Page 10 of A Wicked Viscount's Stormy Affair
“But I would like to thank you,” she said a little louder so he could not ignore her. “Personally.”
“That is quite unnecessary.”
As he walked away, Sophie found herself with very little choice. She knew that this was going to be the last chance that she got to speak with him, so she did not hesitate to follow him. Once he had heard her out, he would not ever have to speak with her again, if that was what he wanted.
Although she could not help but feel a little disappointed that might be what he wanted…
“Lord Harrington, please…”
But he was either acting like he could not hear her as he left the dining hall and walked through the ship, or he had truly started to block her out. But Sophie was determined, and if she thought that she was doing the right thing—which she absolutely did right now—then nothing would get in her way.
“Lord Harrington, what you did last night was heroic,” she continued a little breathlessly as she followed him. “And I cannot get off this boat knowing that I have not repaid you for everything. It would not be right. If I had been left to fall, then I would have eventually ended up drowning in the water. I am very aware of that, so please let me do the right thing. Let me pay you for what you did for me. Or if money is not what you wish for, then please let me repay you in some other manner…”
By the time he stopped, they had made it on deck once more, away from everyone else who was still eating in the dining room.
As he turned to face her, leaning a little too close, sparks of feelings that Sophie could not even begin to place fluttered through her. What was he about to do? Her heart leapt into her throat as the possibilities flickered through her mind, and she wondered quite how literally he was going to take her offer.
The moment she could feel the intensity of his breath on her face, and her lips began to tingle, Sophie realized that maybe she did not mind…
“You could be making a mistake, you know,” he told her huskily. “Offeringanything.You need to be far more careful with your words when the boat stops, or you will not survive in London.”
“Because…” she replied breathily while swallowing back her fear. “Because of all the society rules? My father has been telling me all about the ton.”
“A ruined reputation is everything in the big city, and if I were a really bad gentleman, then I could ask you for something that you are not willing to give.”
His hazel eyes sparkled.
He was teasing her, and surprisingly she liked it.
Her heart was racing now, pounding faster than it had ever gone before. Sophie could hardly stand it. The air in her lungs seemed to be depleting by the moment and there was not a damn thing that she could do about it.
But she did not want him to know that he was making her feel this way. So she jutted her chin out and tried to exude confidence in the very way that her aunt had taught her to do when she was young.Fake it until you make it.That was what she always said.
“I will at least listen, whatever you ask of me, because you saved my life, Lord Harrington.”
“George,” he corrected her. “Please, call me George.”
“Then I would like it if you would call me Sophie, please.”
His smile twisted up, making her tummy do silly feeling flip flops.
At this point, she was sure that hehadto know the effect that he was having on her. She was hardly able to push it down any longer. Wasthisthe sort of gentleman that she would marry once she got to London? Someone who was tall, dark, and very handsome. Strikingly gorgeous and seemingly very sweet as well. Fun, if she wanted to be teased forever…
“I think I know what I want.”
His words shocked her, especially because he said them with such conviction.
She was not expecting him to say this, but now because he had teased her, she had no idea which way this was going to go.
George truly had her on edge.
But she continued to remain strong. “Please, tell me what it is you would like.”
“I would like to ask for your friendship in London, Sophie.”
“Friendship?” Of all the things she feared he might say, this was not it.
“Yes. I am worried how you might view me, should our paths cross in London.” Ah, so hewasgoing to London. That was something to take note of. “I would like you to think of me as a friend.”
