“See, I knew I’d like her. A real kiss or just a peck?”
Sophie wasn’t sure whom to answer first, so she thought she might start with the last first. “It was a real kiss,” she said, feeling her cheeks heat. “I liked it very much, and the first time was at the Pattons’ ball.”
“The first time?” Mirabelle croaked.
“It’s happened once or twice since,” Sophie replied evasively.
“Well, which is it?” Kate asked. “One or two?”
“Four.”
“Oh, my.” That came from both Kate and Mirabelle.
“Oh, now I know I like you,” Evie declared with a satisfied smile. “But the first time is the most memorable, isn’t it?”
“Evie’s kissed one of the grooms,” Kate explained with a roll of her eyes.
“Who is rather attractive,” Mirabelle pointed out.
“He’s a veritable Adonis,” Evie said.
“Have you…that is, are you still…?” Sophie wasn’t sure how to ask whether Evie was carrying on an illicit affair with a member of the staff.
“Alas, it never went beyond a few kisses before he moved on to greener pastures. But enough about that, these two have heard all about it. Tell us about your Alex.”
“He is not my Alex. And there isn’t much else to tell. We kissed that first night and…”
“And…?” All three prompted at once.
Sophie cringed. “And then he laughed.”
“Oh, no,” Evie murmured, sounding slightly more amused than dismayed. “What ever for?”
“He said it was the situation.”
“What the devil does that mean?” Evie asked.
“I have no idea. He did apologize, though.”
“I should hope he did a great deal more than apologize,” Mirabelle declared indignantly.
“What ever he did, it should have involved flowers, candy, poetry, an enormous amount of flattery, and an even greater amount of begging,” Kate added.
Mirabelle nodded her approval before adding, “A little punishment would not have gone amiss. Self-flagellation would have been appropriate in this case.”
“And a horse hair shirt afterward,” Evie suggested.
“But not before the salt,” Mirabelle returned.
“Oh, naturally,” Sophie laughed. “But none of them were necessary. Besides,” she said sobering, “I’m not looking to Alex for a declaration, and I’ve received no indication that he’s looking to give one.”
“Are you sure?” Kate asked gingerly.
“Yes, on both accounts. I think it likely he is only playing the rake, and even if he were not, he would never allow me to return to my father.”
“And you’re certain that’s what you want most?” Evie inquired softy.
Sophie nodded, but for some reason she didn’t feel as confident as she had three weeks ago. This business with Alex was affecting her more than she realized. More than she could afford. “It’s best to leave what’s happened between me and Alex in the past. I need to concentrate on the gentlemen on the list. Speaking of which, Evie….”
Several days later, Sophie had three new names on her list and had crossed out two. The three additions were middle-aged gentlemen without sons, but with nephews and male cousins they would be happy to see as their heirs. Her list thus fortified, she’d felt safe abandoning the chase of the two men she felt were the least suited to her needs, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Fetzer. The first made her skin crawl, and the second was so ancient and frail looking she felt guilty even contemplating dragging him into a loveless marriage.
Over the next three days she threw herself into the party, participating in almost every event scheduled. Unlike other house parties she’d heard about, which provided ample daytime pleasures for the men while the women were left to find their own amusements until evening, Lady Thurston had provided diversions for the ladies. There were morning rides, archery tournaments, dancing lessons, picnics, parlor games, a trip to the nearby village, and tea every afternoon.
Sophie tried everything to distract herself from her worries, playing the role of perfect guest by day and adorable debutante by night.