Sophie set down her tray and tilted her head. “Do you know what happened to her husband?”

“He was in the army,” Violet said. “He died fighting on the Continent.”

“How awful.” A strange awareness, a sort of tingling, shivered down Sophie’s spine. Surely, Sarah’s husband couldn’t be …

Using last names was a clear violation of the rules, but Sophie had to know. Quietly, she said, “Forgive me for asking, but would you happen to know Sarah’s surname?”

Violet nodded. “She gave me her address a couple of weeks ago and told me I shouldn’t hesitate to call on her if I needed anything. I believe her last name’s Conroy.”

Chapter 24

Later that evening, Sophie sat on the settee in Fiona’s studio, wringing her hands as she and Fiona waited for Lily to arrive—so she could tell them what she’d decided.

“You’re worrying me,” Fiona said, pacing in front of her easel. “You’re not ill, are you?”

“No,” Sophie quickly assured her.

“Good.” Fiona halted, then snapped her concerned gaze to Sophie’s. “Please, tell me you’re not moving far away.”

“I’m not. At least, I don’t think I am.” She painted on a smile. “Nothing so dire,” she said, even though the thought of giving up something so precious filled her with a keen sense of loss.

“I can’t stand the suspense,” Fiona said with a frown.

“I’m sorry. Lily should be here any minute.” Fiona and Lily needed to hear the news at the same time, and Sophie didn’t want to wait till their usual meeting time in the morning.

Now that she’d made her decision, every moment she kept it to herself felt like a betrayal of her friends. Sophie wasn’t used to keeping secrets from them—especially not about The Debutante’s Revenge, which was the project of their hearts and seemed to be at the very center of their friendship.

Almost on cue, Lily breezed into the room, her dark curls floating around her face. “I came straightaway,” she said breathlessly. “Are you all right, Soph?”

“Of course,” Sophie said. “I didn’t mean to alarm you. But I do have something important to say.”

Lily sank onto the settee beside her, reached for her hand, and gave it a squeeze. “Does this have something to do with the gentleman you’ve been spending time with? If he’s hurt you in any way, I’ll find out who he is and—”

“No,” Sophie interjected. “This is about Lord Singleton. I’m meeting with him tomorrow, and I’m going to tell him I’m ready to move forward with our…” The word stuck in her throat like a dry scone, but she choked it out. “… Betrothal.”

“Oh,” Fiona said, searching Sophie’s face. “That’s, erm … wonderful?”