Read Online Sophie's Voice (Sex and the Season Book 4) by Helen Hardt - Free Book Online

speak of what she needed to speak of.
    She descended and joined her family for dinner.
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    â€œ S o have you all heard the good news?” Ally asked.
    â€œAnd what good news would that be?” Her husband, Evan, cocked his head.
    â€œYes, by all means, Ally, tell us,” the girls’ mother, Iris, the Countess Brighton, said, smiling.
    Sophie groaned inaudibly. She knew exactly what was coming.
    â€œOur own Sophie auditioned for Mr. Zachary Newland for his upcoming musicale, which was written by our esteemed cousin, the Earl of Thornton. Mr. Newland was so impressed, he wants to make Sophie his new lead soprano.”
    Evan smiled broadly. “Why, Sophie, that’s excellent news. I’ve always wondered why you keep your angelic voice to yourself.”
    â€œIndeed,” the earl said. “Congratulations to you.”
    Iris simply smiled, nodding.
    â€œWhen do you begin rehearsals?” Evan asked.
    Sophie swallowed a mouthful of potage. “I don’t.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Iris asked.
    Sophie opened her mouth to respond, but Ally was quicker.
    â€œSophie doesn’t want to take the post. She wants to give up this amazing opportunity.”
    â€œAlly, I’m still a lady of the peerage, and I shouldn’t be singing for an audience.”
    â€œI agree,” Iris said. “Of course, if it were something you wanted to do, Sophie, I would support you. But as it’s not, I think, Ally, that we need to support Sophie’s decision.”
    â€œEvan, you agree with me, don’t you?” Ally batted her eyes at her husband.
    â€œI think Sophie would be wonderful, but I’m sorry, love. I have to agree with your mother that it’s her decision. Not yours, and not mine.”
    Sophie gulped. “Thank you, Evan.”
    Ally pressed her napkin to her lips. “Sophie, you sit in the house all day. Don’t you want something more? Wouldn’t it bring joy into your life to know you are bringing joy into others’ lives with song?”
    â€œAlly, I would faint away on that stage, and you know it. Performing is simply not in my nature.”
    â€œYou’re being silly. You made it through the audition, and Cameron said you were brilliant.”
    â€œI nearly lost my breakfast during that audition,” Sophie said. “If I have to feel that way every time I get on stage, I may starve to death.”
    â€œDon’t be so melodramatic,” Ally said.
    Sophie ignored her sister and continued with her dinner, saying little. Part of her—a part of her she hadn’t known existed until a few hours ago—longed to take the role. She had taken a risk this afternoon, and she had found pleasure unlike she’d ever imagined.
    â€œGoodness, Sophie, you’re blushing,” Ally said. “What is there to be embarrassed about now? You got through the audition.”
    Sophie locked her gaze on the second course the footman set in front of her—salmon croquettes, one of her favorites. Yet she had no desire to eat. The warmth in her cheeks rapidly spread to her neck.
    â€œLeave her alone, Ally,” Evan scolded. “Let her eat in peace.”
    Conversation rambled on around Sophie, but she didn’t join in. This day had turned into a conundrum. She’d auditioned for a musicale, gotten her first kiss from a man, and then let that same man molest her in broad daylight!
    All very out of character for her. Who was Sophie now?
    She did love singing, and if her voice could bring joy to others… But dear Lord, she would be ill every time she went on stage.
    But being on stage… When she’d finally started singing, nearly forgetting anyone was watching her, and then the thunderous applause that followed—all of that had been truly heaven.
    When supper had finally concluded, Sophie did not retire to the porch for tea with her mother and sister. Instead, she went back to the library. Surely she