“I can see that this is going to require some more planning. Who is coming to your dinner party this evening? Anyone who may be interested in the project?” asked Shrewsbury.
“I actually organized it with that in mind. We will have the Kents, the Ruisdells, the Deals, Lady Melissa, and Miss Edwards.”
“Hmm. Enough men for a board of directors, if you include the two of us. We could discuss the matter over dinner.”
“I have asked Miss Edwards to perform afterward.”
“You have? Excellent! I am most anxious to hear her. She was entranced by the musicale last evening.”
Frank sensed the satisfaction in the other man’s words. “She is hostessing for me tonight,” he said.
Shrewsbury frowned. “Is she? I didn’t realize you had a serious interest in that quarter. I thought you were merely amusing yourself. She hardly seems your type.”
“And what is my type?”
“You know very well! Women of the world who know their way about. Miss Edwards is the essence of innocence.”
“It seems to me that you are interested in her as well,” Frank said grimly.
“A wife like Miss Edwards would stand me in good stead in my political career. In addition to which, I find the girl utterly charming.” Shrewsbury studied his well-buffed fingernails. “I suppose it isn’t any good my asking you to back off?”
“None.”
“Well, then all I have to say is, ‘may the best man win. ’” Shrewsbury offered his hand.
Frank ignored it. “The courting of Miss Edwards is not a curricle race.” He stood. “I will leave you to plan your picnic. I would suggest Lady Clarice as a hostess. She will know which young ladies might have an inclination to help.”
Shrewsbury blinked. Frank knew that the man could not argue with the wisdom of this suggestion, no matter how much he might wish to invite Sophie to fill the position.
He returned home feeling out of sorts and frustrated. Perhaps Sophie would make her sentiments toward him evident that night and Shrewsbury would decide it was useless to continue his attentions. Of course, he could put an end to all of this if he could secure Sophie’s hand from Ruisdell, her guardian. Perhaps if she did show a partiality for him tonight, the duke would be inclined to give his blessing to an engagement.
~~*
Sophie arrived early with Buck, Fanny, Alexa, and her nurse. She must have received another gown from her new modiste, because this one was superbly suited to her. Made from some lovely silver fabric overlaid with spidery peach lace, it flattered her delicate complexion and caused her to look more angelic than ever.
She held up her hand. “Good evening, Frank.”
He kissed her gloved knuckles, wishing he could kiss the smiling lips, her glowing face, and long, elegant neck. “You look enchanting, Angel. It will be an honor to have you as my hostess.” Just seeing her in his home elevated his spirits to a new level.
Dinwoody took her cloak and violin as his master greeted Fanny and Buck. Fanny unwrapped her bundle and showed Frank her sleeping infant.
“I see she has your auburn curls, Fanny.” The enchanting little creature moved her rosebud lips in and out as she slept.
“Is she going to be a handful like her mother?” he asked.
Buck said, “I can only hope. Rosalind has become so sedate, life threatens to become boring.”
“I can hardly threaten to run away to become an actress when I have this little thing dependent on me! Frank, can your man show my nurse and me a place where Alexa can have her evening nap?”
He directed Dinwoody to his future wife’s bedroom. Fanny spoke to the little nurse in gray in what sounded like Italian, and the party followed him up the stairs. Frank led Sophie and Buck up to the drawing room.
“Fanny means to bring up Alexa to be bilingual,” Sophie said. “She intends that they should spend much of their time in Italy.”
“That is an interesting idea, and very forward thinking of Fanny.” Once they had reached the drawing room his mother had decorated long ago in shades of green and gold, he asked, “Madeira?” He wished Buck would disappear, leaving them alone.
His friend did manage to remove himself as much as possible while staying in the same room examining the landscapes that Frank’s father had purchased in Flanders before the War. Frank took advantage of the fact by kissing Sophie once below her lovely ear. He whispered, “How are you this evening, my love?”
She laid her hand upon his face, stroking his cheek with her thumb. “It seems years since I have seen you.”
“Did you not enjoy the musicale?”
“The company was lacking,” she whispered and caressed his cheek.
At that moment, Lord Shrewsbury was announced and awarded an unimpaired view of Sophie’s gloved fingers on Frank’s freshly-shaven cheek. Frank paused long enough to take her hand by the wrist and plant a kiss in her palm before turning to do his duty and greet his friend.