A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks
Chapter 13
Elizabeth did not know how to be subtle. Sophia knew her sister was not clumsy; thus, the younger woman's little fall had spiked suspicion. Did Elizabeth want Sophia to know that she was up to something? If so, why?
Falling into Richard had been no accident, and the slipping of a note into his hand had been glaringly obvious. If Sophia could see that, it meant others could as well.
Sophia was tempted to watch Richard head to the refreshment table and witness him read the note Elizabeth had given him, but she didn't want to attract any attention by standing in the middle of nowhere.
With a heavy heart, Sophia approached her best friend, quickly rebuking the unwanted feeling. She was silly to feel disappointed. She noticed Rose watching her, the woman's smooth brow puckering into a slight frown.
“What is wrong?” Rose asked as soon as Sophia was close enough to hear.
“Nothing,” Sophia lied. “When did you arrive?”
“I was late because Mama insisted on changing her dress for the evening. We arrived about fifteen minutes before everyone was called to the dining room.”
Sophia had not noticed the Pilkingtons arrive and was surprised to know her friend had been nearby for some time. It had only been halfway through dinner that Sophia had seen her friend seated at the end of the table talking to Richard's friend, Nicholas.
“Why did you not come and see me?” Sophia questioned.
"I did not wish to disturb you. You were with Richard, and I felt you needed some private time with him. He is your fiancé, after all."
Richard was her fiancé in word, but not in deed. Talking about him reminded her to search for him, hoping to catch him in the act of reading the note. Instead, Sophia found Richard making his way to her with two drinks in hand.
“You're watching him as though something is about to happen,” Rose whispered. “What is going on?”
“I'll tell you in a moment,” Sophia whispered back as Richard drew nearer.
He looked agitated, but still managed a smile as he handed the glasses of wine to them.
“How are you, Rose?” he asked.
Sophia appreciated that he addressed her friend directly rather than be dismissive of her as most people often were. She had talked about Rose at length during dinner, and Richard had evidently understood the woman's importance in her life.
“Well, thank you. My gratitude for thinking of me,” Rose replied, tilting her glass toward him.
“I chose wine instead of champagne,” he said. “But I can return for champagne if you would prefer that.”
“Wine is fine,” Sophia assured him. “Where is yours?”
And what had he done with the note? Was it in his pocket? Sophia found that she desperately wanted to know what her sister had written to him.
Richard looked away for a moment, scratching the side of his head. "Oh, uh... I thought I might get some fresh air. I need a little time outside before we separate, and my father insists on playing cards."
That would not be for another hour or so. Coffee still had to be served with a few sweet treats for those who had the stomach for it after a large meal. It was apparent to Sophia that Richard was off to the garden to meet Elizabeth.
A little stabbing pain spread across her chest, but Sophia refused to let it show on her face. That would be pure foolishness on her part.
“It is a lovely night,” she told him, pleased that her voice showed no strain.
He nodded harder than necessary. “Yes, it is. I shall not take long,” he promised.
“Take however much time you wish.”
Richard took off, not seeing her crestfallen expression. He was so eager to go and see Elizabeth, and it saddened her. It shouldn't because Sophia knew where she stood with him, but it still did.
“Talk to me, Sophia,” said Rose. “What is the matter? What has happened?”
“What do you mean?”
Sophia noticed how distant her voice sounded, as though someone else was speaking, but that person was undoubtedly her.
“You look as though you have just been told that winter has been suspended for the year and summer will replace it.”
Sophia laughed, the noise sounding miserable in her own ears. Someone else listening to them might be confused because most people preferred the sunny summer months, but Sophia genuinely loved winter. It was a season of hot cocoa drinks, fragrant wood burning in the fireplace, snow angels, cold-induced pink cheeks, and soft snowfall that blanketed the world in white. What was not to love about it?
“I think I would stay indoors until winter was returned,” said Sophia.
