“We should not be seen together.” Her voice came out sharper than she intended.
He nodded. “I’m aware. I only wanted to ask your opinion.”
“On what?”
“Miss Amelia Stanton.” He did not look at her. “I spoke with her at Fallston’s soiree. She seems promising.”
Sophia’s stomach tightened. “Miss Stanton was on the list of names I gave you. I would not have suggested her if I did not think her suitable.”
“I know.” He shifted his weight. “I merely wanted to confirm, as I promised to walk with her today.”
“Consider it confirmed.” Sophia folded her arms. “If you find her promising, then you should court her. Unless you are here seeking advice on courtship, in which case, I’m afraid I cannot help you.”
His jaw tightened. “I do not need advice on courting a woman.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
The word hung between them. Sophia kept her gaze on the water, though every nerve in her body screamed with awareness of him. Of his nearness. Of the memory of his hands on her face, his mouth claiming hers.
“We should not be seen together,” she repeated.
He nodded and turned to leave. Then paused.
“You should bring Oliver to the park.” The words escaped before Sophia could stop them.
Edward turned back. “His nursemaid already has.”
“I meanyoushould bring him.” She met his eyes. “Like an uncle ought to do. Take him to feed the ducks. Let him run in the grass. Spend time with him outside the walls of that house.”
His expression hardened. “I do not need advice on taking care of my nephew, either.”
“The boy is lonely.” Sophia stepped closer. “He needs more than a roof over his head and a nursemaid to tend him. He needs you. You are the closest thing he has to a parent now.”
“You think I don’t know that?” Edward’s voice dropped low. “You think I don’t see how he flinches when I enter a room? How he lights up when you visit and shrinks away when I try to speak with him?”
“Then do something about it.” Sophia’s chin lifted. “Stop hiding behind business meetings and boxing matches and soirees. Stop avoiding him the way you have been avoiding me.”
His eyes flashed. “I have not been avoiding you.”
“You have been absent from every visit since the ball.” She stepped closer still, her heart pounding.
“Perhaps I thought it best to maintain some distance.” His voice turned rough. “After what happened.”
“After what happened.” She laughed, though there was no humor in it. “You mean the mistake. The moment of weakness you apologized for so thoroughly.”
They stood too close now. Close enough that she could see the rapid pulse at his throat. Close enough that if she leaned forward, she could press her lips to his jaw.
A child’s shriek of laughter echoed from the water below, and reality crashed back.
What was she doing, standing here, arguing with him?
Sophia stepped back. Edward did the same. They stared at each other, breathing hard, the air between them thick with everything unsaid.
“Bring Oliver to the park.” Sophia’s voice emerged steadier than she felt. “That is my advice. Take it or leave it.”
Edward held her gaze for a long moment. Then he nodded once and walked away, his shoulders rigid, his stride measured.
