A Most Unlikely Betrothal by Alice Kirks

Epilogue

 

 

The Wedding Day

 

 

 

Sophia was going to have a wonderful life; she knew this. So, why was she so sad?

 

 

 

Richard was a wonderful man, his parents adored her, and her own parents were happy. There was just one person who Sophia wished was just as happy for her.

 

 

 

The carriage—a lovely white and gold one—would arrive to whisk her away to Richard's family chapel where she would finally become Lady Brittingham, but Sophia could not enjoy the day as she wished she could. All she wanted at this moment was to have her sister with her.

 

 

 

She hadn't spoken to Elizabeth in two days—or rather, Elizabeth had refused to talk to her. It broke Sophia's heart, but there was not much she could do about it.

 

 

 

“Sophia?” her mother called, knocking on her door. “Are you ready? May I come in?”

 

 

 

Quickly wiping her tears away, Sophia fanned her face. “Yes, Mama.”

 

 

 

Her mother was elegantly dressed in a light blue dress that complimented her eyes and skin tone, but what really caught Sophia's eye was the look of sadness mixed with joy on her mother's face.

 

 

 

“You look beautiful, dear,” the woman gushed. “I knew you would.”

 

 

 

“Thank you, Mama. I feel beautiful.”

 

 

 

Sophia really did. It was probably Richard's doing because he had not ceased to tell her how lovely he found her since locking them in the room, but she was grateful. For too long, she had looked in the mirror and seen an unattractive woman. Now she saw a woman who was loved and wanted.

 

 

 

“This is the day I lose you, but the Hathertons gain a wonderful daughter. I have taken you for granted, my child, and I did not realise how much until I woke up this morning and finally understood that I would no longer see you every day. It cut to my heart.”

 

 

 

The woman's eyes filled with tears as she took Sophia in her arms and held her close. It was one of the rare times her mother had embraced her so, and she relished it.

 

 

 

Finally, her mother stepped back, dabbing atthe tears from her own eyes. “The carriage is downstairs, but Elizabeth insisted that she had to speak with you first. I'll tell her to come in.”

 

 

 

Her sister wanted to speak to her? Sophia hoped Elizabeth wouldn't say any cruel words today.

 

 

 

The younger woman came in moments later, her head bowed. She wore an uncharacteristically subdued dress of beige with hintsof light green. It was hardly one of her best dresses.

 

 

 

That doesn't seem like Elizabeth at all.

 

 

 

“You wished to see me, Lizzy?”

 

 

 

Elizabeth lifted her head, showing Sophia her stricken face. Alarmed, Sophia went to her but stopped short of touching her.

 

 

 

“Is something the matter?” she asked.

 

 

 

“You're asking me when I should ask you,” her sister said, giving a tremulous smile.

 

 

 

“What do you mean?”

 

 

 

“I've been so horrible to you, Saffi,” Elizabeth cried. “I do not even know how to face you! How can you be so kind to me when I hurt you?”

 

 

 

Stunned, Sophia could only stare at her sister. Was she apologising?

 

 

 

“Say something.”

 

 

 

“I…I don't know what to say. I'm worried that whatever I'll say will anger you again. I don't want to do that.”

 

 

 

Elizabeth wailed and turned her back on Sophia, her shaking shoulders the only indication she was crying.

 

 

 

“Lizzy!” Sophia cried. “Please, just speak to me.”

 

 

 

Her sister turned and fell into her arms, nearly knocking Sophia over. “I'm so sorry, Saffi. I'm so, so, sorry. My jealousy turned me into a terrible person, someone I am ashamed of. How could I have treated my own sister like that? Said the things I said?”

 

 

 

She was apologising! All Sophia's tension and sadness seeped out of her body. This is what she had needed to hear.

 

 

 

“All is well, Lizzy,” Sophia said, patting her sister's back. “I forgive you.”

 

 

 

Elizabeth pulled back, her face red but still pretty. “Just like that? You will not scold me or ban me from your life? I know that I deserve worse.”

 

 

 

Sophia shook her head. "You are my sister, and I love you. It was hellish not having you with me as I got ready for my…"

 

 

 

Sophia fell silent. She didn't want to rub the fact that she was marrying Richard in her sister's face.

