Sophie looked to where Lord Harewood sat talking to Lord Sommerset. The Roman soldier was related to someone at her table? She swallowed hard, then glanced back toward the table of men. She calmed a bit, since the man was fully engaged with his companions. He was like Shakespeare’s character Falstaff, whose very presence garnered attention. It was doubtful he would stop by to talk to his brother. Still, it would be best to finish the meal as soon as politely possible.
“Sophie, are you well?”
At Rose’s question, Sophie returned her attention to her friend. “I’m fine. Why does Lord Sommerset’s brother have a different title?”
Rose waved away the question. “Oh, it was some special arrangement with their maternal grandfather or something. Don’t try to change the subject. You don’t look well. You turned very pale when I mentioned Lord Tamworth.”
Despite the monk costume and her fondness for her friend, Rose was not someone Sophie felt comfortable sharing her most jarring experience with. To avoid lying, she made a suggestion. “It could be something I ate has bothered my constitution. I’m sure it will pass.”
Rose gave a nod. “Ellie did provide some unusual food. I do think she’s hoping to impress with her first ball. I, for one, am enjoying myself immensely. Now tell me, you’ve been observing people as usual, so what have you noticed? Did Tamworth do something scandalous?”
Rose’s question was so close to the truth that Sophie gasped.
Immediately, Rose leaned toward her and whispered, “You must tell me.”
Frantic to throw Rose off the scent of what had happened, Sophie grasped for anything. Her gaze landed on Lord Harewood and it came to her. Keeping her voice low, she leaned toward Rose. “Your brother lost a bet to Lord Tamworth.”
Rose’s eyes rounded and her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Then she closed it quickly and glanced at her brother before a sly smile filled her face.
“Rose, what are you thinking? I told you that in confidence.”
“Yes. Yes, you did. Rest assured, I will not tell him how I learned of it. Thank you.”
Rose’s smile boded no good for her brother, but there was nothing Sophie could do. When Rose made up her mind, there was no changing it. No doubt Lord Harewood would have that unfortunate information brought up at the most inopportune time. Sophie wished she could be a little more like Rose, who was brave and witty and verybeautiful.
“Sophie, did you hear that?” Georgie touched her arm.
Happy to be distracted from her own thoughts, Sophie turned to her. “I didn’t.”
“Mother says Ellie has planned for us all to go skating tomorrow on her pond. I just love to skate.”
Her mood brightened at the prospect. “I do, too. Do you remember last winter when we were able to skate at Silver Meadows?”
Georgie nodded vigorously. “I do. I also remember that you taught Mrs. Kingman how to do it. You were so patient. I couldn’t be so. I so enjoy skating as fast as possible. I hope the pond is frozen over when we return to school.”
“Me too. I believe you were the fastest of all of us.”
Georgie preened beneath the compliment. “Thank you. And I believe Ellie is the best hostess. She makes the perfect Lady Ferncroft.”
Sophie nodded in agreement, very pleased for her good friend, as she was pleased for her other friends from school who had not simply found husbands, but men they respected and adored. Just like the sensible Elinor inSense and Sensibility, who in the end married the love—
“Brother, have you ever had Pigeon à la Crapaudine? You must try it.”
Sophie snapped her head around at the sound of Lord Tamworth’s voice so close. Her heart skidded to a halt at the sight of him standing next to Lord Sommerset, directly across the table, barely six feet away. The strange feelings in her belly started again as she gazed upon him. His arms, bared to his shoulders by the brown leather tunic, were full of muscle, much more than the sketches she’d reviewed in her biology studies. In his Roman costume, he made her think of Hercules as she’d envisioned him while reading about his twelve labors.
Lady Sommerset shook her head. “Christopher, your brother did the grand tour—of course he’s eaten the pigeon. He spent much timein France.”
Lord Tamworth grinned. “I know, but he’s never had this version.”
Lord Sommerset pointed to the chair next to him. “Sit down if you wish to talk. I’m not going to give my neck a crick looking up at you.”
Sophie held her breath, hoping against hope Lord Tamworth would move on.
Instead, the man chuckled and pulled out the chair. “I couldn’t ask for a better invitation.”
Lord Sommerset gestured toward Georgina’s parents and introduced them. They in turn introduced Georgina, who smiled widely. But before she could begin a conversation, Rose interrupted.
“There’s no hope there, Georgie. He’s sworn not to marry until he reaches thirty. What is that, Lord Tamworth, two years hence?”
