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“Is Jennette all right?” Selby asked in a caring tone. “She hasn’t been herself for the past few weeks.”
Avis smiled. “I believe your sister will be perfectly well in a few months.”
“Months?” Selby looked down at his wife. “Another child? Already?”
Sophie looked over at Nicholas. His face had gone pale with the conversation. “Are you all right, Lord Ancroft?”
He frowned and tilted his head. A lock of brown hair fell over his forehead. “I am fine, thank you for asking, Miss Reynard.”
“Sophie,” Victoria said, “is it true about Jennette?”
“Yes,” she answered, staring at Nicholas. He finally looked away as color tinged his cheeks. “I realized it the night of their party.”
“I cannot believe Blackburn would be happy about this development,” Selby said.
“Why wouldn’t he be pleased to have another child?” Somerton asked. “Her first went smoothly enough.”
Selby nodded. “He wanted more time to get his estates in order. They have only just finished the town home. He had hoped to finish with the estate in Lancashire before another child came along.”
“Well, sometimes these things just happen,” Nicholas mumbled.
“I have tables set up for cards and other games,” Sophie announced to move the conversation away from Jennette.
Quickly, the couples paired up for cards, leaving her and Nicholas without partners. Sophie knew her friends had deliberately left her without a partner so she would have to choose him. Nicholas stood and walked toward the table with the chessboard.
“Would you care to play, Miss Reynard?”
“Thank you, but no,” she replied coldly. She would have words with her friends tomorrow. They most likely assumed she and Nicholas would marry. She doubted any of them knew about Jennette and Nicholas.
She had no idea what she would tell them. She couldn’t speak of Jennette’s illicit affair. They would hate her for it, if they even believed her.
“But if you don’t play I shall grow terribly bored. As hostess, you should want to fulfill my needs,” he said just loud enough for her to hear.
“Oh, let us play, then. I would hate for anyone to learn what a dreadful hostess I am for not fulfilling the needs of a man who wasn’t even invited.”
Sitting on the side with white pieces, she lifted her pawn and moved it.
“Why are you angry with me, Sophie?” he whispered.
“I am not about to get into this with you tonight.”
“Then when?” he pressed, before moving his black knight. “I am quite certain this is not just about me inviting myself to your party.”
“You are correct about that.” Sophie glanced around the room and noticed Avis and Elizabeth looking over at them. She had to change the subject of their conversation before she garnered even more of their curiosity. She needed a neutral topic that would keep them talking without the sexual undertones usually present.
“Tell me about your daughter,” she said, then moved another pawn forward.
Nicholas saw the pain in her eyes and wanted to take it all away. But looking around the room, he noticed more than just a few gazes on him and Sophie. He was taken aback by her sudden change of subject and her request. Not one woman he’d ever courted or even kept as his mistress had taken an interest in Emma. Most preferred to pretend she didn’t exist.
“Emma is doing quite well, thank you.” He took a moment to study the board before moving a pawn.
She arched a brow at him. “That is all? I have heard stories from Elizabeth about what a proud father you are.”
“Do you really want to know or are you just making polite conversation?” Although, there was nothing polite in asking about a bastard child.
She tilted her head at him and paused for a long moment before replying, “I would really like to know.”
“Emma is ten and already thinks she is quite a lady. She is far too intelligent for her y
