‘It is so! Lady Hannah Haworth and I have been the closest of confidantes all our lives. Our Mothers were good friends before us and we were schooled together.’
Despite their talking, they retained fluid movement throughout the dance.
‘She made quite an impression on many of the gentlemen this evening upon her appearance,’ Albert raised an eyebrow.
‘She is beautiful and talented. Her most wondrous asset though is her humility – she has no concept of her allure,’ Sophia glanced over at Hannah, who stood with her mother, looking awkward.
She glanced back to Albert who continued to look at her intently.
‘Are you…’ Sophia queried, ‘hoping to ask Hannah to dance this evening?’
‘No,’ he replied simply, then leaning forward, whispered ‘I prefer dark haired…’
Sophia laughed a little, despite herself.
‘In blue dresses…’ he added cheekily.
Sophia looked down at her dress.
‘I believe this fabric was called Peppermint…’
Albert feigned dramatic disappointment. ‘Then I’m afraid I must depart from our union…’
Jesting, he went to let go of her hands and leave the dance floor.
‘No!’ Sophia laughed, grabbing at his hands; amused but simultaneously distressed that he may actually leave and publicly scandalise her.
He laughed and pulled her back to him.
‘I knew you liked me!’ he jested with her.
Sophia rolled her eyes at his playfulness.
‘Tell me, Lady Camden, how do you spend your time?’
‘I love horse riding!’ Sophia’s eyes sparkled as she spoke of her passion. ‘I tend to horses at the stables where I ride – I love to brush them; they are such gentle animals. I also volunteer my time helping physicians.’
‘Really? What do you actually do there?’
‘A variety of tasks – sometimes preparing an audit of the medicines available; checking if something is missing; oftentimes simply offering my help if needed.’
Albert’s eyes were smiling now. How refreshing Lady Camden was! Albert had expected answers regarding embroidery and piano playing, the like of which he’d heard time and time again from pretty debutantes keen to impress him. Such small hobbies bored him – but here was a lady who enjoyed being out in the fresh air; he envisaged her cantering side-saddle, the wind in her hair.
‘There is more to you than I knew.’
‘My Lord, there is very little you know of me,’ Sophia fluttered her eyelashes at him.
‘Then what an adventure we may have ahead!’ Albert insinuated as he flung Sophia into a twirl.
‘And you? How do you spend your time, my Lord?’ Sophia attempted to bring the heady conversation back on an even keel.
‘My passion is to learn. I am hungry for information! Along with my learned friend, the Duke of Montwood, I attend various intellectual lectures. I am also the Treasurer of an esteemed Debating society.’
As he spoke, Sophia noted that he did not flaunt arrogance, simply answered her question factually, omitting any sense of inflated ego.
‘Debating, indeed? One must be quick-witted in such an environment!
‘And adept with financial detail to be their Treasurer!’ Albert smiled crookedly at her.
