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“True.” As they crossed the hall together, Sophia couldn’t help fidgeting with her gown. She had worn a bold color tonight, Pomona green, not something her husband would have ever let her wear. Tonight though, there were no rules.
As she fidgeted with the gown, she thought of Rachel’s words.
Jeremy has his rules. He will not come back to me now.
She couldn’t help being disappointed. The mere idea of another night with Jeremy thrilled her, but it was not to be.
Our deal is done. I must remember that.
She chewed her lip to stop herself from uttering anymore words on the matter. It wasn’t just the passion she had enjoyed that night, but the card game too, and the way she and Jeremy had laughed together so freely. She knew she could not speak of such things aloud.
“Come, we will be late.” Rachel was pulling Sophia toward the door when a shadow appeared in front of it. Rachel froze, but Sophia continued to walk forward, knowing exactly who it was.
“Nick?” she said, calling to him. In the candlelight, Nick’s expression appeared. It was grave as he looked at her, with no trace of a smile in sight. As Sophia’s eyes cast downward, she was surprised to see he had dressed well for the evening, in a deep black tailcoat. “Are you coming to the ball too?”
“I am.”
Sophia exchanged an uncertain look with Rachel. Nick was not one for attending balls. He had once said to Sophia that he went to the occasional ball to maintain appearances, but he saw little good that could come from them.
“How exciting, Lord Elkins,” Rachel said, planting such a quick false smile in place that Sophia was impressed. “Do not feel you have to go on our account though. I am able to escort your sister-in-law to the ball safely.”
“Yes, you have been escorting her to a lot of places recently. Ladies unaccompanied by gentlemen, what will people be saying, I wonder?” The tone was wry, but his true meaning was also implied.
Sophia cast a quick glance Rachel’s way, seeing she seemed to have the same twitch in her own cheeks that Sophia was sure she had.
We are supposed to be free now we are widowed. We shouldn’t have to be escorted to and fro like sheep under the watchful gaze of a shepherd.
“Well, we would be glad of your company, My Lord.” Once again, Rachel was able to plant a false smile in place that Sophia was struggling to accomplish. She only managed it when Rachel subtly elbowed her in the stomach.
As Nick stepped to the side and gestured for the two of them to go out first, they passed by him, with Sophia stealing many glances his way.
What is he up to?
Once they were out of the house, Rachel was helped inside the carriage first, before Nick offered his hand to Sophia. She stepped up, but he didn’t release her hand quite yet. He held it tightly between his fingers, forcing her to stop and look back to him.
“What is it, Nick?” She tried to pull her hand out of his, but to little avail.
“I would hate for there to be whispers about the company you keep at these events, sister. May I remind you that your behavior affects us both?” His voice was deep as he stared at her.
Does he know about my scandal?
The mere thought made her swallow nervously, but she knew he couldn’t know. She had been so careful when she had crept out of the house to go and meet Jeremy, and no one had seen her return either. Jeremy had also vowed not to utter a word to a soul before she had left him that night.
“I keep good and respectable company, brother,” she murmured, not looking away from him.
I will not be cowed by him.
“We shall see.” He released her hand and gestured for her to climb in. As Sophia sat beside Rachel, she took her friend’s hand, purposefully looking away when Nick followed her inside.
Sophia couldn’t help thinking as the carriage set off that though her husband was gone, perhaps she was not quite as free as she wished to be. Maybe Nick was not willing to let that happen.
