“Have you found any trace of him?” Sophie asked.
“Stephen and I have been making inquiries. So far, we have been unable to locate Spode. Therefore, it is still important that you show caution,” he said so only she could hear.
“I don’t think you should take risks either, my lord.”
Should she ask him if he was to marry another?
Before he could speak, a woman had stepped into their path.
“Lord Coulter, Melanie is looking forward to her dance with you. The quadrille, I believe?”
“Lady Finch,” Patrick said, bowing. “The pleasure will be all mine, I assure you,” he finished gravely.
Melanie? Is she the woman?
Lady Finch’s smile turned icy as she turned to Sophie.
“My lady.” Sophie’s reply was equally as chilly.
“Countess.” Lady Finch’s tone matched. “It would be remiss of me not to mention something that has come to my ears, my lady.”
“Gossip, Lady Finch?” Patrick asked.
The woman blushed. “I just think the countess needs to know what people are saying about her.”
“How charitable of you. However, neither the countess nor I give much credence to gossip, so we shall move on. Good evening,” Patrick said.
“They all know. I can feel their eyes on me,” Sophie whispered.
“But they have no proof, and you are legally the Countess of Monmouth,” he said, leading her to the dance floor. “Show no fear, Sophie.”
Sophie realized that in his arms, she didn’t need to count—where he led, she followed with ease.
“Smile, Sophie,” he said into her ear.
She did as he told her but did not look at him. Inside she felt cold. One thing she’d realized was that you couldn’t outrun your past, no matter how hard you tried.
“Come, we will find Letty,” he said when the dance finished.
They walked through the other guests, and she felt their eyes on her.
“Lord Coulter, how lovely to see you, and dancing with my sister-in-law,” Letty said loudly when they reached her.
“You’ve heard, then,” Sophie whispered.
Letty smiled. “Of course, and pay it no mind.” She flicked her fingers as if to bat the words away.
“But how has this news reached society?” Sophie said.
“I am going to find that out,” Patrick whispered softly.
Sophie turned to look at him, which put Letty behind her.
“Thank you, my lord, for the dance.”
His eyes ran over her face, and then he frowned. “What are you not telling me?”
“How do you know I am not telling you something?”
