They turned with identical expressions of horror to face Mrs. Haverwick.
Andrew recovered first. “Mrs. Haverwick, I was so unhappy to miss your party. Is Miss Haverwick with you?”
The woman looked around the veritable crush of people. “She is here somewhere. The Viscount of Modley invited us, you know. Invited her. She is making quite the splash this Season.”
“I am unsurprised in the least,” Andrew offered graciously.
“Yes, yes, of course. But Iwassurprised.” Her eye took on a mischievous glint, and Sophie’s stomach twisted. “To learn from my dear friend Mrs. Whitcomb, that our Sophia married a Langford.” She looked between them. “A Langford,” she repeated.
Sophie was frozen, her mind not keeping pace with the turn of the conversation. But Andrew, ever collected, said, with a smile, “We had hoped to tell you the good news when last we spoke, but you were obliged to leave so quickly.”
Mrs. Haverwick tsked good-naturedly at him, her voice raised over the tumult. “But it is true then?”
Andrew nodded, placing his hand on the back of Sophie’s gown. Her back arced almost imperceptibly into his palm, and she couldn’t have stopped the reaction if she’d tried. “We were married some years ago.”
The woman clapped her hands together. “That iswonderful! Why was there no announcement? Why did the marriage not occur in Weybridge?” Mrs. Haverwick saw an acquaintance and waved, but immediately returned her attention to the couple.
“At the time, Sophie was studying with the illustrious Mr. Grenton in Bristol, you know,” Andrew began.
“Yes, yes of course,” the woman said, though it was clear she hadn’t a clue who Andrew spoke of.
“Her studies could not wait, and my position in London was in jeopardy if I did not return forthwith. We chose to be married quickly, so we could at least have our vows between us when we went our respective ways.”
Mrs. Haverwick gasped, clutching her chest as if they were the Shakespearean couple torn apart by family machinations. “Then you were separated?”
Andrew nodded. “For a time, yes.” He left it at that, keeping the conversation vague.
“I can hardly believe it! But what a happy affair, and with you two together at last. It is like a veritable fairytale—I must tell Eleanor. And you must come visit. Soon. I shall send a note round for dinner, andthis time, you must attend!”
“Oh, but we—” Sophie began, but the woman was already gone, melding into the crowd. She swung wide eyes on Andrew. “You were rather brilliant. Coming up with all of that.”
“We had discussed most of it already.” He cupped Sophie’s elbow. “To own the truth, Soph, I—I rather wish the story were true.”
“The carriage is here, but we must make haste,” Mr. Hartley cut in, no woman on his arm, and his gaze out the door.
Sophie glanced up at Andrew. His jaw worked, but he nodded. “Let us go,” he said. They would have to finish the conversation later. He would have to explain himself later.
If that did not heat her through to her toes…
The rain was like a waterfall, and despite one of Mr. Hartley’s footmen offering an oiled umbrella, the hem of her dress was soaked through by the time she sat in the carriage. Andrew sat beside her, and Mr. Hartley followed behind after shouting directions up to his driver.
Miss Chambers picked at the lace on her skirt, dismay coloring her face. “Oh gracious, my dress is surely ruined.”
“I do not know, I imagine the flounces can be resurrected,” Sophie offered.
“No, it is hopeless.” Her expression suddenly lightened. “But there is a dress pattern I have been dying for, and now Mama will have to procure it for me.”
Sophie leaned back in her seat. “Ah, yes, a silver lining.”
Miss Chambers beamed, then turned to Mr. Hartley to wax enthusiastically on the performance.
The back of Andrew’s hand grazed hers where it lay upon her skirt. “And your dress?” he asked. “Will it need replacing as well?”
“Just laundering, I believe. Though I am sorry to put your staff out.”
“We should procure you a permanent maid. You should not have to handle the logistics of that all while in Durham.”
“Yes. I planned to engage one when… when I arrived.”
