Chapter 7 #2
“Lady Dorothea, I wish you would take my seat,” Mr. Harwood said.
Sophia could not resist sending him a look of approval, having noticed that neither Mr. Cunningworth nor Mr. Grantly had thought to do the same when there were clearly not enough chairs in the circle. Mr. Harwood and Miles went over to bring three caned chairs from the sides of the room.
“It has been some time since I’ve come to visit,” Lord Pembroke announced cheerfully, looking around the drawing room.
He had a few times last season when he was still Viscount Throckmorton.
Everyone had called him “Rock” then by way of abbreviation, but now the only one who continued to do so was his cousin, Miles. “It appears nothing has changed.”
“Few things do that are visible,” Camilla observed.
Lord Pembroke glanced at her curiously, but Camilla looked straight ahead, as though the comment had not been for him. Sophia blinked at her sister in surprise. What did she mean by that? Before anyone had time to ponder too long on this cryptic remark, Robert changed the subject entirely.
“Lady Sophia, I have not yet seen you attend the opera this season. You simply must go, for you are missing out on hearing Angelica Catalani. I have seats in my father’s box when she performs next week. Why not attend with me? Our box is large enough to hold six guests.”
“I…”
All eyes were on her. That Robert had chosen to ask her publicly was cruel, for she could hardly refuse him now.
She would desperately have given any excuse not to go, but none came to her.
Not a single word made its way to her lips, and she sent an involuntary glance to Mr. Harwood, who frowned.
He must surely think her stupid for being unable to answer a simple question.
Mr. Harwood turned to Robert. “If you think your father might be amenable to the idea, perhaps I might escort Miss Mowbray and join you in your box. We can make a party of it.”
Sophia had been right that he had not come calling to see her. He was interested in Marie, this much was now evident. Naturally he was, for they were so well-suited.
Marie returned a broad smile, eyes sparkling with pleasure.
If Sophia knew her friend, she was not only praising her good fortune in having secured an invitation to the opera, she was calculating how she might also attend the picnic that Mr. Harwood had promised to Tilly.
There was nothing wrong with such calculations, but Sophia would have liked to go with Mr. Harwood herself.
It was difficult to talk to him when others were present who were more gifted at conversation.
“An excellent idea.” Robert sent Mr. Harwood an approving nod. “My father will be in favor of the plan, I am sure of it.”
After a slight pause, Mr. Harwood pivoted to face Mr. Grantly.
“If you wish to join us, you might bring Lady Camilla.” Robert’s friend pulled back, his expression revealing his distaste for the idea, and an awkward silence followed.
Sophia was mortified on her sister’s behalf, but a rescue came from an unlikely quarter.
“You need not trouble yourself, Mr. Grantly,” Lord Pembroke said pleasantly as all eyes turned to him. “Lady Camilla, if you are pleased to accept my company, I will take you. And I will invite your sister and Miles to make up the party.”
By now, Mr. Grantly seemed to have recognized that he had acted in bad ton, for he said, “Well, it was only that I had not yet made up my mind to go…”
Camilla did not allow him to finish. “I accept. Thank you for the invitation, Lord Pembroke.”
She smiled at Lord Pembroke, and looked charmingly as she did so.
Camilla had always been given to plumpness but had lost some of it in the past year.
Not only that, Sophia reflected with satisfaction, her younger sister was faring better than many more experienced ladies in their first season, for she had secured an invitation to attend the opera with a young and handsome earl despite not yet being out.
“Well, we must take our leave. We would not wish to outstay our welcome.” Mr. Cunningworth laughed as he got to his feet, and his friends followed suit.
His departure brought Sophia relief, even though it meant his friends would leave with him.
However, her thankfulness at being free of him for the afternoon plunged at the reminder in his next words.
“But I shall own myself satisfied, for I have achieved the purpose of my visit.” He bowed to her. “I have the pleasure of escorting you to the opera next week, Lady Sophia.”
Sophia managed a wan smile, which fell as Mr. Harwood bowed before Marie. “Miss Mowbray, I will confirm the arrangements for the opera if that is agreeable to you.”
“It is. Thank you for the invitation.”
He took leave of all the ladies present, including Tilly, and stood before Sophia last. He bowed and smiled at her as he stood upright.
“Good day.” She curtsied but was unable to respond, or even smile.
The three gentlemen took their leave, and Marie exhaled quietly.
No one noticed but Sophia. However, she could not ask Marie for her thoughts or discuss anything that had transpired during the visit, for there were others in the drawing room—notably Lord Pembroke, who was not connected to their family.
Instead, Sophia gave voice to her question. “Camilla, if it was not your idea to ask Dorry and Miles to come this morning, whose was it?”
“Mine,” Tilly said, surprising everyone.
Sophia turned to her, puzzled, and she went on.
“After all, it seemed pointless to sit around each day, waiting for callers to come. I knew you would stay at home until we finally had visitors, so I wrote to invite Dorry and Miles. How was I to know we would actually have real callers today?” This artless comment was met with stunned silence, broken by laughter.
“I have never been so set down in all of my life,” Lord Pembroke said with a tragic air. “It matters not that I am an earl, for today I have learned that I am not a real caller.”