Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel (17 page)

“New College,” he said. “But Frank and I saw a great deal of one another. We roomed together for several years at Eton. My parents were abroad much of the time, so I spent holidays at Hanford House many times.”

Sophie wished there were some way she could ask the man how he thought he could court her when Frank was trying so desperately to free himself from his engagement.

Peter continued, “Tomorrow, we will stay the night at Chipping Norton, which is in the heart of wool country. The chipping name means it’s a market town. We will look there to see if it might be a possibility for the orphanage. Two days from London is better than three.” The duke slapped his knees. “Now, Shrewsbury, cards or chess?”

Shrewsbury chose chess, and Sophie was glad that she would be spared his conversation for a bit. She was thrilled that soon she would see Hanford House.

“Elise, I am finally going to read your latest book.”

“Oh?” her sister queried. “
Lady Corbett’s House Party?
I hope you will enjoy it. It’s my latest attempt at satire. If you were more acquainted with the
ton,
you would recognize some of the people in it.”

~
~*

Sophie had always heard how beautiful the Cotswolds were. As they neared Charlbury after their day in the carriage, she spied brilliant rose gardens in front of delightful golden Cotswold stone cottages. “The stone here is so beautiful! It’s like honey,” she said.

“Wait until you see Hanford House!” Shrewsbury said. “It is not overlarge, but it is truly charming. The rose gardens are famous hereabouts.”

Sophie was thrilled with her first glimpse of what she hoped would be her future home. Set at the bottom of a grassy, wooded hill, she could tell that one of the wings was very old, indeed.

“The original part of the house dates from medieval times. It has very low ceilings,” the baron said.

Elise asked, “When was the rest of it built?”

“The right hand wing was originally a buttery, but sometime in the fourteenth century, a second story was added. Then the two wings were connected by a Gothic architect. It’s a bit of a jumble, but it sits together nicely.”

“We are expected,” the duke said. “We will have the housekeeper give us a tour.”

Sophie fell in love with the warmth and richness of Hanford House. It appeared to have been recently refurbished, as the rooms were painted in the pastel shades popular in modern design. Though their tour was only of the ground floor, she found she could imagine living there very well. She let forth a sigh when she thought of the complications she and Frank faced.

As the tour progressed, both she and Shrewsbury hung back from the others a bit. While Elise and Peter were examining the books in the library, the baron leaned down and, in a low voice, said to Sophie, “Frank does quite a bit of entertaining. He is very fond of society. I do not think you should underestimate that fondness in any way.”

Startled, she looked up into his face. “What on earth do you mean?”

“Not being familiar with the
ton,
you might not understand what would happen were Frank to break his engagement to Lady Melissa, especially as she is considered compromised.”

“I know it is not the done thing,” Sophie said.

“He would be completely barred from polite society, as would his family. He could not take part in politics, he would be thrown out of his club, living out his life in lonely obscurity. I do not think you can count on our Frank to give up Society for you.”

Sophie’s reply was out in a flash. “I do not expect it. I never have. Though I could live retired and have in the past, I know that it would not do for Frank.”

“The only way out of this engagement is for Lady Melissa to cry off.”

His words caused a sickening lump to form in her abdomen, as she recalled the odds against her happiness. This place that seemed so like home and the man she seemed to have known forever would most likely never be hers.

After a dinner Sophie only picked at, they adjourned to the drawing room where Elise entertained them on the piano. Sophie read while the men played cards. Every once in a while, she raised her head to look at the room. As in his London home, there were landscape paintings covering these periwinkle walls. The parquet flooring was covered with jewel-colored Oriental carpets. Fresh roses filled the many Chinese vases that stood throughout the room. Outside, there was a thunderstorm, making the candlelit room seem like a refuge. Despite her uncertain future, the coziness of the room enveloped her, soothing Sophie with thoughts that all would be right, that many future evenings would be spent in this lovely room with Gorgeous Frank. And possibly a dog. A Great Dane would be perfect.

