A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks

Chapter 14

 

 

Several Days Later

 

 

 

Richard stretched his legs and put aside the book he had been reading—or rather trying to read. He wasn't bookish at all, but Sophia did enjoy reading. It seemed natural to explore something she liked and hopefully have more to add to their conversations.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, it wasn't going too well. The book Richard had chosen was an adventure story and had seemed interesting a first, but he had quickly found it unrealistic and ridiculous. Was fiction usually like this? If that were the case, then he needed to ask Sophia what she liked about reading. Perhaps a book about art would have been better since he knew that she was a bit of an artist herself, but the idea was unappealing.

 

 

 

Learning about different styles, artists, and periods looked like an excellent way to put him right to sleep.

 

 

 

“I need to ask her if she has other interests,” he mumbled to himself.

 

 

 

A ride to Nicholas's house seemed like a good thing to do. It was certainly better than being at home and slowly driving himself mad! Richard had not ceased to think about the Emley's dinner party since that night because his mind kept going over the moment Sophia had walked away from him.

 

 

 

Richard knew that something had gone wrong because she had retired to her room before the party was over and was not seen by anyone for the remainder of the evening. To top it all off, her friend had looked at him as the lowest scum of the earth before walking away from him as well. Did she know something he didn't?

 

 

 

Sighing, Richard rubbed his face and stood up. There was no point in being in the library. He might as well leave and head to Nicholas's residence. The man might have some advice about handling the situation because Richard had reached a dead end.

 

 

 

After changing into his riding attire, Richard made his way to the first floor and looked about for a servant to send a message to the stable hand to ready his horse. He thought to send Cavendish when he saw the butler make his way over to him, but that idea was quickly discarded when the man informed him that his parents wished to see him in the drawing-room.

 

 

 

“They could not have picked a worse time,” Richard complained. “Must they see me right now? I was on my way to see Nicholas.”

 

 

 

“They were firm about talking to you soon as you could see them.”

 

 

 

“Very well. Thank you, Cavendish.”

 

 

 

The butler gave a short bow and left, his coattails flapping behind him. Richard changed direction and made his way to the drawing-room, wondering what his parents had to talk about now. They only called him when something was wrong or if they had made a decision that would somehow affect him. Neither of those options appealed to him.

 

 

 

A short knock at the open door drew his parents' attention. They stopped talking and looked up, their movements mirroring each other.

 

 

 

“Come in, son,” his father said. “There's no use standing at the doorway like some stranger. Take a seat. We have much to discuss.”

 

 

 

Richard didn't like the sound of that. He settled into an armchair facing his parents, bracing himself for whatever they were about to tell him. The last time he had been called like this had been to inform him about the scandal and marriage ultimatum. Surely, nothing could be worse than that?

 

 

 

“Are you off somewhere?” his mother asked, looking at his attire.

 

 

 

“I am going to see Nicholas for the afternoon. I haven't seen him since the Emley dinner party.”

 

 

 

“You haven't seen Sophia either,” his mother reminded him. “I thought perhaps you would have made a little more effort to court her.”

 

 

 

His mother made it seem so easy. If only she knew the mental torture he had been putting himself through for the last few days just trying to understand the woman who would become his wife in a few months. Richard had never been so out of his depth before when dealing with women.

 

 

 

“I haven't been as slack as you assume,” he said. “I've done a little research into the things that interest her so we can have better conversations.”

 

 

 

Although there wasn't much wrong with their conversations now. It simply took a while for Sophia to warm up, but Richard found that talking to her was natural and enjoyable once she was comfortable. That had been a pleasant surprise considering that she had done everything she could to dismiss him.

 

 

 

“I'm surprised,” his mother admitted. “I didn't think you would put any effort in getting to know your future wife. You seemed resistant towards her at first.”

 

 

 

Richard was just as surprised. "I will inevitably marry Sophia, so why not try to make it work? I should know more about my fiancée before I marry her."

 

 

 

“You'll have to hurry that up,” his father advised. “You don't have much time left before the wedding.”

 

 

 

“Several months is enough, Father.”

 

 

 

“Try three weeks,” the Duke returned. “The Emleys, your mother, and I have decided to move the wedding. There really is no reason to wait until autumn.”

