Free A Most Inconvenient Wish by Eileen Richards

pound that Ian McDonald was in the middle of it.
    â€œMr. McDonald, would you sing with me?” Lady Catherine said in a low voice.
    â€œI’ve no talent for music, my lady.” His voice was soft but firm.
    Sophia watched Lady Catherine turn her back with a sniff and make her way to the pianoforte. She began to play. The piece was difficult and Lady Catherine’s hands seem to float quickly over the keys. Sophia felt a twinge of envy. She’d never learned to play.
    Ian took the seat next to her, filling up all the space on the small settee and leaving her thigh to press against his. She tried to move over to give him more space, but there was nowhere to go.
    â€œI can’t believe you are hiding in the corner tonight. Usually you are the life of the party.” McDonald’s voice was low.
    â€œYou should have joined Lady Catherine at the piano. I’ve heard you sing. You aren’t so bad.”
    He frowned at her. “When have you heard me sing?”
    â€œWhen we were in London.” She smiled. “You and Tony were drunk, I believe. Your voice wasn’t half bad.”
    â€œThat would explain why I don’t remember it.” He chuckled. She liked his laugh.
    â€œLady Catherine is very lovely.”
    â€œIf you like that sort.”
    Sophia glanced at him through her lashes. “She plays well.”
    â€œI’m sure you play just as well.”
    Sophia laughed. “I don’t play. Never had the inclination to learn. My sister is the musician in the family.”
    â€œMiss Townsend, will you not join me in entertaining the room tonight?” Lady Catherine said, standing at the piano.
    Sophia’s heart thumped. “I’m afraid I lack the talent. Perhaps my sister—”
    Catherine moved to stand before her with the look of a cat about to capture a mouse. “Come, Miss Townsend, surely you possess some talent.”
    Sophia gasped at the insult. She felt Ian McDonald tense beside her.
    â€œSophia, if you wish to sing, I will play for you,” Anne said quickly.
    â€œThank you, Anne, but I’m not inclined to sing tonight. Perhaps another time? There will be ample opportunity, I’m sure, during your visit, Lady Catherine.” Sophia was not going to be bullied into performing when she had not practiced in weeks.
    Lady Catherine sniffed and strolled back to the card table. Sophia fought the urge to slump in relief. The woman was worse than she was herself, and that was saying something.
    â€œWell done, Miss Townsend,” Ian said softly beside her. “Though I’m surprised you aren’t playing cards.”
    â€œI was not in the mood for cards tonight.” She had no desire to watch as Lord Bateman showered his attentions on poor Miss Hamilton. She wasn’t jealous but resigned. Miss Hamilton was young, pretty, and, most of all, rich. She might be able to compete with the former, but she couldn’t compete with money.
    â€œI imagine you are very disappointed in these developments.”
    Sophia turned to Mr. McDonald. “What are you trying to say?”
    â€œOnly that Bateman seems to be drawn to Miss Hamilton of late.”
    She lowered her head. “Do you know Miss Hamilton well?”
    â€œThis is the first time I’ve made her acquaintance, but she seems a nice young lady. Rather quiet and proper, though. Do you know her from Town?”
    Sophia looked down at her hands. She did know Theodora Hamilton, but she was not proud of her treatment of her. She’d ridiculed her on more than one occasion when in Town. Miss Hamilton was extremely rich but also extremely shy. “I do know of her from Town.”
    â€œDid you not like her?”
    â€œI really didn’t know her well.” Sophia chewed her lip.
    â€œThere is something you aren’t telling me about this. What did you do to Miss Hamilton?”
    â€œThe worst thing was ignoring her, if you must know. I’m not