Page 39 of A Secret Infatuation
The setting was idyllic with the sounds of lapping water and the chirping of a wagtail, and Sophia thought she had never been so happy in her life. When everything had been set out, she sat, and Mr. Harwood immediately took the seat at her side. She tried not to put meaning to the gesture and busied herself with setting out the food and admiring the sandwiches, which Miss Harwood quietly admitted to having prepared.
“Excellent,” Evo said, taking one. “Fiat lux!” When Tilly looked at him confused, he took a bite of his sandwich. “It’s Latin for, ‘Let there be luncheon.’”
Miss Harwood smothered a laugh, and the corner of Mr. Harwood’s lip tipped upward. “To any Roman citizen from antiquity, they would have thought it to mean, ‘Let there be light,’ but I might like your definition better.”
Evo returned a genuine smile, and Sophia was touched to see it. The only other gentlemen he had ever seemed to like were Miles and his cousin, Lord Pembroke. His easy manner with Mr. Harwood was in stark contrast to his antagonism toward Mr. Cunningworth.
“Would you care for some lemonade?” Mr. Harwood asked, and Sophia smiled and nodded. He served everyone a glass as Camilla set the plates out.
Evo filled his plate quickly and immediately tucked in to his food, causing Camilla to utter a reproach. “Do try to eat as a gentleman and not as a mongrel.”
“I will if you allow me the use of your sleeve.” Without looking up from his ham he added, “Looks more like a napkin, that gown you’re wearing.”
Embarrassed by his behavior, Sophia shook her head at him. “A gentleman does not put aside his manners, even when in informal company.”
“My excuses,” he mumbled without looking at anyone.
Sophia asked Miss Harwood questions about her life at home, while Mr. Harwood examined each of the sketches that were already in Tilly’s book. Two swans glided by in front of them, and she was almost too happy to eat.
She had barely touched her lemonade, so when she went to drink some, was surprised to find her glass nearly empty. At the same time, Mr. Harwood lifted his, spilling some as he brought it to his lips. He pulled away in surprise.
“I’m not sure this is my glass. I had thought I’d drunk more of mine.”
Evo was clutching his sides in laughter. “I switched them. I’m sure you will not mind sharing a glass, since you appear to share a regard.” This crass jest was met by an awkward silence, and Sophia felt her face turn crimson.
“Not at all,” Mr. Harwood said smoothly, recovering the situation. He gently took his glass from Sophia’s hands and handed hers to her. “However, I do not want to deprive your sister.”
It was inevitable that Evo would embarrass her, but the fact that he had thought them to share a partiality gave Sophia pause. Did he really think so?
Does Mr. Harwood?
If Mr. Harwood felt any self-consciousness at Evo’s teasing, it did not show. He was at ease, even giving Evo back his own before turning to encourage Tilly and his own sister. It was as though he were already part of the family. One could almost say like a brother, except that her feelings toward him were anything but.
Chapter 17
It was a glorious day, one as perfect as Felix could have imagined it to be. Megs was conversing naturally with Lady Sophia; to all appearances, they might have been friends for a long time. He enjoyed an unhindered view of Lady Sophia, admiring the way she ducked her head when she smiled and the way she spoke firmly to her brother. He thought his attention had gone unnoticed, but the earl must have caught on to his interest or he would not have played such a prank.
Felix felt sure he had a glimpse of Lady Sophia’s true nature when surrounded by her family, and it only increased his admiration. Despite his desire to impress her, which he tried to rein in, his prevailing feeling was that of contentment. Whether she remained silent or spoke a few gentle words, he wanted nothing more than to sit beside her. He noticed her skill in smoothing over quarrels that sprang up between siblings and thought that some of the MPs could benefit from her talent.
When they had finished eating, Lady Matilda gasped. “I have forgotten about my tarts!” She went over to a basket that sat tipped onto its side and set in the center of the blanket, tentatively removing its cloth. “Oh no, they have been ruined.” She swallowed hard.
Felix leaned over and peered into the basket. “Are those rhubarb tarts? They are some of my favorites. Might I have one?”
Lady Matilda nodded with a trembling smile and used a spoon to serve the crushed pieces of tart onto his plate. Felix made a show of eating it, smacking his lips loudly, and declaring it delicious. The others followed his example, and she smiled broadly when he asked if there was enough for him to have a second.
After the meal, they left their picnic in place and went to explore what looked like a path stretching along the bank. At first, the trail was near nonexistent, but the earl ran ahead to see where it would lead and called back that it was a true path. As this portion of the bank was on a sharp incline, Felix walked below Lady Sophia to make sure she would not topple down the hill, only to suddenly remember there were three other ladies. He motioned to Margaret to draw nearer to him, then called out to Lady Sophia’s brother.
“My lord, will you walk at the side of your sisters, so they do not slip? After all, you have brought that staff, and you may as well put it to good use.”
Lord Poole turned back. “I will, if you agree to race me as soon as we all reach the path.”
Felix narrowed his eyes and found where the path began, and as he considered the challenge, a bubble of laughter grew inside of him. Being with the earl reminded him of an age when the greatest worry in life was sports and diversion. “Where to?”
The earl shaded his eyes, then pointed. “That split oak just ahead.”
“What does the winner gain?” Felix asked, entering into the spirit of it.
“It is not what we gain.” Lord Poole grinned, waggling his brows. “It is what the loser must do.”
