Free Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel by G.G. Vandagriff Page B

compassionate young men, willing to undertake her protection, might have an appeal.
    Turning to Melissa’s hero-worshipping brother, he said, “You’ll have to join me for dinner at Brook’s while you are in London.”
    “I say, that would be first rate!” Lord Donald replied.
    In the drawing room after dinner, Frank enjoyed a rubber of whist with Lord Donald as partner against Lord and Lady Kent, while Melissa played the pianoforte. Frank thought her playing sounded proficient but not inspired.
    All in all, it was a pleasant evening and vastly preferable to staying home and worrying about Sophie and Shrewsbury. When he left the Aldridges,’ he was loath to face going home. Instead, he went to Brook’s and played billiards for a while, then switched to Faro.
    Frank didn’t see his bed until dawn. Even so, he still dreamt of Sophie.

{ 13 }

    LORD SHREWSBURY CALLED FOR SOPHIE at nine o’clock. He looked extraordinarily handsome in a light blue satin evening jacket, matching breeches, and a cream-colored waistcoat embroidered in the same light blue. The colors set off his fair looks.
    Sophie had been a loss over what to wear, since none of her evening gowns had arrived as yet. Taking Fanny’s somewhat outrageous advice, she had decided at last to wear her black performance ensemble. It was a bit outré for a woman of her age to wear black unless she was either performing or in mourning, but Sophie was feeling brave tonight, in her element, going to a musicale.
    Shrewsbury was a bit taken aback when she first appeared. Recovering himself, he said, “You do look uncommonly elegant, Miss Edwards. You will create a sensation at Lady Carmichael’s, I am certain.”
    “I am awaiting my new wardrobe. These are my performance blacks. I am hoping they will not be too out of place at a musical evening.”
    “You are likely to create a new trend,” he said gallantly.
    As they traveled in the Shrewsbury carriage to the event, Sophie felt a little qualm. Even after so short a time, it seemed very strange for her to be spending an evening with someone other than Frank. She realized that in the last two days, she had become very comfortable with him. More than that: she had felt that he was hers and she was his.
    However, Lord Shrewsbury was very attentive and kind. “Do you have plans for a musicale of your own any time soon?” he asked.
    “Yes,” she said. “Bella and Joseph Carstairs are joining me for a performance of the Archduke Trio by Herr van Beethoven. We are in rehearsals and hope to have it ready in a few weeks. We are only attempting the last movement at present. It is a challenging piece.”
    “If you are in league with the Carstairs, you must be very accomplished indeed.”
    Sophie replied with more confidence than usual, “I have studied hard with an excellent master.”
    “Best of luck to you, then.” He glanced at their surroundings. “It seems we have arrived.”
    Shrewsbury handed her down from the carriage with an elegant gesture and offered his arm. Again, she felt slightly odd entering the brilliantly lighted townhouse with the baron.
    There was a short receiving line inside, consisting of the host and hostess. Lady Carmichael looked Sophie up and down as Lord Shrewsbury introduced her. “Lord and Lady Carmichael, I have the pleasure to present another musician who has only recently arrived in London. Miss Sophie Edwards, a violinist. She was most anxious to hear Signorina Giannini’s piano performance.”
    Sophie attempted a curtsey, but was only partly successful. “Good evening, my lord, my lady. Thank you so much for allowing me to come.”
    “Hmm. Edwards. Any relation to the Marchioness of Deal?” her hostess asked with an avaricious gleam in her eye.
    “She is my sister. My other sister is undoubtedly known to you, as well. The Duchess of Ruisdell.”
    “Oh yes, the dear duchess has already arrived. You will find her in the Music Salon.”
    “How lovely,” Sophie said. She knew