“And he gave you money?”
“I didn’t want to accept it, but he left it with Bryon,” Sophia revealed, her eyes filling with tears. “I assure you, I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Elinor swung her feet over the side of the bed, standing up. “I believe you,” she replied. There was no reason not to believe Sophia, considering she had always been loyal to her.
Sophia looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Youhave been so kind to me, and I would never want to betray your trust.”
“There is only one solution, then,” Elinor said.
Wiping at her cheeks, Sophia asked, “I’m dismissed?”
Elinor shook her head. “No. You ask your sister to come work here,” she suggested. “You could use the coins to pay for her travel.”
Sophia’s eyes grew wide. “You mean that?”
“I hadn’t realized that your sister worked for Lord Inglewood or else I would have suggested it earlier,” Elinor responded.
“I didn’t wish to burden you.”
Elinor approached Sophia, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “From now on, please tell me the truth, whether or not you think it might burden me.”
Sophia smiled through the tears. “I promise.”
“Good,” Elinor said, hesitating for a moment. “Now that is resolved, I need your help. I kissed Alden last night.”
“You did?” Sophia asked, her eyes widening with curiosity.
“Yes, and now I am conflicted,” Elinor confessed. “Last night, he told me he could never love me.”
Sophia looked at her oddly. “So you kissed him?”
Elinor tossed her hands up in the air in exasperation. “Not right away,” she said. “He walked me to the door and was looking at me in such a fashion that I couldn’t resist.”
“This is a good thing,” Sophia attempted to reassure her.
“How?”
Sophia shrugged. “He is your husband, and you clearly have some affection for him.”
“I do, but…” She let out a loud groan of frustration. “What was I thinking? I was too brazen.”
“That is not brazen, my lady,” Sophia assured her. “I could tell you stories about the ladies that used to visit Lord Inglewood.”
“Please don’t,” Elinor said.
Sophia laughed. “I promise, I won’t,” she said, walking over to the wardrobe. “Let’s get you dressed so you can shower your husband with more kisses.”
Elinor frowned in mock irritation. “I should have dismissed you,” she joked.
“It is too late now,” Sophia said, retrieving a pale blue gown. “I think this dress will do quite nicely for today.”
“It is far too fancy,” Elinor remarked.
Sophia held it up, examining it critically. “Not if we want Mr. Dandridge to fall in love with you.”
Elinor slumped into the chair by the dressing table. “Are you even listening to me?”
“I am,” Sophia said, her tone serious now. “I am rather convinced that Mr. Dandridge cares for you just as much as you care for him.”
