AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You were saying about Mister Shore? He left his calling card last night after the ball?”
“What? Oh, right.” Her father cleared his throat and turned away from the canvases. “He said you impressed him, and he wanted to see you again as soon as possible. Not exactly appropriate, but given the circumstances, we decided he could come and call on you this morning.”
Sophia didn’t know what to say about that. A gentleman wanted to see her? This didn’t make any sense at all. People flocked around her sisters, not her. They were the ones who got the attention of everyone while Sophia was in the background, trying to hide and be a piece of furniture. She had been pushed into that position for so long that it was something she was used to now.
This was not something she was used to at all.
“I … are you sure he’s calling on me this morning?”
“I’m sure. Mister Shore said he would be along by ten.” Westbury gestured at the clock. “It’s almost nine. You need to go and get ready.”
“But I am ready, Father.” Sophia indicated herself. “I’m dressed, and I’m presentable.”
“You’ve got paint on your skirt, and there’s paint on your face.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Go back upstairs and clean yourself up.” Westbury shook his head. “Honestly, you’re like a little boy playing around in dirt. I don’t know how you get so untidy.”
Sophia didn’t immediately respond. He had been doing really well in complimenting her. It was like a different man. Now he was back to insulting her, albeit unintentionally. She looked down at the specks and smudges of paint on her skirts. It wasn’t that bad. It could easily be hidden.
But she had a feeling her parents wouldn’t be impressed. She sighed.
“Alright, Father. I’ll go and change.”
“Good girl. You always did know when to behave.” Westbury’s expression softened for just a moment. “You’re more obedient than your sisters.”
There was nothing Sophia could say in retaliation. Not without getting into trouble. She simply curtsied and left the room. So much for having the morning to herself. She had a visitor. For the first time in years, someone other than Christiana was calling on her.
What did he want with her? Sophia couldn’t think of any reason why a gentleman like Pierce Shore would be interested in her. Mister Ford’s words came back to her, but Sophia pushed them away. She would make her own decisions and not take the advice of someone who made her feel like she was being turned upside-down.
Listening so blindly was just going to get her into further trouble.
Chapter 10
It didn’t take long to get the paint off her face and change, but Sophia took her time going downstairs. She wasn’t sure what to make of this. It had been a long time since she had had any suitors at all. Her first Season had been the busiest when it came to gentlemen calling on her, but eventually they all drifted away. Sophia didn’t think she did anything different with each of them and kept herself respectable. It just wasn’t meant to be.
So, to have someone calling on her after just one meeting was a little odd for her. She had barely been in Mister Shore’s company unless you counted that dance as well. How had she managed to impress him enough that he wished to see her again? Her head was hurting trying to figure it out.
But she couldn’t stay upstairs forever. Mister Shore would arrive soon, and Sophia would have to present herself. She didn’t want to, not with her misgivings about what was happening, but her parents would all but drag her downstairs if she didn’t comply.
At times like this, Sophia wanted to sneak away and go to Christiana’s house. But she knew that wouldn’t be accepted this time. She might as well go down and see why Mister Shore was so interested to see her again. Especially after what Mister Ford had told her about him.
Sophia groaned and pushed thoughts of Mister Ford out of her mind. She would not think about him right now. It was a bad idea when she was meeting someone else.
He might have an opinion on his friend, but Sophia needed to make one herself. Just a short time with Mister Shore wasn’t enough. She might as well get to know him more to have a better opinion of him. As long as Mister Shore didn’t take that as a genuine interest in him, that could be done.
“Miss Sophia?”
Sophia jumped. Diane was standing behind her, their eyes meeting in the mirror. Sophia hadn’t realised she had been staring at her reflection. Clearing her throat, she stood up and adjusted her skirts.
“I’m fine. I was … lost in thought.”
“I understand.” Diane smiled. “It’s been a while since you’ve been courted, hasn’t it? This must be exciting.”
“It’s not courting, Diane. Mister Shore is merely visiting.”
“It must mean he wants to court you, though, doesn’t it?”
