Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel (14 page)

“You must really love her,” Lady Melissa said.

{ 21 }

SOPHIE WAS WEARY
of her enforced bed rest. Now that her fever had broken and she was out of danger, she wanted to be up and about, playing her violin, visiting her niece and nephew, and most especially continuing her “archery lessons.” She had decided at some time during her illness that she believed Frank and still loved him.

This afternoon, her sister, Elise, was keeping her company. Maybe she could get some of her questions answered.

“Elise, I need you to be very frank with me on an issue that I am most concerned about.”

“Fanny told me you would be inquiring about rogues,” Elise said with one of her smiles that lit up the room.

“The duke used to be a terrible rogue, did he not?”

“The worst in England, I am told. But when I knew him, he had begun to reform. The war was very difficult for him. He sent so many men to their deaths. Including Joshua, my fiancé. Do you remember him?”

“Of course I do.”

“When Peter returned from the Peninsula, he was wounded in body and soul. He became somewhat reclusive. He had one friend, the Marquis of Somerset, and they went about together, but he was too world weary to make the effort to seduce anyone. He only became involved with my troubles because he felt he owed it to Joshua.”

“Yes, I remember the whole story, but what I have never understood is how you knew you could trust a man like that.”

Elise considered this, her head set to one side. “It was not an easy thing to know. But a big part of it was probably because he was always a gentleman with me. He never tried to seduce me or do anything improper.”

“Yes, but how did you know that he would not keep a stable of mistresses when you were married?”

“Really, Sophie! A stable?” Elise laughed.

“Well, he was notorious. How did you know he would not return to type?”

Elise bent her head over her needlework.

“It is difficult to put into words. For one thing, he let me see his vulnerabilities. It drew us closer. I could not imagine the man I knew keeping another woman, or even keeping any secret from me. Plus, he developed new interests. He became very concerned about the wounded soldiers in the East End and developed charities for them. He was no longer a carousing, hard drinking womanizer.”

Sophie considered all this. Frank’s letter had been full of his weaknesses and his intentions. Maybe she should show it to Elise.

“Would you look at something for me? It is a letter that Frank wrote.”

“Do you think he would mind?”

“I think he probably expects that I will seek advice from you. He thinks very highly of you and the duke. And Fanny and Buck, for that matter.”

“All right. I will get it for you. Tell me where it is.”

Sophie was already half out of bed. “It will be good for me to get out of bed, even if it is only for a moment.” She took her key from the egg and opened her jewelry box. Handing the letter to Elise, she climbed back on top of the bed and commenced to unbraid her hair. It alarmed her how weak she was.

When Elise looked up from the letter, her eyes were wet. “This is a beautiful letter, Sophie. Quite extraordinary, actually. How do you feel about it?”

“It has made me almost forgive him for having a mistress, but Frank is so easy in his manners and so flirtatious that I am anxious to see him now, to see if I can observe a change in him.”

“I think, as with most things, time will tell, but that letter gives me a very favorable opinion of the man.”

“As long as he continues to be in love with me,” Sophie said with a sigh. “What if he grows tired of me?”

Elise shook her head. “I have come to believe that one of the secrets to a good marriage is to keep striving for a deeper understanding of your spouse. Your interest in music is going to keep your mind growing and alive. It obviously entrances Frank. And when children come, they form another, added bond between you.”

“I suppose one must proceed with a certain amount of faith,” Sophie said thoughtfully.

“And willingness to forgive.”

{ 22 }

FRANK WAITED BEHIND A STATUE
of Eros in the Fitzwilliams’ garden. The hour was eleven o’clock precisely, and he was more than anxious for Lady Melissa to appear. At last, he saw her slight figure, garbed in silver, stepping cautiously down the steps of the terrace as she surveyed the garden. He stepped from behind the statue and signaled her with his hand. Raising her hem to her ankles, she hastened to meet him.

“All is well,” she said. “But we must be quick. I told Mama that I had the headache and needed to rest for a while in the Ladies Retiring Room.”

“You unlocked the window?”

