Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

If Sophia’s plan had been anything more than a hastily decided course of action, she might have taken a more subtle approach to her flirtations. A brief glance across the room, the “accidental” touch of a hand on a decanter, a lingering gaze on the stairs before bed. But her dalliance with the Duke – their time alone on the terrace and their dance – was far from subtle. There could be no doubt in anyone’s mind as to what it had looked like, even though there may still be confusion as to what was intended because of it.

“I don’t understand, Sophia… what were you doing?” Ethan said, pulling Sophia aside.

Henry was standing alone by the terrace doors with an angry look on his face, and Sophia glanced at him, not knowing what her cousin expected her to say in response.

“I was dancing,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

“You know very well what I mean, Sophia. Don’t you know what it looked like?” Ethan demanded.

“And why does it matter? I thought you wanted me to make a match. And when I dance with the Duke, you grow angry with me,” Sophia retorted.

Her cousin sighed. “But you’re the one who wanted to refuse him – the Duke, I mean,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Yes, and as soon as Henry appeared, you thought to take advantage of the situation, didn’t you? But I don’t want to marry him. I like the Duke of Weston. And it seems he likes me, too. Now, why don’t you stop interfering, Ethan,” Sophia replied, and pulling away from his grip, she folded her arms and fixed him with a defiant gaze.

The seed had been planted, and if Ethan did not believe she was attracted to Jasper, he soon would.

Her cousin looked at her and smiled. “Well… I suppose you’re right. He is a better proposition than the Viscount,” he said, and Sophia nodded.

“Absolutely. He’s told me all sorts of things about Henry – his failures,” she said, twisting the knife a little more.

Ethan nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard rumors, but…” he said, and Sophia raised her eyebrows.

“But you thought he was the best I could do,” she retorted.

“No, it’s not that. But… well, he was certainly persistent,” Ethan replied.

Sophia knew Henry was still watching them, and she knew, too, the brunt of his anger would fall on her cousin, whom he would blame for making empty promises. But Sophia herself had never made such promises. She had not wanted to marry Henry before, and she was certainly not going to change her mind now. But as for the Duke of Weston, a few moments on a terrace and a single dance were hardly a cause for scandal, even as Henry might use the fact to create one. Sophia had only just thought about this, even though the prospect of a scandal was not about to prevent her from pursuing her plan.

“Then he was foolish for being so,” Sophia replied.

Her cousin nodded. “Yes, well… we’ll see, won’t we?” he said.

Sophia was feeling tired, but the evening was not yet over, and she knew she would face a choice as to who to dance with next – the Duke, or the man who thought it was his right to be her partner the whole night long.

“Another waltz,” Penelope had just called out, and Peter now offered to dance with her as the other couples assembled.

Sophia glanced at Ethan, who raised his eyebrows.

“I won’t stop you, but think about what you’re doing, Sophia. The Duke of Weston might not be all you think him to be,” he said.

Sophia shrugged. She did not need him to be anything, though her cousin would not know that, of course. Glancing across the room, she caught Jasper’s eyes, and he stepped forward, just as Henry did. It was almost a race as to who got to her first, and now the two men stood before her, almost shoving one another to monopolize her attention.

“A dance, Sophia, I think. I’ll try not to step on your toes,” Henry said, and Jasper smiled.

“I know I won’t step on your toes,” he said, and the look on his face suggested he was enjoying himself immensely.

“Oh… well, if that’s the case, perhaps… well, I’ll dance with you later, Henry,” Sophia said, and holding out her hand to Jasper, he led her away, leaving Henry looking downcast.

A slight twinge of guilt rose inside her, but Sophia knew it was for the best. Had she not suggested the Duke’s interventions, Henry would have continued to believe in his own right to possess her, and Ethan would have pursued the match with vigor. But now, doubts were cast, and Sophia had made her own feelings on the matter clear.

She wondered what the others were thinking – Penelope, in particular – and as she and Jasper danced, she wondered what it would really be like to be courted by him. He was making an excellent impression of what such a thing might look like – just as she had hoped he would.

“This is all rather fun, isn’t it?” he said, leaning forward so his brow was almost touching hers.

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. It was fun, even though she had not expected it to be. There was something pleasing in taking back the little control she now possessed.

A woman of her rank and class – any woman, for that matter – had little by way of freedom over her affairs. But knowing this small act of rebellion was a means by which she would gain some control, if only for a short while, Sophia was determined to enjoy herself, even as she knew it to be at the expense of Henry, who was standing at the edge of the room, watching the proceedings with a thunderous look on his face.