{ 28 }

LORD DONALD SHOWED UP ONLY SLIGHTLY LATE
for his dinner with Frank at Brook’s. He had reserved a table out of the way, where their conversation could be private. He did not know what he hoped to learn from Lady Melissa’s brother, but the connection was a desirable one, no matter what the future held.

The young man was a miniature of his bombastic father, rather short with dark auburn hair and light brown eyes. Dressed as a dandy, he wore exaggerated collar points that made it difficult for him to turn his head. His waistcoat was a florid purple and pink paisley, worn with a purple coat and matching breeches.

“So you are interested in sport?” Frank asked after they had ordered their dinner.

“Rather! Would you consider taking me up when next you run a curricle race?”

“Would you like to hold the yard of tin?”

“Rather!”

“Well, it might be arranged. I have no plans to race in the near future, however. How did you leave your sister?”

“Blue-deviled. You’d think she would be happy that she is going to be married to an out-and- outer such as you, but she is Sophie’s best friend, and I gather that you and Sophie, uh, well, it’s hearts and roses with the two of you.”

“Maybe we should stay off that topic, Lord Donald.”

“Sorry, my lord. Of course.”

Pouring his guest a glass of claret, he asked, “Do you box?”

“Rather! Of course, I’ve only boxed at Oxford. It’s my particular sport. Mother doesn’t know.”

“You’ll have to join me at Gentleman Jackson’s Saloon someday.” Frank leaned forward and said in a low voice, “I have heard there is to be a mill.”

“I say!” Donald’s eyes lit with pleasure. “When?”

“Tomorrow. These things are held outside London, you know. This one is to be at Redbridge Crossing. Would you like to attend?”

“Above all things!”

“You may come with me, young Donald. I’ll even pass along a tip. Make yourself a bit of the ready.”

“My guv’nor wouldn’t approve. What shall I tell him?”

“You will think of something. What other varieties of sport do you enjoy?”

“I shoot and fence, actually,” Lord Donald said as the waiter brought their soup.

“Perhaps you are going to watch a fencing match tomorrow. Outside London. At some great house. I’ll leave that to you.”

When Frank and his new friend later parted ways, he was very pleased to have made some inroads into the young man’s confidence. They were to meet the following afternoon at Brook’s for the drive to Redbridge Corners.

~
~*

The mill was vastly entertaining. Hudson was the favorite, but Frank happened to know the challenger, Somers, from Jackson’s. He knew the favorite outweighed Somers, but he also knew that Somers had excellent technique. His wager was on Somers, against the odds. Lord Donald decided to follow suit and laid a hefty bet on the challenger.

The match was a close one, and Frank watched with amusement as his companion’s spirits went from elation to agony. Not a young man who did things by halves, evidently. However, in the eighth round, Somers finally delivered the knock-out punch and raised his glove in victory.

As they collected their winnings, Lord Donald was jubilant. “This will cover my run of bad luck. I can’t thank you enough for the tip, my lord.”

Frank was pleased that Lady Melissa’s brother had done so well. On the carriage ride back into town, he said, “You know I think your sister a fine lady.”

“But not
your
fine lady. To tell the truth, Sophie is by way of being a diamond of the first water.”

“Your sister is lovely, too.”

“But not classically beautiful like Sophie. Believe me, I understand your dilemma.”

“I have known many beautiful women. My attraction to Sophie is rather because of her character. Have you known her long?”

“All her life. Our estate borders on hers. Has she mentioned Lady Hatchet?”

“Lady who?”

“That’s Sophie’s mother’s nickname. Should be Lady Banshee. Dreadful woman. Made Sophie’s life a living hell. The girl was with us as much as possible. That’s why Melissa and Sophie are so close. And that’s why my sister’s so miserable now. She doesn’t want to be the one that takes away Sophie’s chance at happiness.”

Frank said, “One would think that between two downy gentlemen such as ourselves, a solution could be found. Your father and I have not yet talked settlements. I gather, however, that her dowry is a good one?”

“M’sister’s worth thirty thousand pounds,” Lord Donald pronounced.

Frank nearly choked. “And no one has shown the least interest in such a beautiful lady with such a handsome dowry?”

