The Earl I Adore Read Online Free Page A

might have had a bit of a
tendre
.”
    If ever there was an understatement, that was it. “It’s worse than that,” Sophie said, burying her face in her hands. “Honestly, I fear I could love the man if given half the chance.”
    â€œExcellent,” May replied briskly, not a trace of sarcasm or amusement in her voice. “I should hate to participate in marrying you off to someone you were only mildly fond of.”
    Sophie peered up from her hands and offered a weak smile. May winked and continued. “Furthermore, he’s handsome, wealthy, and best of all, available. I’d say he’s perfect for you.”
    Leave it to May to make it all sound so easy. Sighing, Sophie nodded. “I have come to that exact conclusion ever since Mama issued her ultimatum, but there are so many problems, I scarcely know where to start. I mean, I’ve only seen him a handful of times since arriving in Bath, and when I have seen him, I’ve ducked away like a proper coward because if I were to speak to him, I would only say something asinine like last time, when I inquired after the health of his deceased father.”
    â€œDeep breaths, remember?” May smiled, then gathered her celadon silk skirts and scooted over to sit besideSophie. She wrapped a reassuring hand around Sophie’s elbow and said, “I can help you with the first part if you can take care of the second.”
    Grasping onto the less scary part of her response, Sophie gave an indelicate snort. “My dear May, you know fewer people in the
ton
than I do—how can you help get me in the same room as the man?”
    Her friend’s confidence didn’t waver. “I’ve spent my life in the company of very clever and somewhat less than scrupulous sailors and tradesmen. You may know the way of the
ton
, but
I
know the way of the world.”
    Oh dear. Sophie bit her lip, not entirely sure whether to be grateful or worried. Perhaps both were in order. “I don’t know. What if I make a cake of myself in front of him again?”
    â€œWhat have you to lose if you do?”
    What had she to lose? She counted them out on her fingers. “My reputation, my pride, my heart, and my chance at a happy life, to start.”
    May’s smile was oddly smug, as though Sophie had said the exact thing she was waiting for. “In that case, I suggest you take a deep breath, look him in the eye, and show him
exactly
what he’s been missing these past two Seasons.”
    With her heart pounding at the mere prospect, Sophie nodded. She could do this. She could walk up to him, smile, and behave like a normal person. She could talk to him, woo him, and convince him to marry her in two weeks. A slightly hysterical giggle threatened to escape from her tight throat, but she valiantly held it back. “Absolutely.”
    Tilting her head to the side, May regarded her silently for a moment. “Sophie,” she said, her voice gentle, “you don’t have to do this if you don’t wish to. There are worse things in life than not marrying.”
    Sophie closed her eyes and exhaled a long breath.Looking back at her friend, she said, “It’s not as easy as that. I may be the granddaughter of a viscount, but the truth is my family has very limited means. My parents cannot afford to support me indefinitely. I suspect the only reason my father agreed to the expense of this trip was in order to position me in front of potential suitors who enjoy the one thing I have a talent for.”
    Smiling so as to blunt the stark truth, she shrugged. “Besides, I want half a dozen children, and a messy home to call my own, and, well,
romance.
”
    May reached out and grasped both Sophie’s hands in her own. “Then, my darling, you shall have it. We will fight together to make it so.”
    â€œWell, then,” Sophie said, blinking against the unexpected prick of tears. She gave a little laugh and