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“I’m fine.” She lied and attempted a smile, but it did not last long. When she heard Rachel sigh at her poor attempt at a fib, Sophia shot a glare her friend’s way. “Rachel…”
“Perhaps it’s best to move onto the reason we are here, Sophia,” Rachel encouraged, clearly trying to help.
“Yes, I think that best.” Sophia cleared her throat. Though she turned her focus on Jeremy’s direction, she couldn’t meet his gaze. She found she was too afraid to, knowing the pain it would cause her to see Jeremy looking at her with any amount of worry and pity. “I have taken the decision to leave my brother-in-law’s house, Your Grace.”
She tried to be formal. With her stare in the middle of his chest, she could see he adjusted his stance, as if uncomfortable with such a formal address.
“I intend to visit a solicitor in order to arrange the extraction of my annuity. In the meantime, I will go to my house and collect my things.”
“I have offered for Sophia to stay with me until we can arrange things with the solicitor,” Rachel spoke up.
“It sounds a wise idea,” Jeremy said quickly, still shifting between his feet. “Surely you do not intend to go back to that house alone?”
“That is why we are here,” Rachel went on. When Sophia made no attempt to speak further, Rachel clearly took up the position in the conversation, sensing her reluctance.
It is no longer as easy to speak to Jeremy as it was once, not since I declared I loved him, and he could say nothing back! He stood staring at me as if he were a statue.
The mere memory of it made Sophia turn and place her gaze on Rachel.
“We are here to ask the two of you to accompany us to the house, if you would,” Rachel spoke clearly as she looked between the two gentlemen. “Quite frankly, I do not think it wise for Sophia to go alone, and though I will be there, I am not so great a fool as to think Lord Elkins will quake in his boots when he sees me. I do not have so good a punch on me as you do, Your Grace.”
“A very good idea.” Lord Thorne nodded in agreement with her. “Though I would be wary of taking my friend there at all. If he so much as sees Lord Elkins, he might strike him again.”
“He deserves it.” The strength in Jeremy’s voice made Sophia glance toward him, not quite meeting his gaze. She realized how close he had moved to her side, as if intending to reach out and touch her, though he didn’t. “Yes, we will come.”
“You are sure?” Sophia asked, not wanting to drag him into a situation he had no wish to be a part of.
“Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away.” As he stepped past her, he brushed her arm with the tips of his fingers, it was an action hidden from the others, though Sophia felt it. The feeling danced under her skin, thrilled at his touch.
Why is he torturing me so?
“I will make arrangements for the carriage now. We will have your things out of that house by the end of the day.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” At the formal address, she watched as Jeremy paused in the doorway again. He looked irked at it, then he glanced the others’ way and said nothing before he hurried off.
* * *
Sophia unlocked the door to her house, with Jeremy standing close behind her. He was aware that Rachel and Lord Thorne stood just a little way back from them, repeatedly glancing at each other as if to pass silent messages between them. Jeremy was not rising to those curious looks, for he was much too focused on Sophia.
“We will be quick, yes?” Jeremy said as Sophia opened the door. “Point out everything that is yours, and we will leave before your brother-in-law can realize you are gone.”
“Yes, very well.” She led the way in, where the butler soon appeared in the corridor.
“Oh, good day, My Lady,” he said jovially and bowed to her. “It is good to see you are home.” Jeremy glanced Sophia’s way, seeing that she returned the smile with restraint.
This will not be her home for much longer.
Jeremy looked back and forth, wary of Lord Elkins appearing in a doorway at any second or stepping round a corner. His eyes danced across the staircase in particular, prepared for Lord Elkins’ appearance.
“Is Nick here?” Sophia asked, stepping forward.
“No, My Lady.” The butler shook his head. “He went shooting the pheasants this morning. We do not expect him back for some time.”
There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief between the four of them. Jeremy glanced back at Stephen, seeing the same relief in his face. Neither of them much fancied the idea of a fight, even if it turned out to be necessary. Now, fortunately, it seemed it wouldn’t be.
“Excellent.” Sophia stepped forward. “In which case, I will need portmanteaus preparing, and a carriage. I am afraid I am to leave this house.”
The butler moved past his shock soon enough. The more Jeremy watched the butler, the more he began to realize that the butler wasn’t hugely startled. If anything, the butler seemed eager to help. Maids were brought round with enough portmanteaus to fill a bedchamber.