 

 

 

Had he heard them right? “Three weeks? I'm getting married in three weeks?”

 

 

 

“Yes, son,” his mother replied. “We thought it best to bring the date forward, so now I get to plan a summer wedding!”

 

 

 

Richard sat back in his chair, stunned by his parents' announcement. “Why?” he asked. “Why change the date?”

 

 

 

Had his parents perhaps found out about him meeting Elizabeth in the garden? He hoped not. Nothing untoward had happened, but anything could easily be misconstrued to seem much worse.

 

 

 

"I realised it was silly to prolong the wedding," the Duchess explained. "Besides, the banners have been read, and I have most of the preparations in place. I imagine Sophia's parents are informing her of the change as well."

 

 

 

Richard could only imagine how Sophia would take the news. She was just as resistant to the marriage idea, but he doubted she would put up a fight. Sophia's love for her parents overshadowed everything else.

 

 

 

"Shouldn't you have consulted Sophia and me before making that decision?" he asked them. "We are both of age, after all. We should have more of a say in what goes on with our wedding."

 

 

 

“Your right to contribute flew out of the window the moment you decided to kiss the woman,” the Duke said. “It's our responsibility as your parents to ensure that the right decisions are made. If it were up to you, this wedding would not happen at all, and Sophia's reputation would be ruined. I think you can see why we have taken control of the situation.”

 

 

 

That still didn't explain why the wedding date had been moved. Everyone knew he was betrothed to Sophia—what would waiting a few months do?

 

 

 

“May I go?” Richard asked.

 

 

 

Richard really needed advice, but not the sort his parents could give him. Nicholas was the only one who knew everything about the situation. Hopefully, the man would have some advice on how to approach Sophia. It seemed imperative that he see her nowand fix whatever was wrong between them. It momentarily struck him as strange that he was more concerned with Sophia's feelings than getting married in three weeks, but he brushed the thought aside. One thing at a time.

 

 

 

“Do you not have any more questions?” his mother inquired.

 

 

 

Richard shrugged. “What is there to ask? I am getting married in three weeks. There is nothing more to it.”

 

 

 

“Then yes, you may go,” the Duke answered. “Pass along our regards to Nicholas.”

 

 

 

Richard promised to do so and left them to their discussion. His mind was buzzing with thoughts about his changed situation. Sophia would not like this at all, and would likely blame him for their parents' sudden decision.

 

 

 

“I don't need another reason for her to dislike me,” he muttered to himself.

 

 

 

By the time Richard reached Nicholas's house, he had come up with an idea to see Sophia and find out how she was. The last thing he needed was an angry fiancée. Now, with the wedding taking place in less than a month, Richard felt alarmed that he was no closer to knowing who Sophia really was. He didn't even understand why he wanted to know the woman, considering how he had felt about her at first, but things had changed.

 

 

 

Richard wasted no time letting his friend know everything that had happened, including his meeting in the garden with Elizabeth. Nicholas shook his head at that, his expression displeased.

 

 

 

"When are you going to learn?" the man asked. "How could you meet Elizabeth at your own engagement party? I heard the rumours that you had met privately with her, but I hadn't believed them. I didn't think you foolish enough to insult your fiancée."

 

 

 

“It wasn't like that at all,” Richard protested. “I felt that I owed it to her to find out what she wanted to say. I didn't expect her to badmouth her own sister. I left once I told her that her sister wasn't to blame, that I had been the one to kiss her.”

 

 

 

“Did she believe you?”

 

 

 

“No.”

 

 

 

"That's what I thought. You're adding fuel to the fire, Richard," Nicholas warned. "This is a tricky situation already. What if Sophia found out about you meeting her sister in the garden?"

 

 

 

The thought had crossed his mind, but Richard had been too afraid to really consider it. If Sophia did know, then it would explain the hurt he had seen in her eyes before she had run away to her room. A memory about Rose's words had him covering his eyes and groaning.

 

 

 

“What is it?” asked Nicholas.

 

 

 

“Rose kept asking me what I think about faithfulness, and I couldn't understand why. I think I know why.”

 

 

 

“Rose Pilkington?”

 

 

 

“Yes. Do you know her?”

