“But not gone completely, so do it again.”
They continued walking in silence while he did as she told him. After the third time, they had been wandering aimlessly through and around people for six minutes.
“How does it feel now?” Sophie asked.
“Much better. Where did you learn that?” he asked.
“Someone taught me,” she said, not wanting to add that it was a footman who had learned it from a gentleman from China while she was in service.
“Who taught you?”
“I doubt you know all the servants at my late husband’s estate. Therefore, I fear the name will mean very little to you,” Sophie said.
He exhaled slowly. “Thank you. Nothing usually works but a darkened room and some laudanum, which I loathe taking.”
“Well, it may ease them if nothing more.”
“What was your family name, Countess? I wonder if I was acquainted with your father.”
“My father did not enter society. He was ill most of his life,” Sophie lied. “I am going to view the gardens, Lord Coulter. Excuse me.”
“I will accompany you.”
“I don’t think that’s wise. We don’t seem able to speak civilly without something happening,” Sophie said. “Besides, I thought I made my view clear at the theatre.”
“We just spent a total of ten minutes in each other’s company and were civil—not once was there a cross word exchanged. You did not maim me, and we shared no kiss,” he drawled. “Surely we could almost call that friendship?”
“I don’t think you should talk like that.” Sophie looked around them, hoping no one overheard.
“Possibly not, but I find that the truth is better spoken than a lie.”
Like she was lying and had been since that day she and Letty had taken steps to change their lives for the better.
CHAPTER 17
Bloody hell. Sophie had eased his headache and now was once again walking away from him. The woman had him tied up in so many knots, he wasn’t sure how to break free.
“Patrick!”
“How can I help, my lady?” he asked after Lady Sumner hugged and kissed his cheek.
“I am looking for my son, and as he is usually with you, I thought you may have seen him,” she said. Her eyes then went to Sophie’s retreating back.
“Sorry, my lady, I have not seen him since I arrived. But I think he will be preparing for the archery competition.”
“I will go and find him, then, and you can follow your countess.”
“She is not my countess,” Patrick said. “And I am about to head to the archery competition, so I can escort you.”
“We’ll see about that,” she said cryptically. “And I need to speak with Lord Rodgers first, so he will escort me to the competition. Now go and beat my son.”
“I’ll tell him you said that.”
“And I will call you a liar for it,” she said, kissing his cheek again.
He watched her leave and wondered who else in society thought he was interested in the Countess of Monmouth. But then, after he’d stood up to Tompkins that day at the horse sales, Patrick was sure a few people were linking them together.Do I care?Not as much as he should.
The archery competition was to be held on the grounds above Lord and Lady Shubert’s gardens. He walked across the neatly manicured lawns with the other guests toward the large Egyptian tents set up to protect them from the sun. He shook his head at the staff. They looked ridiculous as far as he was concerned, but there was no accounting for taste.
