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“My pleasure.” Mister Ford tossed the bark away and dusted his hands. “I’m sure I look worse than you right now. It’s going to be interesting to explain the bruise coming up on my head.”
Sophia found herself smiling.
“I’m not going to help you there, Mister Ford. You’re going to have to think up something on your own.”
“I suppose.” He peered at her. “Are you alright? I was aware of you being in Mister Shore’s company a while ago.”
“You were concerned about that?”
“Well, he is known for being a rake. He likes to seduce women who are … well, not well-versed in certain affairs.”
Sophia didn’t know what to say to that. She couldn’t remember her parents or her sisters being concerned about her like this. Her brother-in-laws had expressed themselves at certain points whenever they believed Sophia needed some guidance, but that wasn’t often. Mostly because they were dismissed by Sophia’s own family.
She shrugged.
“It was nothing. He was a good dancer, and we talked briefly. That was it. Completely innocent.”
“With my friend, nothing is completely innocent.”
“He is your friend.”
“Which is why you being around him is a bad idea.” Mister Ford’s eyes never left her face. “He’s a charismatic individual, and you really need to be on your guard. Never be alone with him.”
“Never be alone with him.” Sophia lifted her chin. “Like I should never be alone with you.”
“That’s different.”
“How is it different? The two of you have a woman alone. In our case, you have more to lose.”
He winced, rubbing the back of his neck.
“You do have a point there.”
“So why did you follow me outside? Why didn’t you approach me in the house?”
“Because you were not present. And I didn’t want to wait until you came back in.” He sighed. “Listen, I know I can’t force you to do anything. But please do approach Mister Shore with caution.”
Sophia huffed.
“Why do people think I don’t know how to look after myself? I’m not stupid, yet I’m treated as if I haven’t got any common sense. Mister Shore was respectable towards me. Nothing wrong there.” Her eyes narrowed. “Although I’m concerned that he knows about us meeting privately. By accident, but if he says anything, it could be misconstrued.”
“He won’t say anything. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Sophia folded her arms. “I’m sure you’ll be telling him about this as well.”
“Only if you don’t want me to.”
“I don’t. While I know this is innocent, knowing someone I don’t know is aware of this doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t think my parents will notice, but I don’t want to take that chance.”
Mister Ford smiled, and it made Sophia’s heart miss a beat again. She wished he wouldn’t smile like that; it was very distracting.
“I won’t be around Mister Shore more than I have to if that’s what you’re worried about. But, please, focus your attention on my sister. She’s the one you should be with, not me.”
“I decide who I want to be around. And I find you interesting.”
“Me?”
“You sound surprised.”
