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He leaned in closer and said, “She is with Lady Cantwell presently but should be done in about five minutes. Would you prefer to wait?”
“Yes, please.”
She followed Hendricks to the small salon and sat in the wingback chair. A footman brought in tea and Elizabeth poured herself a cup. She grabbed a biscuit, too, and ate her first meal of the day. Hearing voices, she brushed the crumbs off her skirts.
“Good afternoon, Lady Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth rose and bowed to Lady Cantwell.
“That was an exceptional ball last evening. You would have made your mother proud.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Lady Cantwell departed and Sophie entered the room. “What brings you here today…luncheon?”
Sophie looked down at the plate, which had originally held three biscuits, but only one remained.
“I missed breakfast,” Elizabeth admitted with a laugh.
“How was the ball?”
Elizabeth told her all about the party, anything to avoid talking about what she’d come for this afternoon. Finally, there was nothing left to say. “Sophie, I need to ask you a question.”
“Of course.” Sophie sat back against the cushions and stared at her as if she already knew what the question would be. Knowing Sophie’s skills, she most likely did.
“It is about the duke.”
“And?”
“And me,” Elizabeth whispered. “I think I love him but I’m not certain of his feelings for me.”
“I cannot determine his feelings, Elizabeth.”
“Can you help me figure out what to do?”
Sophie nodded. “What is the absolute worst that can happen if you tell him you love him?”
Elizabeth thought on that for a moment. “That he didn’t love me, and wanted to leave England forever.”
“Can you live with that?” Sophie asked softly.
“Live with it how?”
“What if he loved you but could not stay here, would you go with him?” Sophie asked.
“I think I would,” she replied slowly.
“Could you marry him if he didn’t love you?” Sophie picked up her teacup and slowly sipped it.
“No,” she answered with all certainty.
“Even if you’re with child?”
Elizabeth should have known Sophie would guess that they had been intimate. “That is highly unlikely.”
“Ah, but not impossible.” Sophie smiled at her.
“No, not impossible.”
