Page 17 of His Regency Goddess (Curves & Cravats)

Chapter Seventeen

Daniel had decided before the opera that a drink was in order, so Sophie found herself in close proximity to Sin—and Margot and Daniel. His proposal had been all she could think about. It had burrowed deep into her subconscious so that, no matter the task at hand, all thoughts led back to Sin. Sophie knew she would need to face her conflicted emotions and give him an answer, but it felt so soon to even be considering something so…so…forever. Which was the issue. Living with Sin forever—living in sin, as it were—did not frighten her. Aside from the delicious havoc he wreaked on her body, he touched her mind in a way she never imagined she would experience. The closeness and banter she had always envied between Margot and Daniel was at her fingertips.

But am I ready to give up my newfound independence?

Peeking at him from under her lashes, she watched him throw back his head and laugh at something Daniel said. The deep timbre of the sound reverberated warmly, like that first sip of tea in the morning that settled comfortingly in her belly. She had to fight the urge to reach over and touch him, given their present company. Raising her head, she eyed his handsomeness and caught his smile as he turned to her. The starched white cravat against his tanned face and black-as-sin eyes was dazzling. The pin in his cravat was quite beautiful as well, made of silver and jade. At the thought of jade, she recalled Mr Welles’s note that the bowl had been sourced but would require a silent auction. Sin must have noticed her staring at the pin as he removed it and handed it to her.

"It has become my favourite pin; the jade matches your eyes." The slow, sexy smile that unfolded across his face as their fingers made contact made her giggle nervously. Margot must think I am acting like a silly chit . She looked up at her friend and, to her surprise, Margot was actually smiling. Sophie had finally told her about Sin's proposal and Margot admitted that perhaps she had been wrong that he would have the intentions of any rakehell. She had not given any opinion on what Sophie's answer should be, but she was at least prepared to offer him a more friendly attitude.

"Sophie had Welles find her Ming bowl in jade, but some other devil is making a bid for it also." Margot informed him.

"Is that right?" Sin asked in a tone that Sophie found a bit too casual.

"Yes, it will be a silent auction. We have been discussing what opening bid Sophie should make."

Daniel clapped his hands to announce it was time to go, which halted any further discussion. Sophie handed Sin his pin, and he barely met her eyes as he fussed over placing it in his cravat. Daniel gave another loud clap with his hands, this time startling Sophie.

"Let the joys of the evening begin!"

Anyone who was anyone was in attendance tonight, and Sophie literally rubbed shoulders making her way to their box. Il barbiere di Siviglia had indeed drawn quite the crowd. Taking a seat next to Margot, she admired the view. It was truly magnificent; Daniel was right. Sin and Daniel had yet to join them, so she and Margot indulged in lighthearted gossip as they observed the other guests below. They could not see who was at their left or right, as heavy maroon drapes cordoned off each box.

"I heard Il barbiere di Siviglia is quite the comedy," Margot commented.

"Rossini's works are always wonderful. I especially love the string instruments, such lyrical pleasure."

"What is the translation again? Your Italian was always better than mine, Soph."

"It translates to The Barber of Seville and was inspired by a play of the same name by Pierre Beaumarchais."

"We come bearing refreshments," Daniel sang, as he and Sin came and sat behind them. Four glasses and two bottles of champagne were followed by one of the wait staff who expertly poured them each a glass. Sophie could not help feeling comforted by the knowledge that Sin was behind her, even if he had acted a little oddly earlier. The proposal was ever constant in her mind and she was warming to it. She could not pretend her objections heavily outweighed this want. If they were already married, when they left later this evening she would not return to a lonely bed, but to his waiting arms. They would talk about their favourite arias and recitatives. She sipped the bubbly liquid and gave Sin one last look, who in turn gave her a cheeky wink, before she turned her attention to the stage.

The overture began and all thoughts flew from her mind as the sounds of string and woodwind cascaded upon her senses. Sophie closed her eyes and allowed the magic of the musical notes to spread through her being and take her on that sensory journey that can only be experienced at the opera.

Act 1 had finished and the intermission commenced; now the theatre bustled with the sounds of people talking and walking. Sophie gave her head a shake and lamented the assault to her ears after such a glorious first act.

"Sophie, are you with me?" Sin's amused tone broke through her thoughts.

"Sorry, Sin, were you trying to talk to me?" she asked. She turned and was greeted by one of his smouldering smiles. There was something so devilishly handsome about him when his dark eyes glittered with that charming grin.

They were alone. She had not even noticed Margot and Daniel had stepped away.

"I had only asked what your thoughts of the show were so far, though I think your complete rapture is answer enough."

"Rapture is an apt description; it is wonderful. My late husband rarely wanted to attend the kind of performing arts which I thoroughly enjoy."

"Then I will make sure we attend every opera, ballet, and play that is on offer." He gave her a wink.

"You are incorrigible, Sin; I have not yet said yes!"

"That is correct, you have not said yes – yet ."

Sophie rolled her eyes but the knowledge of his blatant want of her was secretly thrilling. She was about to respond, hoping it came out as witty as it sounded in her mind, but he spoke first.

"I want to buy the Ming bowl for you, as a gift."

Sophie was taken aback. Now she felt quite huffy and less than thrilled.

"No, thank you. I want to buy it myself, for myself."

"Might it not be very costly though, being a silent auction?"

She felt her eyebrow raise; it felt so high she pictured it almost at her hairline. The audacity!

"I assure you, I will be able to afford it."

To his credit, he looked abashed, but any apology he might have uttered was silenced by Margot and Daniel’s return.

Sophie turned around and plastered a false smile on her face till act 2 began. Once the music started and the singers commenced the dramatic but comedic brouhaha that led to Rosina's marriage, Sophie felt her emotions rise and fall with the tempo of the music. To take a word from Margot's unladylike vocabulary, Sinclair Montgomery was a complete addle pate!