“It is, yes,” Sophia replied, smiling at the Duke, who now twirled her with the dexterity of a man used to the dance floor.

Sophia gasped, almost falling back, even as the Duke’s strong arms caught her before she fell.

“You dance very well,” he said, and Sophia blushed.

“Well, not very well – but I was taught to. My mother made sure of it. I don’t particularly enjoy it, though,” Sophia admitted.

“And what about your cousin? Ridiculous man he is – does he dance?” the Duke asked.

Sophia had never seen her cousin dance, though he would no doubt claim some prowess. He was always boasting of this or that quality, though such things were rarely displayed. Ethan was the sort of man who would claim expertise at anything, though as for its demonstration…

“He’s making a show of it with your mother,” Sophia said, glancing across the room, to where it was clear the Dowager Duchess – rather than Ethan – was leading their waltz.

Sophia laughed. It was a genuine laugh – the laugh of someone enjoying themselves, sharing a moment of humor with another. It was the sort of laugh one gave in the company of someone genuinely pleasant to be with, and it stopped her short for a moment, even as the Duke continued to smile at her.

“I don’t know how you can bear him – I really don’t,” Jasper said, and Sophia blushed.

“Well… he’s my cousin,” she said, as though such words covered a multitude of sins.

The Duke raised his eyebrows.

“But you must feel some bitterness towards him. One hears of such things – a relative never heard of, suddenly brought to the fore by a death, inheriting far above his rank, and leaving the women – with their good breeding and manners – high and dry. I feel sorry for you. Particularly now that he thinks he can marry you off,” Jasper replied.

Sophia could not disagree. It was precisely how she felt, and how her mother felt, too. But her mother was of the same opinion as Ethan – marriage was essential, and, on this, at least, they agreed, to Sophia’s detriment.

“Well, that’s where you come in, isn’t it?” Sophia replied.

“But for how long? Do you have someone else in mind – someone you want to marry?” the Duke asked.

Sophia shook her head. There was no one, even though she wished there was – if only to use the time she had bought herself. Her plan was no plan at all, not in the long term, at least. There was no one else, not even a vague possibility.

“No… but… we’ve got time, haven’t we? We can pretend. You agreed to it,” Sophia replied, fearing he was about to renege on their deal, even though there was no incentive for him to pursue this strange arrangement for anything more than the amusement it might give him.

“We can, yes – but what do I get out of it?” he asked.

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. She had no intention of impropriety. She was not about to succumb to anything scandalous, even for the sake of what she desired. She knew men could be lascivious – wicked, even – and for a man to pursue scandal was not the same as for a woman to succumb to it. She looked at him fearfully.

“If you’re suggesting…” she said, but Jasper only laughed and shook his head.

“I’m not suggesting anything improper, no. But you’ve got to see it from my perspective, too. I’m trying to rebuild the reputation of my estate and title. I’m trying to regain my family’s wealth. A proper match, with a dowry to accompany it, would be one way. But given this little ruse of ours, I’ll now be considered… unavailable. Nevertheless, a bachelor can be seen by those in business as a loaded gun – a risk taker, a youthful fool. But a man on the cusp of marriage might seem more respectable. If we continue to play this game, I want to use it to my advantage. Do you understand?” he asked.

Sophia nodded. She did not mind the thought of him using their association in such a way, though she did not think her cousin or mother would believe her if she announced an immediate betrothal. But the thought of an emerging courtship between them was pleasing, given the advantages it afforded her, and as the music came to an end, Sophia nodded.

“Then it’s beneficial to us both,” she said as Jasper stepped back, bowing to her with a flirtatious look in his eyes.

Henry was still standing stony-faced at the side of the room, and as Sophia stepped back, he made no attempt to come between her and what was so obviously the man she had chosen over him. Sophia very much hoped he would realize the folly of pursuing the matter further, even as she knew him to be a stubborn man who would not give in so easily.

“Are you happy now, Sophia?” Ethan asked, taking Sophia by the arm as Jasper turned to talk to Penelope.

“Am I not allowed to be happy, Ethan?” Sophia asked, and her cousin sighed.

“Just make your mind up,” he said, and Sophia fixed him with a defiant look.

“I think it’s made up, don’t you?” she said, watching Jasper from across the room, and wondering if their ruse might not turn out to both their advantage, after all.