“Well, Harold,” she said, irritated, herself now, by his reticence at discussing anything with her, even now. “That is precisely why I would have a word with you. And why I would expect that you and I can at the least be clear regarding a few… matters…” And then she could not help but tack on one more word. “…honestly.”
His eyes did not meet hers.
Sophia persisted. “I asked you for some reassurance on a concern of mine last night, and I would have it now…”
His brows rose. “Oh, God, no! I mean. Of course, not. I’ve no plans whatsoever…”
Pleased, and yet somewhat shocked at his vehemence, Sophia could not help but feel a significant amount of feminine outrage. But then, as she looked at the floor and noticed he wore only stockings on his feet, she remembered. “Is she, is she terribly devastated by your marriage?” She could not claim it as theirs.
“She?” He wrinkled his brow, then a light dawned in his eyes. “Oh, yes, yes. Um… well… I suppose I have been able to offer…hersome reassurances.”
Sophia nodded.That is something,she supposed. “And so, I have no reason to worry that you will wish to…?”
“Oh, no, absolutely not.” He was most convincing. Apparently, for now anyhow, she had nothing to fret over.
Sophia sat primly and nodded, wondering if he would make any gestures of friendship whatsoever to her; if he was not going to, then she would make one. “I was terrified one of us would lose our composure completely — at the altar,” she clarified.
But he seemed distracted. His eyes glanced toward the door from which he’d just emerged.
Surely, his lover was not in his bedchamber? Of course not. His valet was in residence. Furthermore, despite their agreement, that would be the height of disrespect, and yes, she would appreciate he not make a joke of her, as Lord Kensington had done to Cecily.
“You will not flaunt your infidelity?” she asked.
This caught his attention. “Of course not. Oh, Miss Babineaux, of course I would never.”
Sophia sighed and looked at him much as one of her governesses had when she’d forgotten something simple. “You must call me Sophia now.”
“I suppose that would be appropriate,” he agreed.
Sophia waited. “And…” she prompted him.
“Well, yes, of course, please call me Harold.”
They’d settled that at least.
“You are ready for travel tomorrow?” she asked, again, seeking some sort of rapport with him.
“I am. Yes, yes, I am.” And then he stood, indicating the end of this rather lovely conversation. “Is there anything else you need of me today?”
“No, it’s just…” She wanted to tell him her secret, but he was more than a little distant at the moment. She would wait. They had all the time in the world. “No, no… I— Nothing that cannot wait.” And she rose as well so he could escort her to the door.
Back in her chamber, Peaches jumped up and greeted her once again. “Would that he had even one tenth of the enthusiasm you have for me,” she said to the pup.Well, not really…
Penny crept quietly into the bedchamber and assisted Sophia out of her wedding clothes. After a long, hot perfumed bath, having her hair brushed and braided, and then more dabs of perfume, as per her mother’s instructions, Sophia was happy to send the maid away for the day.
Penny stepped out of the room, and Sophia locked all the doors.
Not that it was necessary here, but old habits died hard.
She reached for Peaches and climbed onto the large canopied bed. The mattress was soft, and she had no other place in the world to be. Sleep came quickly, even though the sun was yet high in the sky.
It was done.
When Sophia awoke, the room was in complete darkness. She fumbled around for a flint and managed to light a nearby candle. Holding it up to the large clock, she could barely make out that it was nearly midnight. She’d slept for ten hours!
She’d missed tea and supper, and…
Yes, yes, now she was quite hungry.
