Sophie rose and fiddled with her corset. “You smacked my bottom when I lied to you. Should I smack yours now?”
Zach let out a laugh. “I might enjoy that, actually. However, whatever makes you think I’m lying to you?”
“Ally is far more beautiful than I. You must be lying.”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, sweet, and as I behold you, I see beauty as infinite as the stars in the sky.”
Sophie warmed all over, turning her back to Zach so he couldn’t see her blushing. “Could you please help me with my corset?”
Zach stood. “Of course, though I must say you’re far more enchanting out of it.”
Quite the charmer, this one. Quite the fabricator as well. Once her corset was tightened, Zach helped her into her gown and buttoned it up in the back.
She said little as he walked her back to the house. What had gotten into her? Zach Newland was no gentleman. She would never be alone with him again. And she certainly wouldn’t sing in his production.
How could she have been so self-indulgent? And how could she have let herself be so aroused? Gratified? A lady wouldn’t…
No use crying over a b
roken teacup. It had happened.
But it could never happen again.
* * *
After a brief nap before supper, Sophie strolled to the library of the Brighton estate. Ally was still resting, and Sophie didn’t want to disturb her because of her condition. However, Ally had told Sophie many times about all the reading she had done…about…
Gracious, Sophie. You were just nearly nude in front of a man, and you can’t even think the words to yourself?
Well, she didn’t have to actually think the words to find the books, did she? The Brighton library was vast, and Sophie hadn’t ventured into it often—only when she wanted a new novel to read. She read mostly from her own private collection of novels, and occasionally she would borrow from Ally, Lily, or Rose. She adored having her nose in a book, and she frequently reread her favorites.
Where to begin? This room was wall-to-wall books, literally. She inhaled. The crisp scent of parchment and the rich aroma of leather bindings wafted toward her. Burgundy brocade chairs sat in each corner, flanked by tables and lamps. She drew a match and lit a lamp.
Where exactly did one look to find books on…those words she couldn’t bring herself to form in her mind?
Novels… Yes, she knew where those were, as she had borrowed some previously. Books of history, religion, philosophy… Giant leather-bound tomes filled the shelves. However, those weren’t what she was looking for. Biographies… Memoirs… A giant book of maps—an atlas… All fascinating, but not what she needed.
The sciences—botany, chemistry, zoology… Human anatomy… That might be a start. She grabbed the book off the shelf and began perusing it, finding only graphic depictions of the circulatory system and skeletal system. No, clearly not what she had in mind.
Yes! A book sat just out of her reach on one of the higher shelves, but she could read its spine. An Introduction to the Marriage Bed by Lady Margaret Mead. Sophie stretched, standing on tiptoes—
“Oh!” She lost her footing and fell.
CHAPTER SIX
“My lady!” One of the downstairs maids hovered above Sophie. “I was walking by, and I heard you take a fall. Are you all right? Can you get up?”
Sophie gathered her wits. “Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for asking. I’m afraid it’s my own clumsiness. I was trying to reach a—” She could say no more. She couldn’t very well admit which book she’d been reaching for. Of course, this maid was taller than she and perhaps could…
No. Absolutely not. Gossip among the servants traveled faster than the rail.
“Were you trying to reach a book, my lady? Perhaps I could help.”
“Oh, no. Thank you for your offer, but I am no longer interested in reading material this afternoon. Do be on your way now.”
The maid curtsied politely and left.
Should she try again? Why not? Sophie grasped the shelf for support this time, stretched upon her toes, and grabbed the book from the shelf. Now, how to get it to her chamber without anyone seeing her? Ally was still abed, and she didn’t know where Evan was. Her mother and the earl had gone out for the day although they would be returning soon. If only she had a shawl with her to hide the book in.