I was about to say something when I felt Danny’s presence. “You will not talk to Sophia that way ever again. How dare you stand here and belittle her when tongues wag of your own indiscretions with Mr. Covington.”
Dropping her mouth open, she took a step back. “I beg your pardon.” I looked at Danny. My mother and Devlin’s father were having an affair?
Danny wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “Now if you will excuse us, I’d like to take Sophia for a stroll, she needs fresh air.”
Danny quickly led me to the path that meandered through the massive gardens. I let out the breath I had been holding and attempted to keep my tears at bay. My mother calling me a whore had cut deep.
“Darling, do not let her words bother you. She of all people has no right to speak of you in such a way.”
As we drew far enough away, I stopped and faced Danny. “How did you know of my mother’s affair?”
Smiling, Danny said, “My mother had tea yesterday morning. The women were doing nothing but speaking of how your mother was seen leaving a room at The Hotel Tybee the night of the ball. Mr. Covington emerged from the same room but a few moments later.”
Putting my hand over my mouth, I drew in a breath. “The same night we were together?”
Nodding his head, Danny whispered, “Yes.”
Dropping my hand, I looked into Danny’s eyes. “That is how she knew I was not in my room. She came in there in the middle of the night after she…”
I began walking again. “How can she do such a thing to my father? I hate her.” My voice cracked and Danny put his arm around me as he walked us to a bench where we sat.
Placing his hand on the side of my face, Danny looked into my eyes. “I did not want to tell you about your mother, Sophia. When I walked up and heard her speaking to you that way, something in me snapped. I will not allow anyone to hurt you. Ever.”
I wanted Danny to take me into his arms again. The few times we had managed to sneak off and make love was not nearly enough. I stood and he quickly followed. “I’d like to return to the party. I’m going to alert my father that I’m not feeling well. Then I’d like for you to take me away from Savannah.”
Danny pulled his head back. “What?”
Placing my hand on his chest, I pleaded, “Take me to Tybee Island for a few days. I need to hear the waves upon the shore and breathe the fresh salt air.”
Danny swallowed hard. “Sophia, the only way we can do that is—”
My insides lit up at the mere idea of marrying Danny now. “Nelly and Richard could be our witnesses.”
Danny gazed upon me with loving eyes. “Sophia, I want you to have a wedding. A beautiful wedding fit for a princess.”
Shaking my head, I whispered, “We cannot wait.”
Danny’s eyes narrowed together. “Sophia, if you are angry with your mother, that is no just cause to rush.”
“I’m with child, Danny. I missed my courses.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Sophia, you’re …” Looking down, he smiled before his eyes looked back into mine.
“A baby? You and I … a baby?”
Looking at Danny with a closed-lip smile, I said, “Yes.”
Danny’s hand wrapped behind my neck as he brought his lips to mine. It was a sweet and passionate kiss, one that I would remember for the rest of my life. “We must speak with our parents right away, Sophia.”
Nodding my head, I smiled and whispered against his lips, “Yes, right away.”
Taking my hand in his, we made our way back to the dance. I searched for my mother and felt the bile in my throat when I saw her talking to Mrs. and Mr. Covington. Looking away, my eyes landed on my father. As we walked up to him, Danny squeezed my hand. He stopped and turned me to face him. “This will go two ways, my darling.” He looked up and frowned. “Three, really.”
“Three?”
Nodding, he smiled slightly. “Either your father will kill me, my father will kill me, or they will be so blinded by happiness it would be ill thinking to kill the father of their grandchild.”
I giggled and hit Danny lightly on the chest. “You’re terrible.”