Tonight, however, even the anticipation could scarcely elevate her spirits.
“I say, Sophia, are you even listening?”
She blinked and regarded Henry, Viscount Southby, her older brother, who strode at her side up the path to Bursbury Manor, where her aunt was hosting a ball for the coming out of her youngest daughter, Lady Eugenia.
Sophia shook her head. “I’m sorry, I—” She stopped herself from making an excuse. “I was woolgathering. Do forgive me, dear brother.”
He tilted his head, a concerned look crossing his handsome face. They had all inherited the same gentle appearance. But while Sophia and their eldest sister, Cecelia, had delicate features, Henry’s were elegantly sculpted, and his eyes were kind.
Those eyes were now scrutinizing her with tender perception. “You’ve been put out since your conversation with Father earlier.”
Sophia looked away to discourage him from reading her like a broadsheet. Her conversation with their father had indeed not gone well. Not only did he feel it was time for her to wed, but he had also found the man she ought to marry.
Mr. Mongerton, the owner of a gaming hell—the Fox Hole—or something equally as crass. An associate, Father had called him. As if actual business transpired between them. Not that she was allowed to argue. She was the second daughter, as he so bluntly stated.
And while Sophia could not argue her birth order, she did not agree that it relegated her to a position where she ought to wed a man over twice her own age.
This was not how it was all supposed to go. She hadn’t put off marriage for so long so that she could be wed to an associate of her father’s. She’d done it so she could have the full experience of the joy of youth before being tethered into matrimony. Her vow to live her life to the fullest had not been in vain, even if her father had no appreciation for such matters.
And while she understood Father’s impatience, did he really have to select someone as ghastly as Mr. Mongerton?
The gaming hell owner had made his interest in her known on more than one occasion with beady and lascivious glances her way. The very idea of the man made her flesh crawl with distaste.
Sophia rose on her tiptoes with feigned excitement to see who was in the entryway and mask her shudder of revulsion. “Did you see if Lord Heaton has arrived yet?”
“Is Lord Heaton the one to have finally captured your heart, little sister?” Henry kept his voice low. He always was mindful of her feelings. It was one of the many things she adored about him.
“You know he is not,” she hissed in a happy whisper. “Though he dances beautifully, don’t you think?”
“I was going to say exactly that very thing about him myself,” Henry said with a smile and offered Sophia his arm as they approached the bright entryway to the ballroom in preparation of being announced.
Sophia couldn’t help but laugh as she accepted his arm.
“Perhaps it might be better if you refrain from dancing as much this evening.” Henry offered her an apologetic smile. “In light of our cousin’s coming out.”
Heat touched Sophia’s cheeks, but she understood his implication. It was a rare night when Sophia’s dance card had any space on it for another suitor. Tonight, was for Eugenia to shine. Which Sophia had already taken into consideration.
“I’m wearing my slippers without a heel,” she admitted. “On account of my twisted ankle.”
Henry winked at her in appreciation of her feigned injury.
The caller announced them, and Eugenia sailed toward them with a smile beaming on her red lips. Sophia had been at the modiste with her cousin when her coming out gown was designed, and it was stunning. Pale blue fabric with deeper blue rosettes crafted in silk over the full skirt and matching slippers. Her red hair had been twisted into an elaborate arrangement with silver ribbons and her freshly crimped curls gleamed in the candlelight.
The fashion was more elaborate than Sophia’s own light brown tresses, which had been left intentionally simple. A woman’s coming out was her crowning achievement, and Sophia would do nothing to take that away from her cousin and dearest friend.
“Isn’t it grand?” Eugenia squealed and surveyed the ballroom. Garlands of roses were resplendent in the large room, all matching colors to her attire. The wooden floor had been polished to a high shine, and candles glittered in mirrored sconces, making the room glow with golden light.
Eugenia’s elder sister caught Sophia’s eye and offered a delicate wave. Penelope, the Countess of Oakhurst, generally did not attend balls now that she was wed to the Earl of Oakhurst, but she was not only in attendance but also appeared to be enjoying herself.
“The grandest.” Sophia embraced her cousin. “I’m so very happy for you.”
Eugenia grabbed her hand. “Come, let’s find eligible men to dance with.” She bit her lip, her eyes dancing with mirth. “And perhaps one to marry.”
“I find myself in need of some brandy.” Henry offered a bow, gave Eugenia a compliment on her ribbons or something of the like, and wandered swiftly away from the conversation of suitors and marriage.
Typical man.
“Ah, Sophia, there you are, dearest.” Lady Bursbury swept to Sophia’s side. “Might I steal your cousin away for a moment, Eugenia?”
