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Sophia’s mouth opened and closed.
“I … I don’t think anyone’s said that about me before.”
“Maybe they haven’t seen you as I see you.”
“How is that possible? We’ve barely spoken about anything meaningful.”
“Do you want to have meaningful conversations?”
“I … I don’t really know.” Sophia licked her lips, realising that he was now looking at her mouth. “We shouldn’t. Not with what is happening between you and my sister. You should be thinking about her.”
He was silent for a moment. To the point that Sophia wanted to squirm. She didn’t like these confusing emotions going through her, especially when he was this close. She wondered if her stays had been tightened a little too much; it was becoming a bit of a struggle to breathe.
“When I do things, I do things thoroughly. If we’re going to be … well, if we’re going to be related, I should look after everyone in my family.” Mister Ford’s head tilted to one side. “That includes you, Miss Sophia.”
“You shouldn’t, Mister Ford.”
“Why not?”
Because there’s no point.Sophia pushed that away. She was beginning to fall into those beautiful eyes that had never looked away from her, and it was getting disconcerting.
She started to move away.
“You’d better go back inside. Aimee is going to wonder where you are.”
“What about you?”
“Don’t you think it’s going to look a little odd if you and I go back inside simultaneously?”
He hesitated, which Sophia used to back away.
“I’ll be fine. This is my home, so you don’t need to worry about me. My family won’t even notice that I’ve gone.”
“That is not something anyone should have to say.”
“Well, that’s how things work with my family, Mister Ford. You’ll understand more once you’re married to Aimee.” Sophia turned away. “Go and find your betrothed. I’m sure she’s concerned about your whereabouts.”
“Sophia …”
“It’s best that we don’t do this again. I don’t want to get you into trouble.” Sophia didn’t turn back as she hurried away. “Enjoy your evening, Mister Ford. I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”
She didn’t slow down as she hurried towards the rose garden. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from going back to Thomas Ford for his company.
That was wrong. She needed to stop that. If Aimee found out what she had been doing, she would be furious. And Aimee’s fury was not something Sophia wanted to deal with. She had to respect her sister.
Even if she thought the match was the most incompatible out of all of her sisters’ marriages.
Chapter 9
“Are you going to retire, Thomas?” Lady Hawksworth asked as they entered the house, shrugging off his coat. “It is almost midnight.”
Thomas looked at Edwin and Pierce, who both shook their heads. They were going to stay up for longer. If he were honest with himself, Thomas didn’t want to go to his bedchamber, either. Things were too much of a mess in his head.
“I think we’ll have a drink before we retire for the night, Father.”
His father raised his eyebrows, but he didn’t say anything. He simply shrugged and waved a hand as he headed towards the stairs. Lady Hawksworth clasped her son’s hand before patting Edwin’s cheek.
“Don’t stay up too late, you two. It’s been a busy evening.”
