“Better now than after the reading of the banns for your marriage to Singleton,” Lily pointed out. “What do you have to lose?”

Sophie fingered the silk sash of her dress as she pondered her friend’s question. Maybe part of her recognized that Lord Singleton was the safer choice. He wasn’t fiery or passionate. Their relationship would be pleasantly civil, and he’d demand very little from her. Which meant she’d never completely lose her heart to him, and there was no possibility of him hurting her.

But baring her soul to Reese was an altogether different proposition. There would be no wading in or half measures. If she confessed her love for him, and he couldn’t or wouldn’t love her back … well, she wasn’t sure she could endure that sort of pain.

“I’ll give it some thought,” Sophie said. She still had a few weeks until her betrothal to Lord Singleton became official. Granted, it wasn’t much time, but perhaps it would be enough for her and Reese to figure out what they meant to each other. Their relationship was like a beautiful, fragile orchid, and she wondered whether it would be able to survive outside the cozy hothouse they’d created for themselves at Warshire Manor.

“Thank you for confiding in Lily and me,” Fiona said. “And even though there are at least a dozen more questions we’d love to ask, we shall refrain.”

“We will?” Lily asked, obviously disappointed.

“Yes.” Fiona pinned her younger sister with a stern stare—the sort that would have made Miss Haywinkle proud. “Sophie has a difficult decision to make, and she will make the correct choice, as she always does.”

Sophie wasn’t so certain, but she managed a weak smile. “I appreciate your faith in me. And I know I can count on you both, no matter what.”

“No matter what,” Fiona repeated, her blue eyes twinkling with affection.

“Perhaps this week’s column will be about trusting one’s instincts—especially when it comes to assessing a gentleman’s character,” Lily mused.

“I’m sure the members of the Debutante Underground would find the topic intriguing,” Sophie said. “Heaven knows I would.”

Fiona pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I believe I have an idea for a sketch, too. I’ll begin working on it this afternoon.”

“Good,” Sophie said, rising from the settee. “I’m rather tired, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll head home a bit early. I could use a nap before dinner.”

Lily propped a hand on her hip. “Miss Sophie Kendall,” she teased, “I would hand over my best bonnet just to know what you’ve been doing for the past twelve hours.”

Sophie winked at her friend. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”