Never Courted, Suddenly Wed (Scandalous Seasons #2)(11)

Geoffrey raised a brow. “Everything all right, dear sister?”

“Fine,” she said between gritted teeth.

“Very well.” He turned to their mother. “I’d like you to invite Waxham’s family for a dinner party.”

“You conveniently leave out the important fact that Waxham and Mallen are close friends. Mallen would never betray him by courting me while Waxham is.” It was a desperate grasp on Sophie’s part. She held her breath.

Geoffrey picked his fork up and speared a piece of kidney. He popped it into his mouth and chewed it with meticulous care. “If Mallen is as enamored as you’d have us believe, then trust me, it will not matter.”

Sophie bit the inside of her cheek. He had her there. Still, there was hope. After all, Geoffrey was making the very powerful assumption that the pompous, ‘much sought after,’ beast who’d teased her as a child and ignored her as a young woman, would in fact honor his father’s wishes and court her.

Sophie acquiesced. “As you wish, Geoffrey.”

“So it’s settled. A dinner, then.” He nodded his approval.

Ever eager to host guests, the viscountess clapped her hands. “Wonderful!”

Sophie slumped back in her chair. Yes. Just wonderful.

“If I thought it would help, I’d recommend we bring in the finest tutors to school you on appropriate dinner conversation.”

Sophie’s jaw hardened. “I know appropriate dinner conversation.”

“That isn’t what the scandal sheets purport,” her brother muttered from under his breath.

Sophie folded her arms. “It is hardly my fault that Lady Ackerly’s Tattle Sheet took exception with my mention of Duke.”

“Surely you know it is not acceptable to discuss a breeding pup?”

“I merely made mention of the pups Duke had sired.”

“To Prinny.”

Sophie sat back in her seat. “Hmph. I suspected he would be fascinated by the blending of my pug with a mangy bi—”

Mother gasped. “Sophie!” She clapped her hands. “That is more than enough. Geoffrey, do not bait your sister. Sophie…don’t…don’t be…”

Sophie.

Don’t be Sophie.

How many times had her mother uttered that very statement? Sophie’s earliest remembrance of it went back to the days of Sophie’s first governess. How was Sophie to have known that the woman had worn a wig because she’d been bald underneath? And what five-year-old girl wouldn’t have very many questions about that very thing? After all, if the woman had been bald, would Sophie suffer the same fate?

In the end, the woman had been thoroughly insulted. She’d packed her things and Sophie had been down her first governess.

She sighed and shoved back her chair. “Really, Mother. I’m no longer a child. Nor should I be subjected to such unfair scrutiny.” Society had their diamonds of the first water. In Sophie’s case, she’d never even be considered a paste gem on the muddy Thames.

Mother sighed. “Lady Emmaline was such a good influence on you. It is really such a shame that she’s married and you are, you are…” Mother passed her hand over the air in Sophie’s direction.

Sophie tipped her head. “And I am?”

“And you are unwed,” Geoffrey finished from across the table, effectively bringing the conversation round to where it first began. He rested his palms on the table and held Sophie’s gaze. “Sister, I’ve long accepted that you are no great beauty. I’ve also accepted that you have a penchant for saying the wrong things. What I’ll no longer accept is your unwed state. The sooner you resolve yourself to the inevitable, the better off you’ll be.”

Sophie’s fingers curled into tight balls of fists on her lap. Oh, if she possessed a tad more courage, she’d plant Geoffrey a facer to rival Gentleman Jackson himself. Except Geoffrey and Mother both expected such a reaction from his incorrigible sister.

Determined not to descend into their lowly opinion of her, Sophie forced a smile to her lips and took to her feet. “If you’ll excuse me, Duke is due for a walk.”

“Do behave,” Geoffrey called out.

“And do bring Lucy,” Mother followed up.

Sophie directed her gaze to the ceiling. “You act as though I’ll find trouble on a morning walk.” She gave her curls a flounce and sailed past her mother and brother, choosing to ignore the pained look her less than confident family exchanged.

Oh, how little faith they had in her.





Lady Ackerly’s Tattle Sheet





Miss S.W. collided with a servant at the Countess T’s ball, who in turn dropped his tray of champagne flutes and sprayed the ballroom floor with bits of glass. Baron W and his partner fell amidst the debris.


4

Sophie held a hand to her eyes in attempt to shield the sun’s bright rays. She winced at the blinding light, and swallowed back a wave of nausea. Never again. She wouldn’t ever touch spirits. She glanced down the crowded walking paths of Hyde Garden, off into the distance. Her gaze scoured the horizon for a glimpse of her dog. “Where are you, Duke?”

Short of breath from the pace she’d set for herself, she weaved between the fashionable couples who strolled the gardens. Her unladylike behavior was met with shocked gasps and horrified stares from passing lords and ladies.