Sophie attempted to back away from Mr. Newland but stumbled, her knees like jelly.
Mr. Newland caught her, gripping her upper arm. “Easy, my lady. Let’s get you inside for moment.” He led her back into the theatre lobby.
Sophie yanked her arm away. “I can look after myself.” But she stumbled again.
Mr. Newland chuckled and took her arm again. “Please, come with me.”
He led her back into his office and helped her sit down on a lush leather chair. “Sit here for moment. I will get you a drink of water.” He returned seconds later and handed her a cup.
She drank thirstily, the water soothing her parched mouth. What had gotten into him? More importantly, what gotten into her? Why had she allowed the kiss in the first place? In broad daylight? In public?
Zach sat down in the chair next to her. “Are you feeling better?”
Sophie was certain she was turning twelve shades of red. “Yes, thank you.”
“Good. Because I meant it when I said I wanted you to take the lead role in my new musicale. You have such an exquisite operatic voice, unlike anything I’ve ever heard. I can make you a sensation.”
A sensation? Sophie had no desire to be a sensation. She wished only to stay at home, doting on tiny cousins and a soon-to-be-born niece or nephew, reading, singing, walking about the grounds. It might not be a glamorous life, but it was hers, and she was used to it.
She knew firsthand how wretched life could be when she had a man’s attention. Ally had shielded her for most of it by taking their father’s punishment for her. Sophie had tried to repay Ally in the past, but had finally come to the conclusion that she just couldn’t. The best she could do for Ally was stay out of harm’s way, be a recluse, a spinster.
“I do appreciate your confidence in me, sir, but I must decline.”
“You have no idea how much it pains me to hear you say that, my lady.”
Sophie winced a bit. She hated causing anyone pain, especially this man who had just given her the amazing gift of his kiss—something she never thought she would experience—no matter how inappropriate it was. “I am not meant for the stage, sir. I am meant for a simple life, a life at home helping to care for my loved ones. That is my destiny, and it is one I am happy to fulfill.”
Mr. Newland took her hand. Shivers ran through her at his touch. She tried to draw her hand away, but he held fast.
“A voice such as yours should be shared, my lady. I don’t believe for one moment that your destiny is to remain on the sidelines, watching your life trickle by day by day, moment by moment. I believe your destiny is to share your gifts with the world, to become who you were meant to be.”
“I know very well who I am meant to be, sir.” And she had made her peace with it.
He leaned toward her, their faces becoming closer, his full pink lips glistening. Her heart nearly stopped. He was going to kiss her again, and dearest Lord, she wanted him to.
But Mr. Newland was a rake, well-known in his circles as a seducer of women. She had heard the tales from Cameron and Rose. Though they both thought very highly of Mr. Newland as a businessman and as a performer, they both admitted that he enjoyed bedding many women. Sophie had no intention of being one of them.
Before his lips descended on hers, the door to his office opened.
Sophie turned, gasping, and beheld a pretty blond woman, her hair cascading down over her shoulders. She wore a simple peasant dress. Blue eyes pierced Sophie’s own. Nanette Lloyd—or the prima donna, as Lily would say.
“Zach? Are you returning for the auditions, or are you not?” Miss Lloyd whipped her hands to her hips and tapped her foot impatiently. “There are over twenty people waiting for their chances to audition.”
Zach cleared his throat and stood, his face pink. “Yes, yes, of course. But before we resume additions, I would like you to meet the Regal Theatre’s new star soprano, Lady Sophie MacIntyre.”
Sophie stood, gasping. “Mr. Newland—”
Miss Lloyd dropped her mouth into an O.
Mr. Newland grabbed Sophie by the hand. “Lady Sophie, meet Nanette Lloyd, another gifted soprano in our company.”
“And the lead soprano,” Nanette said.
“Dear Nanette, you are a true talent, but Lady Sophie, I’m afraid, is just a little bit better than you are.”
Sophie warmed down to her toes at the compliment. But goodness, she did not want to be the star soprano of his company. She just wanted to go home. She had fulfilled her bet with Ally, and now she was finished with this. “Miss Lloyd, I assure you I am not the new star soprano here.”
“Then what is the meaning of this, Zachary?” Nanette asked, her hand still glued to her hips.