At that very moment, Lady Bridgerton came scurrying around the corner. "I can't believe Sophie would do any such thing," she said, rushing to her son's side. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded Araminta. "And," she added rather peevishly, "I never liked you, Lady Penwood."
Araminta drew back and planted an affronted hand on her chest. "This is not about me," she huffed.
"It is about that girl” (said with a scathing glance toward Sophie) "who had the audacity to steal my wedding band!"
"I never stole your wedding band, and you know it!" Sophie protested. "The last thing I would want of yours.”
"You stole my shoe clips!"
Sophie's mouth shut into a belligerent line.
"Ha! See!" Araminta looked about, trying to gauge how many people had seen. "A clear admission of guilt."
"She is your step
