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Lord Roderick said nothing, simply stared down at her for a long moment. She managed to glance up at him, her vision blurry with unshed tears, managing to make out his features somewhat.
Blinking hard, she took in his dark hair, the way his lips were drawn into an angry line.
“You look upset, Lord Roderick,” she said eventually. “I assure you, there is no need to be so on my behalf. You have enough troubles of your own, I am quite sure.”
“That is true,” he said quietly, coming to sit beside her.
Astonished, she made to move away, only for him to grasp her hand in his gloved one.
“I mean you no harm, Lady Sophia,” he continued. “Please, do not run from me. I might, in fact, have something of a solution for you.”
Sophia found herself unable to take her hand from his, the warmth of his body soaking into her chilled limbs. Instead of running, she turned her head to look into his eyes, taking in his serious expression.
“You are not funning me, I hope, Lord Roderick,” she warned. “I have no other options available to me.”
“No, I am not funning you at all,” he replied. “I have had dealings with the Duke of Langley in the past and will do anything in my power to keep you from him.”
Sophia let out a long breath, knowing she had to at least listen to him. “Well then, Lord Roderick. What is it you suggest?”
Lord Roderick cleared his throat.
“My mother is also pressing me to wed soon,” he said slowly. “As of yet, she has not picked any lady in particular, but I fear it will not be long. I find myself not quite ready to enter such a state. Perhaps, with both of our situations, there might be one easy solution.”
“Such as?” Sophia asked, struggling to see where he might be coming from. “I cannot see any—”
“We become betrothed.”
His words shocked her, dragging her breath from her body. She stared at him, breaking into laughter.
“You cannot be serious.”
“Of course I am,” he said, sounding a little affronted.
“And what should we do when the time comes for us to wed?” she questioned, thinking this was possibly the most ridiculous suggestion she had ever heard. “I will not lose my reputation over a broken engagement.”
He did not answer for a moment. “If you are forced to marry the Duke of Langley, then you will have no reputation to worry about.”
Sophia closed her eyes as his blunt words hit her square in the chest.
“You may break the engagement, Lady Sophia, and I shall take full responsibility.”
Sophia shook her head.
“But nothing will stop the Duke from wedding me once our engagement is at an end. The problem remains.”
Lord Roderick chuckled.
“I can see that you are right, but it will, at least, give you some time to consider what else you can to do extricate yourself from his grip.”
He leaned forward, and Sophia felt her breath catch in her chest.
“If you do not agree, and it is entirely up to you whether you do so or not, you must steel yourself for what will happen the moment you step back into the ballroom.”
“I… I cannot see any other way,” she said softly.
Her mind was fighting to think clearly, but she simply could not even begin to think of any other solution.
“Now, shall we find your parents and let them know of our happy news?”
