Hearts Entwined (Victorian Love #3) - M.A. Nichols Page 0,33

we visited that menagerie three years ago?”

“I believe it was four,” said Miss Nelson.

Miss Caswell gave her friend a winning smile. “Quite right, but we were all enamored with the animals.”

Miss Thompson waved an airy hand. “Exotic one, perhaps, but who would be interested in a simple moth? Unless you are a valet or lady’s maid protecting the master or mistress’s clothing, in which case you’d live in fear of them.”

Sophie held her tongue, for she knew better than to engage in such a fruitless discussion, but then Mr. Kingsley turned to her and prompted her to speak on her behalf, and Sophie found herself unable to remain silent.

“There is so much variety and beauty in the world around us,” said Sophie, clasping her hands before her. “Moths are commonplace enough at first glance but have countless species and genera, each one unique in its coloring, habits, and abilities. There is nothing simple about them, and the more I study nature, the more I am awed by its complexity even in the most mundane creatures.”

Miss Thompson stared at her for a long moment while Mr. Kingsley fairly beamed at her.

“Brava, Miss Sophie,” said Miss Caswell with a smile equally as bright as her beau’s. “I cannot claim to have such passion for nature, but it is clear you have found your calling.”

At that, Sophie’s hands twisted in her skirts. “That is giving my meager talents too much credit, though I thank you for the compliment. And before you say it is false modesty, Mr. Kingsley, there is nothing false about it. I do love it, but it is a hobby and nothing more. Whenever I read the texts written by the true talents in the field, it is clear I have a shadow of their understanding. I know where I stand, and I quite happy with it.”

“Good afternoon!” called Miss Lily Kingsley as she scurried to their group with just enough decorum so as not to be called unseemly, but with none of the calm grace of Miss Caswell, Miss Thompson, and Miss Nelson. “I am so pleased that we made it on time. Mama and Papa were moving quite slowly this afternoon, and I feared we would never set out.”

Miss Caswell pulled free of Mr. Kingsley and embraced the young lady. “Thank goodness you did, for we would’ve missed you terribly.”

Sophie’s gaze darted to Miss Thompson and Miss Nelson; the latter’s expressionless mask slipped just enough to show a flash of annoyance in her gaze while the former’s smile tightened into a grimace. For her part, Sophie was no more successful, for a scowl pinched her features as she watched at the horrid pair. But all three had their facades back in place in a flash, giving Miss Caswell and the Kingsley siblings no inkling as to their true feelings.

Releasing Lily, Miss Caswell took her place beside Mr. Kingsley once more. “We were just speaking with Miss Sophie about her love of naturalism. She was expounding quite beautifully about the intricacies to be found in nature.”

An arm came around Sophie’s waist, and Allen burst into the conversation with a laugh. “Don’t say that she was boring you to tears with scientific names and endless diatribes on plants and the like.”

Holding onto her smile, Sophie fought to keep her cheeks from pinking while her brother gave her a gentle shake and guffaw.

Chapter 12

“You would speak of your sister so flippantly, sir?” asked Mr. Kingsley, but he paused in whatever he was about to say when the young lady at his side squeezed his arm.

“Your sister was anything but boring, Mr. Banfield,” said Miss Caswell with a challenging raise of her brow. “You should give her more credit.”

“You do speak your mind forcefully,” replied Allen, with a smirk twisting his lips. “But as someone who has spent a good many years listening to our Sophie prattle on about such nonsense, I give her all the credit she has earned.”

“Perhaps your opinion speaks more to your intellect than hers, sir.” Miss Caswell’s tone was all honey and sweetness, a teasing smile on her lips to mute their sting. The chastisement was masterfully delivered, and Allen answered it with a booming laugh.

“A hit, dear lady, and I concede my defeat,” he said, releasing Sophie to give Miss Caswell a bow.

Giving a responding smile, as she knew she ought to, Sophie joined in with the others as they laughed and joked about the exchange. One must always enjoy a good laugh at one’s own