fiance chapter 17

“Do you have any hobbies, Cal?” Sophia blurted out, suddenly driven by the need to know something, anything, about the man she was to marry.

“I enjoy people. I like conversing, and I especially love dancing. People seem to become gentler, more joyful when they dance. My mother says no one enjoys the courting season as much as I do. After all, it’s all about dancing and conversation.”

“My apologies if I’ve deprived you of that joy.”

“Don’t tease me.” He chuckled softly. Sophia found it strangely easy to talk to him so casually, yet she couldn’t quite understand why he sometimes seemed so intimidating. “I suppose you think becoming the Duke’s fiancée is better than dancing. You must find me foolish for confusing the means with the end.”

“You have a way of hearing things I haven’t said, Sophie.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it? I still believe we are ill-suited. You probably weren’t even aware of my existence until that night, until that incident.” Sophia lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his half-lidded blue eyes. His expression was unreadable. He took a step closer. Standing behind her, he leaned down, placing his hands on the piano, effectively trapping her between his arms and the instrument. Her face flushed crimson. She shrank back, wishing she could avoid any contact.

But the proximity only amplified his presence. His breath was a faint whisper against her. His elegant fingers pressed softly on the piano keys. The melody that flowed forth was surprisingly skillful and beautiful, a stark contrast to the discordant sounds he had claimed to prefer.

“This is the song that played when you made your debut. Your first dance partner was your brother, Felix Hilden. The second was the Sandel family’s second son. Then the eldest son requested a dance as well. I could list every partner you’ve danced with over the past two years, but I won’t, lest I frighten you.”

“How…?”

“Just know that I’ve been very much aware of you, Sophie. However, my position doesn’t allow me to act on every fleeting interest. So, I pretended not to know you.”

Her hands still rested idly on the piano. To play the notes he desired, he had to overlap his fingers with hers, pressing down on them. It was a seemingly insignificant touch, yet Sophia was startled. Her small hand was almost engulfed by his. She felt the warmth radiating from him, the firmness of his knuckles. His words felt strangely surreal, yet the undeniable truth in them, coupled with the slight contact, made her head spin.

“I…” The mere fact of his presence behind her sent shivers down her spine. He might be looking at the nape of her neck, exposed by her updo, a feature she’d always been confident about. Now, she suddenly felt the urge to cover the delicate hollow of her throat and the gentle swell of her bosom beneath the square neckline of her dress.

“And when I said I regretted ruining your enjoyment, I meant it sincerely, without any ulterior motive. You love to dance. You shine when you dance. Gliding across the floor, you always stand out. Do you know how much people whispered when you first danced? Even after that, every time you stepped onto the dance floor, all eyes followed you. You know this, Sophie.”

Sophia pulled her hands back from the piano, clenching them into fists. Her face burned, hot enough to ignite at the slightest provocation. She wasn’t a debutante anymore; she’d spent two years navigating society’s intricate dance. Yet, his words disarmed her completely. She had received far grander compliments, countless confessions. But the contrast between his even tone and the occasional brush of his hand, the solid presence of his body at her back, left her utterly bewildered.