Courting Miss Vallois by Gail Whitiker Page A

fit him to perfection. Beneath that, a fine cambric shirt clung to a broad chest and around his neck, a perfectly tied, perfectly white linen cravat. A powerful man, in the civilised clothes of a gentleman. Were his thoughts a reflection of the same?‘It takes courage to fly in the face of convention, Mr Silverton,’ Sophie said. ‘Especially in a society so rigid about what it will and will not allow.’
    â€˜Are you saying French society is more lenient than English?’
    â€˜No. I’m just saying that in general, women do not benefit from its strictures. The only women who possess any kind of freedom are those who are titled in their own right, independently wealthy or widowed. It seems very unfair.’
    â€˜Well said, Miss Vallois,’ Jane said with approval.
    â€˜And you, Miss Silverton?’ Antoine asked. ‘Do you mind being criticised?’
    â€˜One always minds to a certain degree, but fortunately, I am not as closely scrutinised as others. My affliction absents me from the rest of the pack.’
    Antoine glanced at the cane in her hand. ‘How did you come by your injury?’
    â€˜An unfortunate childhood accident. A badly broken foot even more badly set.’
    â€˜But it does not prevent you from getting about.’
    â€˜Nothing could do that,’ she told him. ‘I am most determined when I set my mind to something.’
    â€˜I can vouch for that,’ Mr Silverton said. ‘Shall we play cards?’
    Sophie wasn’t sure how it happened, but a few minutes later, she found herself at a whist table, partnered with Robert Silverton against Lady White and a young lady by the name of Miss Penelope Green. Antoine and Jane had moved away to play vingt-et-un at another table.
    â€˜I hope your brother is skilled at cards, Miss Vallois,’Mr Silverton said as the hand was dealt. ‘My sister is a Captain Sharp of the female variety.’
    â€˜Antoine plays well enough,’ Sophie said, picking up her cards. ‘It is my skills as a partner you may find lacking.’
    â€˜Nothing to it, my dear.’ Lady White raised her arm, causing a battery of bracelets to jangle. ‘You simply try to take as many tricks as you can by remembering which cards have already been played. That’s why I like this game. It requires the use of one’s brain. I’m not sure you young whelps know how to do that.’
    Sophie said nothing, but when she raised her eyes and met Mr Silverton’s over the top of her cards, she saw that he was grinning broadly. ‘I shall endeavour to do my best, Lady White.’
    â€˜You’ll have to if you expect to escape this table unscathed.’ Lady White turned up a card. ‘Hearts are trump. Your lead, Mr Silverton.’
    Â 
    Over the course of the evening, Robert learned quite a few things about Miss Sophie Vallois. He learned that while she was blessed with beauty and refinement, she also had a lively sense of humour and a tendency towards speaking her mind. He learned that when she was silent, it was not because she could think of nothing to say, but because she preferred to weigh her words before offering them up for public discussion. She never forced herself into a conversation, but when asked a question, responded with wit and intelligence. In short, it was hard to find anything to criticise about the lady, yet he still found himself maintaining a distance.
    â€˜Are you enjoying your time in London, Miss Vallois?’ he asked after Lady White and Miss Green had excused themselves to partake of refreshments.
    â€˜I am. It is, of course, very different to the life Antoine and I lead in France.’
    Assuming she referred to the customs and language of the two countries, Robert said, ‘Have you always lived in Paris?’
    â€˜Only for the last two years. Before that I lived near Bayencourt.’
    â€˜I’m not familiar with the town.’
    â€˜It’s a small