“I think so,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes unexpectedly. She swiped at them and sniffed, horrified to be falling apart when they were trying to have a useful discussion. “I’m sorry.”
Kate took the teacup from her and placed it back on the table, then intertwined their fingers. “You have every right to be upset. Do you wish to stop talking about this?”
Sophie shook her head. “Ignoring the problem won’tmake it go away, and you’re far more sensible than I am. It will be good to hear your thoughts.”
“All right, then.”
They sat quietly together as tears tracked down Sophie’s cheeks and dripped onto her chest, dampening the fabric. After a couple of minutes, the tears slowed, and Sophie wiped her face with a handkerchief.
“Who else might I consider?” she asked, doing her best to be brave when she wanted to curl into a ball and ask Kate to just fix this for her somehow.
Kate hummed thoughtfully. “What about the Adair brothers? At least two remain unmarried.”
“No.” Sophie would not consider them, no matter how pleasant they might seem. If one brother had no backbone, it seemed likely the others wouldn’t either.
“Beyond the new Duke of Wight—whom we know nothing about—there are no other single dukes currently on the market. What of the Marquess of Overton?”
Sophie pulled a face. “He’s dreadfully dull.”
“But he’s handsome, polite, and incredibly wealthy,” Kate pointed out.
“Overton does not interest me. Nor do other gentlemen like him.” At least Baron Sylvestor displayed some personality.
Kate tapped her chin, lifting her gaze to the ceiling. Sophie smirked, wondering what could be so fascinating up there. “If you will not consider gentlemen such as Overton, what about a decorated military man. Colonel Moore entered society this season and is reportedly seeking a wife. He’s a viscount’s brother, I believe, and apparently very handsome.”
Recognition flared, and Sophie’s heart leapt. “Is he the striking older gentlemen with the eyes like glowing emeralds who is always wearing military regalia?”
Kate grinned slyly. “I believe he has green eyes, yes. And dark hair shot through with silver. Very distinguished.”
Now that was a man in whom Sophie could potentially summon interest. She’d only sighted him briefly across a ballroom, but the combination of craggy features and those vivid eyes had stayed with her. His mouth had quirked at the corners as if he had a sense of humor that many high-ranked military personnel did not, in Sophie’s opinion.
“Yes,” she said slowly. “I believe I would be open to military men. Provided my parents would accept the match, of course.”
Surely they wouldn’t object to a viscount’s brother. Especially not one held in high regard by the king.
The trouble was, Colonel Moore may be in search of a bride, but if so, he hadn’t been searching in the places she’d been. Other than that one event, she’d never laid eyes on him. How, then, was she supposed to gain his attention?
“Let’s see what more we can learn of the colonel,” Kate suggested. “Just because he is handsome doesn’t mean he’s a good person. Perhaps he’s a terrible bore or the type of man who thinks women should be seen and not heard.”
Sophie winced and inclined her head. “Agreed. I wouldn’t do well married to someone like that.”
“So, shall we consider the baron to be the current frontrunner while we further investigate the colonel?” Kate asked.
Sophie nodded, though this was progressing more quickly than she’d have liked. Logically, she knew it made sense to put a plan in place to secure her own future, but she hadn’t yet fully resigned herself to the reality of never being with Nicholas. It was difficult to accept the idea of marriage to any other man.
Kate refilled her teacup. “Do you have any ideas as to how you’ll convince these men to court you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were popular during your prior seasons, but you’re beginning to get a reputation as being choosy—not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the gentlemen you’ve already turned down might tell the others not to waste their time with you.”
Sophie cocked her head. “My parents said something similar, but I get the impression that the baron is already open to the idea, given his invitation to dance.”
“That’s true.” Kate smiled. “He may need little encouragement. What about the colonel?”
Sophie considered this. “First, I need to be in a situation where we can make introductions so we can ascertain his character. Perhaps one of the maids could speak to someone from his household to find out which invitations he’s accepted.”
“Good idea,” Kate said. “As for making it clear that you are open to courtship in general, perhaps you could encourage men you are friendly with to dance with you so that other men may see and follow their lead.”
