She did a quick bit of math. He must have set sail around fifteen then. Which was not horribly young… but still. It was strange how people’s lives continued without her around. “He has been gone more than five years?”
Andrew nodded. He seemed content to lapse into silence, which was odd. Granted, it had been over half a decade since last they’d seen one another, but he’d always had a ready word for her.
“When does your family intend to come to London?” she asked, attempting a nonchalant tone while lifting her drink.
“Not for two or three weeks. Estate business has them detained at home.”
Sophie smiled, but her mind raced. She had hoped Mrs. Langford would be in town soon, providing Sophie a more appropriate avenue in which to stay.
Her face betrayed her yet again.
He was holding another paper, but his eyes cut to hers. “You mentioned wanting to stay and convince the group to take you on despite their reservations?”
She waved an airy hand, cup in front of her face, as apparently allowing Andrew full view of her expression was no longer safe. “Perhaps I will. Perhaps I will go home.”
“You said you do not wish to go home.” His words were careful, measured.
She bit back a sigh. “No. I do not… I would rather not.”
Silence met her pronouncement, and it pulled her gaze to his. He was watching her curiously. Intently. Then, as if coming to some internal decision, he dipped his head in a sharp nod and returned to his food.
“You can stay.”
He’d said he could read her… and she would swear she used to be just as good at reading him, but not now. Yet one thing she did know about him was that he fixed things. When a problem was at hand, Andrew Langford was first in line to solve it, even to his own detriment. Even if he probably saw her as an annoying little sister come to cut up his peace.
“This is not your problem to solve, Andrew. I thank you, but—”
“You can stay. It is no great difficulty. I do not have a woman I can invite to stay here to lend propriety, but I assume neither of us will take part in any social events, so knowledge of our living situation will not spread. I am gone most of the day.”
He said nothing about enjoying her company—but she supposed he always had been the logical sort, and he was problem-solving now, not pandering to her self-esteem.
She bit her lips together. This was exactly what she needed, but it hurt to accept his help. Largely because of the detriment it was to him.
“I can write to my father to speed their return, if that would be better?”
Wonderful, more people to inconvenience, though it would be far more proper. “Do you think they would come?”
“Yes, if they can. I know Father is engaging a new steward, so he might be tied up, but—”
“Then do not ask. I will endeavor to ensure no one knows I am here. If you are certain it will not cause you great difficulty…”
At that, he hesitated. A full breath’s hesitation. Oh dear—what was he not saying?
But then he shook his head, standing and gathering up his papers. “No difficulty at all. I must be off for work, though.”
She grasped his wrist as he passed, and he froze, looking down at her. His eyes were so very blue. And usually they were far more animated than now.
Had something happened to him while she was gone? Washewell? She’d been so concerned about her own position and difficulties, she’d not noticed how tired he seemed. How stony his expression was. She swallowed her concerns with effort. Whatever had happened, she would not get him to divulge when he needed to be elsewhere. So instead she asked, “Will the servants talk? I do not want this to reflect poorly on you.”
“The staff is skeletal; there are only five. I will tell them of our relationship, and nothing will be considered amiss; they are loyal to the family.”
She nodded. “I will do my best to refrain from being seen coming and going.”
Still, he did not quite meet her eye. “Yes, that would be good. As I said, I am gone often. And… and we might need to keep from any social engagements while you are here.”
“Certainly. I am very rarely social as it is,” Sophie agreed. “If I can help it.”
“Nor I.” Their eyes caught, and they shared a small smile before he looked away again, clearing his throat.
