Chapter Two #2
Sophie held her breath until the white dress of a shepherdess stepped into view. She’d just inhaled again when her arm was caught in another’s.
“You two must sit with me and protect me from my well-meaning brother. It seems his sense of humor disappeared after the new year turned.”
As Rose propelled her and Georgie into the crowd, Sophie frantically looked about for the helmet.
“What is it, Sophie? You’ll be fine at our table. I promise.”
Rose’s soft-spoken words helped her relax. At least none of them would be a Roman soldier who wore no mask.
After much ado, they were all seated in the dining room.
Sophie took a bite of roasted hare and chewed, thankful to Rose for maneuvering them to a table of only ten chairs.
She was perfectly happy sitting between Georgie, whose parents sat on her other side, and Rose, whose brother and Dory sat next to her.
Two of the remaining three seats were filled by Lord and Lady Sommerset, good friends of Lord Harewood and two people whom Sophie was very familiar, since they often visited the school when Lady Sommerset gave lectures on art history, appreciation, and themes.
The lady was becoming quite a popular artist, and Rose had confided that Lady Sommerset had painted her husband in the nude!
Though how she’d discovered that, Sophie didn’t want to know.
From Sophie’s vantage point at the table, she could view the whole room, and she found it quite interesting.
People chatted gaily in their costumes, and those with full masks set them aside in order to eat.
Obviously, they did not mind being recognized.
Lord Ashfield, who had danced with Georgina, appeared to be dancing attendance upon a young woman dressed as Artemis, the goddess of the hunt in Greek mythology.
Fortunately, Georgie was too busy chatting with her mother to notice.
There were a few other people Sophie recognized, despite their masks.
The owners of the Belinda School of Curious Ladies, the Duke and Duchess of Northwick, were dressed as Athena and Plato.
Then there was Lissa, another former classmate, and Lord Bellamore.
Lissa was scandalously dressed in a toga with her husband dressed as Caesar.
Sophie could always count on Lissa or Rose to keep the evening interesting.
What she loved about her schoolmates, and past schoolmates, was that they never pressured her to do what she didn’t wish to. Even Ellie, who had perhaps pushed a bit more, would eventually concede. Not like her mother.
Despite being quiet herself, Lady Dowling was anxious for Sophie to marry.
It was her mother who’d insisted she attend the Belinda School for Curious Ladies.
Though Sophie had asked fervently not to attend, she’d had no choice, and it had resulted in a whole new world.
Now she had friends, could read all that she wished, and was allowed to have opinions, as long as they were supported.
At home she’d always felt nervous, though her mother seemed pleased with her.
She truly dreaded having to go back to London, where she’d have to stay in her family’s townhome for her third Season.
Loud laughter to her right had her turning.
Her contented feeling of but a moment ago vanished like the murdered ghost of Banquo in Macbeth, leaving her with an equal chill.
Two tables away sat the Roman soldier. With him were two men she knew, also maskless.
Lord Durham and Lord Manning—the first was dressed as a jester and the other as a Persian.
There were additional men at the table, all seemingly focused on the Roman.
Rose elbowed her, causing her to turn. “That one is far too popular. Lord Sommerset says he won’t marry until he reaches thirty. More’s the pity. He’s one of the few lords who wouldn’t be boring.”
Sophie’s heart skipped a beat. “You know the man dressed as a Roman soldier?”
“Of course. He’s Lord Sommerset’s younger brother, Christopher Crauford, Viscount of Tamworth. My brother has been a mediator many times between him and his older brother.”
Sophie looked to where Lord Harewood sat talking to Lord Sommerset.
The Roman soldier was related to someone at her table?
She swallowed hard, then glanced back toward the table of men.
She calmed a bit, since the man was fully engaged with his companions.
He was like Shakespeare’s character Falstaff, whose very presence garnered attention.
It was doubtful he would stop by to talk to his brother.
Still, it would be best to finish the meal as soon as politely possible.
“Sophie, are you well?”
At Rose’s question, Sophie returned her attention to her friend. “I’m fine. Why does Lord Sommerset’s brother have a different title?”
Rose waved away the question. “Oh, it was some special arrangement with their maternal grandfather or something. Don’t try to change the subject. You don’t look well. You turned very pale when I mentioned Lord Tamworth.”
Despite the monk costume and her fondness for her friend, Rose was not someone Sophie felt comfortable sharing her most jarring experience with. To avoid lying, she made a suggestion. “It could be something I ate has bothered my constitution. I’m sure it will pass.”
Rose gave a nod. “Ellie did provide some unusual food. I do think she’s hoping to impress with her first ball. I, for one, am enjoying myself immensely. Now tell me, you’ve been observing people as usual, so what have you noticed? Did Tamworth do something scandalous?”
Rose’s question was so close to the truth that Sophie gasped.
Immediately, Rose leaned toward her and whispered, “You must tell me.”
Frantic to throw Rose off the scent of what had happened, Sophie grasped for anything. Her gaze landed on Lord Harewood and it came to her. Keeping her voice low, she leaned toward Rose. “Your brother lost a bet to Lord Tamworth.”
Rose’s eyes rounded and her mouth opened, but no sound emerged. Then she closed it quickly and glanced at her brother before a sly smile filled her face.
“Rose, what are you thinking? I told you that in confidence.”
“Yes. Yes, you did. Rest assured, I will not tell him how I learned of it. Thank you.”
Rose’s smile boded no good for her brother, but there was nothing Sophie could do.
When Rose made up her mind, there was no changing it.
No doubt Lord Harewood would have that unfortunate information brought up at the most inopportune time.
Sophie wished she could be a little more like Rose, who was brave and witty and very beautiful.
“Sophie, did you hear that?” Georgie touched her arm.
Happy to be distracted from her own thoughts, Sophie turned to her. “I didn’t.”
“Mother says Ellie has planned for us all to go skating tomorrow on her pond. I just love to skate.”
Her mood brightened at the prospect. “I do, too. Do you remember last winter when we were able to skate at Silver Meadows?”
Georgie nodded vigorously. “I do. I also remember that you taught Mrs. Kingman how to do it. You were so patient. I couldn’t be so. I so enjoy skating as fast as possible. I hope the pond is frozen over when we return to school.”
“Me too. I believe you were the fastest of all of us.”
Georgie preened beneath the compliment. “Thank you. And I believe Ellie is the best hostess. She makes the perfect Lady Ferncroft.”