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Sophie frowned. “What are you truly about, Miss Littlebury?”
Her pale blue eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“I know of no one named Miss Hall. The last time you were here, you strode from the room declaring me a fraud. So what exactly is your purpose in coming here today?”
Miss Littlebury bristled. “How dare you little nobody accuse me of coming here on false pretenses.”
Sophie smiled slightly. The woman wanted something from her, but Sophie didn’t know what. Using her softest tone, she said, “I didn’t accuse you of anything. I would just like to know why you came here again.”
Miss Littlebury blinked and looked up at the plain white ceiling. “My father would like me to marry someone. I am not certain he is the man I should marry.” She bit her lip and glanced down at her hands. “You did help a friend of mine make a superior match. Miss Elizabeth Tyson is now the Countess Rotherham. She is so happy, Miss Reynard. I apologize for not speaking the truth before now.”
“Very well, Miss Littlebury,” Sophie said, holding out her hand. “Take my hand and think about love . . . what you want in a husband.”
As Miss Littlebury did, Sophie felt the familiar dizziness and closed her eyes. Just like the last time she read Miss Littlebury everything remained faint as if a sheer fabric covered the scene. There were two men and while Nicholas was one of them, this time he remained farther in the background.
“I see two men in your life right now,” Sophie whispered. “One is blonde with green eyes and very handsome.” Well, handsome from what she could determine.
“And the other?”
“He is farther in the back. I’m not certain what it means.”
“Who is it?” she urged.
“I believe it is Lord Ancroft,” Sophie said softly. “I am not sure why he would be so far in the distance.”
“What about the other man? What is his name?”
Sophie concentrated but couldn’t determine a full name for the man. “I can only get Edward or Edmund. Something similar to that.”
“I don’t believe I know of any man with that name.”
Sophie kept her eyes shut but knew the girl was lying. Edward was a very common name and even Sophie knew several men with that name. She opened her eyes and saw a gleam of satisfaction in Miss Littlebury’s blue eyes.
“My father would like me to marry Lord Ancroft,” Miss Littlebury admitted. “I would like to be the duchess but after seeing Miss Tyson marry for love . . .” Her voice trailed off as she glanced away.
“Miss Littlebury, I will tell you something only if I have your complete confidence.”
Miss Littlebury turned her head back toward Sophie. “Of course, I shall not speak of anything we have conversed about today.”
“Very well, I believe the other man is the one for you to find true happiness with. I read Lord Ancroft and you were not the woman for him.”
“Then who is?”
“I could not determine his match. With you, things are hazy but with him, there was nothing to see.” Sophie still wondered if it was related to death as was the case with Lady Cantwell. Was he fated to an early demise?
“So,” Miss Littlebury started, “you don’t see any specific woman with Lord Ancroft.”
Hearing the scheming tone of her voice caused the hairs on her neck to rise. “What do you mean?”
She smiled as she removed her hands from Sophie. “Thank you for your time, Miss Reynard. I must be off now.”
“Miss Littlebury . . .”
“Yes?” Miss Littlebury stood and picked up her reticule. She fished some money out and tossed it on the table.
“Please believe me when I say that there is another man for you.”
“Well, if you can ever determine his name, please let me know, Miss Reynard. Good day.” She turned and departed the room with a rustle of muslin.
