“I know.” He sighed. “Come, make your selections, and then we will drive through the park.”
Sophie took a dog out of the first cabinet and a tiny ballerina out of the second.
“I will purchase them.” A large hand reached out before her.
“Absolutely not,” she said, walking around him to the counter. “I can pay for my own purchases.”
After placing them on the counter, Sophie went to open her reticule. One of Patrick’s hands held it closed as he placed several notes onto the counter.
“Stop,” she hissed, tugging but getting nowhere.
“If you could wrap those, thank you,” he said calmly from beside her.
Sophie seethed but also had no wish to make a scene, because you never knew who was around. Only when they were once again outside did she turn to him.
“I do not like to be manipulated, my lord.”
“It’s not manipulation; it’s a gift,” he said, picking her up and placing her on the seat.
“I think you are far too used to having your own way,” Sophie said when he’d joined her.
“Something tells me that could be changing in the future,” he said, giving her a smile before picking up the reins.
What did that mean?
CHAPTER 31
They drove through the park slowly behind others riding or in their carriages. The sun had made a weak attempt to shine, and with it, people had come out to walk and be seen, which was something many society members relished. Patrick had never been one of those.
“Would you like some cake?” he asked Sophie, who, like other women he’d taken driving, knew how to be quiet while he navigated the traffic. “If you are not still angry with me, that is?”
“I am not angry; I am just not used to men buying me gifts,” she said.
“Perhaps you could try getting used to it?” Patrick said, looking at his beautiful companion.
“I’m not sure that’s possible.” She smiled at him. “But thank you for my gifts and for taking me to that shop.”
“You are welcome.” Also, like some of the women in his life, Sophie did not hold a grudge, it seemed.
He pulled up not far from a cake house. When his man took the reins, he helped Sophie down.
“I am going to walk there,” she said, pointing to the tree-lined path just to the right.
“Very well. I will meet you there with cake shortly. But do not go out of my sight.”
She waved her hand at him, which Patrick guessed meant she would do as he asked. He then went to purchase cake.
She was no longer the countess to him but Sophie, and today he’d found her undemanding company. She did not need him to flatter her like a woman born into this life would have. Everything was a new experience, and he realized he wanted to share those with her.
“Coulter, those horses I outbid you for are wonderful,” the Duke of St. Brides said, joining him in line for cake.
“Really? I pulled out of the bidding, as I felt they were too short in the back,” Patrick lied.
The duke smiled. “No, you didn’t. You pulled out because someone was saying rude things about the Countess of Monmouth, so do not try and fool me.”
He liked the duke usually. They hunted together, and he often went to his house during the winter. He may have to rethink that now.
“Go and annoy your wife, St. Brides,” Patrick said after placing his order.
