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CHAPTER10
Sophia was horrified. Nausea swelled in her stomach as she tried to clamp down on it. She continued to stare at Nick, her jaw agape, wishing she had heard him wrong, even though she knew she hadn’t.
He wishes to be the man I…
She couldn’t even finish the thought.
When the music came to a close, he didn’t release her. Determined to be free of him, and far away from this conversation, Sophia stepped on his foot again, praying the action was hidden by any onlookers thanks to the skirt of her gown. Nick hissed in pain at the action, but he released her at last.
Sophia didn’t think she had ever curtsied so fast. It was so quick that she nearly tripped over her own feet. She didn’t wait for Nick to offer his hand and escort her from the floor either. She turned her back on him and hurried off the floor, aware that her sudden departure had made some people glance her way and whisper.
Sophia ignored them all. She could only think of escaping. As she glanced back, she was aware of Nick following her. She cursed and circled the room, hoping that if she squeezed through enough couples and put enough people between them, that he would give up, and leave her.
When she reached a drinks table, she planted her hands against the surface, making the crystal glasses dance and shiver, tapping together so that they tinkled.
This is madness… surely this is just a dream!
One glance over her shoulder showed that Nick was no longer following her. He had been caught in conversation with someone, by Lord Thorne of all people, who was eagerly talking to Nick and making him turn away, much to Nick’s evident annoyance.
“What is happening?” Sophia murmured, quietly to herself.
“That was to be my question.” Jeremy’s voice made her whip round. He had come close to her side, with a perfect frown on his features creasing his brow. “I have seen you dance many times over the last few years, Sophia, never have I seen a dance like that.” He motioned his hand toward the dancefloor. “You looked ready to kick him in the gut and walk off. I wouldn’t have been surprised if you did.”
“I wish I had,” Sophia muttered to herself and looked warily back to Nick once again. Still, Lord Thorne was talking to him. “Are you responsible for that?” She gestured to where the two men were together.
“Stephen is a good friend,” Jeremy said with a smile. “I may have asked if he could distract your brother-in-law whilst I came to speak to you. Now, tell me what is wrong.” He took a step toward her.
In that moment, Sophia could feel the words on her tongue, ready to tell him everything.
That is not the sort of relationship we have though, is it? I shouldn’t be telling this man secrets. We had one night of passion! That is all.
Yet even as she sought to persuade herself of it, she found her heart thudding hard in her chest. It was thudding that fast because of Jeremy.
It is not just passion… is it?
“Sophia, you’re shaking.” He took her hand and held her fingers between his. The way he held her hand down at their sides meant the action would be hidden from anyone who glanced their way. “Are you frightened?”
Yes!
“Here, you need something to drink.”
“No more wine, please.”
“How about a brandy instead?” Jeremy asked, reaching for a carafe on the table that was usually reserved just for the men.
“You have persuaded me.” Sophia spoke hurriedly. Jeremy smiled a little as he poured out the glass. She took it and had a hefty swig. One which made his eyebrows raise.
“Sophia, what has happened? What did Lord Elkins say to you?” His words were panicked as he stepped closer to her, his other hand still in hers. She didn’t answer him yet, but had another swig of the brandy, trying to quell her shivers. “You can tell me anything. Don’t you trust me by now?”
The words made her freeze with the brandy glass on her lips. She looked over the crystal rim, looking past the way the light reflected through that glass in a multitude of colors, and settled on Jeremy’s face.
He is worried for me.
“Trust you?” she whispered, lowering the glass.
I shouldn’t trust a man who only offered one night of passion, should I?
Yet she did trust him. Sophia knew in that moment that she cared for Jeremy. This heat was everything to her. She found she anchored her body to the mere thought of Jeremy, angling herself so that she was facing him. She had done the same all night, yet it wasn’t just about the heat. Who else had made her smile and laugh as he had? Who else could she talk to so freely and boldly?