 

 

 

“Somewhat,” Nicholas said vaguely. “I was seated next to her at the dinner table. She's an interesting woman.”

 

 

 

Why did Richard feel there was more to be said regarding the woman? However, his situation with Sophia took precedence right now. Asking about Rose would come later.

 

 

 

“She doesn't like me, and if my assumptions are correct, then I have made a grave mistake. If Rose thinks I have been unfaithful to Sophia, then Sophia must think so as well.”

 

 

 

“It's likely,” Nicholas agreed. “What will you do now?”

 

 

 

“I obviously need to see her, so I've decided a promenade through the Park would be best. That way, everyone can see that I am with her and not ashamed to have her walk beside me. That might go a long way to assuring Sophia that I do not intend to humiliate her.”

 

 

 

“Is this still part of your challenge to make her like you?” asked Nicholas.

 

 

 

Was it? Richard thought about that for a moment and realised that hadn't been the case lately. He felt differently about his reasons for getting the woman to like him; he didn’t feel he could use his pride as an excuse any longer. The little time Richard had spent with Sophia at the party continued to show him that there was more to his fiancéethan just being the woman everyone loved to mock for her lack of conformity.

 

 

 

"No, it's not," he finally said. "Sophia is a lovely person, and she has good reason not to like me. However, I want her to see that I'm not pointing the finger at her, nor will I reject her."

 

 

 

Nicholas actually smiled at that. “That's what I wanted to hear, but you had best get a move on if you wish to convince her before the wedding.”

 

 

 

That was precisely what Richard planned to do.

 

 

 

*     *     *

 

 

 

Richard stood near the Serpentine River, waiting for Sophia to arrive. He had no idea what to expect once she arrived,but had warned himself that he would probably have to work hard to convince Sophia to speak to him as she had during their engagement dinner.

 

 

 

"She's late," he murmured, looking at his pocket watch. "Twenty-three minutes late, to be exact."

 

 

 

Had she decided to go back on her word? Sophia didn't seem like the type of person who would do that. Richard just had to believe that she was running late and would appear at any minute. His optimism paid off when he saw her approaching— Rose and Lady Smethwick on either side of her.

 

 

 

Richard decided to meet them halfway, praying that Sophia would give him a chance to…to do what? Prove that he was a good person? He hadn't been very successful so far.

 

 

 

“Good day, ladies,” he greeted.

 

 

 

“Good day, Lord Brittingham,” the Viscountess greeted. “You look strapping in your walking clothes.”

 

 

 

Richard noted that neither Sophia nor Rose greeted him or even looked at him. This was not a good start, but he had anticipated it.

 

 

 

“And you all look lovely,” he returned. “Shall we begin our walk?”

 

 

 

Thankfully, the Viscountess stepped aside so he could fall into step with Sophia.

 

 

 

“How are you, Sophia?” Richard asked, willing her to look at him.

 

 

 

“Well, thank you.”

 

 

 

The woman moved away from him, pretending to adjust her parasol, but she was just manoeuvring her friend to walk between them. The sudden move surprised him, but Richard pretended not to notice. He planned to return to her side as soon as possible, but he was content to have Rose between them for now.

 

 

 

“The Serpentine is sparkling quite prettily under the sun,” Lady Smethwick remarked. “But I look forward to skating on it during winter.”

 

 

 

“I didn't realise that you skate, my lady,” said Richard.

 

 

 

“Oh, I do, but I'm not terribly good at it. Sophia is the one who enjoys it the most.”

 

 

 

Richard looked over at Sophia, who kept her gaze ahead. "Perhaps we should come back to London after our wedding to do some skating," he suggested. "We would have returned from our honeymoon then."

 

 

 

Richard had no idea why he mentioned the honeymoon, but it felt right. It seemed to embarrass Sophia, though.

 

 

 

“If that is what you wish,” she said, her cheeks pink.

 

 

 

“We'll only do it if that is what you want,” Richard insisted. “We can remain in the countryside or spend some time in London. I give you the full rights to decide.”

 

 

 

Sophia looked at him briefly, her eyes questioning, but she said nothing. Did she think he was putting on an act for her aunt's sake? Or was she simply surprised that he had spoken about the future so freely? Richard found that he genuinely wanted to know, but he would not get much out of her if she continued to hide behind her friend and Lady Smethwick’s presence.

