“Besides, there’s plenty about me you don’t know,” he retorted. “Let’s enjoy the day and then we can work on taking things slow once we get back to New York.”
“I don’t think New York and slow belong in the same sentence,” she stated. “But, I agree. We should enjoy today and then we’ll talk later.”
Nigel wrapped her in his arms and wondered if she was the one. His grandmother had already fallen in love with Roslyn, but Nigel wondered if all of this was too good to be true.
Were they meant to be? He’d known her such a short time, but he couldn’t ignore the strong pull or the deep connection they’d already formed.
But he also had to remember that the show came first for now. There was too much going on, too many people depending on him and his social life; his love life would not be taking top priority.
* * *
Sophie swayed in Nigel’s arms in the ballroom. Try as she might, she couldn’t forget the overwhelming guilt she’d felt when he’d told her he wanted to get to know her more. She’d opened her mouth and her thoughts, her feelings had come tumbling out and she couldn’t take them back.
She’d wanted to come clean about everything. She hated lying to this amazing man, but instead of telling him the full truth about her background, she’d told him her honest feelings instead.
How could she love him, though? How could she make such a claim when he didn’t even call her by her own name?
She’d taken something so beautiful, so mind-blowing, and turned it into something ugly and fake. What would he say when he found out why she’d infiltrated his company to spy on a woman he likely considered a friend?
Sophie gripped his shoulders and closed her eyes as the soft music enveloped them on the dance floor. He would no doubt hate her once he discovered who she truly was and she deserved nothing less.
But she would relish this fantasy moment for as long as she could. She didn’t want to ruin his sister’s wedding. But once it was over, she was going to have to tell him. If he wanted to get to know her more, if there was even an inkling of a chance for them, he’d need to know the truth before things went any further.
First, she’d have to talk to her brothers because all of this started when she’d vowed to find dirt on Miranda. There was overwhelming evidence that nothing sinister existed on the woman. Maybe she wasn’t a monster like they thought. It was a possibility they had to consider, but then what would they do? Sophie still wanted the childhood home and estate to go back to her brothers. The home had to stay in their family...it just had to. But if they couldn’t challenge Miranda in court, what other option did they have?
She would have to figure out what the next move should be once she spoke with Vaughn and Kellan.
Miranda aside, Sophie couldn’t lie to Nigel anymore. Her feelings far surpassed anything she’d expected and now that she was in so far, she couldn’t keep deceiving him. Once he discovered who she was, Sophie would just have to accept any backlash she received.
The song came to an end and Sophie pulled back. “I’m going to grab a glass of champagne.”
Nigel drew his brows together. “Everything okay? You seem like you’re not all here.”
She hadn’t been all here since she’d started this whole charade, but she nodded.
“Why don’t you dance with your grandmother while I take a breather?”
He stared another moment before nodding and releasing her. Sophie gathered the skirt of her dress in one hand and maneuvered her way off the dance floor. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she’d logged the beauty of the reception with all the lighting and crystal beading draped from the elegant table arrangements and the chandeliers suspended from the high ceilings, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the marble floor.
There were gorgeous people everywhere dressed in stunning gowns and sharp suits. And Sophie felt like such an imposter...likely because she was an imposter.
She’d barely stepped away from the dancers when a member of the wait staff came by with a tray of champagne glasses. Sophie smiled and grabbed one, needing something to hold to occupy her shaky hands.
“Thank you for coming.”
Sophie spun around to see Ellen smiling and holding her own glass.
“Of course,” Sophie replied. “You had the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever seen.”
Her satin gown was positively radiant, showcasing a vintage vibe with a lace overlay. It was strapless with a flare from the waist and a delicate train. Her headpiece was a simple diamond headband with a sheer veil that trailed the length of her train. Three strands of crisp white pearls adorned her neck.
“I mean, thank you for coming home with my brother,” Ellen clarified. “I’ve never seen him this happy and I’m pretty sure I have you to thank.”
“Oh, well, he makes me pretty happy, too.”
“You’re good for him,” Ellen said, then took a sip of her champagne. “I hope he’ll come home more often—and bring you with him. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sister.”
“I have two brothers, so I know how that feels,” Sophie replied with a laugh.