Page 26 of A Wicked Viscount's Stormy Affair
Sophie was not sure how to feel. Her heart floated and sunk all at once.
“Lord Harrington… yes, of course.”
She found herself much less keen to dance with Gregory than she did George, but with no real reason why. He looked the same, and had been nothing but nice to Sophie. She just did not need the same racing excitement in her heart.
But of course, this was not the time to get all caught up in that worry. She might come across as rude if she did not immediately follow Gregory, and that was the last thing that she wanted. Rudeness wasnotwell received in London society. It could be taken so badly that it actually destroyed a lady’s reputation, making it impossible for her to fit in, and even more challenging for them to find a suitable man to marry.
Sophie turned backwards and caught Katherine’s smiling eyes as she walked. Her friend did not seem to see her dilemma at all.
“You look rather ravishing tonight, Lady Dashwood,” Gregory declared as they got into the dancing position, his hands resting upon her very lightly, like he did not wish to touch her too obviously. This was nothing like George whose hands has not exactly behaved themselves at all. Not that she had been complaining. “I do hope that you are having a good night.”
“The ball has been quite lovely, yes.”
She did not feel like she could be open and honest in her conversation with Gregory. It was all stiff and awkward, like they did not quite know what to say to one another. She had felt like this a lot tonight, with many a gentleman, but having it be so strange with a man who looked like George was terribly confusing.
He was very proper, and acted just like a gentleman was supposed to, but for some reason that did not spark much excitement in Sophie at all.
This was most certainly not going to be a dance to remember. Not like the short time she had spent in George’s arms.
“Have you been enjoying yourself in London?”
“Oh yes,” Sophie responded, trying to throw herself right into the conversation, to try and give him a chance. “It is a wonderful city. The museums are fascinating.”
“I am not one for museums,” Gregory interrupted. “I do not have the time for history. Not when I am so focused on work and the present moment. That is the most important thing.”
Sophie clapped her lips tightly shut. She was most certainly not going to talk about her favorite books with a man who had pretty much just stated that he did not have time for hobbies. There was not much else she wanted to say at all now. But that was alright, because Gregory had a lot to say. All about his work and how important he was. It did not leave Sophie much time and space to think of anything at all.
He was clearly trying to impress her, and the effort was nice, but this was no fun at all. She could not wait for this dance to be over, so she could return to gossiping with her friend. Katherine was much more pleasant to talk to than this.
***
Sophie’s eyes drifted out the window of the carriage as she and her parents rode home after what had been one of the most intriguing nights of her whole life. She had a lot to think about, a lot of emotions to process. All of them surrounding just the one man. The only gentleman who had sparked anything inside of her.
Of course, Sophie was alittleconcerned when it came to George and all the rumors surrounding him. Just because she did not want to imagine him as a reckless rake who wrecked his family fortune, did not make it untrue.
She might have defended him in front of her friend, but that was something she would have to be certain of before she shared another dance with him. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that she could not fall for a gentleman who acted in such a selfish manner. Anyone who thought more about themselves than their family would not be the right man for her.
But her gut told her not to believe it. Not yet anyway.
“Well, tonight was rather interesting,” Sophie’s father suddenly said, drawing her attention back to him. “You met a lot of new people again tonight. How was it?”
Sophie smiled. “I had a lovely time, with friends I had met before, and new people. London society is very interesting.”
Her mother leaned forwards with a knowing sparkle glinting in her eyes. “And is there anyone who you find particularly interesting? Have any of the gentlemen caught your eye?”
Sophie could feel a heat burning in her cheeks. She knew that she had to be blushing, so there was no point in trying to push her feelings down. Her mother knew her too well for her to try and hide anything anyway.
“I have enjoyed getting to know the gentleman that we met on the boat. Lord George Harrington.”
“Oh, the man who is friends with Sebastian!” her father blurted out with excitement. “Yes, I thought that they were very nice people.”
“George?” Her mother asked in surprise. “I assumed you were having a good time getting to know his brother, Lord Gregory Harrington.”
“Ah, well he is kind too,” Sophie admitted. “And it has been interesting to get to know him as well. But I have a much better conversation with George. I feel like we connect on a deeper level, and that we share a lot in common too.”
“Well, you have both lived in Sweden…”
“No, mother, it is more than that. I feel like he reallyseesme for who I am. He understands me, and likes me for that.”