 

 

 

“Do you ladies mind if I walk with my fiancée alone?” he asked. “We'll remain within sight.”

 

 

 

“Yes, of course!” the Viscountess readily agreed. “Go along with Lord Brittingham, Sophia. Rose and I will walk together.”

 

 

 

Sophia looked reluctant, but Richard knew she wouldn't argue in front of her aunt. She respected her elders better than most people he knew.

 

 

 

He held out his arm to Sophia, waiting for her to take it before drawing her away from her place of comfort. Richard took them far enough to have some privacy, but he made sure that they could see the other two women at all times.

 

 

 

“Thank you for agreeing to see me today,” he said.

 

 

 

Sophia nodded, saying nothing. Knowing that getting her to speak would be challenging, he continued.

 

 

 

“I take it that your parents have told you about the wedding date change?”

 

 

 

“Yes.”

 

 

 

“And how do you feel about it?”

 

 

 

“Whatever will be, will be,” she said.

 

 

 

“I suppose so, but I do wish they had consulted us before making the decision. We know that we will marry each other, and we are old enough to make our own decisions. We should have been given some control over our own wedding.”

 

 

 

“We lost that control when we brought scandal to our families,” Sophia replied. “This is a consequence of your actions.”

 

 

 

Richard didn't mind what she said. He was simply glad that she was speaking to him.

 

 

 

“I admit to my mistake and wish to make the most of the situation. I understand that marrying each other is the last thing you wanted, but it's not something we can change.”

 

 

 

“I'm well aware of that,” she answered. “We wouldn't be standing next to each other right now if not for the scandal.”

 

 

 

Richard finished off what he felt she wanted to say but didn't. "I know that we barely knew each other before, and I was part of the group that mocked you, but things have changed since then. I know you're not the woman everyone has insisted you are, and while you might not like me, I can honestly say that I am intrigued by you."

 

 

 

That earned him a surprised look. “You are?”

 

 

 

“Isn't it obvious? You're the first woman to have ever rejected me. I'm not used to that. Not even my charms were enough to win you over. That both surprised and interested me.”

 

 

 

“So, I'm a specimen to be observed?”

 

 

 

“You're a woman that I would like to get to know,” he clarified. “We'll be married soon, and we barely know anything about each other.”

 

 

 

Sophia stopped walking and lowered her parasol behind her. "Is this necessary, Richard? I know that you are not truly interested in knowing me, and I cannot commit myself to believe that you want to. I take it your mother put you up to this?"

 

 

 

“No!” Richard immediately denied. “Nothing of the sort. I meant it when I said that I do wish to know the woman I'll marry soon. When you find something or someone interesting, isn't it normal to wish to know them?”

 

 

 

"It is," she agreed. "But this is not a normal situation. I'm well aware that you prefer my sister and that I am the last woman you would ever consider marrying. I know that I disgust most people and will never fit in. Do not pretend to believe otherwise."

 

 

 

Society, him included, had done this woman an injustice. Richard was ashamed to have ever judged Sophia without knowing her. What was this obsession with believing everything people said without first determining if the story was true or not? Perhaps there would be fewer scandals and wounded people if everyone learned that.

 

 

 

“Yes, I did like your sister, but I am marrying you, Sophia. That must count for something. I do not intend to carry on an affair with your sister if that is what you think.”

 

 

 

Sophia's coloured, looking away. That is what she had thought! Did she really believe him to be an unscrupulous man?

 

 

 

“I'm a fool at times, but I'm not dishonourable,” Richard insisted. “I would never disrespect you like that, Sophia. Once a Hatherton marries, he remains faithful to that woman for the rest of his life. We do not dally in affairs.”

 

 

 

"Then I suppose you'll be a miserable man," she remarked.

 

 

 

“Why?”

 

 

 

“Because you'll be married to me. You cannot tell me that you look forward to being my husband.”

 

 

 

“I did not look forward to marrying anyone, to tell the truth,” he admitted. “I wanted to hold off on it for as long as possible, but fate had other ideas.”

 

 

 

Sophia frowned for a moment and abruptly started walking. What was she thinking now?