“Do not shy away from my question,” Rose chided. “You seemed animated at dinner and were getting along well with Richard. I noticed how people kept staring at you in puzzlement, but I was so happy. Now, I see you miserable. Why?”
Sophia had enjoyed dinner against her better judgement. She had been determined to only pay Richard the necessary attention to please their parents, but the man had broken down her resolve with just a few words and engaged her in conversation. It was the first time she had allowed herself to be comfortable around him, and look where that had gotten her.
"I suppose I have remembered that Richard's heart belongs to another, yet I am due to marry the man. Pathetic, isn't it?"
“Dinner showed me that there is hope for you,” Rose argued. “You were both at ease with each other and laughed an awful lot for a pair forced to get married. So why the morose opinion?”
“Richard is a charming man. It means nothing that he shared a few laughs with me.”
Rose shook her head. “No, you will not convince me otherwise. I know charm when I see it, and what he was showing was not charm. It was comfort with a woman he gets along with. Now, tell me what is wrong before I march after Richard and demand that he tell me.”
Rose crossed her arms, her gaze determined as she stared Sophia down. Sophia knew that her friend would do just that, so she decided to reveal the truth of the matter.
“I believe Elizabeth gave Richard a note to meet her in the garden. He is not going outside for fresh air.”
Rose's mouth dropped open. “What? At your own engagement party? Has she no shame?”
“They like each other, Rose. Possibly even love each other. I cannot stop that.”
"What does that matter? If Richard had been serious about Elizabeth, he would have asked for her hand in marriage weeks ago, but he didn't. He could not have been too serious about her."
Sophia wanted to believe that was true, but it was wiser to maintain her initial belief.
“I am not going to argue about this,” she insisted. “What I know is that Richard has gone to meet with Elizabeth. That alone reveals how he feels about her.”
The fact that she was unhappy knowing this revealed to Sophia that she was treading upon dangerous ground. She needed to pull away before she got hurt.
“Hogwash!” Rose hissed. “You need to go after Richard and confront them right now. He is your fiancé, and you deserve more respect than this from him. This is your engagement party, for heaven's sake! What business does your sister have interfering with two people betrothed to each other?”
Sophia considered her friend's advice, but quickly dismissed it. What if she followed them and found them locked in an embrace? Besides, the last thing Sophia wanted to do was cause a scene.
“No,” she said firmly. “Confronting them will bring this dinner crashing around our ears and cause further scandal. I have had enough of all the drama, Rose.”
In fact, Sophia felt tired to the very marrow in her bones. She no longer wanted
to deal with the situation and wished she could simply walk away and leave Richard and Elizabeth to their love. There was nothing more shameful and pitiful than being in such a situation. It was more than anyone should bear.
“Oh, Soph,” cried Rose, putting an arm around Sophia's waist and drawing her near. “I am so sorry about this mess. You don't deserve this.”
Sophia laid her head against that of her friend. “It's enough that you're by my side. I do not know what I would do if I did not have you as my best friend. Perhaps I would have driven myself insane and retired into the forest to live with the animals.”
Rose laughed. “You would do that even if you were not insane. Oh, no,” the woman said, suddenly groaned and straightening her body.
“What is it?”
“My mother is coming this way. I can only imagine what she is going to say. She saw me speaking to Nicholas Torrey and now has it in her mind to marry me off to him. Is it too late to hide?”
Sophia watched the Frenchwoman approach them and nodded. “Much too late.”
“Sophie! Comment tu vas?” the woman greeted, kissing both cheeks.
“Ça va bien, merci. How are you, Madame Pilkington?”
“I'm well, my dear. My, but you look très jolie today. Who did your hair?”
When the woman chose to compliment Sophia and even call her 'very pretty', one had to assume that she was happy or excited about something. Sophia had a feeling it had to do with Nicholas.
“Elizabeth helped me get ready for the evening, but my mother chose the dress.”