“Well there was one chap she was keen on before you were in the picture. Met him at her come-out. Thought he was a bang-up cove. Can’t remember his name precisely. Oak … something, but not Oakley.”

The name teased at Frank. Somewhere he had heard it mentioned. “I will look into it. Thank you, Young Donald.”

~
~*

In order to jog his memory, Frank attended the Westhavens’ rout that evening. As he should have expected, Lila was the first person to greet him after he moved beyond the receiving line.

“I understand you are engaged, my lord. But not to Miss Lame Gel. However did you come to compromise the Aldridge chit? And since when have you taken to running after green girls?”

“Lila, you outdo yourself in rudeness,” he replied. “Lady Melissa and I are the victims of a misunderstanding. I would appreciate it greatly if you would refrain from mentioning it.”

“Ah, so you are not marrying for love!” she said, drawing her arm through his. She crushed herself against his arm. “You will yet have need of me, I don’t doubt.”

Frank, ignoring her as they walked about the outer reaches of the room, was looking among the guests, hopeful of locating ‘Oak. ’”

“You were missed at my Salon on Sunday,” Lila continued.

“I have been uncommonly busy,” he said.

“That is unlike you, darling Frank. You are usually the most leisured man I know.”

“Make that ‘bored man. ’ I assure you, I am no longer bored.”

At that moment, he spotted Lord Oaksey, and his memory of the name returned. Sophie had asked about him during their ride in the park. He had taken offense. Was it possible she had merely asked about the man on Lady Melissa’s behalf? It seemed probable.

Well, now he knew who the fellow was. What action was he going to take?

{ 29 }

SOPHIE FOUND OXFORD FASCINATING
and beautiful beyond words. The many golden stone quadrangles and their interior greenswards and flower gardens, together with the history of the colleges going back to medieval times, were awe inspiring. A cacophony of bells rang from college chapels as her party climbed the steps to Magdelen College’s tower for the best view. Lord Shrewsbury held her elbow as she ascended slowly and painfully. When they reached the top, Sophie surveyed the breathtaking view of the golden colleges, the circular, brick-domed Radcliffe Camera, the ancient Bodelian Library, and the Isis River with its pole punting students in their boats beneath the overhanging willows. It had been worth the climb.

“This is glorious!” she pronounced. “I think this is what a view of heaven will be like.”

Her sister and the duke were standing in another corner of the square tower. The baron took her hand as it rested on the parapet. Sophie pulled away and looked at him with reproach.

“Surely you must know how deeply I admire you, Miss Edwards,” he said, his eyes earnest. “Frank is not going to have the power to avoid this marriage to your friend. Do you not think you ought to resign yourself to the fact?” He put his hand up to her face. “The wind is going to be the ruin of your coiffure. With your hair streaming about, you resemble a Diana, plunging into battle.”

At his words about Frank, Sophie’s heart skittered down to her middle and she turned her face aside so he would not see her tears. “I love Frank,” she said. “You do not understand. I cannot switch my allegiance in the way you expect. I am not a fickle person. I love few people in my life, and all of them deeply.” After a moment, she faced him. “I do not know what I will do if he marries Melissa. But I am a strong person. I have had to be. I will probably go back to Derbyshire.”

“And what a waste that would be.” His eyes were soft as he looked at her. “I just want you to know that I am in the wings, waiting.”

“Your wait may be endless,” she said.

“I am a patient man.”

Elise came to Sophie’s side. “The view is rather spectacular, is it not?”

“Which was Peter’s college?” Sophie asked.

“Balliol, like Frank.”

After a few more moments, they descended from the tower and again boarded the carriage. It took them through the gently rolling landscape of the picturesque Oxfordshire Sophie was coming to love. Wistfully, she took in the grazing sheep dotting emerald hills, honey-stoned cottages with varicolored roses climbing their façades, quaint villages set neatly in the river valleys.

After a while, she resumed Elise’s novel and tried to read, but her sore heart distracted her and her vision blurred. She sat staring at the same page, reading the words over and over. But her thoughts were far away from the satire, amusing though it seemed.

How I would love to live in this beautiful country. If only it were possible. If only Frank had never made that illfated visit to my room.