Sophie's Voice (Sex and the Season Book 4) (12 page)

But she needn't worry about all that at the moment. A wonderful man wanted to court her, and she would allow it, provided her mother and the earl were amenable.

Zach leaned toward her and pressed his lips softly against hers. “The honor will be mine, Lady Sophie MacIntyre. I will speak to your stepfather as soon as I can.”

Zach took Sophie's hand, and they walked back to the estate.

“I shall see you bright and early tomorrow morning at rehearsal, my lady,” Zach said, kissing her hand again.

Sophie nodded. “I will be there. I'm actually quite looking forward to it.”

And she was.

No sooner had she come in than Graves grabbed her arm.

“Lady Alexandra has awoken, my lady. She's asking for you.”

Z
ach
, still holding Sophie's hand, looked down at her with grave eyes. “Would you like me to stay?”

How kind of him to ask, but he no doubt had much work to do, with rehearsals beginning on the morrow. She shook her head. “There's no need,” she said, her voice shaking a bit. “If Ally is awake, this can only be a good thing.” Sophie hoped to God she spoke the truth.

“I shall bid you good day, then,” Zach said, giving her hand chaste kiss. “And I will see you on the morrow for a rehearsal.”

Sophie nodded and gave him a smile as he left. She then turned to Graves. “How is Lady Ally, Graves?”

“I'm afraid I don't have any information on her condition, my lady,” Graves said. “She is in her suite. Lord Evan is with her. All I know is that she wants to see you.”

Sophie didn't take the time to thank Graves. Instead, she ran up the two flights of stairs to the third level to Ally's suite of rooms. She knocked loudly on the door.

The door opened, and in front of her stood Evan, his lips a thin line.

“Evan, I came as soon as I heard. How is she?”

“She is weak, but she's awake. We don't know for how long. The poor dear is exhausted. I've summoned Dr. Blake, though she may fall back to sleep before he gets here. But she wants to see you.”

Sophie raced through the sitting room and into Ally's private bedchamber. Her sister lay on the bed, her normally peachy skin pasty, her normally ruby-red lips a light pink. Her golden eyes were sunken. Yet her lips curved up in a small smile. “Sophie,” she croaked out.

Sophie glided to her and took her hand. “Oh, Ally, I've been so worried.”

“Now goodness, dear, you know there's no need to worry about me. I'm as strong as an ox. And we both know I've been through much worse than this.”

Sophie's lips trembled. She knew all too well what Ally had been through, usually by trying to save her, Sophie, from going through it. Of course, that wasn't the case nearly a year ago, when Ally had been beaten badly by Frank Osborne, a clerk at one of Evan's businesses. Ally had recovered then, and with strength and determination, of which Ally had plenty, she would recover now.

Sophie hesitated to say too much. Had Evan told Ally what had happened? That she would never have any more children? Sophie didn't know, and she couldn't very well excuse herself right now to ask Evan.

“Have you been able to see your daughters?” she asked her sister.

“Yes, Mother and Millicent brought them to me a few minutes ago. Two baby girls. Can you even imagine it?”

Sophie smiled. “Yes, I can imagine it. I witnessed the birth. The doctor says that's why you were so big and why you delivered so early.”

“They're so tiny.”

“Tiny, yes, but with the strength and determination of their mother, they will thrive.” Sophie squeezed Ally's hand.

“Sophie, I'm so glad you were with me during the birth. I asked you to witness it for me so you could tell me what you saw, and I will ask you about it soon, but right now I'm just too tired.”

“I certainly understand. But I will tell you now that it was the most miraculous thing I've ever witnessed. Thank you for giving me that gift.”

“Thank you for being there,” Ally said. “If you hadn't been, I'm not quite sure I would've gotten through it. But knowing you were there…” She let out a small cough.

“Don't tire yourself out, Ally. Just relax and go back to sleep if you need to. The babies are in good hands, and so are you.”

“But there's something I need to tell you…”

“It can wait.”

“No, I really want you to know. I talked to Evan, and we both agree—we want to name the second baby girl Sophie.”

“Sophie?” Her heart did a pitter-patter, and she warmed. “I'm honored, of course, but I thought you hated both our names because they came from our father.” She and Ally had both been named after their father—Angus Alexander Sophocles MacIntyre, the Earl of Longarry.