 

 

 

"You can say it," Elizabeth encouraged. "This is your special day, and you are marrying a man who adores you. I knew it for a while, but I refused to accept it. I still thought I could have him, but he is rightfully yours. And I know you could have never tricked him—you're too honest for that."

 

 

 

Sophia smiled. “You do not know how happy this makes me. Now, my joy is complete. Will you walk me out of my room? This is my last time being a single woman.”

 

 

 

Elizabeth nodded, drying her tears. “I would be honoured to walk my sister to her carriage.”

 

 

 

That was the beauty of love between siblings. No matter how hard or terrible one's actions may be, it took one heartfelt sorry, and all was forgiven. Now, Sophia could look forward to being with Richard and imagining their future together. If this moment indicated what was to come, then it was a good start indeed.

 

 

 

Two Months Later

 

 

 

Richard was running a little late, but he couldn't leave until he was confident he knew what he would say to Sophia. She was waiting at the beach with a packed picnic and likely enjoying the sea. His wife had taken to the water as a fish would and wasn't satisfied until she had spent an hour or two in the gentle waves.

 

 

 

It was ridiculous that it had taken him two months to know for certain that he loved Sophia. He had once confessed that he might love her, and that had been it. The word love had never been mentioned again between them, although Richard could sense it from Sophia in how she spoke to him, took care of him, and did little things that added so much.

 

 

 

His father had said that the little things made a marriage worthwhile, and Richard was inclined to agree. He may have been a married man for all of two months, but it wasn't challenging to understand what made a good marriage.

 

 

 

“Is my horse saddled?” he asked the butler.

 

 

 

Sampson nodded. “Yes, my lord.”

 

 

 

“Good, good. Lady Brittingham and I will return around five, I think. You may arrange for dinner to be eaten at six.”

 

 

 

“Yes, my lord. Do we go ahead as planned?”

 

 

 

The butler spoke of the romantic evening Richard had organisedsome days ago, but he kept putting it off because he would lose his nerve. It shouldn't be so difficult to tell his wife that he loved her, but the fear that she didn't return his feelings worried him. What if her kind and thoughtful actions were merely her nature and not an indication of her love for him?

 

 

 

“Yes. Arrange everything as we spoke of. I am finally doing it today.”

 

 

 

“Good for you, my lord,” said Sampson, grinning and showing missing teeth. “I shall inform the others.”

 

 

 

The servants all doted on their mistress and were excited to be part of his grand romantic gesture, but it also put pressure on him.

 

 

 

“Wish me luck, Sampson.”

 

 

 

“You do not need it, my lord. Not when you have my lady by your side.”

 

 

 

“Good point. I shall see you later.”

 

 

 

Richard’s heart started beating fast as he left the house and swung onto his horse. This was it. In a few moments, he would reach Sophia and confess his love to her.

 

 

 

I had better not make a mess of it.

 

 

 

*     *     *

 

 

 

Sophia was grateful that she had taken her coat today because the beach was rather chilly. Fortunately, there was no wind, or it would have been in all the food. Cook had been so adamant about making it the best picnic basket for miles that it had taken most of the morning. Then, Richard had asked her to go ahead with the carriage and he would meet her at the beach. They were both acting strangely today, and that went for the other servants as well.

 

 

 

“Odd, the lot of them.”

 

 

 

Sophia plucked another juicy strawberry from the basket. Her hunger had gotten the best of her, and she had started eating without Richard. He would understand, but she was feeling a tad guilty. Lately, she had been hungrier than usual and sometimes a little queasy in the mornings. Sophia put it down to being in a different area. The smell of the sea was different from that of the countryside, but she loved them both. Coming to Brighton on their honeymoon had been Richard’s best idea yet.

 

 

 

Was his lateness an indication of his waning interest in her? Sophia often worried about that. Sometimes, she would question if marrying him had been the right thing after all.

 

 

 

“You know that you love him and cannot imagine a life without him,” she scolded herself. “Stop thinking about such negative things.”

 

 

 

People eventually realised that she hadn’t stolen Richard from Elizabeth, but that seemed to shock them even more. No one could understand what a man like Richard saw in her, but he would always assure her that he wanted to be with her and no one else.

