Shrewsbury was looking thunderous but, of course, could say nothing.
Sophie turned to welcome him. “Good evening, my lord.” Walking toward him, she offered her hand. He bowed over it stiffly, and Frank saw him studying Sophie’s face as though looking for some sign.
Lady Melissa and her parents were next, presenting a different challenge. As if she did not see Sophie, Melissa walked up to him quite boldly, presenting her hand. He bowed over it as she said, “How very prompt you are to return our hospitality! Will you accompany us to the Duchess of Beverley’s ball?”
Instead of answering her, he gestured toward Sophie and said, “Your dear friend is acting as my hostess this evening.”
Melissa blushed furiously before embracing Sophie. “I am sorry, Soph. I did not even see you standing there. How have you been?”
Fanny rejoined the party in company with her sister, Elise, and the Duke. Soon, all were chatting and drinking sherry, with the exception of Shrewsbury. He stood outside the group, his eyes following Sophie. He resembled a brooding Romantic hero. Frank hoped Sophie did not think so.
However, she did take her hostess duties seriously. As the baron was on the outside of the group, she went to engage him in conversation, then stopped by each party to greet them. When she returned to Frank, he saw that she was looking troubled.
“Is anything amiss, Angel?” he asked.
“I hope not. Lord Shrewsbury has begged an audience with me tomorrow. He claims it to be exceedingly important.”
Frank frowned. “Do not let him impose on you. He likes to have his way. I do not know of any female who has heretofore resisted his charm.”
Sophie dropped her expression and gave him a sunny grin. “Do not worry about me.”
When the dinner gong rang, the Duke and Duchess led the way into the dining room, followed by the Marquis and Marchioness of Deal, then the Earl and Countess of Kent. Precedence dictated that Frank took Lady Melissa on his arm, while Shrewsbury was privileged to escort Sophie.
The place cards on the table dictated that Frank headed the table, with Sophie at the foot. She had her sister Fanny at her right and Elise at her left. Shrewsbury was stranded in the middle of the table across from Lady Melissa. Frank had Deal and Ruisdell to his right and left.
Dinner conversation was of the Girls’ School. It was decided by the ladies that a hot meal was certainly necessary. Along with the meal, Lady Kent asserted, some instruction on manners was necessary. Shrewsbury’s scheme was exploding into something far more complex than his original simple desire to teach orphans to read.
“I think,” said Ruisdell, “that some thought should be given to having a resident school such as Beverley’s orphan boys enjoy at Chipping Camden. There, matters of hygiene, manners, and preparation of the girls for employment could accompany the reading lessons.”
“Such a scheme would require an income the size of his grace, the Duke of Beverley’s,” Shrewsbury objected.
Ruisdell raise an eyebrow. “While the original scheme was yours, Shrewsbury, no one expects you to fund such a school. We will find benefactors. I, for one, am certainly willing.”
“And I,” agreed Frank. “But I think this discussion best be continued when the ladies have adjourned to the drawing room.”
{ 15 }
WHEN THE TIME CAME for the ladies to retire, Sophie rose and tried to lead with dignity, cursing her limp once again. Since she knew all the ladies present quite well, their conversation was lively. Fanny was summoned to her baby, and Elise took her place at Sophie’s side. “You have managed very well tonight, my dear. Congratulations,” she said in a low tone while Melissa and her mother took a turn to examine the landscapes. “I imagine Frank will be calling on Peter in the very near future.”
Sophie said, “There is one who will not be happy about it—Melissa. She has formed a tendre for Frank, unless I am much mistaken.”
“Shrewsbury is not happy either. I thought him more of a gentleman than to sulk in corners,” Elise said.
“He begs an audience tomorrow. I cannot think of what he means to say.”
“Be certain Fanny is present, dearest. I would not have him carry you off in an excess of Byronic bedevilment.”
Sophie giggled. “He is glowering like the Corsair. A pity he is fair instead of dark.”
Later, when she was playing her violin, Sophie felt Shrewsbury’s eyes burning into her. Try as she might to be completely absorbed in her performance, his hungry aspect could not help but affect her. She was very glad when she was finished and did not feel her customary satisfaction. She hoped that Frank was not too disappointed.
Not long afterward, her sister and the duke, as well as all the Kents and Shrewsbury, left for the Beverley ball. Fanny and Buck went upstairs to retrieve Alexa, and Sophie was left alone with Frank.