“How can I hate the name of the closest person to me in the world? We've decided to name her after you, after the maid who delivered her, and after Dr. Michael Blake who…saved my life. Sophie Elspeth Michaela.”

Sophie's eyes misted. “It's a lovely name, Ally. Beautiful, even.”

“Little Sophie is a miracle, a delightful surprise we didn't expect. And that's how I feel about you, Sophie. You taking the role in that production—you're going to find that it leads to many surprises that you never expected. I think it's already led to some.”

Sophie couldn't deny what Ally said. She had so much talk to her sister about, beginning with Zach's offer to court her. Imagine, a man as handsome and talented as Zachary Newland wanted to court her? But Ally's energy was waning. Their sisterly talk would have to wait.

Evan entered from the sitting room. “I think that's enough, my love. You need to rest.”

Ally nodded. “Yes, Evan, I am indeed exhausted. Thank you for bringing Sophie to me.”

“Anything for you, my Alexandra,” Evan said. “Thank you for giving me two precious little daughters.”

Sophie became uncomfortable. This was a moment for Ally to be sharing with her husband. She quietly stole out of the bedchamber and out of the suite.

She knew now, in all her heart, that Ally would be all right. She would recover, and though she may feel the loss of her womb, her two little daughters would heal her heart and soul.

She smiled, wandering into the nursery adjoining Evan and Ally's suite. Time to dote on Maureen and little Sophie.

S
ophie woke early
to Hannah's rapping on her door. She had asked the maid to wake her at six in the morning, so she could ready herself for rehearsal.

Goodness, the life of a working girl! Never a life she had imagined for herself, but she found herself strangely rising to the challenge and looking forward to it. With Hannah's help, she bathed, dressed, did her hair, and then descended for a light breakfast.

Only the earl was up at this hour. “Good morning, Sophie,” he said jovially. “I understand you will be going to the theatre this morning for rehearsal.”

“Yes, I'm a little frightened but looking forward to it. Is there any news on Ally this morning?”

“Blake tells me she's going to be fine. We're glad of that. And I'm thrilled with my two new granddaughters. I hear one is to be your namesake.”

Sophie warmed. “Yes, I was quite touched when Ally told me.”

“A beautiful name it is, just like the first in the family to carry it.” He gave her a wink.

She warmed again, remembering that Zach would be coming sometime soon to talk to the earl about courting her. She still couldn't wrap her mind around that one. Did she even want to be courted? Yes, she did. And God help her, she wanted more…adventures with Zach.

But this morning was all about work. After a scone and some tea, she rose and excused herself.

“A coach is waiting to take you into town to the theatre,” the earl said with a smile. “We are all very much looking forward to your debut, Sophie.”

Sophie nodded, too nervous to answer. She nearly stumbled walking out the door, so skittish she was. The coachman helped her into the lavish coach, and soon they were off, the horses clopping down the dirt roads, taking her off the estate and toward the city of Bath. Sophie shivered the whole way. It was late April, and she was dressed appropriately, but still she quivered, her nerves not allowing her peace. She hoped she had not made a huge mistake agreeing to take this role.

After what seemed like hours, the coach finally arrived in front of the Regal Theatre. The coachman helped Sophie down and escorted her in. The doorman welcomed her and showed her where to go. All performers were to head into the theatre itself and sit in the audience chairs, where Zach and the director would tell them what they would be doing today.

Sophie walked nervously toward the theatre when an arm grabbed her from behind and pulled her into a secluded corner. She looked into the blue eyes of Miss Nanette Lloyd.

“You may be Zach's flavor
du jour
, my lady, but I assure you it's only a matter of time until I am back as lead soprano…and as his lead performer in the bedchamber.”

Zach had slept with Nanette? Of course, Sophie shouldn't be surprised. She had caught them in that clench.

“What are you doing here, Miss Lloyd?” Sophie asked. “Zach told me you'd been dismissed from the company.”

“That was just a silly misunderstanding between Zach and me. I was not dismissed. In fact, I'll be taking over your role later today, when it becomes clear that you can't handle it.”

Oh, this woman did have a lot of nerve! Sophie's first inclination was to back down and cower in a corner, but an image of Ally, strong and vibrant, popped into her mind. How would Ally handle the situation? She would fight, just like she had been fighting her whole life for everything that meant anything to her. Sophie had grown a lot in the last few days. She had performed at an audition, been intimate with a man, watched her sister give birth to two babies. Sophie had found strength that she never knew she possessed.

