Page 24 of A Wicked Viscount's Stormy Affair
George headed outside where the carriage was already waiting for him, with Sebastian seated inside. Of course George found his social butterfly of a best friend very eager and excited to spend more time with his new friends and connections.
“You are looking rather dapper, George,” Sebastian teased. “We are going to have so much fun this evening. I have heard that the Jones family throw the most lavish balls in the city.”
George just about managed to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He would never understand why the ton had to waste so much money on these balls and parties, simply to show off and compete with one another. He was grateful that he did not have to deal with any of that in Sweden.
“Yes, I am sure it will be just marvelous.”
“Well, since you have already arranged a dance with the lovely Lady Sophie, I am sure you are looking forward to that.”
George tried his hardest to keep his expression stoic, so Sebastian did not see what was going on underneath the surface. “Yes, well I have to ensure that I make a good impression on her otherwise she might be charmed by Gregory.”
“This is all for the plan,” Sebastian chuckled. “I know that. You simply want her to fall in love with you, so she does not fall in love with your brother.”
It did not matter how much George tried to hide what was really going on, it seemed like his best friend could see right through him anyway. But it did not matter, George was not going to make a mess of this. He was not going to get all caught up in his feelings for Sophie and complicate it.
He was only there to rescue her, nothing more.
“Oh my!” Sebastian’s excitement grew as the carriage got them closer to the Jones’ home. “Look at this. It truly is grand. I can only imagine what it looks like inside.”
George was not as thrilled as his friend to see the building and the décor the Jones family had used to show off their wealth. He was already starting to feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of people heading inside. People who had likely heard all the terrible rumors that Gregory had undoubtably spread about him to explain his disappearance years ago.
He did not care to correct everyone, he would not be in London long enough for that to matter, but it was still very challenging to be surrounded by that.
If it were not for Sebastian already leaving the carriage to head inside, he might not have built up the courage to do so.
Oh my!George had to admit that he was more than a little stunned by the décor inside the ballroom. The candles flickered rhythmically, almost in time with the orchestral music, creating dancing patterns all over the art decorated walls. There seemed to be gold as far as the eye could see, which only highlighted the opulence of the gowns worn by the ladies in attendance.
But there was only one lady that caught George’s eye. Her pale lavender colored dress instantly drew his gaze, as did the very pretty, complicated looking chignon styled in her hair.
Why did Lady Sophie have to be so heart-stoppingly beautiful? It made it so challenging for him to keep an emotional distance from her. All he wanted to do was race towards her and to embrace her gently in his arms, to claim her as his own in front of everyone in the room.
Luckily it was not long before the music took things up a notch, so he could make that fantasy somewhat of a reality.
“Good evening, Lady Dashwood,” he declared as soon as he was within ear shot of her. “I am looking forward to our very first dance.”
He bowed as he took her hand, and she curtsied in return. When their eyes met again, he could not help but notice that she was blushing once more.
They moved onto the dance floor and held one another in a way that was deemed appropriate by social standards. But George wanted more. All he really wanted to do was take liberties; he wanted to allow his hands to roam all over the bare parts of her skin that were on show.
“So, my friend,” he said with a light chuckle, trying his hardest to take his mind off the urge to touch her. “Tell me more about yourself. I would love to know what you like to do.”
“Ah, you are asking me about my hobbies?” Sophie smiled. “Well, I have enjoyed learning to crochet with my lady’s maid back in Sweden, although I have to admit it is not one of my talents. I do not think it is something I am good at. Same with art. I went through a phase of desperately trying to learn how to paint, but I could never quite manage to make my work look like those of the great artists of our time.”
George could not help but laugh. “I have a similar experience with the pianoforte. My mother truly wanted me to learn how to play, and I wanted that too. But my fingers simply would not do as I commanded of them.”
“Now that is something I would love to see.”
The musical sound of Sophie’s laugh brought George to life. He felt as if she had injected something new and thrilling into him, which he simply could not get enough of. Talking to her was always the most fascinating time of his day.
To make her laugh again, he would play the pianoforte for her, even if he once vowed to never touch the ivory keys again.
“I of course have an interest in history,” Sophie continued. “As I am sure you gathered from the museum visit the other day. But I would say my favorite pastime is reading. I truly love losing myself in the plot of a novel. Especially if I have something troubling me. It gives me some much-needed space from the real world and my problems. For a little while anyway.”
George’s brows raised. “Ah, I see. Now that is something we share, because I too enjoy reading. What is your favorite book?”
“I love anything by Sir Walter Scott,” Sophie exclaimed excitedly. It was clear that she did not get enough time to talk about her interests, so she was going to take great advantage of that. “Waverly has always been a book I can go back to over and over again. How about you?”
“I cannot stop reading the books written by Charles Dickens. Especially David Copperfield and The Tale of Two Cities.”
