Page 43 of A Secret Infatuation
Dorothea smiled at her. “I know you will not.” She turned to Evo. “This is your chance to walk, too, if you go with them. I do not intend to move, and I hardly think we will let you out of our sight tonight.”
“What a dull evening this will be,” he retorted. “If I’d been told I would have to trail my sisters around all evening, I might’ve thought twice about coming.”
Miles took out a deck of cards. “That is why I ordered plenty of food, and I brought cards, so you will not be bored if such a thing is possible. Lord Pembroke is to join us, too.”
“Is that so?” Evo looked more cheerful at the thought, and even Camilla turned back briefly before slipping her arm through Sophia’s.
“Let us go,” Camilla said. “We will just have a look, for the servants are starting to bring the food.” Some had already begun depositing plates in the supper boxes that lined the path.
“You really do look perfect. I would not have thought you to wear such a bold costume, but I am proud of you.” Camilla, rather than choose a complicated hairstyle, had worn a red domino to cover her hair and the brown and gray owl mask to cover her face.
“There is something freeing about nobody knowing who I am.” Sophia laughed and clutched Camilla tighter. “I saw Robert, and I was spared.” She had not told Camilla about his proposal, and although she hoped he had let go of his pursuit for good, she could not be sure.
On their approach to the rotunda, they passed by the admiral’s box, where Marie and Miss Edwards stood within talking to Mr. Edwards. As she watched, another gentleman of similar height stepped into the box with them wearing a silver loo mask, a white chiton, and a dark blue scarf across his chest. His were the unmistakable light curls of Mr. Harwood, and when she noticed the wooden staff in his hand that Evo had brought to the picnic, her heart gave a little leap.
She allowed herself to look longer than she might otherwise have and to smile in his direction. He turned and stood still when he saw her, and Marie turned as well. With a guilty start, Sophia moved forward again, but not before noticing that Robert and his father had rented a supper box close to Marie’s. She stepped on Camilla’s other side before he would see her.
“There is not as much room to dance as I had expected,” Camilla said, looking at the circular area enclosed with curved barriers that were cut off at regular intervals to allow access. “It will be a crush.”
“Do you intend to dance?”
Camilla hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “I will not put myself forward. I am sure there will be no shortage of beautiful women wishing to have their chance.”
Sophia turned to peer into her sister’s face. “Why not you? You are beautiful.”
Camilla’s lips twisted up in irony. “It is kind of you to say so, but you know very well that I am the least favored of the family where looks are concerned.”
Sophia stared at her in confusion. “Where in the world did you come up with that notion?”
It was some time before Camilla answered, and the intervening silence was filled by the din of good-humored conversation. She faced ahead, watching a group of revelers going through the exaggerated movements of a minuet.
“Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps because Papa said I must attempt to learn some of the womanly arts since I was not to be thought of as a beauty.”
Sophia let that piece of knowledge settle in, as indignation on her sister’s behalf rose up in her. Before she could say it was untrue, Camilla went on.
“And Mama is always telling me to pay more attention to what I put in my mouth, for I have a tendency to plumpness. Joanna lets out snide remarks that show what she thinks of my figure, and even Dorothea does not seem to view me as one who might secure a husband—clearly the only trait that properly denotes a woman’s worth.”
It was too much to respond to at once, but she did protest at the one concerning their sister.
“Dorry has changed. You must see that she has. Miles is good for her. And just the other day, she complimented your figure to me. She said you were becoming quite pretty.”
“Did she?” Camilla faced Sophia, the crease in her brows showing her disbelief but the vulnerability in her eyes how much she wished to believe it.
“She did,” Sophia said firmly. “Not that you need anyone’s confirmation to know yourself to be very lovely. Tonight you shall dance and amuse yourself to your heart’s content. And then you will set your mind on believing how truly wonderful you are.”
Camilla gave Sophia’s arm an affectionate squeeze as they walked back to the supper box. Again, they passed by Marie’s booth, and Sophia looked out for the silver mask, disconcerted to find him staring at her. She turned forward, attempting to appear unconscious of his regard, comforting herself that he could not know it was her.
Lord Pembroke had arrived in the supper booth in their absence, and he stood to greet them with extravagant courtesy as he bowed over their hands. Plates of food were laid out on the tables, and no one had taken Sophia’s place out of view. She only hoped Robert would not cross their booth often, or he would know to look for her there. Viewed together, her family was easy to make out in their costumes. But then, he had not visited her again. Might he have given up his suit after her firm rebuff?
“Goodness! Look at this ham,” Dorothea said, lifting a piece on her fork. “It is sliced so thin you can almost see through it.”
Miles poured a glass of warmed orange-flavored negus for each of them, and Sophia ate sparingly of the ham, a cold slice of roast duck, some strawberries, and a sweet bun. She found it difficult to eat in her anticipation of seeing Mr. Harwood again—to speak to him and discover whether he would know her—what he would say.
The dinner conversation was lively even if the food was sparse. When they had finished, Camilla turned to Dorothea. “Do you not wish to walk around? If you do, we will accompany you—if you feel well enough.”
“I do wish it, if my bear of a husband will permit it.” Dorry’s lips quirked in a smile.
“I will permit it,” Miles replied in fine humor. “Perhaps I will take your two younger sisters and brother for a walk before Evo gets the fidgets.”
