“It does make one wonder about your reasoning,” Jack added.
Sophia set her spoon aside, took a long sip of her wine, and swung her gaze back to the man she’d once dreamed of living happily ever after with. What on earth had she been thinking? “He and I have a history, my lord.”
Irritation hardened his features. “You used to call me Jack.”
“Mr. Fenmore and I understand each other,” she added, deciding not to let his comment distract her from what she meant to say. “We care for one another. More to the point, he asked, in spite of my questionable parentage. It would have been downright foolish of me to turn him down. Especially since I love him.”
This final statement seemed to render Jack mute. His eyes widened a fraction and then his lips parted as if he meant to respond. But then he just shook his head and turned his gaze away. To Sophia’s consternation, it did not feel like the victory she’d hoped for, but rather like a defeat. It left her with a deflated sensation and a sense of unfathomable loss.
Getting through the rest of dinner was a chore. Constantly aware of the tempting woman who sat beside him, Jack wondered what the hell had possessed him to push her with all those improper inquiries. It wasn’t like him to be rude or condescending, and yet he’d not be able stop the awful questions and comments from leaving his mouth. The need to provoke her had been too strong, and the manner in which she’d responded had only made it worse.
Fury had burned in her eyes, revealing the passionate nature that drew him to her when they’d been children. She’d always been a hoydenish imp with more of an interest in boyish pursuits, so he’d enjoyed her company whenever she’d come to visit since she was the only one who’d been willing to play in thick brush. Felicity, Kaitlin, and Edward had always preferred to keep their hair and clothes in order, and had kept each other company while Jack and Sophia burrowed their way through the hayloft in the stables. On the rare occasion when Edward didn’t accompany her, Sophia would join him under a tree while his sisters picnicked with dolls. Not once had he thought of her as a girl. Hell, even when his father had suggested he and Sophia might end up together if he weren’t careful, Jack had thought it laughable.
The realization confounded him as much as his response toward her. Because there was no denying the way his blood heated with each angry word she’d just spoken. And in the awful aftermath of this moment, he had to come to terms with a difficult truth.
Jack took a deep breath and allowed the idea of desiring Sophia Fenmore to settle. Damn, but he wanted her. Only she was now engaged to Edward – his friend.
The irony wasn’t lost on him. God help him, it almost made him laugh. When he’d left, hadn’t it been with the hope that Sophia would take a fancy to someone else?
Well, he hadn’t expected that someone else to be Edward. Nor had he expected to regret with every fiber of his being his decision to stay away as long as he had. And yet just sitting beside her, inhaling her tempting scent of citrus and honey, was enough to make him wish he could stay right here beside her forever.
Ignoring his soup, he drank some more wine. At the rate which he consumed his drinks this evening, he’d be ten sheets to the wind in another half hour, a state he looked forward to with pleasure.
“I gather you chose to follow our plan after all,” Felicity said after dinner. She’d drawn Sophia aside and led her toward a more private corner of the parlor where two chairs waited with a table between them. They sat.
“Not at all,” Sophie said. “Edward proposed in earnest and I have accepted. The engagement is real.”
“I…see.”
Sophia studied her friend. “You sound disappointed.”
“No, no.” A smile was forced into place. “I’m happy for you. Truly I am. As long as this is what you want.”
Unable to resist, Sophia allowed herself to seek out Jack. He stood on the opposite side of the room, glaring at her. She turned her attention back to Felicity. “It is.”
“I’m glad.” Felicity tilted her head. “I can’t say the same for Jack though. Something tells me he’s not happy with your engagement. So even if you no longer wish to attract his attention, I do believe you’ve managed it all the same.”
Sophia pursed her lips. “Unfortunately, I fear you might be correct.”
“Unfortunately?”
“Although I’ll always be fond of him and the memories he helped create, my feelings for him aren’t what they once were.” How could they be when he wasn’t the same carefree boy who’d been kind enough to mend the kite she’d made. The toy had gotten tangled in a tree and Jack had climbed up to fetch it. When she’d realized one side had gotten torn, she’d burst into tears. Jack had consoled her. Two days later, he’d brought the repaired kite to her at the vicarage.
Felicity smiled. “In that case, I’m all the happier for you since it would have pained me to watch you settle for one man while you still loved another.”
“Indeed, if there’s one thing I do know, it’s that my love for Edward is real.”
Felicity pressed her lips together. It was clear she had something else to add, but rather than say it, she smiled. “Have you settled on a date for the wedding yet?”
Sophia nodded. “Edward’s father has suggested December twentieth, which allows us three Sundays for the banns. I have to get to work on the invitations tomorrow after church.”
“I’m happy to help and Kaitlin is too, I believe.”
“Thank you, but I’m sure you’ve enough to see to considering all the gentlemen hoping to gain your attention.” Sophia swept the room with her gaze and managed to ignore Jack this time. “Do you have a preference yet?”
“I think it’s too soon to tell.”
When Sophia cut her a quizzical look on account of her breathy tone, she followed Felicity’s line of sight to where Edward stood. He was keeping company with the earl and viscount.