 

 

 

“You believe me, don't you?” he pressed.

 

 

 

“I do not know. As you said, we barely know each other.”

 

 

 

"Then let us remedy it," Richard suggested. "Tell me about yourself, and I'll do the same. Let's get to know each other better, so we will not be strangers when we speak our vows on our wedding day. I know not of your opinion, but I do not wish to marry a stranger."

 

 

 

Sophia didn't answer him but carried on walking. Richard was about to accept his defeat when she surprised him by sighing and coming to a halt.

 

 

 

“Very well. We can exchange information about each other, but I want to do it sitting down. I'm afraid I might fall from the sheer fright of sharing anything personal with Lord Brittingham.”

 

 

 

Richard laughed,more from relief than amusement. It startled her.

 

 

 

“You continue to amaze me, Sophia Emley. Come, there's a lovely spot under that tree.”

 

 

 

He led her to the area, letting her sit and settle with her back to the tree before taking up the patch of grass beside her. They could still see Rose and Lady Smethwick up ahead, their heads close together as they discussed whatever they were talking about. Richard had a feeling it was about him and Sophia, and hopefully, the Viscountess was putting in a good word for him—Rose certainly wouldn't.

 

 

 

“So, what do you wish to know about me?” Sophia asked. Then, more quietly, she added, “I cannot believe we are actually doing this.”

 

 

 

“We are, and I have many questions, but let's start with your favourite colour, food, animal and season.”

 

 

 

A ghost of a smile appeared on Sophia's lips. “Do you really wish to know these things?”

 

 

 

“I wouldn't ask if I didn't.”

 

 

 

"Very well. My favourite colour is gold, I absolutely adore a simple pot roast of lamb and potatoes, and I love dogs. I actually love most animals, but Freki and Geri are my favourites."

 

 

 

“Your Great Danes?”

 

 

 

She looked at him in surprise. “You remembered!”

 

 

 

“You'll soon find that I remember quite a lot.” Especially anything about her. “Their names come from Norse Mythology, don't they?”

 

 

 

“Yes. They are the two wolves that accompany Odin. I didn't think you would recognise their names. Not many people do.”

 

 

 

“I randomly came across it in a book,” he said, not admitting that he had been perusing certain books to read just to find things in common with her. At least it was paying off now.

 

 

 

“Colourme impressed. Now, you should tell me about yourself. It's only fair.”

 

 

 

Richard noted that Sophia appeared relaxed;she was no longer gripping her parasol like a lifeline.

 

 

 

“What would you like to know?”

 

 

 

“May I ask anything?”

 

 

 

“Within reason. I'm not ready to share anything embarrassing just yet.”

 

 

 

Sophia smiled, the sight dazzling. It lit up her whole face and let him see the woman that she hid from the rest of the world.

 

 

 

“I'll be mindful of that. I think I wish to know about your childhood. Tell me about memories that stand out for you.”

 

 

 

Richard was taken aback by the question. No one had ever asked him something like that before. He took a while to answer as he wasn't quite sure where to start.

 

 

 

“I suppose one of my earliest memories are the tricks I used to get up to as a boy, or perhaps swimming in the lake with the servants' children during long summer days. There are many to talk about.”

 

 

 

“Start with your mischievous ways,” she insisted. “You must have given your parents many headaches.”

 

 

 

“Something like that,” he said, grinning.

 

 

 

Richard launched into tales about his childhood, telling Sophia things he had believed were long forgotten. She laughed a lot, encouraging him to continue. Had he ever had such a conversation with a woman?

 

 

 

Rose and the Viscountess arrived sometime after, complaining of hunger and fatigue. Richard wanted to tell them to go home and leave him with Sophia, but that would be ridiculous. He parted ways with them and decided to take a walk rather than return to his carriage.

 

 

 

I didn't expect to have such a good time with Sophia. I do not think I have experienced anything quite like it to compare, and that's saying something.

 

 

 

Sophia was undoubtedly unlike any woman Richard had ever met. Not once did he feel he had to be charming because she would have seen right through him. Sophia wasn't a woman who needed flattery, but honesty and animpartial attitude. The most important thing he would take away from today was the way she had listened to him. Sophia had wanted nothing but his truth, and that was worth so much to him.