Free The Temporary Betrothal by Lily George Page B

her mind. In
her most private dreams, perhaps. She longed to say it—but now, speaking the
words aloud gave her pause. It sounded like such a daft promise. Sophie could’ve
bitten her tongue out the moment the words slipped from her mouth. ’Twas certain
he would think her a runaway from Bedlam. But Charlie looked so downcast, and so
hunted by his own family, that she was determined to help him out. They were
friends, and friends helped one another through the darkest times.
    “But...what happens after my mother leaves?” The lieutenant had
turned a bright shade of scarlet, and she detected a slight stammer in his voice
that hadn’t been there before.
    “Well, then we stop pretending. You can tell your mother that I
cried off. After all, I already have that reputation, you know. Everyone knows
about my engagement to John Brookes.” The tone of her voice was more bitter than
she intended. She cleared her throat and attempted to lighten the mood. “We
don’t have to be officially engaged, so there will be no damage to anyone’s
reputation. You can just pretend to court me, and your mother will see that you
are fulfilling your part of the bargain. There will be no need for you to return
to Brightgate, and you can continue your life’s work with the poor.”
    “That’s most generous of you, Miss Handley. I honestly don’t
know what to say.” The lieutenant was staring down at his boots, as if they were
the most fascinating shoes in the world.
    “Say yes, and then start calling me Sophie. It would be silly
for you to call me Miss Handley if we were courting.” She turned him gently back
toward the steps of the courtyard, and gathered her skirts in one hand so she
could descend without tripping.
    “But it feels like you are doing me a favor, without gaining
anything for yourself in return. Is there anything I can offer you, Miss Hand—I
mean, Sophie?” He guided her around a crumbling step, assisting her so she would
not stumble.
    She glanced sideways at him, a smile hovering around her lips.
“Don’t fret about it, Lieutenant,” she rejoined. “I am happy to help a friend.
We are friends, aren’t we?”
    “We are.” She watched, fascinated, as a dimple appeared in his
cheek. How handsome he was when he smiled. If only he would do so more often.
Perhaps, during these next few weeks, she could endeavor to bring him out of his
shell. In those few moments they spent together, she discerned that his dour
behavior was only a facade, a mask to cover the hurt that his former fiancée had
caused him. She didn’t know the lady in question, of course, but she would
gladly claw her eyes out for the pain she had caused Cantrill.
    On the other hand, the lady’s defection had left the field
open—not, of course, that it mattered to her.
    “Sophie!” Lucy’s voice rang out from the bottom of the steps.
The governess was standing beside Ensign Rowland, waving up at them.
    “I must return to Lord Bradbury’s,” Sophie informed Charlie.
“When does your mother arrive?”
    “In about a week.”
    “Then we have time to formulate a plan and make sure we have
our stories correct,” she replied. “Perhaps we could talk about it when we meet
at the veterans’ club this coming week?”
    “Mother may arrive that very day. She should be here by Friday,
but it may be as early as Thursday.” He stopped at the foot of the stairs and
turned toward her. “If this is too difficult a task, we need not go through with
it.”
    “Nonsense. Send round a letter and let me know what to expect.
If your mother is arriving Friday, then she will be here in time for Amelia’s
dinner party. I shall make sure she is added to the guest list. I can meet her
then.” Sophie patted his elbow with her fingertips and then withdrew from his
grasp.
    “You will be present at the dinner party?” His voice betrayed
his amazement.
    “His lordship has asked to me to take part in it, to help
smooth Amelia’s first experience as a hostess,”