It was for this reason that she came up with a plan.
The reason she had been feeling so off about what occurred was because there was no closure. Yes, that was it. In fact, there was a very good chance that the Duke was as confused as she was, and how he was acting was merely some sort of defense mechanism. What she needed to do, and soon, was speak to him once more and confirm that last evening had been a horrid mistake. Only then, would she be able to put it behind her as was needed.
The chance for this came shortly after.
“Oh, I love a wedding,” Anna was saying. “Which makes me wonder, who will be next…” She looked through the group of ladies. “Any takers?”
“Don’t look at me?” Lucy cried. “I will never marry. Sophia is the one whom we should be placing bets on.”
All the women turned to look at Sophia, but she was not paying attention. That was saved for the Duke, who was just now wandering across the garden toward the manor. Alone.
“Sophia?” Lucy pressed. “Sophia? Are you listening?”
“Hhmm…” Sophia turned to find all eyes on her. “I… I need to go.”
“What?” Anna cried. “Where to?”
She looked toward the Duke, who just now vanished inside. “The washroom,” she said with a polite smile. “Do not fear…” She stood quickly. “I will return.”
Sophia then put her head down and hurried through the garden and toward the manor. As she did, she prayed that her friends did not notice the Duke going inside before her, and she prayed that nobody would notice them missing.
Not that it mattered. Once she had this awkward conversation, she would be able to forget that anything untoward had happened.
Sophia did not get in trouble. She did not act out. And she did not do things that might cause alarm. She had strayed last evening, she had tripped and fallen. Now that she was back on her feet, she needed to stay there. And come the end of this conversation, she would do.
All she needed was to control herself… which ordinarily would not be a problem. But considering the circumstances, Sophia had every reason to feel worried.
CHAPTER 6
“We need to talk.” Sophia found the Duke as he was exiting the washroom, and she stood herself right in his way so that he had nowhere to go.
Her sudden appearance clearly caused surprise. The Duke, always cool and collected, started at the sight of her. But it was only for a moment, a blink of the eye, before he found composure and fell back into the rhythms that she was becoming far too familiar with.
“Miss Sophia Ashbury…” The Duke leaned against the doorway and folded his arms. “Following me into the washroom, are we? How very scandalous of you.”
Sophia was expecting him to tease her, so she was prepared for his remark. “I am doing no such thing. As I said, we need to talk. Right now, if it pleases you.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
She blinked. “Ah… I… I would prefer if we were able to right now, if it –”
“If it pleases me, yes,” he chuckled. “I heard you.” He was smirking again, and his amber eyes brimmed with humor that he wasn’t trying to hide. “Very well, what is it that you wish to speak of?”
“Might we…” She looked up and down the empty hallway. “Go somewhere more private?”
“Here is fine.”
The side of her lip twitched with frustration, but she smothered it quickly. The Duke wanted to upset her. He wanted her annoyed. That was how he had unsettled her last evening, and she could not allow it to happen again.
“As you say.” Sophia straightened and forced herself to look at him. “It concerns last evening.”
“Last evening…” He frowned in confusion. “Which aspect of last evening are you referring to?”
Again, she felt the brimming of anger. And again, she smothered it. “I think you know…” She raised both eyebrows at him, and he continued to frown in ignorance. “Last evening, when you are I… we were alone… outside on the balcony… and I…” She swallowed. “I did something that I should not have.”
He rubbed his chin. “I am afraid I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Yes, you do.”
