Page 31 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
In that moment, as Sophia continued to allow her gaze to wander about the room, she felt a shock travel through her entire body. It was as if lightning had struck her and she could scarcely believe her eyes for the face she thought she saw in the corner with three other men.
It couldn’t be. No. It was impossible. He was away at camp. He was with the military now. Not in London. Not at a dance. Not waiting around for the Matchmaker.
“Sophia, good heavens. Your face has gone utterly pale. You look as though you’ve seen a ghost. Tell me, what’s the matter?” Adrianna asked, resting a comforting hand upon Sophia’s shoulder.
“You do seem piqued. Is something the matter?” Melody echoed.
For a moment, Sophia was silent as she allowed her terrified eyes to make contact with her two friends. But, finally, she managed to get the words out of her mouth.
“It’s…it’s nothing. I simply thought I saw someone that I knew once. A very long time ago,” she replied.
And when she turned back to look at the four men in the corner, she saw that the one who had startled her was looking in the opposite direction. She saw only the back of his head now.
No, it could not be him. A look-alike, perhaps. But not him. This was a man who had a similar hair colour, and what she had seen of his face was not far off, but her eyes were simply playing tricks on her.
It was an emotional evening, after all. She was trying to move on from not one, but two jilted interests. It only made sense that she might find herself, once more, thinking about the first man that she had ever loved. And seeing a man who resembled him was, of course, going to give her cause to worry.
She reasoned all of these things within herself and began to calm. After all, she would likely face a few more days ahead like this. A few more days wherein she lamented the past in order to pursue a future with a new man.
“Are you certain that you’re alright?” Adrianna asked again, this time whispering it more closely and out of Melody’s earshot.
“Yes, I am certain. I think, as much as I am enjoying the evening, it is all a bit overwhelming to know that I must move on. That is all there is to it. Do not worry; I am going to be fine. Once the music strikes up again, I shall find another man to dance with and forget all about this senseless worry,” Sophia laughed.
But she knew that her laugh sounded hollow, like that of a woman who had seen a ghost and was trying to deny it. But she would put up a front nonetheless. Her friends could not see just how much turmoil it had caused for her to think she had seen him once more.
They were concerned enough already and she disliked it, wanting them to see her as she was before.
“Now, tell me more about the two of you,” she said, trying to change the discussion.
Melody and Adrianna both seemed hesitant but they went on, discussing the men they had met throughout the evening. It was clear that each had a favourite, but both were attempting to remain subtle about it all.
As she listened, Sophia could not prevent her eyes from wandering back to the corner, waiting and trying to see the man anew. But he would not turn.
“Oh!” Adrianna exclaimed, startled.
Sophia turned and was startled as well at the sudden appearance of Miss Wainwright, who wore an outlandish crimson that was far better suited to royalty.
“Miss Wainwright, how wonderful to see you. I had wondered when you might arrive,” Sophia said.
“Miss Hastings, I have been here the whole evening. I have a special, hidden place which I watch from. But I came for you. As it happens, you have not danced with the man I am most interested in seeing you meet,” she said.
“You mean there is someone you have in mind for me, after all?” Sophia asked. She allowed her eyes to drift once more to the corner, but the group of men had dispersed and she was unable to find the one she sought.
“Indeed. But it is no matter. I must introduce the two of you. I should very much like to see you together. From what I have observed, you have had excellent interactions with a number of men, but I have not seen the possibility of love blooming yet.
“That is, I have not seen it from you,” Miss Wainwright continued. “I think a great deal of them have fallen in love this evening, but you have not appeared to return the feelings. And for that I am glad, because this gentleman shall be my first pick. Will you follow me?”
Sophia looked at her friends, uncertainly. Both gave her wide eyes and a nudging gesture with their faces. She could sense that they were urging her to go on and to meet this man that Miss Wainwright believed to be her perfect match.
The very thought of it was terrifying. If she followed, she could possibly meet her future husband. Even if he was a man she would not love.
But if she did not follow, she was wasting a wonderful opportunity that had been arranged for her.
“Yes, certainly,” she replied, allowing Miss Wainwright to take the lead.
Sophia had never walked the plank of a pirate ship, but she imagined that this is what it must feel like. To be led to her destiny…possibly her doom…was something she had never quite considered. And yet, with Miss Wainwright ahead of her, she could picture it no other way.
The strange woman led her out of the ballroom and into the hallway beyond.