“Ah, I see. I am surprised that your mother has made such a good choice for you, Sophie,” the Frenchwoman said. “She is not normally so careful.”
The woman was right, but this was a special occasion. “My mother has taken great care to make sure that I do not disappoint my soon-to-be in-laws.”
Sophia was not used to all the attention and would have preferred to going back into obscurement.
The Frenchwoman smiled. "I am delighted to hear that! Eh, forgive me if I am wrong, but I think I saw your sister wear a similar dress. That is not very, uh…good of her."
“They are similar,” Sophia agreed. “But I do not mind. Most of the women today are wearing white dresses.”
“Oui, but they are different to yours,” the Frenchwoman insisted. “Perhaps your sister wishes to compete?”
Sophia didn't know what to say to that. It wasn't something that she wished to think about or believe of her sister, but the younger woman's actions were damning.
“Sophia is the one who will be married, Maman,” Rose interrupted. “Thus, there is no competition at all.”
Madame Pilkington nodded, her yellow curls bouncing. “I suppose you are right, ma petite. Sophie has won the greatest prize of all, and perhaps you will be next, yes? Has Rose told you about her new beau?” the woman asked Sophia.
“Maman!” Rose cried. “Do not read into this. We sat next to each other and spoke a few words. That is it.”
“Non, I will not listen to that, ma petite,” the woman argued. “I saw with my own two eyes that there is some mutual interest. Why not make the best of it?”
“S'il te plaît, Maman,” Rose begged. “Do not do this.”
“Quel est le problème, ma petite?” Madame Pilkington asked with a frown. “I do this for you.”
"You will embarrass me in front of these people if you pursue Nicholas. I cannot handle any more of this, Mama. You have done enough."
Sophia grew surprised when she saw hurt flash in the Frenchwoman's eyes. Why was she so hurt?
“I try to make my daughter happy,” the woman said with a shrug. “But no matter what I do, it always seems wrong. C'est la vie, non? I know I am not a perfect mother, and I have made mistakes, but I will never stop wanting what is best for you, ma petite. Love me or hate me, but I am your mother.”
The Frenchwoman drew away from them, but not before Sophia noticed a sheen of tears in the woman's eyes. She had never seen Madame Pilkington so emotional! Usually, the woman pretended to cry to get her own way, but this was sincere.
“I have only seen my mother cry three times in my life, including this time,” Rose said, her voice thick with unshed tears. “She makes me so mad, but I do love her, Soph. I don't want to hurt her.”
Sophia hugged her friend, ignoring the curious eyes watching them.
Some time ago, a rumour had been started that claimed Sophia and Rose were lovers, but it had been dispelled soon after. Sophia couldn't understand why showing affection could be so misconstrued, but it didn't surprise her anymore.
“Give her some time to understand,” Sophia advised. “Let her be sad for a little bit, but she will come around. 'Tis better than being embarrassed and living with the shame for weeks to come.”
Sophia found that sadness was easier to overcome than embarrassment.
“I suppose you're right,” the woman agreed. “I'll bring her tea in bed tomorrow and read her a romance story in French. She'll love that.”
“That's the spirit. Work on the solution, not the problem.”
Rose drew back, lifting her eyebrows. “When will you take your own advice?”
“When the first man lands on the moon.”
“That's impossible. If man was meant to travel to the moon, surely God would have given us the ability?”
"When has that ever stopped mankind?" said Sophia. "Mark my words; they'll get a man on the moon eventually."
Rose looked dubious. “There is more chance of another plague than a moon adventure. You have some strange thoughts circling in your head, Soph. Next, you'll tell me that we will not use horses to pull our carriages in the future, or women will cease to wear dresses.”
“Will they parade around naked?” Sophia teased. “That could cause problems.”
Rose chuckled. “That would be a sight that I would not want to see, but I meant that they would wear men's attire instead.”
“That would be a day to look forward. I like dresses well enough, but I sometimes find them cumbersome.”
