Their relationship had moved from being cautious to being completely infatuated with one another now. She could not keep the smile off her face, and he was the one who had given it to her.
“I must say,” Sophia observed, “I find this much easier to do than… acting.”
“Of course, you do,” Duncan chuckled. “We are being our own authentic selves. There is no need for any pretense here.”
He tucked a strand of her hair away from her face and behind her ear.
“No need for any pretense indeed…”
CHAPTER 20
Sophia had never cared too much about how she looked. She considered vanity to be a pursuit that was useless, but this morning when Sophia woke up from her slumber, she found herself glued to her looking glass as she tried to make herself look presentable for the day.
For Sophia finally had a reason to look good now. She wanted to look good for Duncan.
“Clara,” she said to her lady’s maid, “can you do a side braid on my hair today?”
“Of course, Madam,” Clara said as she began braiding Sophia’s hair. “What is the special occasion? I know that you only request this hairstyle when something special is going to happen.”
Sophia bit down on her lip. What was she even supposed to say? Everything had started to feel special as of late. That was the magic of being in love.
“It’s nothing special,” she replied. “I just want to look good when I go downstairs to have breakfast with the Duke.”
Clara’s face lit up from her answer.
“Oh, that is indeed splendid. I will make sure that I do your hair well so that he cannot keep his eyes off you,” Clara replied.
“Do you believe I should put on a dash of makeup as well?” Sophia asked, examining her face in the mirror.
Clara laughed. “Just for breakfast downstairs?”
“Why not?” Sophia shrugged. “A lady must look presentable at all times, should she not?”
“Of course. It just seems a bit out of character for you if you do not mind me saying so,” Clara observed. “Usually, you are not too concerned with outward appearances.”
Sophia sighed. Clara was right.
“Usually, I have not won the favor of a certain duke. I am trying my best to keep his attention, and dressing up seems to be the most obvious way,” Sophia replied earnestly.
She did not hide things from Clara and felt comfortable sharing something like this with her. After all, Clara was like family to Sophia.
“Oh, Madam, I am sure that the Duke likes you for what is on the inside, not for any outward appearances,” Clara reassured her.
“You may be correct,” Sophia replied, “but it does not hurt to keep him interested by looking the best that I can.”
“Fair enough. We shall do a little bit of your powder on your face then,” Clara agreed. “I am happy to hear your relationship with the Duke seems to be progressing.”
“It is,” Sophia replied. “I have fallen for him, and he seems to return my feelings.”
“Oh, I am sure your Aunt Rose is going to be thrilled when she hears that. That is something that she has always wanted for you,” Clara gushed, her voice growing emotional. “For you to have marital bliss.”
“I will write to her soon. Or better yet, I might go and see her. These things are best told face to face,” Sophia decided.
“That reminds me, another package arrived for you this morning. I suspect that it is from Lady Rose again,” Clara announced.
“Another package?”
“Yes, shall I bring it in for you?”
