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“Perhaps you think I’m an idiot.”
“Perhaps you give yourself too much credit.”
Touché.
Thorne sighed heavily. “What do you plan to do with the knowledge you obtained?”
Ashley shrugged. “I haven’t decided.”
“She can’t be in your world. Not permanently. Not if she wants to remain in ours.”
Again with the world? His world and her world weren’t that different. She was obviously a cultured lady. She had a tongue sharp enough to cut glass, but her manners were perfect, her dress divine. She didn’t lack funds or education. Not that he could tell.
“How much of it is a ruse?” he asked.
“All of it,” Sophia’s brother replied without even blinking. “Nothing about her is as she’s led you to believe.”
Ashley grunted. He didn’t know what to say to that. But something about the lady called to him. That wasn’t entirely in his head, was it? It couldn’t be. There had to be a reason for it.
“Another will come along, Robinsworth. One who can be what you need.”
Another wouldn’t be Sophia.
Thorne’s hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed it. Ashley fought the urge to shrug him off. “I don’t offer marriage lightly,” Ashley informed him.
“I don’t warn you off marriage lightly,” Thorne responded. He was difficult to read, but Ashley almost sensed that he regretted his words. The whole situation. “I warn you for your own good. She’s not of your world. She can’t stay in it.”
“Try to take her from it, and you’ll regret it,” Ashley finally bit out.
Thorne’s face softened. “No, I’m afraid you will.”
***
Sophia fanned her face as Captain Perkins led her from the dance floor. It was growing warm enough that she felt moist in the crowded room.
“Can I get you some punch?” the captain asked.
“Punch would be heavenly,” Sophia sighed with a smile. He was a nice man. Not everyone had insides that matched their outsides, and vice versa, but she sensed that his did. He led her over to the punch bowl, allowed a servant to prepare a glass for her, and placed it in her hand. She took a healthy sip. “Thank you.”
He looked toward her torn dance card and grinned. “It appears as though no one has taken the next few sets.”
Sophia laughed. “I wouldn’t have a clue if someone did or not. Perhaps someone will remember me and come to claim their due.” She shrugged. She really didn’t care if no one arrived to claim her. She enjoyed talking with Captain Perkins. She’d rather be with Ashley, but the captain was a nice man.
“I’m surprised Robinsworth hasn’t come to claim you, yet.” He glanced about them. “Perhaps he left?”
Sophia highly doubted it. She scrunched up her face.
Captain Perkins laughed. “Yes, I doubt it as well. He seems rather intrigued with you.”
Sophia didn’t know what to say to that.
“Will you accept a friendly warning about him?” He looked down at her, his gaze serious and concerned.
“Something tells me I do not have a choice in the matter.” Then she squeezed his arm. “Pray continue. It will do me good to hear the truth about the man.” She batted her lashes at him. “You did intend to tell me the truth, did you not?”
He chuckled and leaned close to her. “When you do that flirty little thing with your eyelashes, it makes me want to lie to you just to see if I can coerce you to do it again.” He sighed dramatically. “But, truthfully, Robinsworth is a dangerous man.”
“So I have heard.” She clucked her tongue at him. “What evidence do you have of this?” She tugged the top of her glove toward her elbow and didn’t look at him. She didn’t want to give too much credence to his words. No more than they deserved.
