Her face had cooled enough to look up at Andrew’s friend. She recalled him from several days ago in Andrew’s library. He gave her an easy smile and a nod. “Naturally. I often debate the merits of…” he leaned back, looking at the closest shop, “haberdashery with such passion.”
“It is imperative to have good, quality thread, Mr. Shepherd,” Sophie said, finding it hard to meet Andrew’s eye just then.
Mr. Charles Shepherd cocked his head back at Andrew. “And Langford wants to cheap out, does he?” He tsked, glancing at his friend. “I may not know much, but I do know that wives are generally right.”
Andrew’s responding smile did not reach his eyes, which were fastened on Sophie. “The first sensible thing you’ve said in living memory, Shepherd.”
“Well, on that glowing compliment, I would take my leave, but I actually planned to call on you later today, so now is as good a time as any, I suppose. My parents are hosting a ball, and require your presence. Something important, evidently, though I own I did not read the entire letter.”
“I do not generally attend events.”
Mr. Shepherd nodded. “Yes, but you now have a wife, and you cannot keep her from decent company.”
“His wife likes events even less,” Sophie added.
Charles groaned, tapping his palms against the sides of his legs. “Agh. Tell me, where might I find one of you?”
“Usually, we have our noses in books.”
“So that is why I have never met one. I am frequenting the wrong places. I thank you for your service, Mrs. Langford.” He bowed, lifting his hat from his head. The theatrics actually brought a small smile to Sophie’s face. Even with the frustrating conversation she’d been having with Andrew, she darted her eyes to see his reaction to his friend, to share in the entertainment. But Andrew had his eyes on Mr. Shepherd, and that same furrow from before was between his brows.
Chapter Twenty-One
Andrew’s jealousy flared, and for no reason other than the fact that Sophie was smiling at Charles instead of him.He’dtried the romantic gesture of offering to relocate his entire life for her, and all he’d gotten was an earful. Charles illustrated how horrific he was at bowing and gained a grin.
“Go on then, Charles, find your own bookish woman. This one is taken.” His voice had a note of steel he’d not intended, and Charles lifted a humored brow.
“Wearefor the lending library, Mr. Shepherd, if you would like to join us,” Sophie offered.
Blast it, Sophie, don’t encourage the parasite.
Andrew ran a hand over his face, settling his emotions. Or trying to. This was his friend, not his competition. He didn’t need to strangle the man with his cravat.
Charles pulled on his fob, glancing at the watch face with a slight frown. “Actually, I believe I would enjoy that. Might I escort you, Mrs. Langford? Andrew can show us the way.”
Andrew gave a tense smile when Sophie agreed and took Charles’s arm. Then he seethed the entire four blocks to Hookham’s, and his scowl deepened when Sophie hardly looked at him before entering the store and beginning to peruse.
“Blast, man, youarein deep,” Charles said, pushing back his coat and placing his hands on his waist. “What did you do to vex your wife so?”
“I might have fixed it had my friend not monopolized her time; but if you must know, I offered to follow her to Durham for her position.”
Charles let out a low whistle. “And she was upset? Which, by the way, I was trying to help you. A little time with a fool like me, and she should see you for the diamond you are.”
Andrew gave him a dry look. “Thank you? But yes, she was upset.” He barely refrained from pushing a hand haphazardly through his hair. “Blast it all, Charles, I think I’ve condemned myself to a lifetime of unrequited love.”
“You knew that was a possibility when you proposed.” He said it without cruelty, but it cut to the core. “Yet I do not believe you should resign yourself just yet. All the while she walked with me, her eyes were on you.”
Andrew wanted to believe it, but at the same time did not.
“Maybe you should take a more direct approach. Your wife seems to appreciate candor.”
“She is not even my wife yet.” Andrew flexed his hands.
“Then you have time even yet. A true proposal may be warranted.”
“And if she turns me down?”
“Then you’ve saved yourself that life of unrequited love.”
