A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks
Chapter 21
“Sophia, dear,” her mother called, walking into the room. “You need to get ready.”
Sophia put down her paintbrush and pushed back a tendril that had come loose from the untidy bun she had put her hair in.
“Why?”
“Diane has invited us to tea. She must want to hear how our arrangements for the wedding breakfast are coming along.”
Sophia's heart plummeted. See Richard? “Would you mind if I stayed behind, Mama? You can go with Elizabeth.”
That should give Richard and Elizabeth time to come up with a way to announce their engagement as soon as Sophia let their parents know about her decision. However, why would the Duchess ask to see them today when they were supposed to have dinner with them tomorrow? By then, Sophia would have called off the wedding, and her sister would be happy again.
“You are the Hatherton bride, Sophia!” her mother scolded. “What do you mean you wish to stay behind? No, no. Wear that lovely white dress with the gold lace and for heaven's sake, make sure you do not have any paint smudges on you.”
Sophia inwardly sighed. “Very well. I need at least half an hour.”
“Twenty minutes.”
“Twenty-five.”
“Twenty,” her mother said firmly. “You have never needed much time, and there is no reason to need it now. Go and get ready. I'll have Mallory bring the carriage around.”
Goodness! Why did the Duchess want to see them? This was unneeded stress. Had Richard perhaps told her about the letter she had sent, and that was what the woman wished to discuss? No, he wouldn't be that foolish, not when it concerned his future with Elizabeth.
I suppose I can sit silently by for a few hours while they discuss a wedding that will never happen. Mind you, they could put Elizabeth in my place and keep all the arrangements as is. All they would need to do is tell the reverend that the first names have changed.
Sophia didn't take long to clean up and don a new dress. When Patricia Emley said twenty minutes, she meant twenty minutes. She found her mother and sister waiting downstairs and Sophia couldn't help but notice that Elizabeth was wearing a similar dress to her own. Had their mother told Elizabeth what she would be wearing?
Obviously, Elizabeth looked better, but that was to be expected. Sophia didn't even bat an eyelash but walked past them and to the carriage awaiting them, not hearing what her mother said. They caught up with her in the carriage where the older Emley woman proceeded to give Sophia a tongue lashing.
“What is wrong with you today?” the woman asked. “You spilt the milk all over the breakfast table this morning, you put salt instead of sugar in your tea, you wore your dress inside out, and you failed to help your sister with her sewing. Now, you simply walked right past me as though I didn't exist! Do you think becoming a countess suddenly absolves you of the need to listen to your own mother?”
It seemed everyone wanted to attack her over foolish things. Sophia didn't want to argue or fight-- she was too tired. Besides, she needed to preserve her energy for this evening when she planned to inform her parents about calling off the engagement.
They would likely ostracise her, but Sophia was ready for that. She had enough nip money saved to find a little cottage to stay in for at least two months, secure employment as a governess, and live her life. That was all she wanted right now.
“Forgive me, Mama,” said Sophia. “I did not intend to disrespect or hurt you.”
The anger in her mother's eyes evaporated, and concern took over. "Are you unwell, dear? Come, let me feel your brow."
Sophia brought her head forward. She was not sick, but her mother would not rest until she knew for herself. The woman placed a cool hand across Sophia's brow, keeping it there for moment or so.
“No, you do not have a fever, but you are rather pale,” her mother declared.
“I'll be fine, Mama.”
“If you say so, but if at any time you feel unwell during the tea, we shall go. I want you to be well-rested for your wedding.”
The wedding again. Sophia wanted something else to talk about, or she would scream.
“I'll ensure Sophia gets plenty of sleep before the wedding, Mama,” Elizabeth promised. “We wouldn't want her to look terrible, would we?”
Elizabeth gave Sophia a ghastly smile that seemed to say, "You'll be ugly no matter what you do." Sophia hung her head. Her sister would soon stop her behaviour once she had Richard in her life again.
“Certainly not!” their mother exclaimed. “This wedding will be the talk of the town, and everything must go perfectly. No more absentmindedness on your part, Sophia. We cannot look like fools to your in-laws.”
“Yes, Mama.”
They arrived at the Hatherton Manor too soon for Sophia's nerves, but she could do nothing else but leave the carriage. Would Richard be happy to see Elizabeth? Although it had been her decision to end the engagement, Sophia didn't want to see their love reflected in each other's eyes. It would be too much to handle so soon.
