Page 41 of A Secret Infatuation
Lady Sophia nodded, silent for a moment. “I understand. She is delightful. I am glad she was able to join our picnic.”
“I am glad she was able to meet you,” he said, unable to resist giving her some clue of how he felt. He might not be her equal, but nothing in the way she treated him suggested she regarded it. Instead, she made him feel that he was not only her equal, but even someone of value to her.
She had not responded, and he shifted to look at her. Her cheeks were pink, and a smile trembled on the corners of her lips, showing that she had received his words as encouragement. He wanted to say more but even if the temptation to begin an open courtship was strong, common sense dictated he go about it properly. It was time he made a decision about that house in Russell Square, for a man did not pursue a woman to whom he had nothing to offer. He was a cautious man and must first review his finances and possible unforeseen expenses one more time to be sure he was making the right decision.
The sight of the watermen standing beside the wherry brought him back to the moment. Lord Poole had run ahead and was now holding his hand next to his mouth so he might be heard.
“It is time to return. Sophia, you had best hurry. You never know if Cunningworth is going to call and press his suit again today. You wouldn’t want to miss it.”
As if by reflex, Felix dropped his arm, somewhat stunned. She allowed him to release her without looking at him. Was she still receiving Robert’s addresses? If she was, then perhaps he had mistaken her kindness for interest. On paper, Robert’s was the better suit, so it should not surprise him if she were seriously entertaining his proposal. The thought sent a frown to Felix’s brow. They had arrived at the blankets, and he bent down and reached for it without looking at her.
“Your brother is right. All good things, no matter how delightful, must come to an end.”
The return trip to the boathouse was smoother and quicker, since they traveled with the current. Felix’s mood had plunged after Lord Poole’s offhand comment, and the thought of Robert still pursuing Lady Sophia cast a pall over an otherwise delightful afternoon. But then, he tried to remind himself, even if Robert called on her and attempted to persuade her into a match, it did not follow that she must accept it. Perhaps she was not interested in Robert.
When they reached the boathouse, Felix went to help Lady Sophia and her sisters and his out of the boat. Their carriages were waiting for them, and he sidled up to Lord Poole as the servants came to secure the baskets.
“My lord, I was wondering if I might borrow this wooden stick of yours for a short spell? I promise to return it to you before long.”
The earl handed it to him without a fuss. “It is yours for as long as you need it.”
“Thank you.” Felix was a little surprised that his request garnered no questions but was thankful that Lord Poole did not ask why. He wished to keep his character secret for the masquerade. He handed the staff to the servant he had hired for the short trip and went to assist Lady Sophia and her sisters into their carriage. When he did so, he held her hand in his.
“We will ride beside you to Grosvenor Square and see that you are safely returned home.”
She murmured her thanks, and he went to help his sister into the carriage, leaning back against the squabs as the driver directed the horses forward. He closed his eyes, refusing to dwell on Robert’s intentions toward Lady Sophia. His sister was quiet beside him.
“Well, Meg-pearl, you can now say you have met an earl. What do you think of him?”
He heard her soft laughter. “He is not intimidating in the least!” After a short pause, she added, “Although, I could not say the same if he were a man grown. Even if we had already become acquainted, I think he would intimidate me if he were much older.”
Felix smiled, his eyes still closed, and did not return a comment. His thoughts continued on their own trajectory, an unlikely, though hoped-for, scenario presenting itself. But would he still intimidate you, should he be your brother-in-law? he wondered.
Chapter 18
Marie stood in the middle of her sitting room with textiles spread out on every available seat.
“I have laid out the possibilities I thought were best suited for your costumes,” she said, gesturing to coordinated Greek-apparel habits, modified for modesty. “My mother has collected one from every masquerade she and my father have attended.”
Camilla was drawn to a costume with color, but the sight of a quiver of arrows set on top of one of the gowns caught Sophia’s eye, and she walked toward it.
“That is Diana, of course,” Marie told Sophia with a smile. “My father wishes for me to wear it, but I am more interested in dressing as Juno.”
Sophia lifted the quiver and pulled out one of the arrows. Although the quiver was a prop and would be easy to carry, the arrow appeared to be real. The idea of going as Diana appealed to her. The goddess of the hunt was fearless, something Sophia could never be.
“I think I shall be Minerva,” Camilla said, lifting a loo mask decorated like an owl with real feathers.
“Will there be an unmasking at the end of the evening?” Sophia asked. “Might we remain anonymous if we wished to?”
Distracted, Marie dropped the habit she was holding and turned her eyes to a simple gown with wings sewn to it.
“Or I might play Psyche. I would enjoy confounding Cupid.” She turned to Sophia, the question apparently just registering. “There will be an unmasking, but there is no reason you have to remove yours. You may simply disappear when the fireworks begin.”
“If it encourages you to move and speak more boldly,” Camilla added over her shoulder, “then I advise you not to reveal your identity. The knowledge that you are truly hidden will give you freedom you don’t generally have.”
Her sister’s comment was astute, for that was precisely what Sophia longed for. Perhaps she might discover which costume Mr. Harwood wore, and she would allow herself to compliment him in a bold way. She would be free to do so if he did not know her.
At the picnic, he had given her signs that he was interested—at least she thought it was interest. He said he was glad she and his sister had met, suggesting the introduction held some significance. But perhaps he was just being polite. She wished she understood the male sex better.