At that moment, Lord Heaton arrived, and a mischievous sparkle lit Eugenia’s blue eyes. “Be sure to find me when you’re done,” she said.
Lady Bursbury watched her walk away, a slight twist to her mouth. “She’ll be a tough one to keep from marrying too quickly.”
“I thought you wanted everyone married off, Aunt Nancy,” Sophia said it playfully.
The little laugh Lady Bursbury gave told her she took Sophia’s words exactly that way. “Yes, but happily, my dear.” She leaned toward Sophia and lowered her voice. “Which is why I’ve come to speak to you.” The concern in her sharp blue eyes was unmistakable.
She knew.
“I take it my father has spoken to you?” Sophia surmised.
Her aunt sighed. “I asked him to give me a chance to find you someone different. Someone more appropriate. He seems rather set on his decision. However…” She lifted one auburn brow triumphantly. “I can be very persuasive.”
Sophia grinned. Lady Bursbury could be very persuasive indeed, especially when it came to matchmaking, of which she was quite adept. Even Cecelia hadn’t been able to avoid their aunt’s schemes.
“I think you’ve met most of the men of the ton already.” Lady Bursbury tapped her fan to her palm repeatedly as her gaze skimmed the room. “I’ve had someone in mind for you for quite a while but have been waiting until just the right moment.”
Excitement lit within Sophia. Hope.
Her aunt gave up searching the room and whispered, “Lord Kendal.”
Sophia held herself upright to keep from wilting at the declaration.
She must not have been very convincing, as Lady Bursbury gave a little pout. “What is it? Have you decided against him already?”
“Well, he’s a far cry better than Mr. Mongerton, but all he ever does is talk amongst the men and he never bothers to dance. He’s so very…” Sophia glanced around them as she spoke to confirm he was not nearby. “Bor—”
She’d been on the tip of saying “boring” when her eyes locked with the dark gaze of a tall, lean man just behind them.
Lord Kendal.
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous,” Lady Bursbury said, oblivious of his proximity. “He’s hardly boring.”
He gave Sophia a small tight smile, which she tried to return as best she could.
“I’ll go find him now and speak to him.” Lady Bursbury slapped her fan in her palm one final time with determination.
Lord Kendal gave a small bow and backed away from them, disappearing into the crush of people. This time Sophia didn’t bother to protest. There was no point when it was obvious there was no discouraging Aunt Nancy.
Not that any of it would do any good, regardless. Sophia knew her fathe
r well enough to be keenly aware he would not be swayed into changing his mind.
Short of fleeing England, there would be nothing for it but to marry Mongerton. And while fleeing England did hold great appeal, what was she to do if she did leave? She would require lodging, money, a way to generate an income.
What she needed was a miracle. Or an excellent idea.
Grab your copy at: Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/EarlOfKendal
Regency Cocky Gents
Each book can be read as a stand alone but is connected as a series.
Book 1: Cocky Earl
The Earl of Westerley and the American Whiskey King’s daughter.
Book 2: Cocky Baron
Baron Chaswick and Lady Bethany (Westerleys’ sister)
Book 3: Cocky Mister
Mr. Stone Spencer and Lady Tabetha (Westerley’s sister)
Book 3.5 Mayfair Maiden
Mr. Peter Spencer and Lady Starling
Book 4: Cocky Viscount
The Viscount Manningham-Tissinton and Lady Felicity
Book 5: Cocky Marquess
The Marquess of Greystone’s story
Book 6: Cocky Butler
The Duke of Blackheart’s story.
Ruined
Blackheart’s younger brother (Lord Lucas) and Naomi
Earl of Tempest
Blackheart’s sister (Lydia) and Lord Tempest
About Annabelle Anders
Married to the same man for over 25 years, I am a mother to three children and two Miniature Wiener dogs.
After owning a business and experiencing considerable success, my husband and I got caught in the financial crisis and lost everything in 2008; our business, our home, even our car.
At this point, I put my B.A. in Poly Sci to use and took work as a waitress and bartender (Insert irony). Unwilling to give up on a professional life, I simultaneously went back to college and obtained a degree in Energy Management.
And then the energy market dropped off.
And then my dog died.
I can only be grateful for this series of unfortunate events, for, with nothing to lose and completely demoralized, I sat down and began to write the romance novels which had until then, existed only my imagination. After publishing over thirty novels now, with one having been nominated for RWA’s Distinguished ™RITA Award in 2019, I am happy to tell you that I have finally found my place in life.
Thank you so much for being a part of my journey!
To find out more about my books, and also to download a free novella, get all the info at my website!
www.annabelleanders.com
Earl of Tempest: The Wicked Earls Club Page 14