The Earl I Adore by Knightley Erin

Author:Knightley, Erin [Knightley, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, General, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9780451466792
Publisher: Signet
Published: 2015-01-06T08:00:00+00:00

* * *

“I’ve a letter from your father,” Mama said, sailing into the drawing room and closing the door with a firm click. She came to sit beside Sophie on the sofa, the letter in question clutched in her fingers.

Sophie’s mind had been a million miles away—actually, it was more like two miles away, on the river path—and it took her a moment to come back to the present. “News of Penelope?”

“Yes,” her mother said, her nose wrinkled in distaste. “They’re returning from their so-called honeymoon in Scotland. Oh, the blasphemy of the word. I’d say their illicit holiday, but your father has made it quite clear that the church will recognize the union whether we like it or not.”

Sophie pressed her lips together, anger and worry colliding in her chest. So they thought they could slide right back into their lives, did they? As if their actions hadn’t permanently damaged both of their families, and blackened their own reputations? “I’m sure whatever funds they had ran out, and they think to return to their families’ bosoms.”

“Yes, I imagine you’re right. Oh, the nerve,” Mama said, throwing her hands up. “If they had to go off and do such a reckless, selfish thing, they could have at least had the decency to stay away longer. We need all the time we can get.”

The knot of tension that had loosened in recent days yanked tight again in Sophie’s stomach. She nodded, not trusting her voice to answer.

Mama eyed her, her lips pursed as she worried the paper in her hands. “How goes your husband hunt? I noticed you spent quite a bit of time in the earl’s presence yesterday.”

Not a topic she wished to discuss with her mother. The words husband hunt alone made her feel like a fraud. Her feelings for Evan had nothing to do with her sister’s foolish actions, and everything to do with the earl himself. “Well enough, I think.”

“Have you managed to get him to kiss you? Don’t think I don’t know exactly how much time you spent on the path with him yesterday. I’m quite willing to be a lenient chaperone, but I expect you to show some results.”

Sophie’s cheeks flared red-hot. What a horrible, horrible topic to discuss with one’s parent. She lifted her chin, clinging to whatever dignity she had left within her. “He was a perfect gentleman. Though I do feel that we have a connection between us. I can talk to him quite easily, and he to me.”

Mama’s eyebrow lifted beneath the lace of her mobcap. “Talking never landed an earl in the parson’s mousetrap, I’m sure. You must make certain that his interest is captured. Use your feminine wiles, such as they are, and make him see that you are the perfect bride for him.”

Setting down the letter, she pulled both of Sophie’s hands into her own. “Sometimes a woman is most interesting when her mouth is shut, my little magpie. Push back those shoulders, bat your eyelashes, and smile at him as though he is the cleverest man in the world.

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