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“That’s quite beside the point. I’m not taking the role.”
“Oh, yes, you are.” Ally’s eyes gleamed. “Would you care to make a wager?”
Sophie shook her head, letting out a little chuckle. “Oh, no. I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. You don’t play fair.”
“Fair? What is the meaning of fair, anyway? I got you to go to an audition that I knew would be good for you. And it was good for you. You proved to Mr. Newland that you have an amazing voice, and he wants you. Seems pretty fair to me.”
Sophie opened her mouth to speak but then pressed her lips together. Did Ally have a point? She had been gloriously happy on stage. And though she did love her life, it became tedious at times. But the public… If she put herself out there, she could get hurt. And Sophie had endured enough hurt already in her short life. She couldn’t bear anymore.
“Don’t you have anything to say, Sophie?”
“Ally, you just don’t understand. We are two different personalities. You enjoy being flamboyant, being the center of attention. That has never been my desire.”
“But your voice, Sophie. It should be shared with the world. You should be shared with the world.”
Sophie shook her head. “I have no desire to share myself with the world, Ally. I have nothing to give. Father saw to that.”
Ally’s facial features softened. “Oh, dear, dear Sophie, how I used to think the same of myself. I considered myself broken, which is why I wanted to marry for money and not love. But then I found Evan, and Sophie, I’m not broken. Someone wonderful loves me, and someone wonderful will love you too, if you open yourself to it. Not only that, you have the chance for thousands of people to love you when they hear you singing.”
Sophie let out a sigh. If only it were that simple. She was not like Ally. Ally was strong.
Ally continued, “Can’t you give it a try? For me?”
Sophie gulped. “You know I would do absolutely anything for you, Ally. I owe you.”
“Pishposh, you owe me nothing. It is not for me that I’m asking. It’s for you.”
Graves entered, Bertram behind him. “Pardon me, my ladies, do you wish for tea this afternoon?”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, Graves, thank you.”
Ally turned toward the two men. “Graves, you’ve known Lady Sophie for a while now. And you’ve heard her sing in the conservatory.”
“Yes, you do have an incredible voice, my lady.” Graves adjusted his cravat.
“Don’t you feel she should share her voice with others? She could sing at the Regal Theatre in one of Mr. Newland’s productions.”
Graves cleared his throat. “I’m not sure it’s my place to have an opinion on the matter, my lady.”
“Actually, Graves, I should like to know what you think,” Sophie said.
“May I speak freely, then?”
“Of course. I would appreciate that.” Sophie smiled. Graves was such a proper servant.
“To be honest, I’ve never thought much of young ladies making a spectacle of themselves in front of an audience. If I may say so, Lady Sophie, you’re much too good for that type of endeavor.”
“Well”—Ally petted her growing belly—“I don’t know what on earth you know about it anyway.”
“Now, Ally, that isn’t fair,” Sophie said. “You asked his opinion. There is no law in England that says everyone has to agree with you.”
Ally chuckled. “There should be.”
Graves even let out a laugh at that one, though Bertram stood behind him, awkward and cowering.
“Indeed,” Graves said, “I did not mean to offend either of you ladies.”
“We know that, Graves,” Sophie said. “My sister will just have to get over herself.”
