Page 34 of A Secret Infatuation
“Children,” their mother interjected mildly. “I am not sure that strange animals are the proper subject for dinner conversation.”
“What else are we to talk about?” Joanna protested. “You have already told me I cannot talk about horses all of the time. I wish I could go on an adventure like Captain Cook. Why are women not allowed to go on grand adventures?”
“Because girls cry all of the time.”
She looked at Evo, outraged. “I never cry.”
He raised his brow skeptically, then shot a look at their youngest sister. “Or, perhaps that’s Tilly.”
Dorothea sighed and sent her mother a look of affection. They had grown closer over the past year, especially since Dorry had become with child.
“Well, Mama? Happy to have all of your children around the table again?” Her lips quirked upward.
Their mother’s smile encompassed them all. “How can I not be?” When Dorothea shot her a look of doubt, she added, “You will see.”
Chapter 15
It was a quiet hour on a particularly quiet day, and Sophia reveled in it. There had been a flurry of activity since Evo’s arrival two days before, and she had had little time to compose her mind. The drawing room of 42 Grosvenor Square received a generous share of afternoon sunlight in a way her bedroom never did, so she sat reading a green leatherbound book by Frances Burney and attempted to ignore Evo’s occasional sighs.
At last, he scooped up the spillikins and shoved them into the container. “Shame Harv is not in London. I shall die from boredom.”
“Have you no other friends in London, dearest?” She looked over in sympathy. He shook his head, shaking the fruitwood canister and prompting her to protest. “Careful. You will break the sticks.”
“Fitzroy is at Ashbourne and will return to Eton from there. Charley had to go to Bath.” Evo’s tone spoke his opinion on that scheme.
“Why not take George Two out? You can go to the Serpentine and try and see if you can skim rocks there.” George Two was the younger footman who had been brought on over the summer, and Evo tolerated him better than most.
He scoffed. “He just does whatever I say.”
“I should hope he does,” she replied gently, trying to turn his humor.
“But he is not amusing?—”
They were interrupted by a knock echoing in the hall. It was early for calling hours, and Sophia would have preferred to escape visitors altogether. She sighed as the butler opened the door.
“Mr. Cunningworth is here to see you, my lady.”
This was worse than expected. In desperation, she looked at Evo as she folded a bookmark into her novel. “Do not feel you must go.”
He rolled his eyes. “Stay here with that bore? I hardly think so.”
Mr. Cunningworth stepped into the room, his eyes lighting on Sophia, his smile broad. It faltered slightly when he spotted Evo. “My lord, I had not realized you were home, but I suppose I should have expected it. I hope you are enjoying your Easter holiday so far.”
“Vastly. Tempus fugit—except during calling hours.”
Lady Sophia glanced at Robert, suspecting he did not follow—hoping he did not. She shook her head at Evo.
“I had hoped to speak to your sister privately,” Robert said with a dignified glance Evo’s way. Sophia’s heart sank. This was precisely what she had hoped to avoid, and she tried to tell Evo so with her eyes. He either did not read her urgent unspoken message or did not heed it.
“I see how it stands,” he said, coming to his feet. Grinning at what he likely thought was a capital joke, he turned to Robert. “You have come to veni, vedi, tormentavi, I suppose,” he said.
“Something like that,” Robert said, looking uncomfortable.
“I suppose you are here to make an offer for Sophia, but she won’t have you. Dorry married beneath her, so it’s up to Sophia to establish the proper line.” A sardonic twist of his lips made an appearance.
“Everard,” Sophia said quietly, shrinking with shame.
“Well, if I were to offer for her—not that it’s any concern of yours—I should tell you that I am hardly beneath her. As for…” He stopped, glancing at her. “But I shall say no more.”