Richard met them at the front door, looking handsome and every inch the earl he was. Sophia avoided his eyes and stood behind her mother and sister. However, Richard had other ideas as he greeted them all and took her hand. Startled, she met his eyes. What was he doing? The man only smiled at her and curled his fingers firmly about her hand.
“I'm happy to see you, Sophia. My mother has been talking about you and nothing else for days now, so I suggested she should invite you all to tea.”
He was the one who had suggested it? Why? He knew she was going to end their engagement tonight.
“We're glad to be here, Richard,” her mother said. “My girls and I enjoy your company immensely.”
“Certainly,” Elizabeth added. “You are the best company there is in all of England.”
“What do you say, Sophia?” Richard asked. “Are we good company?”
“Yes.”
“Then come inside,” he said, pulling her towards him. “Mother has gone a tad overboard with our tea, I'm afraid. You will have to take some home with you.”
Richard led Sophia inside first, barely noticing his soon-to-be mother-in-law and new fiancée.
I do not think he should be holding his future sister-in-law's hand like this. Especially not in front of Elizabeth.
Her sister's eyes had flashed with annoyance when Richard had taken Sophia’shand, while their mother had been slightly taken aback. It wasn't necessarily correct to hold your fiancée in such a way, but most people allowed Richard to do as he pleased.
Sophia wanted him to let go of her hand. She couldn't stand the nearness of him. It hurt too much. More than that, her body was tingling all over and had grown uncomfortably warm. She just needed a moment to herself, and she would be fine, but Richard kept hold of her hand until he had seated her next to him.
“Oh dear!” The Duchess laughed. “It seems my son wishes to have the monopoly of your time and affections today.”
Which was strange. Richard had never behaved like this before. It seemed like he was making sure that Sophia couldn't leave his sight, or was she reading into things that were not there?
He certainly is acting unusually. I do not know for whose benefit, but it certainly isn't mine! I'm about to end our engagement while he pretends to be happily in love.
“I have no worry about our children being a cheerful couple, Diane,” her mother commented. “Just look at them now.”
Sophia caught her sister's scowl and wished the woman would have better control over her emotions. Elizabeth needed to stay in the Duchess's good graces if she expected to become the woman's daughter-in-law. Sophia might be the one giving up the position, but Richard's parents would still need to allow their relationship. Perhaps Sophia should steer the Duchess towards her sister.
“Elizabeth is an excellent player on the pianoforte,” she said, turning to Richard’s mother. “You should have her play for you.”
"Indeed?" the Duchess asked. "I would love to hear her sometime. There will be plenty of opportunity in the future when we are one big happy family."
“You play as well, Sophia,” said Richard.
Now, why did he have to go and say that? The man was making no sense to her at all. Didn't he realise that his mother needed to like Elizabeth enough to consider her a daughter-in-law of his family?
“I'm sure you play beautifully, my dear,” the Duchess claimed.
“I do fine, I suppose.”
“Do not be so modest, Sophia!” Mrs Emley chided before turning to the other woman. “Sophia excels at everything she does, including musical instruments. Even her tutors took great pleasure in teaching her.”
The Duchess nodded. “I thought as much. Perhaps you can play for us today, my dear? We have a lovely pianoforte in the drawing-room.”
“Oh, I'm sure Elizabeth would be delighted to play in my stead,” Sophia insisted. “I'm afraid my fingers are a little stiff today.”
“Stiff?” Richard asked, taking her hands in his.
Sophia sucked in her breath at the sudden contact and tried to draw her hand away, but Richard held on.
“Richard,” she protested, her voice barely audible.
“Do they hurt?” he asked.
“Not at all,” she said, finally removingher hand from his. “They are merely stiff.”
“That's a shame, dear,” the Duchess said, clearly disappointed. “Why don't we have some tea? That should help their obstinance.”
Yes, because tea could cure anything.
"Actually, I wish to show Sophia a room I am renovating for her," Richard told his mother. "She needs a room for her paintings, and I have just the one."
Sophia's heart sunk all the way to her feet. Why would he show her a room that she could never enjoy? He was tormenting her.
“How sweet of you, Richard!” her mother gushed. “That sounds like the perfect thing for Sophia. I'm just so happy to know my daughter will be well cared for in your home.”
Richard drew a very reluctant Sophia to her feet, this time linking his fingers with hers. Why didn't anyone reprimand him? This touching wasn't allowed just yet! The Duchess and her mother merely seemed amused, and Elizabeth…well, her anger could be felt across the room. Thank goodness Richard had seated them opposite each other.
“You can let go now,” Sophia told him as soon as they had left the room.
“Why? I rather like holding your hand.”
“Didn't you get my letter?”