“Yes. And Sophie’s fever had broken when I saw her. Pray it has not increased this evening. Fevers often do that at night.”

“You relieve my mind,” Frank said as he handed her into the carriage which stood waiting in the back alley near the mews. That was an understatement. He had been picturing Sophie in high delirium all afternoon and evening.

When they arrived at the Deals’ townhouse, he drove past it and stopped his team before the mews of the house next door. Helping Lady Melissa to alight, he asked, “Can you tell from here whether there is a light in her room?”

The young woman looked up and could be heard counting the windows. “Yes. It is dim, however. Possibly just one or two candles.”

“Show me where this open window is.”

When Lady Melissa located it, he was happy to find it still unlocked. However, when he raised it, there was a squeal from the long-unused aperture. Both Lady Melissa and Frank stood statue still. Nothing moved. All was silent.

Frank climbed through the window, then extended his hand to Lady Melissa.

“Avert your eyes,” she said in a stage whisper.” I am going to have to pull up my gown.”

Eventually, they were both standing in the bare, cold, dark room. “Stairs?” Frank whispered.

“Through here.” Lady Melissa led him out the door to the back of the house. A baize door led through to the servant’s stairway. Keeping close to the wall, in the hope that the stair boards would not creak, they made their way up two flights. Frank’s heart pounded as though he were a convict escaping prison.

Lady Melissa opened the baize door that led to Sophie’s hallway. Again, creeping as close to the wall as possible, they passed two closed doors. At the third, Lady Melissa paused. Frank gestured for her to go in first. Once he was inside the dim room, Frank felt elation rise within him as he quietly shut the door.

Sophie was asleep. Her face, the palest ivory, was tranquil and lovely, her light brown hair unbound and spread across her pillow. The fire had burnt to coals. Frank went over to stir it and added more coal.

Sophie’s friend gently nudged her on the shoulder. “Sophie, wake up. It is I, Melissa!”

Frank stayed out of her line of vision so the sight of him might not startle her. Sophie only tossed her head back and forth and then turned on her side. Lady Melissa put a hand to her friend’s head, then shook her own. “No fever,” she mouthed.

Shaking her friend again, she finally got her to awaken.

“Melissa?” Sophie asked. “Why are you here? Has something happened?”

“No. I have brought you a surprise.”

Frank stepped forward. “Sophie, I have been so worried. I hope you will pardon the intrusion, but I had to see you. You were ill so long, I was afraid I would never see you again. Thank the Lord your fever has broken.”

“Oh, Frank!” Tears spilled over onto Sophie’s cheeks as she sat up in bed and reached out for him with both arms. His own arms went about her and he hugged her tiny form to him. “Angel!”

“Thank you for the flowers,” she said, releasing him. “And your letter was lovely. But please do not go to Oxfordshire. You have forgotten that you are to teach me archery!”

“Ah, yes. A prior commitment. And of course, I must stay to listen to this remarkable trio I have heard so much about. They are playing Beethoven. The Archduke, if I remember correctly.”

Looking down at her counterpane, Sophie began to pleat it. She said in a whisper, “And I have heard tell there may even be a wedding in the offing.”

“Sophie, darling.” His heart sang. That was the only way to describe it. He was in alt. Kneeling by her bedside, he took her in his arms once more. Her heart pounded a tattoo against his chest. “I must get out my tambourine and celebrate,” he whispered.

Her face lit with a rapturous smile, and she let him kiss her. It was heaven to feel her lips under his once more. When she pulled away, Frank kissed her eyelids, both her flushed cheeks, and was beginning to nibble her neck below her left ear when he felt a tap on his shoulder.

“I am sorry to interrupt, but we must get back, Lord Trowbridge.”

“Angel, I must return your excellent friend to her ball. I wish you a speedy recovery, darling.”

“Frank, you were very naughty to come. Do you often visit respectable damsels in their bedrooms?”

“This was a special occasion. Next, I will see you downstairs in the morning room. Take care, Sophie darling.”

