Winning the Gentleman (Hearts on the Heath #2) - Kristi Ann Hunter Page 0,123

and her name was scrawled across the top in large, calligraphed letters.

Sophia cleared her throat. “This seems rather elaborate for a small gathering. I’ve nothing to wear that matches the elegance of the invitation.”

“Sophia Fitzroy, I would never have hired you if I’d realized what a coward you are.” Harriet crossed her arms over her chest and stuck her nose in the air.

“It is not cowardice to avoid situations that have a significant chance of causing great harm.”

“And what harm can come to you at a dinner party? If Lady Adelaide’s cook was inclined to poison people, we’d all be dead by now.”

Sophia closed the book and looked up at the woman who would likely always be a mystery to her, no matter the amount of time she spent in her company. “I’ve no concerns about the cook.”

“I can haul my own dining chairs over if you’re worried their furniture isn’t sound.”

“Now you’re being ridiculous.” Sophia couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

“Well, I’ve always thought the best way to converse with a fool was to be one yourself.”

“I’m not a fool.”

“Aren’t you? You’re sitting here, still stewing over what might have been instead of going out and discovering what could be. Seems a useless sort of pain to me.”

Sophia stood and crossed to the window. “What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

“What was that? I’m afraid if you whisper at a window, the sound doesn’t travel far.” Fabric rustled behind her and Sophia turned to see Harriet picking up Sophia’s discarded book. “What are you reading, anyway?”

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?” Sophia asked louder. With the question finally out in the open, all her other thoughts poured forth. “Aaron went through a great deal of trouble to get me that job—”

“You mean the one you still have?”

“Yes, in a way, but he doesn’t know the arrangement or why.”

“That’s why you tell him. Though if your brother’s worth his beans, he’s already dropped a hint or two.”

Sophia was not bringing her brother into this. “Aaron doesn’t want me here. He didn’t even tell me good-bye. He just—”

“He waved to you from the street. Am I not telling people good-bye when I wave?”

“I barely know him, and—”

“The potential of a person can be so enthralling that not exploring it will ruin everyone else you meet in the future.”

How did this woman have an answer for everything? She was worse than Jonas. “I have nothing to offer him, so there isn’t any reason to explore this so-called potential. It will only—”

“Sugar confections that are built up to look magnificent and elaborate always taste like dirty air. I do hope reality is better than that.”

“Would you stop interrupting me?” Sophia’s voice cracked as she tried to keep it from becoming a scream.

“No,” Harriet said calmly, “because if I wait for you to finish, we’ll be here for hours and the coach is coming round for us at three o’clock.”

Sophia blinked. “Why so early?”

“Because Lord Stildon is going to propose to Miss Snowley this evening, and I promised to decorate one of the box stalls in his stable with flowers from Adelaide’s conservatory. As my companion, you get to help.”

“Oh.”

Harriet widened her eyes in a look that didn’t even begin to appear authentically innocent. “You do want Miss Snowley to get a romantic proposal, don’t you?”

Sophia shook her head. “Harriet, one of these days you’re going to find someone you can’t manage.”

“I do hope it’s a man so we can fall in love and get married.” Harriet gave a wicked grin and swept from the room. “Now, let’s find you something fabulous to wear.”

IT WAS ONLY a matter of time before they ended up in the same drawing room.

Aaron had anticipated the moment, bracing himself for it to be awkward and uncomfortable. Instead, it was the most natural thing in the world to walk up to her and say, “You look lovely, Sophia.”

“Thank you.” She took in a shaky breath, but her grin looked easy. “I should smell lovely, too. I’ve been carrying flowers for two hours.”

“Decorating Hudson’s stable?”

“You know?”

“I had to clear out the horses.” He couldn’t imagine any other woman finding a proposal in the middle of a horse stall romantic, but it was perfect for Hudson and Bianca. “I doubt they will stay long after dinner. He’s rather anxious to make it happen.”

The awkwardness he’d dreaded swooped in on the falling silence of unasked questions. If those were given a voice, there would be no going back. The swirl