Chapter Two #3
Sophie nodded in agreement, very pleased for her good friend, as she was pleased for her other friends from school who had not simply found husbands, but men they respected and adored. Just like the sensible Elinor in Sense and Sensibility, who in the end married the love—
“Brother, have you ever had Pigeon à la Crapaudine? You must try it.”
Sophie snapped her head around at the sound of Lord Tamworth’s voice so close.
Her heart skidded to a halt at the sight of him standing next to Lord Sommerset, directly across the table, barely six feet away.
The strange feelings in her belly started again as she gazed upon him.
His arms, bared to his shoulders by the brown leather tunic, were full of muscle, much more than the sketches she’d reviewed in her biology studies.
In his Roman costume, he made her think of Hercules as she’d envisioned him while reading about his twelve labors.
Lady Sommerset shook her head. “Christopher, your brother did the grand tour—of course he’s eaten the pigeon. He spent much time in France.”
Lord Tamworth grinned. “I know, but he’s never had this version.”
Lord Sommerset pointed to the chair next to him. “Sit down if you wish to talk. I’m not going to give my neck a crick looking up at you.”
Sophie held her breath, hoping against hope Lord Tamworth would move on.
Instead, the man chuckled and pulled out the chair. “I couldn’t ask for a better invitation.”
Lord Sommerset gestured toward Georgina’s parents and introduced them. They in turn introduced Georgina, who smiled widely. But before she could begin a conversation, Rose interrupted.
“There’s no hope there, Georgie. He’s sworn not to marry until he reaches thirty. What is that, Lord Tamworth, two years hence?”
The man redirected his gaze to Rose, and Sophie let out her breath. He hadn’t even noticed her, just as she liked it.
“Lady Rose? Is that you?” Though Lord Tamworth appeared shocked, his brown eyes twinkled with merriment.
“Perhaps. Perhaps not. Is not the purpose of such costumes to remain a mystery?”
“For some. For others, we simply enjoy the dress and merriment.” His gaze moved to Sophie. “And which are you, my lady?”
Sophie’s throat closed, his attention so unexpected and his eyes such a light crystalline brown that she felt as if he could see through even her black mask.
Rose came to her rescue. “She is a mystery, even to her friends.”
Lord Tamworth’s brows rose, though his gaze never wavered. “Indeed. Then there is nothing for it, my lady, but that I must ask you to dance once the dancing starts.”
Sophie swallowed hard, wishing more than ever that she could get her voice to come out, but it steadfastly refused. Instead, she lowered her head to break their eye contact.
“Superb. I look forward to unraveling your mystery.”
Realizing her movement had indicated assent, she looked up again, anxious to disabuse him of his assumption, but Georgie caught his attention.
“First, you will have to find her. I, on the other hand, can be found easily, and I dearly love to dance.”
Georgie’s forwardness got a frown from her father and a nod of approval from her mother.
The lord accepted the information and even smiled at Georgie. “I can see the rest of my evening will be even more enjoyable than it has been thus far.”
Lord Harewood snorted. “That will be quite a feat for you, Tamworth.”
Sophie watched, mesmerized, as Lord Tamworth laughed.
It was not a quiet laugh by any means, but neither was it overly loud and irritating.
If she had to describe it in a book, she would call it honest and…
and joyful. No, not joyful. Happy. Yes, happy.
Yet even that seemed redundant, since the man laughed, and that often indicated happiness.
She couldn’t quite identify what it was about his laugh that made her think of walking through a field of flowers on a pleasantly warm summer day.
This inability to describe what she felt was one reason why she didn’t try to write her own stories.
She observed people and places and cataloged them in her head, but she didn’t attempt to share much, as she didn’t have the talent.
It was one reason why she admired authors so much.
With nothing more than words, they could make her feel.
Lord Tamworth nodded to Harewood. “I must agree with you, but I’m quite willing to try making the rest of the evening even better than the beginning.”
As the man’s gaze returned to her, a shiver raced up her spine.
Now she felt as if she were prey, but instead of being afraid, it excited her.
Like a game. Surprised by the feeling, she cocked her head in response, and an unusual feeling of confidence filled her.
Could she, for one night, be someone she wasn’t?
Lord Tamworth’s lips lifted in a slow smile as if he encouraged her, but that was silly. He had no notion as to her thoughts. Still, as he spoke to others, he continued to glance at her as if seeking her out.
She straightened in her seat, her heart beating a bit faster as anticipation filled her chest.