Lady Carlisle’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward. “She’s planning a ball?”
Good. She was successfully distracted.
Sophie shared the few details she had, relieved that her mother hadn’t pushed and asked why Kate had been so serious about a ball, of all things.
As they arrived outside Carlisle House, Lady Carlisle’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh! I almost forgot something important.”
“What’s that?” Sophie asked as a footman opened the carriage door and stood beside the step with his arm out to assist if required.
“Lady Wembley is hosting a house party next month.”
“A house party?” Sophie asked as Lady Carlisle preceded her from the carriage. “During the season? Whatever for?”
When she reached the ground, her mother linked arms with her and they walked together up the stairs.
“It’s been unseasonably warm, and Lady Wembley fears that if she leaves it much later, the weather will become too extreme,” Lady Carlisle explained. “I know it’s unusual, but keep in mind that she doesn’t have any unmarried daughters, so there’s no reason for her to remain in London for the duration of the season.”
“Did she invite you to join her?” Sophie asked as Alfred held the front door open for them to enter.
“Yes.” Her mother steered her into one of the drawing rooms and sat on a chaise, tugging Sophie down alongside her. “Apparently, her son is good friends with Baron Sylvestor, and the baron will also be present for some of the party—although not the entire duration because of his commitment to the House of Lords.”
“I see.” Now it made sense why Lady Carlisle was bringing this up. It was a golden opportunity. If she and the baron were confined to one property for a reasonable length of time, she could become far more familiar with him than she would be able to during the course of normal social events.
Lady Carlisle flashed her a smile, but it was obvious from the brackets around her mouth that she wasn’t sure how Sophie would receive this news. “Lady Wembley will gladly extend you an invitation if you wish to attend and attempt to get closer to Baron Sylvestor. Of course, given the time you’ve spent with Mr. Blackwell recently, I wasn’t sure of your thoughts on the matter.”
Quite frankly, neither was Sophie.
The opportunity Lady Wembley offered was tempting, but without support, Sophie may fade into the background again, which would render the whole thing pointless.
Her tongue darted out to soothe her dry lips. “Do you think Lady Wembley would be amenable to inviting Mr. Blackwell?”
Her mother stared at her. “Er, I don’t see why not, but are you sure it’s a good idea to pursue multiple suitors while you’re all under one roof?”
Sophie grimaced. “Perhaps not. I’ll think on it.”
Of course, it didn’t matter the way her mother assumed it might, but she had to appear to reconsider or it could raise questions that she didn’t want to answer.
Instead of retiring to her chamber, Sophie excused herself and headed to the drawing room. Sitting at the piano, shestopped trying to think so hard and allowed her fingers to dance over the keys in a soft lullaby that was one of the first pieces of music she’d been taught.
As she played, her mind wandered. It would be nice to have Nicholas with her at the house party, even if only for moral support.
Men at a house party were likely to be occupied by sporting activities, to which the women may not be invited. If Nicholas was there, he might be able to keep the gentlemen from completely overlooking her.
Yes, inviting Nicholas was a good idea. Hopefully, he would agree. He had, after all, made it clear that he could turn down anything she proposed. It was only fair, since he was helping her out of the goodness of his heart. She couldn’t push him into something he didn’t want to do.
She hoped he would, though. All she could do was ask and hope.
So thinking, she rose from the piano and strode to her room, where she picked up a quill, dipped it in ink, and began to write a letter.
CHAPTER 10
What on earthdid Sophie want with him this time?
Nicholas pondered the possibilities as he knocked on the front entrance to Carlisle House and waited for it to open.
Thus far, he’d walked with her in the park and escorted her to the musicale. Had his performance as a doting suitor been unsatisfactory?
His gut knotted. It had better not have been. It was true that he’d never courted a young lady before, so it would be understandable if he’d forgotten something important, but he hated the thought that he might have let Sophie down or not done enough to please her.
