Helena bit into her lip and Sophia could see the argument forming behind her eyes. She and Helena had been best friends since they were girls, a strange pairing many said, as Helena was far more outspoken and rebellious than Sophia could ever hope to be. That wasn’t to say that she was the type to cause trouble, just that she wasn’t nearly as concerned about the opinion of others as some were.
And more than once, Helena saw it as her duty to try and coax Sophia from out of her parents’ controlling embrace. She was never too forceful with it, nor was she assertive. She was merely… suggestive in her efforts.
“We best be getting on with it then,” Helena said as she snatched at Sophia’s hand. “You are the last to arrive.”
Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, glad that for once Helena did not see the need to push the issue. But then she started and her stomach dropped as shame flooded her.
“I am?” She pulled back and looked across the foyer toward the dining room. “Oh, I did not mean to keep everyone waiting.”
“It is quite fine.”
She grimaced. “Should I apologize? Mother always said, to be late is one thing, but to be late and pretend as if you are not is –”
“It is fine, Sophia,” Helena laughed and pulled on Sophia to follow her. “At least it will be, lest you continue to dally. Now, come, as I said…” She winked. “Everyone is waiting on you.”
Sophia was tragically embarrassed about her lateness. Worse was that this was an evening she had been looking forward to for some time, as it was a chance for her to get out of the manor and away from her parents’ watchful eye. Although Sophia was not one to act out when her parents weren’t around, it still brought some relief to not be judged for everything she did.
When she was led into the dining room moments later, Sophia did her best to appear remorseful. There were ten people seated around the large table, and she offered them each a forgiving smile that she hoped…
Her eyes widened when she saw him, and she stopped dead in her tracks.
“Sophia…” Helena came in beside her. “Is something the matter?”
It was the Duke of Rothbury… again. He was seated at the end of the table, to the right of Helena’s husband, Lord Alexander the Duke of Hawthorne, having been chatting happily with him untilSophia walked into the room. But the moment she entered, their chatting ceased, and he looked right at her.
His amber eyes lit up at the sight of her, and that same coy smile he had worn the last time they spoke took his lips. His hair was typically messy. His clothes were a little worn for someone of his station. And the way he sat was relaxed, leaning back in his seat as if he was a drunkard in the middle of a tavern.
“I…” Sophia composed herself. “No, sorry, I am quite fine.”
Helena eyed her with worry. “You are certain?”
“I am.” She smiled assuredly. “Now, where am I sitting?”
She was aware of the Duke watching her as she was led into the room. He was not the only one, as all the guests took note of her arrival. She smiled an apology at them and said in hushed tones how sorry she was for being late, just as she was sure to not look at the Duke once.
He watched her the whole while, and Sophia’s only reprieve was in the feigned hope that she would be seated at the other end of the table so that she would no nowhere near the Duke throughout their meal.
Typically, there was no such luck.
“You know His Grace?” Helena asked as she directed Sophia into the seat across from the Duke.
“We know each other quite well,” the Duke said with humor. “Miss Sophia, it is lovely to see you again. Tell me, how goes your musical aspirations?”
She felt a ripple up her spine and her hair stood on end. She knew that he was making fun of her, but she would not give him the satisfaction of showing it.
“Very well, Your Grace, thank you for asking.” She sat down and settled herself in her seat.
“I am glad to hear it. Perhaps we will have a chance to witness it again this evening?”
“Oh, I doubt that,” she said simply. “I would hate to ruin your evening.”
He laughed. “And why would that be the case?”
“A refined ear such as your own, I am sure that anything I play will only pain you.” She smiled and fluttered her eyelashes.
In response, the Duke grinned in a way that brimmed with mock amusement. She tried her best to be polite, but he could see that he was getting to her.
Stay calm, Sophia, give him nothing and he will grow bored.
