?” Barbara continued. “I mean, you must tell me where you got them from. Not everyone can cater to demands like that.”
Sophia remained calm, and Duncan found himself admiring just how mature she was being. It was clear that Barbara was just trying to get a rise out of Sophia, but she refused to let Barbara get to her.
“It is so brave of you,” Barbara started again, dissatisfied by the answers that she had received so far. “I really think it is brave that you have decided to come to public events like this. It must take a lot of courage to do so, especially with the curse that you carry.”
Sophia’s expression changed, and she shrunk back. Duncan felt anger flare up inside of him, and he cut Barbara off with a dismissive wave.
“Only children believe in such superstitions, Lady Barbara,” Duncan interjected with a firm tone, his eyes narrowing at her.
Barbara was offended by his words, but Duncan was not letting her ruin the evening further.
