“Do you have family? Perhaps I have met them in society?”
“I do not. All are passed,” Sophie said, sticking closely to the story she and Letty had concocted.
“You have my condolences.”
Sophie nodded.
“I would be honored to take you driving this Wednesday afternoon, Countess. If you are free.”
Sophie scrambled for an excuse to say no but could find none. “Yes, I am free, thank you.”
The music finished, and she took his arm again as he led her back to Letty.
“Thank you, my lord, for the dance,” Sophie lied. In fact, she’d hated every minute of it. She was not born for this life, so living it was a constant challenge.
“The pleasure was all mine, Countess.”
“I am afraid I must decline your invitation for Wednesday afternoon after all, as I’ve just remembered?—”
“What invitation, my dear?” Letty asked, placing her hand on Sophie’s arm.
“I have invited your sister-in-law to come driving with me on Wednesday, Lady Carstairs.”
“Oh, but of course you must go, my dear,” Letty urged, even as Sophie shot her a look that expressed clearly she didn’t want to.
“But did we not promise to take Timmy to the park on Wednesday?”
“I will take Timmy,” Letty said firmly. “We will look forward to your visit, my lord. You may call for Sophie at two o’clock.”
“Wednesday, then.” Bowing, Lord Coulter then walked away without another word.
“He calls to mind a large jungle cat—all feral grace and beauty,” Letty whispered.
“I don’t want to go driving with him, Letty, as you very well know. He suspects something. I am sure of it.” Sophie chewed her bottom lip.
“Stop gnawing on your lip, dear. He may suspect, but what can he do? My brother died two years ago, and shortly before that, he married you. We have the license to prove it, so even the powerful Earl of Coulter can do little to change that, and why would he bother?” Squeezing Sophie’s hand, she continued, “I think he is interested in you, and that makes you nervous; who wouldn’t be when confronted by such a man? Why, he makes me feel quite hot all over.”
“Letty, you are wicked.”
“I may be old, child. However, I am not dead.”
“Old.” Sophie scoffed. “I think you use that as an excuse when you wish to manipulate me.”
Laughing, Letty merely waved her fingers at Sophie and walked toward her friend Lady Beatrice. Her parting words caused Sophie’s lips to twitch. “So my late husband often told me, dear. Now get ready. You are about to have company… lots of it.”
Sophie was claimed for the next dance, and it was as she reached the floor that she felt a tingling feeling. Turning to the right, she saw Lord Coulter leaning against a wall. His eyes were on her. Dark and dangerous. That man was trouble for the Monmouth family, as yet she was unsure why. But Sophie knew one thing: She would be on her guard around that man and watch him closely, because no one would threaten what she, Letty, and Timmy had found. She’d make sure of that.
CHAPTER 3
Sophie smothered a yawn as she watched Letty pull funny faces across the breakfast table at Timmy. His high-pitched squeals of delight had her wincing and then reaching for another fortifying sip of tea.
“I am still astounded you held a maid’s position in my brother’s household for so many years,” Letty said.
“It is the late nights. When I was in service, I am sure I got to bed a lot earlier than I currently do.” Sophie watched Timmy smear the white tablecloth with jam fingers. A tablecloth that was likely worth more than a month’s wages for the old Sophie.
“I am sure Miss Lloyd will be able to remove the stain, dear, do not fret,” Letty said, handing Timmy another finger of toast.
“I wonder if she has heard of?—”
