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“Can’t say that I blame her,” Somerton retorted.
“She told me to propose to Miss Littlebury.”
“Of course she did. Her father won’t acknowledge her so she believes you are better off with Miss Littlebury,” Somerton said, still glaring at him.
“And yet, we both know who her father is and he is far more influential than Lord Witham.”
“You both know who her father is?” a feminine voice sounded behind Somerton.
Nicholas groaned seeing Jennette standing there with a look of amazement on her face. “Yes, Jennette. We both know.”
“How?” Jennette asked. “I have known her for over five years, and she has never told a soul. Does anyone else know?”
“I’ve known Sophie for ten years. And Victoria guessed it,” Somerton said offhandedly.
Jennette’s dark brows furrowed. “How in the world would she have guessed it?” Her mouth dropped as she stared at Somerton. “Oh, my God!”
“And now Jennette has figured it out,” Nicholas commented with a pointed look at Somerton.
“I never noticed the resemblance until now,” she said with a hint of awe to her voice.
“The resemblance?” another feminine voice asked. “To whom?”
This time Somerton groaned as Avis stepped forward. “No one, Avis. Go back to your dinner.”
“I believe I would prefer to hear this discussion, Somerton.”
“Avis, did Sophie ever tell you who her father is?” Jennette asked.
“Of course not and I never pressed her. Why?”
Jennette waved her hand at Somerton and Nicholas. “They both know. As does Victoria.”
“Victoria knows! How?” Avis said.
“Sophie and Somerton have known each other for ten years,” Jennette started.
Before she could continue, Somerton blurted out, “Sophie is my half sister. God, what a bunch of gossiping women.”
Avis stared at him. “Your sister?”
“Yes, my sister.” Somerton flexed his hands. “Now you all know.”
“What do we all know?” Elizabeth asked from the threshold of the dining room. “All I want to know is why people are in the hall instead of the dining room. And where is Sophie?”
Both Somerton and Nicholas groaned.
“You might as well tell them all,” Nicholas said to Somerton as they herded everyone to the dining room.
Chapter 21
Sophie shuffled through the stack of correspondence on her desk to see if her father had sent a reply yet. Finding nothing, she bit down on her lip. If she didn’t hear from him by tomorrow, she would have to use her last possibility.
After her encounter with Nicholas at Elizabeth’s house, she could not stay in England any longer. The idea of watching him marry that little tart would destroy her.
“Miss Reynard, Lord Westbury is here to see you, ma’am.”
He was here! In her home! The last time he had come by to see her was when she was fifteen and had the measles. The majority of their communication was short notes written when her expenses ran higher than normal.
