Page 40 of A Wicked Viscount's Stormy Affair
She could not stop thinking about him.
He had become everything to her.
She lay back on her bed, staring at the letter and the post card too, allowing the intensity of her feelings to truly wash over her. The glow of happiness that she felt just by thinking of him.
It was not hard for her now to grab the book that he bought for her, and to start reading, losing herself in the pages of the adventure splashed across the pages. Sophie envisioned herself having similar adventures, traveling to all these strange and wonderful places around the world, but with George with her.
Eventually, her mind began to wander, and the adventures in her imagination took on a life of their own. She started to dream about what a life with George might look like, a life where they were free to give in to the incredible temptation that they presented one another with. This time, when he went to kiss her, he did not stop himself. He scooped her up in his arms and intoxicated her with his lips.
She loved it, the sense of freedom, the feeling of finally having George as her own.
It felt like they had belonged to one another ever since they first touched, and that his request for a friendship in London was merely a ruse to keep her around.
Sophie could not be sure what was going to happen next between them, but she could not wait to find out.
Chapter 18
Sophie could not contain her excitement for the day that lay ahead. The moment that she had been given the invitation to the Harrington home for a picnic and a day of games, she had been thrilled. Mostly because if this was happening in the Harrington home, then George was bound to be there, even if it was Gregory who was hosting the event.
Finally, she would be able to see him, to talk to him, and to make sure that he truly was alright. She could notwaitto lay eyes on him once more.
Much as she was still a little worried about how he was feeling when it came to her, she still wanted to see him. She figured it would be easier to work out, face to face. To see his expressions as they talked and to watch him smile and laugh as they spoke. She always felt warm around him—safe too—which helped her heart to race and gave her that pleasant feeling she had become utterly addicted to.
As she got herself dressed in a floral-patterned day dress, Sophie could feel the intensity of her pulse racing. She might not have been familiar with English lawn games, but her father had reassured her that she would be able to pick them up easily enough. He had even stated that a lot of them were similar to games she had played in Sweden, so she should not worry.
Even if she did not join in with any games, she was excited to share a picnic with everyone. To talk and gossip with her newfound English friends, who would likely help her along the way if she truly did struggle. Katherine and Victoria had quickly become some of her favorite people in the whole world.
“Sophie,” her mother called up the stairs, just as Lily finished tying a pretty white bow in her hair. “The carriage is here and waiting for us.”
She smiled to herself, noting the way that her eyes sparkled in the reflection. There was an intense bubble of excitement dancing in the pit of her stomach; she simply had afeelingthat today was going to be one of the most thrilling of her life so far. She just hoped that she was not getting too carried away with herself, hoping for too much. Lost in her daydreams and fantasies.
“Coming,” she called back as she raced out of her bed chambers. “I am on the way.”
Her parents waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, also in fine attire. They had also been invited to the Harrington household today, but it was unlikely that they would be partaking in the lawn games. Her father had already let her know that they would be drinking brandy and talking business. It would be more of a chaperone role than anything else.
“You look lovely,” her mother commented with a smile. “Come on, let us leave now. We do not wish to be late.”
The carriage took them over the cobblestones of London towards the Harrington home. Sophie found herself barely able to sit still as they traveled because her mind was all over the place. All the dreams and fantasies that she had been having about George came flooding to the surface. Especially the dreams about them on their own little adventure through life together, starting on a boat.
“It shall be nice to see Lord Harrington again,” her mother commented with a sly smile.
“I thought it was his brother, the new viscount, running this event?” Sophie’s father jumped in.
She watched as her mother nudged him in the side. “Yes, but I am sure our friend from the ship will be there too.”
Having her family’s blessing, knowing that they were also fond of George, only made this a lot more thrilling. If they had been strongly against him, then she would have had to find a way to turn off her feelings. The last thing she would have wanted to do was upset her family.
But that thought gave her pause for thought.
Knowing that Gregory had also expressed interest in Sophie, and that he had seemingly been trying to woo her too, troubled her. It clutched her chest in a vice like grip, consuming her with worry.
Much as she did not want trouble in her own family, she did not want to create it in others as well. The last thing she wanted was for the Harrington brothers to fall out because of her. That would be absolutely devastating.
Maybe Gregory was notthatinterested in her. That would be the best outcome for everyone involved. Perhaps he was in the process of trying to charm a lot of ladies, to work out who he was more drawn to. Since their conversations were often stilted and a little awkward, Sophie was convinced that she could not become the object of his affection. Therehadto be someone else he liked more…
That was a comforting thought, if it were true.
Sophie just hoped itwastrue, and that no fight would come at the end of this.