“I did.”
Was that all he was going to say? “Well?”
“Let's talk about it in this room right here,” Richard suggested.
Sighing, Sophia entered the place, jumping a foot in the air when the door slammed shut behind her. Richard wasn't touching it, so how on earth did it close on its own?
She pulled her hand from his and tried to open the door, but it refused to budge. What on earth?
“It's locked,” she cried.
“Is it? Good.”
“Good?” she said, whirling around to face him. “What is good about being locked alone in a room?”
Richard smiled. “It's good if I planned it that way. I figured it was the only way to avoid being disturbed by anyone.”
Sophia closed her eyes and tilted her head back, massaging her temples. “You're not making any sense, Richard.”
"Why don't we take a seat, and I can explain everything?" he suggested, gesturing to the couch.
Sophia noted thereonly being one in the room, and she did not fancy sitting next to him right at that moment.
“I prefer to stand, thank you. Now, just tell me what is going on so I can leave. I cannot understand what you mean to do by all of this.” She was not giving him a chance to speak. “Do you not wish to be rid of me so you can marry Elizabeth? Because locking us in a room is not the way to go about doing so. This could cause another scandal and tie you to me forever! Do you want that?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
What? Maybe he hadn't heard what she said. “I think you have misunderstood me.”
Richard shook his head. “Not at all. The truth is that I no longer have any feelings for your sister, and I believe I am falling in love with you.”
Perhaps she needed that couch after all. Sophia walked with wobbly knees and collapsed on the dark purple cushions. She patted her chest, willing her heart rate to return to normal.
“He is going to kill me,” she muttered. “He is going to kill me. What does he think he's doing? What is he saying?”
The couch dipped a bit as Richard sat down, prompting her to scoot to the end until she nearly fell over—she would have if not for him reaching out to steadying her. Sophia snatched her hand back with a muttered “thank you,” earning a chuckle from him.
“You are the only woman I have to work hard to get, Miss Sophia Emley. Most women would be glad to be locked in a room with me.”
“I give you my blessing to fetch those women and replace me with them.”
“I'm afraid I cannot do that,” he said. “Not when I'm falling in love with you.”
There he went again! “What is happening here, Richard? What is this confession? You love my sister, and she loves you. I have given you a way to marry her, and yet you have me locked in here with you. Why?”
Richard ran his fingers through his hair, breathing out harshly. “Why must you be so stubborn? I want you, not Elizabeth! I wish to explore these feelings I have with you because I have never experienced them before. I want to marry you, Sophia Emley, and only you. Read my lips: I want you.”
Sophia stilled. Her heart seemed to be in shock as well because it slowed down, making her feel a queer sense of calm. Richard was admitting his feelings for her, and he didn't love Elizabeth. No, that didn't sound right.
"How can you have feelings for someone like me? Have you forgotten what you and others have called me?"
Richard winced, looking down at his fingers. "I realise that I was not a good man before. I judged you without knowing you, and I regret that. What I do not regret is having kissed you instead of your sister, and becomingengaged to you because of it. I did at first, and I'll readily admit to that, but that was before I got to know who you really are.”
Sophia didn’t want to believe what he was saying, but her resistance was crumbling.
“Who am I to you?” she asked.
“An intelligent, kind, wonderful, and beautiful woman.”
Sophia snorted. “Beautiful?”
“Yes, beautiful,” Richard insisted. “You’re beautiful to me, Sophia. Your inner beauty called to me, but I must confess that I am attracted to you and have been since we kissed.”
That about knocked her flat. Richard took her hands in his and brought them to his lips.
“What are you doing?” she demanded, her voice slightly hoarse.
“Only this.” Richard kissed her hands. “Say that you’ll marry me, Sophia. Do not throw away our opportunity to be happy. I want to marry you, not because I want to save your reputation, but because I wish to be with you. Say yes.”
He was telling the truth; Sophia could see it in his eyes. Elation filled her, making her smile. Richard wanted her, and maybe even loved her. Would it be so wrong to confess what she felt for him?
“Would you believe that I think I'm falling in love with you?” she asked.
Richard's eyes widened. “Why? I do not deserve your love.”
Sophia shrugged. “Why should it be explained? I just do. I do not know how Elizabeth will take this, but at least I know I did not steal you from her.”
There was some consolation in that. Elizabeth might hate her for the rest of their lives, but Sophia could handle it with Richard by her side.
“You cannot steal a willing person,” he said. “Does this mean our wedding is going ahead as planned?”
Sophia smiled. It certainly did, and she couldn't be happier.