Rose said nothing as she watched a few men, finally shaking her head. “I prefer dresses, and I know of at least two men who agree with me. They wish to go back to the days when men wore robes and could feel the air swirl around their legs.”
Sophia pulled her face, not appreciating the imagery her friend had conjured. “Do not say anything like that again. Besides, there are cultures where men wear robes. It's not taboo in other countries.”
Sophia and Rose continued to speak about random things, and for a few freeing moments, all thoughts of Richard and Elizabeth were put on hold. That, however, soon changed when Sophia happened to look towards the doors and saw Richard return. Her belly flipped painfully and dropped fast, startlingher slightly. Rose noticed and followed her gaze, cursing under her breath when she saw Richard.
“And so the wayward fiancé returns,” the woman muttered, shaking her head.
Sophia looked away. “I do not think I wish to speak to him.”
“I do not think you have much choice because he is coming here. I do not see Elizabeth anywhere.”
“They cannot return at the same time and make it obvious that they were together,” said Sophia.
“Perhaps I can give him a talking to,” Rose threatened.
Sophia gripped her friend's hands, appalled at the very thought. “Don't you dare, Rose Pilkington. I will not speak to you for a month if you do that.”
Rose sighed. “Very well, but do not expect me to be kind towards him. He lost the right the moment he stepped outside those doors.”
They fell silent when Richard drew near, not wanting the man to overhear their conversation about him. He didn't look sheepish at all. Did he not see anything wrong with his actions?
Richard does seem bothered, which I find strange. Shouldn't he feel exhilarated after spending some time with Elizabeth?
“How was the fresh air?” Sophia asked.
“Not as refreshing as I hoped it would be,” he admitted. “Perhaps I prefer the indoors better, but I do enjoy a good ride outside. Do you ride?”
“Somewhat. Rose is a great rider.”
How was she managing to sound normal when she was anything but inside? Sophia wanted to know what he had discussed with Elizabeth and if they had stolen an embrace.
“Is that so? What kind of horse do you have?” he asked Rose.
“A Thoroughbred, of course,” Rose answered coldly.
Sophia winced at the tone in her friend's horse. Rose was not about to pretend that she liked Richard, not after sneaking away to be with Elizabeth.
Richard appeared a little taken aback, but he continued to speak. “I have two Thoroughbreds for riding and other breeds for drawing my carriages and those that work on the estate. I try to ride as often as I can, especially when in the countryside.”
“How nice,” was Rose's response. “Are any of your horses ever unfaithful?”
Sophia had to admit that her friend's question made no sense, and apparently, Richard thought so as well.
“In what way?” he asked.
“In the ways that count.”
“The evening has progressed nicely, don't you think?” Sophia interrupted. “Mama spent a significant amount of time organising everything. Do you think they will announce the coffee soon? Although Mama will likely serve tea as well, as not everyone fancies the taste.”
“What is your opinion on faithfulness, Richard?” Rose asked, ignoring Sophia's pleading looks to leave the subject alone. “At what point do you consider yourself fully committed to a person?”
Rose was like a raging bull once she got started. Sophia had to admit that she would have been the same if the shoe had been on the other foot.
“I suppose from the moment you make a commitment,” Richard replied with a frown. “Is that not the usual way?”
Rose shrugged. “I suppose it depends on how honourable a person is. As for myself, I believe that once a couple is betrothed, no one else is allowed to come between them. Do you agree?”
“Of course,” Richard said with nod. “An engagement should never be taken lightly…”
Sophia didn't hear the rest of Richard's words because her sister chose that moment to return to the drawing-room. The young woman appeared livid and ready to wage war. Sophia watched Elizabeth look through the crowd until the woman's eyes landed on Sophia. A look of loathing flashed in her sister's eyes, sending chills down Sophia's spine.
I thought that Elizabeth would be happy about being with Richard. Why is she so angry at me?
