Instead, she tracked Edward’s progress across the course, watching him guide Miss Stanton through the finer points of her swing. His hand hovered near her elbow. His head bent close to hers as he murmured instructions. Miss Stanton laughed at something he said, tilting her face up toward him with practiced coquetry.
Sophia looked away. Her chest ached with something she refused to name.
“Your turn, Lady Sophia.”
She startled. Lord Collingsworth gestured toward the course, his new wife beaming beside him.
“Of course.” Sophia stepped forward and lined up her shot. She drew back the mallet and swung with more force than necessary. The ball sailed through the wicket and rolled to a stop mere inches from Hugo’s.
“Excellent shot.” Hugo raised an eyebrow. “Though I suspect you were aiming for something other than the wicket.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Of course not.” His knowing smile made her want to knock his ball into the rose bushes as well.
The game continued. Sophia played well enough to avoid embarrassment, poorly enough to avoid attention. She laughed at Thomas’s increasingly dramatic complaints about Hugo’s tactics. She complimented Lady Collingsworth on a clever shot. She kept her gaze fixed anywhere but on Edward and Miss Stanton.
She failed.
Every time she looked up, her eyes found him. Found the way the sunlight caught the gold in his hair. Found the way his coat stretched across his shoulders as he swung his mallet. Found the careful distance he maintained from her, as though they were strangers rather than two people who had kissed on a moonlit balcony.
“Lady Sophia.”
The voice slithered down her spine like cold water. Sophia turned to find Lord Drakeston at her elbow, his pale eyes fixed on her face with an intensity that made her skin crawl.
“Lord Drakeston.” She kept her voice neutral. “Are you enjoying the game?”
“I find myself more interested in the players than in the game itself.” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You seem distracted, my lady. I hope nothing troubles you.”
“Nothing at all.”
“How fortunate.” His smile revealed too many teeth. “I would hate for your stay here to be anything less than comfortable. You and your dear mother have such a delicate situation, after all. One never knows when circumstances might shift.”
The threat landed like a stone in her stomach. Sophia gripped her mallet tighter.
“Our circumstances are none of your concern, my lord.”
“Are they not?” Drakeston’s eyes glittered. “I rather think they are. But we can discuss that later. For now, enjoy your game.”
He drifted away, leaving Sophia trembling with suppressed fury. She watched him approach a cluster of gentlemen, watched him laugh and charm and perform the role of gracious guest, and felt the familiar weight of helplessness settle over her shoulders.
Alice appeared at her side. “What did he want?”
“Nothing.” Sophia forced a smile. “Just making conversation.”
Alice’s eyes narrowed, but she did not press. “It’s your turn again, and Thomas has sworn vengeance on Hugo. I fear bloodshed is imminent.”
Sophia allowed herself to be led back to the game. She played. She smiled. She pretended.
Just as she had always done.
Tea that afternoon gathered the ladies in the drawing room while the gentlemen retreated to the billiard room. Sophia settled into a chair near the window, grateful for the respite from Drakeston’s lurking presence.
Lady Blackwell held court near the fireplace, her sharp eyes missing nothing. “Did you hear about the Carmichael engagement? Another match made by Lady Fairhart, or so they say.”
“Lady Fairhart seems to be everywhere these days.” Lady Collingsworth accepted a cup from the footman. “My niece wrote to her just last month, seeking guidance.”
“And did she receive a response?”
