Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,24
for I do not find it enjoyable to broach a conversation nor to remain in it.”
“I shall take it as a compliment that you have not run away screaming,” Miss Kingsley replied with a saucy grin.
Sophie covered a laugh, though Miss Kingsley did nothing to hide her amusement.
“Now that we have established how petrified we are to speak to one another,” said Miss Kingsley, “perhaps you might tell me something about yourself.”
“Myself?”
Miss Kingsley nodded. “Nothing puts a person so at ease than to speak about her favorite topic.”
Sophie snorted. Her eyes flew wide open at that horrid sound, and she cast a look around, but no one was the wiser—except for Miss Kingsley, who looked amused but ignored it.
“What do you wish to know?” asked Sophie when she trusted herself to speak.
“Perhaps I ought to begin with the little details, such as where you hail from, but why begin with such insipid questions?” Tapping her fingers along the edges of her skirts, Miss Kingsley’s gaze drifted to the side, her lips pursing as she thought. “What do you love to do most in the world?”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “That is a rather large question.”
Miss Kingsley nodded. “But it is far more interesting.”
And more invasive, though Sophie was not about to tell the young lady that. As she pondered over how to respond, Miss Kingsley chimed in again.
“I adore music. If I had my way, I would fill every moment with song. I never feel quite so at ease as I do when singing, and I am convinced that the best part of London is all the concerts and musicales. And you?”
Miss Kingsley spoke with such artlessness. The lady was open and free with her words, and Sophie couldn’t help but admire it. Though that did not make her more comfortable with revealing her own truths.
“I doubt you would be interested in it, and I do not wish to bore you,” replied Sophie.
“Nonsense,” said Miss Kingsley. “And whether or not I am interested is immaterial. I simply wish to know you better.”
And so Sophie began speaking of her love for flora, fauna, insects, and all the rest, and though Miss Kingsley was not familiar with the subject (other than as a casual observer), she asked pertinent questions and prodded Sophie into greater depths. She took Sophie by the arm, and the pair strolled along the edge of the drawing room as the others chatted and play cards. Sophie was at a loss to think of a more interesting conversation, for it led to Lily speaking of her own passions, and soon, the subjects were darting here and there, meandering in a manner that made sense only to Sophie and Lily.
“There you are, dearest.”
Sophie froze, taking in a sharp breath as Mama’s salutation halted them in their tracks. They turned to see the lady striding up to them, hands held demurely before her as she smiled at the pair. Sophie made the introductions, and Mama gave Lily a glowing smile.
“Miss Kingsley, how good to meet you,” said Mama. “I’ve wanted to make your acquaintance. It has been so long since I last visited your parents, and I was just catching up with them.”
The young lady grinned. “I had no idea you were at all acquainted with my family, but I am already quite fond of your daughter. It is such a shame we’ve not met before.”
Mama’s eyes traveled the length of Lily, and Sophie stiffened at the glint in Mama’s gaze. “I see you take after your mama.”
Lily merely thanked Mama, but Sophie’s breath caught at the insinuation. Over the years, she’d witnessed those subtle jabs her mother was so skilled at giving, and Sophie did not wish to see sweet Lily as the target. But before she could speak a word in Lily’s defense, Mrs. Kingsley appeared beside her daughter.
“Lily, there you are,” she said with a tightness around her eyes that belied the smile on her face.
“Of course I am, Mama,” replied Lily with a laugh as she motioned to the moderately sized drawing room. “You speak as though I’ve been hiding.”
Mrs. Kingsley stepped forward, taking Lily by the arm, which forced Sophie to drop her hold.
“My dear Mrs. Kingsley,” said Mama with a simpering smile. “I was just remarking how your daughter takes after you in looks. It is as though I am looking at you when we first met. Though I suppose she is quite a bit younger than you were. How old are you, my dear?”