“Now you sound like my father.” He walked away without saying another word to her.
Sophie bit down on her lip. By not telling him about Miss Wainscott earlier, she had lost his trust in this matter and obviously gained his ire. She would need to apologize to him again before telling him about the possible baby.
Seeing him walk out the door to the gardens, she believed this would be the perfect opportunity. She casually strolled toward the door as her heart pounded in her chest. Once outside, she breathed in the fresh scent of a May evening. She tiptoed down the path, searching for his hiding place. Hearing the low murmur of voices, she stopped and listened.
“What is wrong, Jennette?”
Sophie clapped her hand over her mouth to hide her gasp. He was with Jennette in the gardens . . . alone! What was wrong with him?
“Oh, Nicky, it’s awful.”
“What is awful?”
“I’m with child,” Jennette whispered with a sniffle that made Sophie believe she was crying.
“You told me you knew how to prevent a pregnancy from happening. When did this happen?”
Sophie stood unable to move from the shock. Why would Jennette tell Nicholas something so personal? Could Jennette and Nicholas be lovers? But that was impossible! Sophie had matched her with Blackburn.
Although, that might explain why she couldn’t read Nicholas. His feelings were too confused about Jennette.
“It was that night you returned from Venice. We were both so drunk,” Jennette said.
“Have you told Blackburn?”
“How can I tell him? He’ll be furious!”
Sophie couldn’t listen to another word of this sordid conversation. She ran from the gardens and from the party.
Nicholas walked back into the Blackburns’ ballroom determined to find Sophie and dance with her tonight. After thoroughly scanning the room, he walked toward Lady Selby.
“Lady Selby, how lovely you look,” he said as he bowed over her hand.
“Thank you, Ancroft.”
“Have you seen Miss Reynard? I needed to speak with her about something.”
She smiled. “I did not realize you were acquainted with Miss Reynard.”
“She is trying to match me.”
“Of course.”
She told him Sophie had been here but she hadn’t seen her in quite a while.
After waiting several more moments, he decided to try the garden again. Perhaps she had gone out for some cooler air. He snatched a glass of brandy and headed outside again. But he never found Sophie. Perhaps she’d left early. He sat on a bench wondering why he couldn’t seem to get her off his mind.
“So have you picked one yet?”
Nicholas looked up to see Somerton standing by the brick wall with a half empty glass in his hand. How the bloody hell did Somerton sneak up on him when there was a gravel path he had to walk on? “Pick one?”
“A wallflower to marry.” He sipped his drink slowly.
“Why would you assume that is what I am doing?”
Somerton laughed. “Actually, I don’t believe that is what you are doing at all. I think you are attempting to make a certain matchmaker jealous by dancing with others.”
“And if I am?” Nicholas sipped his brandy, savoring the heady flavors.