Page 52 of A Wicked Viscount's Stormy Affair
Now that she was thinking about it, it made a lot of sense in a way. She was also related to royalty, and George did not have any title. He was a very successful man in Sweden, but he was self-made. That was not something she would ever look down on, but some might. Being a man without a title in London was even worse.
But if Sophie did not care about that sort of thing, then what did it matter? If she wanted to marry a man with a title, just because, then she would. But she wanted to marry for love, for connection, for an intense depth of feelings, and that was something she felt with George.
“If it is going to work, Sophie, then it will happen,” her mother did her best to reassure her. “If George needs some time, then all you need to do is give him that. I am sure he will soon realize that he is being very silly by holding back from you. He will get out of his own way; he will realize the right thing to do. Especially since you have not been left alone. I have noticed that you are still being bombarded with a succession of men who want to impress you.”
“Yes,” Sophie agreed. “But it is a shame that they are not the men that I want to see.”
“There are plenty more balls and parties up and coming. Sophie. I am sure you will get to see him then. We will simply have to ensure that you look so fabulous he can no longer deny his feelings to himself. He will have no choice but to ask for your hand in marriage!”
Sophie tried to smile at her mother, but it was hard for her to fake joy. She had already done that, she tried to look wonderful at the last ball she attended, but George avoided her and presumably left before she was given a chance to see him. It was only Gregory’s constant criticisms that let her know George was still in the country at all. Otherwise, she would be sitting there, worried that he had returned to Sweden, and she would never see him again.
“In fact, would you like to go to the modiste’s store now?” her mother asked, clearly desperate to cheer her up. “We can go and see what gowns they have there and what materials they have on offer. I am sure we will be able to find something beautiful for you to wear.”
Maybe Sophie was not quite in the right frame of mind to be out in public, but she also could not sit around in the home any longer.
She was driving herself insane.
The four walls might as well have been closing in on her because she had been stuck inside for way too long.
“Yes, Mother, thank you. I would like that very much.”
A new gown was unlikely going to get George’s attention if he really was not interested in her any longer. But if her mother was correct, and George was just having a little moment of panic before he overcame his ego, and was happy to commit to her, then a dress would certainly help for her to feel a little less self-conscious. Because she had been blaming herself endlessly about it, assuming she was just terrible in the bedroom department, it was nice to imagine that it might be something else entirely.
Hopefully she would find out soon enough, because the not knowing was really killing her.
Chapter 25
As George stood in the corner of yet another ballroom, watching Sophie dancing with Gregory, his heart was in his mouth. He had heard whispers around the room throughout the evening that his brother was most definitely planning to propose to Sophie, which meant he had to snap into action.
He could not hold back any longer, it was time for him to decide. Was he going to take Sebastian’s advice and finally be honest with her about everything, or was he going to slip away and admit that he had failed in his mission?
The more he considered the idea of simply letting her go, the worse he felt about everything.
He truly did have feelings for this woman, he could not avoid that any longer, but if he wanted to be the man by her side for the rest of their lives then he was going to have to marry her. He liked the idea of being her husband, but was not sure that he could commit to London. He had left the city for a reason, and that reason still stood. Because his family did not care for him, or believe that he could be a good man.
“What are you so deep in thought about?” Sebastian asked, making George jump. He had not realized that his friend had even joined him near to the refreshment tables. “Is it what I assume it is? Because you know what my advice is, and I am sure you are already aware that time is running out.”
“I know,” George agreed. “I have heard the rumors too, but I am worried. I am concerned that it will be disastrous.”
“This is one of those times where you need to stop worrying about what you think might happen, and instead focus on your feelings. If you do not, this might become a night that you will always end up regretting.”
He could already feel the regret creeping through his system, and that only intensified the moment he spotted his brother and Sophie leaving the dance floor, and heading to the door. They were about to go outside, and if they did, there was no telling what would happen. Gregory might make his intentions to marry Sophie clear. If that happened in ear shot of other people, then the choice might be taken away from him.
“It is time,” Sebastian declared, as if he could already sense what was on George’s mind. “I suggest you find the courage to tell the truth now.”
George gave his best friend one sharp nod before he took off, following Sophie and Gregory outside. They were not the only ones who had excused themselves for some fresh air. There were many people scattered around, gossiping, and engaged in their own conversations, but George was not interested in any of them.
His heart raced as he located Gregory and Sophie, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he tried to think of the best and most polite way to interject.
Is Gregory going to kiss her?He thought in a panicked manner as he spotted his brother drawing ever nearer to Sophie. She did not appear entirely comfortable with the interaction, but was polite and graceful as always. She was well bred, and that showed.
If Gregory wanted to kiss her, then he would destroy her reputation, forcing her hand and making her marry him.
That was the last thing that George wanted.
If shechoseto marry him, then there would be nothing that he could do.
“Hello there,” George called out the moment he was in hearing distance. It was not the smoothest entrance, but he did not have time for that. “Good to see you both.”