Sophia didn't know, but something must have been said to earn her sister's anger, or had Elizabeth always been angry and had just simply been hiding it well? The latter seemed probable, which only served to confuse Sophia. Elizabeth had been friendly and kind lately, even helping Sophia to get ready and look her best for this very evening.Hadit all merely been a ploy to trick her?
Sophia touched her temple, feeling a growing pressure and the throbbing pain that seemed to increase every few seconds. Her head felt like it was about to explode. She needed to get away before her emotions got the better of her and embarrassed her.
“Please excuse me, but I must go,” she said, already stepping away.
“Go where?” Richard asked.
“Let me accompany you,” Rose insisted.
Sophia put her palms out, avoiding anyone's touch. “No, no, I will be fine. I simply need a moment. Please, excuse me.”
Sophia turned and hurried away, her head down as she weaved her way through the guests. The smell of body odour and strong perfume made her feel worse, causing her chest to burn. If she didn't leave the room soon, she was going to do something that she would regret.
With one last push, Sophia made it outside the drawing-room, taking in great gulps of air. Her head was still pounding, but her nausea had abated to bubble just below the surface.
She heard people coming her way, so she quickly hid behind a large vase and waited for them to pass. To her annoyance, they paused a few steps away from the drawing-room entrance, but it was their conversation that had her leaning closer to hear what they had to say.
“Did you notice when Elizabeth left and Richard followed soon after?” a woman asked.
"I think everyone noticed, Annie," a man said. "It was too obvious not to."
“I feel so terrible for them,” Annie announced. “They have been reduced to meeting in private just to talk to each other like lovers would. I would hate it if someone separated you from me, Edgar.”
Sophia hung her head, being careful not to hit the vase and call attention to herself. She was so tired of hearing people go on about Elizabeth and Richard's great love story. It if had been so great, why hadn't Richard put up more of a fight? Why hadn't his parents paid the gossiper to admit that she had lied? Anything would have done!
“Do not worry, my bumblebee,” Edgar assured. “I would never allow someone to come between us. Certainly not someone so unattractive.”
Sophia felt that was a silly comment to make. It wasn't that he had called her unattractive that had made it ridiculous, but he had claimed that he would only allow a more beautiful woman to separate him from Annie. Had the woman picked that up?
"I know you wouldn't, Eddie-Poo," Annie replied in a sickeningly sweet voice. "We belong together just as much as Elizabeth and Richard belong together. I am so grateful that we have our whole lives ahead of us to look forward to while they only have misery. Sophia is the only one who stands to gain anything from this situation."
Really? Sophia wanted to say. Because she would gladly swap places with any woman who believed such a stupid thing. Who were Annie and Edgar anyway?
She peered around the vase, surprised to know that she recognised the young man. However, she knew him as Jonathan and not Edgar. The man was from a village not far from Sophia's countryside residence.
Does he not have a fiancée back home? I vaguely remember something like that. If that is the truth, Annie will have a heartbreak on her hands sooner than she thinks.
Was it terrible that Sophia did not feel sorry for the woman?
The couple eventually went inside, allowing Sophia to leave her hiding place and race up the stairs to her room. She was not going to go down for the rest of the night no matter what anyone said, although the only two people who knew she was absent were Richard and Rose. Sophia doubted her parents would notice her truancy until the very end.
Sophia fell into her bed, fully clothed and hugged her pillow to her. She was exhausted, yet she hadn't done anything but stand about, talk, and eat. The dancing hadn't even started yet, which she was pleased about because she didn't want to dance with Richard. Everyone would only stare and judge her while feeling sorry for Elizabeth.
“I do not believe I will ever be rid of this cloud over my head,” she said aloud, her voice cracking with emotion.
Perhaps it would be better to allow the scandal to ruin her reputation and refuse to marry Richard. That option wasn't much better than marrying him and being known as the woman who stole her sister's true love. Which scenario would she be able to bear? Sophia didn't know. She just didn't know.