Lady Melissa had the door open and was waiting in the hall. Sophie blew her a kiss. Then Frank shut the door and they were again in the dark. He could hardly keep from crowing his joy. How life could pivot from black to white in just moments!

They managed their exit from the mansion without incident and were soon driving down the street, headed for the Fitzwilliams’ home.

“She was happy to see you,” Lady Melissa said.

“I could not have done this without you. You will never know how much it meant to me.”

“It was an adventure,” she said. “After that, a ball will seem dreadfully tame.”

“Perhaps you should arrange to be taken hostage by pirates,” Frank said, his humor returning now that he knew Sophie would live. And more than that, she was to live as his wife. He felt as though he was soaring high above London, looking down at this carriage as it moved slowly down the street.

When they came upon the back garden of the Fitzwilliams,’ it was to see a veritable hive of activity in the garden. At least a score of people were moving about, holding torches. A terrible presentiment gripped Frank.

“I fear you have been missed,” he said to his companion as he helped her down from his carriage.

Before she could even take a step into the garden, her mother rushed up to her, holding a torch aloft. “My dearest girl, where have you been? I had thought you to have been abducted!”

Lord Kent appeared at her side. “Apparently she
was
abducted. What is the meaning of this, Trowbridge?”

“We went to …” Frank put a hand on Lady Melissa’s shoulder before she could continue.

“Lady Melissa has done me a great service this night.”

“And what sort of
service
would that be, hmm?” Lord Kent asked, his voice harsh. “You shall show your gratitude by marrying the gel, that is what you shall do! At least a dozen of Fitzwilliam’s guests have been looking for her this half hour. There is no hushing this up, young man!”

Frank’s whole body went cold. The statue, Eros, wore what seemed an evil grin as he targeted Frank with his arrow. Joy that had consumed him only a moment ago drained away like the last few grains of sand from an hour glass. He had transgressed the rules of the
ton.
His time of happiness, short though it had been, was come to an end. Frank was suddenly so weary he could barely stand.
Sophie. Angel.

Lady Melissa whirled to face her father. “No!” she cried. “He loves someone else.”

“Nevertheless, you will be Lady Trowbridge,” her mother said with satisfaction. “Your first season, too, you clever gel.”

{ 23 }

AFTER A RESTLESS NIGHT
, during which Sophie had pictured her future life with Frank, planned her wedding, and made a mental list of all the things she must ask Fanny, she received with delight Frank’s extravagant offering of two dozen long-stemmed red roses. Looking them up in her book, she saw that they meant “I love you.” Accompanying them was a letter that she opened with excitement. She could not recall ever having felt this exhilaration stirring in her body. What perfect felicity.

My darling Angel,

I am afraid we have what I am certain will only be a temporary hitch in our plans. Lady Melissa and I were seen coming into the Fitzwilliams’ garden together last night near midnight by her parents and half the guests at the ball, who were out looking for her.

Oh no! Tears stung behind her eyes. Exhilaration turned to dread. She knew what was coming.

We never planned for this eventuality, obviously. Her father and mother instantly, and with all the reason in the world, claimed that I had compromised their daughter. We kept your name out of it. I wanted you to hear from me instead of hearing the gossip or seeing the announcement in the Morning Post.

I beg you to still regard yourself as betrothed to me, though secretly, of course. I am certain your friend and I can come up with a scheme to break this engagement, though it may take some time.

I do not regret my impetuosity of last night. I was never so happy to find you well after all my horrid imaginings. Your kisses were sweeter than ever and must last me through this ordeal. I do not wish to sully your reputation by seeming to dangle after you while I am engaged to Lady Melissa, so we must both possess ourselves in patience.

I love you with all my soul,

Your Frank

Sophie wrapped up the letter with a sense of doom. Whatever Frank may say, breaking the engagement would not be easy. Melissa’s parents would be thrilled with the idea of Frank, an avid Whig, possessed of a substantive estate and good social consequence as a son-in-law. They knew nothing of his attachment to Sophie.

For moments, the shock held her motionless, without feelings. Then, one by one, all the visions of her future joy dropped away. A future without Frank.