Sophie's Voice by Helen Hardt

Author:Helen Hardt [Hardt, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: erotic romance, Historical
Publisher: Waterhouse Press
Published: 2016-02-08T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sophie pushed backward slowly until her knees hit the piano bench, and she sat down with a plop. “What is it, Zach?”

“Please don’t leave me, Sophie.”

The need in his voice shattered her defenses. She had every intention of continuing to see him at rehearsal. “Zach, I’ve made a commitment to the production. I will not leave it.”

“Damn it, Sophie, that’s not what I meant.” Zach let out a heavy sigh. “For the love of God, never mind.” He turned and then looked over his shoulder. “I’ll see you at rehearsal tomorrow, bright and early.” He left the conservatory, his boots thudding on the marble flooring.

Sophie stood, mouth agape. Since when had Zach Newland become so emotional? She didn’t want to stop seeing him, but could she go against her stepfather’s wishes?

She smiled to herself. Yes. For Zach, she would defy her stepfather. She hated to do it, after all the earl had done for her, Ally, and their mother. He absolutely adored their mother, and he treated Ally and Sophie like his own daughters. Why wouldn’t he allow Zach to court her? After all, gentlemen weren’t exactly lining up for favors. They never had been.

She had already gone further with Zach than she ever imagined, especially outside the bonds of matrimony. Perhaps she should talk to Ally, or maybe her mother. If she told her mother how much fun she had with Zach, how fond she was of him, perhaps her mother would talk to the earl and get him to change his mind. She truly wanted to be courted by Zach out in the open. This sneaking around was very difficult for her. Sophie obeyed the rules. She was not Ally.

Yes, Ally. Ally would know what to do. Sophie left the conservatory and went up the two back staircases to Ally’s suite of rooms on the third level. She knocked lightly. The door opened, and Evan stood there. “Evan, how is Ally doing? I’d like to see her.”

Evan shook his head. “I’m sorry, Sophie. Ally is sleeping, and I don’t want her disturbed.”

Sophie understood. Days or even weeks would pass before Ally was back to her usual energetic self. “All right, Evan. Thank you.”

“I’ll be happy to come find you if she wakes up.”

“Yes, please. I would appreciate that.”

Sophie walked quietly to the door of the nursery and peeked in. The new baby nurse, Mrs. Oakes, was feeding baby Sophie. Maureen was asleep in her bassinet.

“Do you mind?” Sophie asked.

Mrs. Oakes smiled and handed her little Sophie. The baby was warm in Sophie’s arms, and happiness engulfed her. Only a week ago, Sophie had resigned herself to doting on her cousins’ and sister’s babies. Now, for the first time, a man was interested in her.

Sophie didn’t delude herself that Zach’s interest would definitely lead to marriage, but without the courtship, there was no chance of marriage or her own babies. Why had the earl refused Zach’s request? Sophie had lived on the earl’s estate for a year now, and other than Van Arden, no man had come calling for her.

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