Speak Now – Ch. 7
The Soirée
Excerpt. ( chapter link below! )
Sophie’s mouth curved into a smile as her eyes darted from Colin to Penelope. Distantly, Benedict reflected how lovely she looked tonight, candlelit and charmed for once. Just as quickly, he shook his head. Too much champagne, he chided himself. As if summoned by his curious gaze, Sophie's eyes suddenly moved from Colin, who was still gesticulating wildly, to Benedict. For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw some of the tension in her shoulders ease. She certainly didn’t look displeased having spotted him. In fact, she surprised him by offering a tiny, tentative smile he had no right receiving. This entire spectacle was his doing, and yet there she stood, weathering the Ton’s glances with a grace that he couldn’t help but respect. Poor girl, he thought, with considerable sincerity as he went to join the three giggling Bridgertons huddled by a refreshments table. “Appears I’ve missed a great tale,” he began, sidling up between Sophie and Colin. "There you are," said Sophie in her quiet, calm voice. “My apologies. I required Anthony to rescue me from Lumley." He held out his arm, cocking his head. "Come—Anthony wants us at the dais." She blinked, one hand seemingly moving of its own volition to nestle into his elbow. "Why?" "A toast, I believe." Sophie's face twisted, something complicated and unhappy flashing across her pale face, there and gone so fast he was left wondering if it was only his imagination. "Smile,” he politely urged a now stone-faced Sophie, leading her through the parting crowd. “It is only a speech, not the gallows.”
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