Isaac cleared his throat. “I came to inquire after Miss Hale’s health.” He stiffened after the words escaped him, as if he realized how ridiculous the excuse was.
“Her health?” Stepfather’s large eyes narrowed slightly. “And what was the cause of this sudden concern?”
“Her demeanor.” Isaac pressed his lips together. “The last time I saw her…her demeanor was rather grim. I thought she might be out of sorts.”
Sophia stepped forward, offering a bright smile in an attempt to diffuse the tension. “It was very kind of Mr. Ellington to be concerned. My demeanor today is much improved, is it not?”
Isaac turned to face her, and she nearly burst into laughter at the look of panic on his face. “Yes. I was pleased to find that herdemeanor is entirely ordinary today.” His lips twitched, but he corrected the expression before facing her stepfather again.
Lord Blackstone’s demeanor, however, was not ordinary at all. It was rarely anything but cheerful, so Sophia was surprised to find him so unamused. “Well, then, if you are content with your findings, Mr. Ellington, then you may be on your way.” His expression was stiff.
“Thank you, my lord.” Isaac bowed before starting for the door. It closed behind him, and not a moment later, Stepfather’s brow collapsed into an unreserved scowl. He stared at the door for several seconds.
“I trust you had a good day, Stepfather?” Sophia asked in a cheerful tone. If she could change the subject quickly enough, then he might stop fretting about Isaac. She might stop fretting as well. Her pulse was still elevated, her mind racing. “Will you be attending Lady Strathmore’s ball with us tomorrow evening?”
Stepfather finally turned his attention to Sophia, but his scowl remained. “Where is Mrs. Liddle? And your sister?”
Sophia exhaled sharply. Her efforts to distract him never worked unless she brought up one of his animals. “At the modiste having alterations made to Prudence’s gown. For the ball. Tomorrow evening. Will you be attending?”
Stepfather frowned. “How long were you alone with Mr. Ellington?”
Sophia sighed. “Not long. It is no cause for concern.”
“He was standing quite close to you.” Stepfather’s gaze shifted to the wall where she had just been standing moments before. “I am quite observant enough to recognize a romantic endeavor when I see one.”
“Awhat?” Sophia never wished to hear those words from her stepfather ever again.
“You mustn’t allow Mr. Ellington to woo you, my dear. Finchley would be quite discomposed if he were to hear thatyou were dividing your attention between him and another gentleman.”
“My attention is not divided, Stepfather.” Sophia walked closer. “I fully intend to marry Lord Finchley…if he were ever to ask.”
He examined her face for a long moment before exhaling slowly. “Well, I don’t know what is taking him so long. Perhaps he does need a bit of competition to force him into action. In the wild, males must compete with multiple adversaries for the opportunity to…” he paused “…become further acquainted with their chosen female.”
Sophia grimaced. “Lord Finchley does not have competition. There is no cause for concern.”
He didn’t look entirely convinced, but he relented for now. “Very well.”
“Did Mr. Percy Ellington speak with you this afternoon?” Sophia blurted.
“He did, indeed.” A grin of endearment overtook his face. “Nowthatis a man who is quite irreversibly in love. He has made up his mind to marry your sister, but you mustn’t tell her. She would much rather be surprised, I should think.”
“Why did you approve the match?” Sophia couldn’t hide the frustration from her voice. “I told you that I was suspicious of his intentions. Mr. Isaac Ellington has even confirmed that Percy is only interested in Prudence for her inheritance.”
“For Lanveneth?” Lord Blackstone planted his hands on his hips. “There are much wealthier heiresses in Town whom Mr. Ellington could have pursued. It seems a great deal of effort to waste on an old house like Lanveneth.”
“I don’t know why he is so determined, but you must believe me. If Prudence knew the truth, she would be heartbroken. He is not to be trusted. He doesn’t even like animals!”
Stepfather’s mouth turned downward. “Of course he does. He has undertaken extensive research on the great horned owl, in fact, and has displayed the deepest respect for all living creatures on multiple occasions.”
Sophia sat down heavily on the sofa, covering her face with her hands. “He ispretending, Stepfather! He is fooling you, and he is fooling Prudence.” She peeked at him through her fingers. Stepfather was a wise man, but he was optimistic to a fault. He had a club filled with men who had been banished from other clubs for a reason, yet he treated them all like specimens in his collection, prized and carefully curated for his enjoyment. Having been widowed for many years before meeting Sophia’s mother, and with no children of his own, it seemed to have been his way of coping with his loneliness. Even as he stared at Sophia now, his dismayed eyes were innocent—filled with hope that she was wrong about his precious Percy Ellington.
She was reminded of her late father, and how rarely he would listen to her. He had hardly spared her a moment of his time, and when he did, it was only to offer some form of instruction or advice about her manners or conduct. Sophia had always felt that he favored Prudence, but she had never understood the reason. Perhaps he had more hope for her success at marriage, or perhaps Sophia simply hadn’t tried hard enough to know him. He had grown distant from her in the years before his death, and when he was gone, Sophia had been surprised by the lack of empty space he left behind in her heart.
With a sigh, Stepfather sank into the cushion beside Sophia. His wrinkled hand covered her forearm. “If it will put you at ease, I shall speak with Percy Ellington about his intentions at the ball. I am an excellent judge of character, you know.”
Sophia gave him a grateful smile, though his words hadn’t given her a great deal of comfort. Her gaze drifted to her painting of Cornwall, and she was reminded of Isaac’s visit.
What would have happened if Stepfather hadn’t burst into the room?
