“I can. But just to be sure, why don’t I make a start, and you can come and see before I put the final stitching in?”
“Excellent.” Kate grinned. “We will look around, and I’ll be back once I’ve got some designs for you.”
Madam Baptiste retreated, and Sophie and Kate took their time looking through the wide variety of fabrics. Kate made a note of the ones that Sophie liked, but they didn’t make much conversation, as Kate was clearly preoccupied with thoughts on dress design.
When they finally left the modiste’s, Sophie glanced across the street and froze, her stomach fluttering. Nicholas was climbing out of a carriage, a hat in his hand as he turnedtoward the tailor’s shop. His gaze skimmed over Sophie, then darted back. She lifted her hand and waved vigorously. He nodded in return and entered the shop.
“It’s amazing how oblivious he is,” Kate murmured.
Sophie put her hands behind her back, her face burning. “Am I that obvious, then?”
Kate’s expression softened. “A little, but it’s part of what makes you so charming.”
Their carriage was still waiting, so they got in, Betsy trailing behind with another new ribbon, this one plain cream silk. Once they were seated, the carriage slowly pulled away from the curb.
They passed through the commercial district, and as they drew level with Hyde Park, Sophie looked out the window, curious who was out and about. Almost immediately, she spotted Baron Sylvestor astride the same horse he had been riding the other time she had come across him in the park.
“He is a remarkably attractive man,” Kate said, following her gaze.
Sophie snorted. “He looks nothing like Theodore.”
As far as her friend was concerned, Theodore was the epitome of manhood, so surely she wouldn’t find someone so different from him appealing.
Kate shrugged one shoulder. “Men can be attractive in different ways.”
Maybe so, but Sophie was of the opinion that Nicholas’s form of handsomeness was absolutely superior.
The carriage dropped Sophie off outside Carlisle House before continuing on to take Kate home.
Sophie made her way inside, greeted Samuels, and was heading to her bedroom to lie on her bed in the sun for a little while when her mother intercepted her.
“Sophie, we’ve been invited to participate in a musicale that is being hosted by Mrs. Helena Durant next week. Will you play a piece on the piano?”
Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose. “I prefer not to play in public.”
Lady Carlisle raised her chin. “If you intend to marry, you need to showcase your talents. Can I tell Mrs. Durant yes?”
Sophie sighed, her good mood rapidly deflating. “Fine.”
She supposed she could handle one performance, surely?
CHAPTER 6
Nicholas fumbledwith the cutlery as Kate strode into the breakfast room, catching him off guard. He hadn’t heard her coming, and she’d usually already had breakfast by the time he ventured from his room. It was strange to see her here now, unless she’d specifically sought him out.
She went to the sideboard, poured herself a cup of tea, and carried it over to sit opposite him. “Good morning.”
He frowned, unsure what to make of this. While he wasn’t such a creature of routine as Theo, life in their family had a certain rhythm to it, and she’d just altered the rhythm in an unforeseen way.
“Good morning,” he replied. “Were you late abed?”
That might explain this deviation from routine.
“No,” she said simply. She glanced at him, dropping her gaze down his torso before lifting it back to his eyes. “You’re dressed very dapperly. Where are you going today?”
He forked a piece of sausage and raised it to his lips. “Blackheart is racing.”
She nodded. “I’m looking forward to attending one of the larger races in summer. Theo promised that we could go.”
