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Sophia swallowed and nodded, her mouth going dry at the thought of introducing Lord Roderick to her parents. They would not refuse him, of course, but she was already anticipating the displeasure in her father’s eyes. This would ruin his plan for a partnership, after all.
“How shall we do it?” she asked, breathlessly. “After all, we have not exactly been seen in one another’s company.”
Stopping in his tracks, Lord Roderick turned and smiled at her, making her heart jolt at once.
“Do your parents often see you in company at balls?”
She shook her head.
“In truth, they very often leave me alone.” She managed a strangled laugh. “I believe they have given up on me.”
Lord Roderick’s smile widened.
“Then we shall simply say that we have had a few conversations over the last few weeks and have, this night, decided that we will suit very well together.”
Sophia managed a smile. “And your mother will accept that?”
“My mother will accept any woman I present to her,” he said, with a trace of irony. “She is desperate, you see. So long as you are from a good family and with a decent dowry, I can promise you that she will be delighted. Shall we go in?”
Chapter Six
Nerves swirled through Sophia’s stomach, pushing themselves through her veins. Unable to form words, she clung to Lord Roderick’s arm as they walked towards the doors, hardly able to believe that she was about to do this.
“A waltz has begun,” he murmured as they stepped into the ballroom. “Shall we?”
“It might help calm your nerves,” he continued softly. “Come now, Lady Sophia. Courage!”
Sophia lifted her chin and allowed him to sweep her onto the floor. Within moments, they were amidst the rest of the dancing couples, and she was held tightly in his arms. Thankfully for her, Lord Roderick appeared to be a wonderful dancer, not putting a foot wrong as he glided across the dance floor.
“Relax,” he whispered, giving her a bright smile. “We are meant to look wonderfully happy! Remember, we have only just become engaged.”
She managed to slightly loosen her grip on his shoulder, holding his hand a little more gently.
“There you go,” he chuckled, his chest rumbling as his eyes sparkled with mirth. “Now you look much happier.”
Sophia drew in one long breath after another, aware that she would have to face her parents soon after this dance ended. They would be surprised to see her on the floor, of course, in a gentleman’s arms, and even more astonished to discover she was engaged!
The music ended all too soon, and Sophia found herself being escorted from the floor on Lord Roderick’s arm.
“Your parents or mine?” he asked with a quick grin.
“Mine, I think,” Sophia said, dampening down her anxiety. “I believe they are upon us.”
“As is the Duke of Langley,” Lord Roderick growled, evidently
spotting the large gentleman following her parents.
Pasting a wide smile on her face, Sophia stepped forward and greeted her parents in an excited tone.
“Sophia,” her father began, attempting to draw the Duke of Langley forward. “I—”
“Father,” Sophia interrupted, her hand now on Lord Roderick’s arm. “Let me introduce you to Lord Roderick.”
She looked up at him with what she hoped was an adoring expression.
“Lord Roderick, this is my father, Lord Astor, and my mother, Lady Astor.”
“How wonderful to meet you both at last,” Lord Roderick murmured, bowing heavily.
