Theo’s lips firmed, but he didn’t contradict Nicholas.
He couldn’t.
“You should have more faith in yourself,” he said eventually.
Nicholas ignored the squeeze in his chest. “I know what I am. It is what it is.”
“But it doesn’t have to be.”
“Stop.”
Nicholas walked away. He couldn’t listen to this anymore.
What on earthhad possessed Nicholas last night?
Sophie gazed out her bedchamber window, not really seeing anything as she recalled the way he’d stormed across the balcony toward her and practically shoved her back into the ballroom.
His behavior had been very strange. She didn’t understand it.
A carriage stopped outside Carlisle House, and she considered the pretty black horses, their sleek coats shining in the sun. Perhaps she should go for a ride. It was a fine day, and fresh air often helped to get her thoughts in order. After all, she’d already tried working through her complicated emotions at the piano to no avail.
A knock at the door behind her made her turn. She strode over and pulled it open. Albert stood on the other side, holding out a calling card.
“You have a visitor,” he said, passing her the card.
For a few seconds, her heart lifted. Perhaps Nicholas had come to explain what was going on. Not knowing disquieted her because she feared she had done something to make him uncomfortable.
But when she read the name on the card, it wasn’t Nicholas’s.
She sighed. “Please show Mr. Garfield into the drawing room, arrange for tea and biscuits, and fetch Betsy. I’ll be there presently.”
Alfred bowed and departed. Sophie checked that her clothes were acceptable for greeting guests and donned a pair of gloves. It was warm enough that she’d prefer not to, but she didn’t want to strain the bounds of propriety.
By the time she made it to the drawing room, Betsy was already ensconced in the corner, and Mr. Garfield sat on one of the chaises in front of the fireplace.
He rose as she entered, and then he bowed, flashing her a bright smile that didn’t ring true. “Good morning, my lady.”
He moved toward her, and she felt pinned to the spot, uncertain how to respond. No doubt her mother would be here soon, but until then, she was on her own.
“You look as radiant as the sun outside.”
She cringed. Flattery was all well and good, but there was such a thing as too much. Especially when it came across as being false. “Thank you.”
He motioned to the window. “Since the weather is favorable, I thought it might be nice to walk in Hyde Park. Would you like to accompany me?”
At that moment, Lady Carlisle swept into the room with a maid toting a tea tray behind her. She must have caught the tail end of the conversation because she beamed and exclaimed, “The weather is indeed lovely. I’m sure Lady Sophie would be delighted to join you.”
Sophie pursed her lips to hide her frustration. There was no getting out of it now.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll fetch a parasol for the sun.” When she burned, she turned the most brilliant shade of red. It was best to avoid that whenever possible.
“Of course,” Mr. Garfield said as if he understood entirely. “Women with such delicate complexions as yourself must guard them carefully.”
Sophie wanted to pull a face. If her mother hadn’t been there, she might have done so. As it was, she did her best to mask irritation and took Betsy upstairs to collect the parasol and change into a pair of walking shoes.
As she came down the stairs, she found her mother and Mr. Garfield waiting at the bottom. A light rapping sound came from the front door, and Albert hurried to answer. When he opened it, Sophie could see from her vantage point midway up the stairs that the caller was Baron Sylvestor.
Albert announced the baron’s presence and stood aside sothat they could all see one another. Lady Carlisle looked back and forth from Mr. Garfield to the baron, her eyes growing wider with every passing second. Clearly, she was unprepared to field visits from two suitors simultaneously.