 

 

 

“So, why do I still catch myself wondering if he would have rather married Elizabeth?” she asked aloud.

 

 

 

Perhaps it had something to do with waiting to hear three words that would make all the difference.

 

 

 

“I love you,” she whispered.

 

 

 

Richard had once mentioned that he believed he was falling in love with her, but he never admitted to loving her. Perhaps her novelty had worn off, and now he was regretting his decision.

 

 

 

Sighing, Sophia stuffed another strawberry in her mouth and looked out to sea.

 

 

 

“Are there any left for me?” said a familiar voice.

 

 

 

Sophia's face immediately lit up with a smile. “There will be if you are quick enough.”

 

 

 

Richard's warm body enveloped her from behind before he sat down next to her.

 

 

 

“I'm sorry I'm so late. I had a few things to sort out.”

 

 

 

What things were they? Sophia didn't ask aloud—men didn't like to be nagged, and she had sternly told herself that she would not become one of those wives.

 

 

 

“You're here now, and that's all that matters.”

 

 

 

“What did Cook pack for us? I asked her to make it extra special.”

 

 

 

“Oh, so you are the one who had her so worked up that she repacked it three times before she was satisfied? The poor woman was quite overwhelmed.”

 

 

 

Richard grimaced. “I didn't mean to cause her trouble. I simply wished this day to be special.”

 

 

 

“Why? Every day is special.”

 

 

 

“Yes,” he agreed. “But this day holds a little more significance than the other days.”

 

 

 

What surprise did he have up his sleeve now? “Oh? And why would that be?”

 

 

 

Richard dragged his hands through his hair and took a deep breath. "I had an entire speech planned for this, but I cannot recall one word of it. Well, I remember at least three words, but not much else."

 

 

 

Sophia chuckled. “That is unlike you. What speech is this?”

 

 

 

Richard surprised her by getting to his knees and moving to kneel in front of her. Sophia kept her smile, but she also frowned up at him. What was he up to?

 

 

 

“Sophia Hatherton, my dear Lady Brittingham, nothing has made me happier than being your husband, and I know that I can look forward to many more happy days. However, you deserve to know the truth.”

 

 

 

Sophia's heart stopped. “The truth?” she asked, her voice slightly strangled.

 

 

 

Was he about to tell her that he regretted getting married to her? That he loved Elizabeth after all?

 

 

 

Why would he tell me he is happy and then dash my heart to pieces?

 

 

 

“Why do you look so afraid?” he asked, drawing her to her knees. “You're trembling!”

 

 

 

“What do you wish to tell me?” she pressed.

 

 

 

"That I love you. Now, tell me, what has you so scared?"

 

 

 

“You love me?”

 

 

 

“Of course, but stop changing the subject. Did something happen while I was gone? Did someone scare you?”

 

 

 

To her horror, Sophia burst out crying. She had been so terrified that he had decided to leave her after all that it never entered her mind that he loved her!

 

 

 

“My love!” Richard cried. “Tell me what is wrong.”

 

 

 

“I love you too,” she blubbered. “I love you so much.”

 

 

 

Richard stilled for just a moment before embracing her in a tight hug. “Thank goodness! I was afraid I was the only one.”

 

 

 

“You were afraid?” she asked, pulling away. “I was afraid you might not wish to be with me after all.”

 

 

 

Richard's jaw dropped. “What? But I just told you that I'm happy. Why would I give that up?”

 

 

 

“Foolishness?”

 

 

 

“Then I suppose we are both fools, but at least we love each other.”

 

 

 

Yes, at least there was that.

 

 

 

They spent the rest of the afternoon gazing into each other's eyes and saying "I love you" over and over again. Sophia doubted they would grow tired of saying those three words for the rest of their lives together.

 

 

 

THE END

 

 

 

Can't get enough of Sophia and Richard? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…

 

Would Sophia and her sister manage to put their bitter past behind them?

 

What beautiful surprise will be awaiting Sophia in the drawing room?

 

In what way will Sophia disobey her husband, and how will Richard respond to that?

 

Click the link or enter it into your browser

http://alicekirks.com/sophia

 

 

(After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “What a Duke Does for Love”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)