For several beats of the music, he said nothing; then he shrugged. “I suspect it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious prior to announcing one’s engagement. I’ll fetch you a glass of champagne after this set. It will calm your nerves.”

“I’m not suffering from a case of nerves,” she whispered. “And I’m truly sorry I didn’t tell you how I felt before now. I thought I could be a dutiful wife, that I could make our relationship work … but I can’t.” She glanced around to make sure no one could overhear them and blinked at a new couple on the dance floor. The woman looked like Lily and the man looked like … heavens, Sophie clearly needed spectacles because the man looked like Reese.

Charles steered her away to a less crowded spot and leaned toward her ear. “I think I know what this is about.”

Sophie gulped. “You do?”

“You’ve had strange ideas put into your head by that awful column. And the Debutante Underground.”

Sweet Jesus. She looked directly into his eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I think you do,” he said, his tone menacing. “And I have the proof right here.” He released her waist so that he could tap his chest—where she could make out the rectangular outline of her journal.

“You’re speaking in riddles, Charles,” she countered, even as heat rose up her chest and neck.

“Then allow me to make myself very clear. I have invested a great deal of time, effort, and money into this arrangement—an arrangement that obviously benefits your father. We will announce our engagement tonight. And if you are foolish enough to cry off, not only will you be throwing your family to the lions, but you will force me to expose this secret society of yours. I’ll publish the name of every last member in the London Hearsay.”

Oh God. The women of the Debutante Underground had placed their trust in her, and now she was letting them down. The room started to tilt and her ears began to buzz. The silk-lined walls closed in on her like the cold stone of a Newgate jail cell. The corners of her vision turned gray, and her knees wobbled.

“Please … let me explain,” she mumbled, but her tongue was thick and uncooperative. “I—”

Bam. Before she could finish her sentence or properly swoon, another couple slammed into her and Charles, knocking her off her feet with a teeth-jarring jolt.

“Sophie!” called a familiar feminine voice. A soft but surprisingly strong arm circled her waist. Green eyes gazed down at her with concern. Lily propped Sophie against her side while Charles and Reese gained their footing.

“Forgive my clumsiness,” Reese was saying, giving Charles a good-natured slap on the shoulder. “My dancing skills are sorely out of practice.”

“I’ll say.” Charles scowled as he straightened his cravat.