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She took a deep breath.
“As people, no. You are not compatible. My sister is … she’s not the easiest of people to get along with. You would have to have a lot of patience to deal with her, and that can wear very thin.”
Ford’s mouth twitched.
“I was expecting you to try and use some flowery words to praise your sister. You are meant to entice me that your sister is a good match for me.”
“You said to me before that you prefer honesty, even if it hurt and wasn’t in the confines of proper etiquette. And I said that I was the same.” Sophia straightened her shoulders. “And I don’t think you two are compatible. If you managed to tame her, so she became a decent person, you would have performed a miracle. I would love to have my sister back as she was before she came out. Is that honest enough for you?”
They stared at each other. Sophia felt something pass between them, and she could feel something warm pressing on her shoulders. What did that mean, and why was she reacting like this?
“Mister Ford? Are you out here?”
Sophia froze. That was Amelia. What if she came out here and found them? Amelia was the one who caused the most trouble; she loved gossip, especially if it was salacious. Ford put a finger to his lips and motioned for her to stay. Then he turned and left the vegetable garden.
“Lady Hilton. Forgive me; I was just admiring the vegetable garden your father has cultivated.”
“Father?” Amelia snorted. “That sort of thing is left to the servants. And to Sophia.”
“Your sister?”
“She says it’s better to have our homegrown produce and spends hours with the gardener turning it into what it is now. I think she’s more at home with flowers and vegetables than people.”
Sophia flinched. Why did her sister have to say all that? It was not becoming, and Amelia knew it. But any excuse to be harsh towards Sophia.
“I see.” Ford’s voice was blank, indicating no emotion. “I take it I’m wanted back inside?”
“You are. My sister is eager to talk to you again. You’ve certainly captured her attention.”
“I’m glad I’m useful for something, then. Shall we?”
Sophia listened to the two of them walking away, and she sagged back onto the bench. Aimee was already smitten. She wouldn’t hear anything except that for a while now.
And she didn’t like it at all.
#
Thomas was silent on the way home. Sophia was Aimee Burke’s sister? How had he managed to miss that? He should have figured something out with her walking around on Viscount Westbury’s estate with confidence no servant would have. The lack of a chaperone was something he wasn’t about to broach. He had foolishly thought that she wasn’t a member of the nobility.
That was his fault. But for her to be Westbury’s youngest daughter made it feel like someone was scolding him for thinking she was something else. Thomas was surprised nobody figured out that he and Sophia knew each other. Then again, his father wasn’t the most observant of people, and Westbury, from what Thomas had heard about him, didn’t give his youngest a second glance, much less a first one.
He did feel a little guilty leaving Aimee’s presence as soon as he was introduced to her, citing that he needed to excuse himself, but he wanted to see Sophia again, even if it was brief. She was like a flame, and he was the moth being drawn to her. Thomas just couldn’t help himself.
And those few moments they shared were far more interesting than the hour he had shared with Aimee. She was beautiful, no doubt about it, and there was a grace about her that couldn’t be taught. But there was a snide tone to her voice that she barely hid, and she seemed to be trying a little too hard to be sweet. Sophia didn’t even need to try; she was just sweet all the way through. Aimee, not so much.
Thomas knew he was being unfair – it was just one meeting, after all – but he didn’t care for Aimee. There was something about her that made him uncomfortable and had nothing to do with the stories he had already heard about the family. It didn’t help when the entire family seemed to be there as well.
There were several small children in the corner of the room, although they were, admittedly, very quiet, some men close to his age standing off to one side like a small pack while the women and Westbury practically crowded around him. Thomas felt like he had been backed into a corner.
He understood wanting to make a good impression on the other half, but this was a little excessive. Thomas felt like someone had trapped him in a net, and everyone was gawking at him as if he was on display. He didn’t like it.
Sophia had come back eventually, looking a little more composed with a calm, almost blank expression that didn’t look quite right on her. Thomas had tried to catch her eye and hoped she would be drawn into the conversation, but Aimee ignored her.
So did her mother and sisters. Sophia didn’t even bat an eyelid, heading over to the children and sitting with them. One of the smaller children toddled over to her, and Sophia lifted the little boy into her lap, settling him down and showing him one of his toys. She looked very much at home there.
Thomas wanted to go over and engage with her again. But he had a feeling that his father wouldn’t be impressed if he started paying attention to the other sister; he didn’t want to get anyone upset during their first introduction.
Of all the people Sophia ended up being, why did she have to be related to his supposed future bride?