She would use that strength now.

“I assure you I can handle this role, Miss Lloyd. This part is mine and will continue to be mine until the closing of this production. Now, if you'll kindly get out of my way, I'm late for rehearsal.”

“Not so fast, you little harlot. I know what you're doing. You're sleeping with Zach. That's how you got this part.”

Sophie warmed all over, despite the untruths of what Nanette was saying. She had gotten the part before she and Zach became intimate, and technically they hadn't even slept together yet, at least not done the physical act. “I'm nothing like you, Miss Lloyd. I do not trade my sexual favors for a role. I won this role fair and square on my talent alone.”

“Well, goody-goody for you. I can assure you, Zach is not at all interested in you.”

Sophie couldn't help herself. “Oh, he's not, is he? Then why did he ask permission to ask my stepfather to court me?”

Nanette's face turned red and her knuckles white as she crunched her hands into fists. “He did what?”

“I'm sure there's nothing wrong with your hearing, dear. You heard me correctly. Zach would like to court me.” Sophie struggled to hold her stance. She wasn't nearly as sure of herself as her words indicated.

“That's absolutely preposterous. Zachary Newland doesn't court women. He uses them.”

“So are you saying that he used you?”

“Of course not. We had a real relationship. We were in love.”

Sophie bit her lip. Surely Zach hadn't loved Nanette, had he? It was unlikely…but what did Sophie really know about Zach?

“Whatever your relationship was, it appears to be over now.”

Nanette seethed. “I assure you, whatever you're doing to get Zach to roll over and beg for you, it will end. He will get sick of you just like he gets sick of every other woman. He has the attention span of a toddler, you know.”

Sophie bit her lip again. Nanette's words rang with truth. Did Zach really want to court her? Or was he just conniving to make sure she stayed in the production through its end? Sophie didn't know, but she was damned sure of one thing. She was taking this role, and she was going to handle it to the best of her ability. She enjoyed singing, and if she herself could find joy and also bring joy to others at the same time, she had to do this. She had to come out of her shell and live a little. She had to try to be more like Ally.

“Whether Zach gets sick of me or not is hardly an issue here. I am now the lead soprano, whether Zach is courting me or not. And I will be playing this role, which means you won't be.”

Nanette's hand jetted out fast as a whip, and she smacked Sophie across the face.

Sophie jerked backward, stunned. Her cheek was numb for a moment before the pain. Of course, she was used to that. It had always surprised her each time her father hit her—how the pain didn't come instantaneously. No, the numbness came first and then the pain.

Tears misted in Sophie's eyes, but she gulped them back. “If you ever touch me again, Miss Lloyd, I shall summon a constable and have you arrested. Now, I am late to rehearsal.” She pushed Nanette out of the way. “Good day.”

Sophie walked unsteadily to the theatre. When she opened the door and walked in, Zach waved to her from the stage. “Ah, here's our leading lady now. Lady Sophie MacIntyre, everyone.”

The rest of the company seated in the audience applauded. Sophie's cheeks warmed further, and not as a result of Nanette's slap. What was she supposed to do? Take a curtsy? She simply smiled and walked to an empty seat.

“Eugene is distributing your librettos, and our esteemed Lord Thornton is distributing your music.”

Cameron smiled at Sophie as he handed her the packet of music. Goodness, it was over an inch thick! How in the world would she learn all of this? It was still late April, and the show opened on Midsummer Eve. That gave her nearly two months to prepare. Still, she shook her head. What had she gotten into?

Nothing you can't handle
, Ally's voice said in her head. When the man called Eugene handed her the libretto, she flinched again. Another inch-thick book to memorize. Lord in heaven!

“Today we're simply going to do a read-through of the written part of the musicale,” Zach said. “I'd like all of the starring and supporting roles to come join me on stage and take a seat in one of the chairs behind me. Small roles and chorus may stay in the audience for now.”

Sophie inhaled a deep breath and stood, making her way to the stage. She chose a chair on the end, so as not to bring too much attention to herself. She looked hurriedly through the libretto and found her character, Lady Eliza Canterbury. Lady Eliza was a woman of the peerage who fell in love with a commoner living on her father's land.