Chapter Four #2
At Rose’s shout, Sophie snapped her attention back to Lord Tamworth, who was headed her way, flanked by his friends.
It was obviously a race, and she quickly skated to the side of the pond.
Seeing the perfect opportunity to leave, she started toward the racers’ starting line, but far off to the side so as not to interfere.
Even as she skated sedately across the ice so as to not attract attention, she couldn’t help admiring Lord Tamworth.
He glided across the ice effortlessly, his strong legs clearly made for such activity.
He’d doffed his top hat, and his speed sent his light-brown locks to waving as he leaned forward, his greatcoat tails fluttering behind him.
Though he appeared determined to win, he smiled as if he enjoyed the race thoroughly.
She found herself coasting to a stop as the racers came closer. Lord Manning was but a foot behind, while Lord Durham seemed to struggle to keep up. Suddenly, Lord Durham put on a burst of speed and, just as he drew even with Lord Tamworth, shoved his friend.
Shocked by such ungentlemanly conduct, she remained frozen to the spot until she realized Lord Tamworth had lost his balance and was careening directly toward her. Too late, she turned to push off the ice.
He slammed into her.
She turned her head and closed her eyes as they fell, expecting to land on her stomach with him on top of her.
But as they hit the ice, she found herself safely padded and opened her eyes to discover herself atop Lord Tamworth, his arms wrapped around her as she stared at the ice.
Her gratefulness for his actions quickly turned to embarrassment.
“Are you hurt, my lady?”
She lifted her head to look at him.
His light-brown eyes scanned her face as worry etched furrows in his large forehead.
She scrambled off him, falling on her behind in her attempt to get away, but already others converged upon them.
“Sophie, are you hurt?” Rose immediately dropped down next to her and took her hand.
Georgina skated up behind Rose. “Oh, Sophie. How awful. I hope you aren’t injured.”
“Nicely done, brother.”
At the sound of Lord Sommerset’s voice, Sophie looked to see him offering his hand to Lord Tamworth.
Lord Tamworth immediately turned to her. “My lady, we have not been introduced, but I hope you would do me the honor of helping you to your feet, if you think yourself capable.”
She didn’t dare look at all the faces surrounding her, knowing everyone would talk about how she’d been in the arms of a man she didn’t even know.
“Chris, you haven’t met Lady Sophie? Allow me.” Lord Sommerset made the introduction. “Lord Tamworth, this is Lady Sophie. Lady Sophie, may I introduce my energetic younger brother, Lord Tamworth.”
She wanted to tell him that she would not accept such an introduction, but there were far too many people present, and she was not so bold as Rosalind. Finally, she moved her gaze back to Lord Tamworth, who continued to hold his hand out to her, his brow furrowed, appearing worried.
With no choice, she set her gloved hand in his and he helped her to stand.
“Please tell me you are unhurt.”
She gave him a nod.
“What did she say? Is she well? I didn’t even see her there.” Lord Durham elbowed his way between the brothers as he spoke.
Lord Tamworth turned his head to speak to Durham, and Sophie slipped her hand from his, since he appeared to have forgotten he held it.
“Durham, one of these days you’re going to regret your own rash actions.”
Lord Durham gave Lord Tamworth a smirk. “I already do, multiple times a day. But please introduce me so that I may apologize profusely.”
Ellie joined them. “Now is not the time.”
Relieved there would be no more introductions, Sophie happily accepted Ellie’s arm around her waist as they skated back to the chairs and away from the crowd.
Ellie stepped off the ice. “You can tell me the truth. Were you harmed?”
Sophie walked beside her friend across the grass, and sat in an empty chair far from the older couples and Lord Ashfield. “I’m fine. I believe that Lord Tamworth broke my fall quite well. But what will everyone think of me?”
Ellie waved off her concern. “They will think nothing untoward. It was an accident caused by Lord Durham. That man is reckless more often than not.”
At her friend’s tone of voice, Sophie stopped untying her second skate and looked at Ellie. “What about Lord Tamworth? He grabbed me and kept me from hitting the ice, but should he have done so?”
“I view his actions as heroic, but I do see your concern.” Ellie pulled a free chair over and sat then bent to untie her laces.
When next she spoke, her voice was much quieter, a rare occurrence.
“I think we can avoid any unfortunate gossip by focusing on Lord Tamworth’s kindness.
I will also be sure to seat him far from you at dinner. ”
Even at the thought of facing everyone at the evening meal, Sophie felt the blood drain from her face. “I can take my meals in my room.”
“Absolutely not. That would fuel the gossip. My guess is Lord Durham will do something else that will get people’s tongues wagging.
If not, I will call on the duchess to start a rather radical conversation, which will refocus anyone’s thoughts.
Why, I can even tell people about the zoo we are planning to add to Hawthorne Park. ”
“A zoo?” She raised her brows, hoping Ellie jested.
Ellie laughed loudly, attracting the attention of the others seated nearby.
“Yes, but you’ll have to wait until dinner to learn all about it.
Now finish taking off your skates, and I’ll walk with you back to the house.
I want to rearrange the dinner table.” She rose and ambled over to the older couples to talk.
Bending over her foot, Sophie untied the leather straps that held her blade on her boot.
She should have never given in to the temptation to skate.
She sighed and looked out at the pond. The guests had gone back to skating, some arm in arm, others speeding along while a handful moved awkwardly, and three didn’t move at all, one of whom stared at her.
Feeling her cheeks heat, despite the cold, she quickly grabbed her skates and tied them together to avoid Lord Tamworth’s gaze.
She rose, faced the area where Ellie stood, and waited.
Finally, her friend joined her, and they started back to the house.
In an attempt to keep her mind off the fact that Lord Tamworth now knew who she was, she spoke to Ellie. “Are you truly opening a zoo?”
Ellie laughed again. “Hardly. We are building a zoo of wooden animals for the children. It will be just for us and our friends. We plan to build them to scale, so Maggie and Peter will understand the concepts of prey and predator.”