Three Original Ladies 02 - Lord Trowbridge’s Angel (8 page)

Though he customarily did not make it to bed until just before dawn, he found that he was as tired as though he had run a race. But he must check on Lila. Ringing for his valet, he instructed the man to check the library to see if Lady Manwaring was still there.

Benning returned to tell him that Lady Manwaring was still on the sofa. Sighing mightily, he rose to his feet, rang for Dinwoody, and asked him to fetch a hackney. He entered his library to arouse the drunken Lila. As he walked her out to the street, she clung to him so much that he had to physically climb into the hackney in order to get her inside. Paying the driver and giving him the address, he finally went back inside and prepared for bed.

{ 11 }

SOPHIE SPENT THE EVENING
distracted by her first taste of passion, reliving over and over the moments she had spent in Frank’s arms. If she could believe it, in four days, he had developed honest and honorable feelings for her. She was not as certain about her own feelings. As Fanny had predicted, trusting him—trusting
herself
—was going to take more time.

As she braced herself with her elbows on the windowsill in her bedroom, she looked out at the star-filled sky. Goose bumps rose over her whole body and an ache rose in her abdomen as she remembered Frank’s kisses. She had never known she was capable of such feeling. However, it was just feeling, not
knowing.

But how safe she had felt with his arms around her! He had felt
familiar,
as though their embrace was something she remembered. As if, like he said, it had been predestined in some earlier existence. Was Frank her lover, not only now, but always? Before and after this moment in time?

Always somewhat intrigued by metaphysics, she had been an eager reader of Wordsworth’s philosophies. Especially his poem, “Ode to Intimations of Immortality
.
” She recalled a relevant passage:
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting/The soul that rises with us, our life’s star,/ Hath had elsewhere its setting,/And cometh from afar:/ Not in entire forgetfulness,/ And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.

Sophie went to bed that night determined to seek Elise’s advice on her neophyte trust, but almost convinced that she had a blissful life ahead of her.

~
~*

Sophie and Fanny set off on foot the short distance to their Aunt Clarice’s townhome for luncheon. Alexa accompanied them in her pram, an ornate affair purchased in Paris, one of the stops on Fanny’s Continental honeymoon.

Aunt Clarice was the wealthy relict of Sophie and Fanny’s Uncle Stephen. She lived in a lavishly decorated townhouse with her Siamese cat, Queen Elizabeth, her companion, Lady Susannah Braithwaite—known as Sukey—and Sukey’s tortoise, Henry Five.

All four of the inhabitants were in the red Chinese Saloon entertaining none other than Lord Shrewsbury. Sophie was surprised to see Frank’s good friend.

“Welcome, my dears! Have your met my dear friend, Lord Shrewsbury?”

“I have had the pleasure,” Sophie said as he moved forward. She extended her hand. “I thought you were joking when you said you adored my aunt!” Shrewsbury grazed her knuckles with his lips and gave her a wink.

“Alexa and I have not had the pleasure,” said Fanny. She had taken Alexa out of her pram and was a delightful picture, with her mother’s auburn curls peeping out from an embroidered white cap worn snuggly to her head and a long white gown laced with pink ribbons at the neck and hem.

Aunt Clarice made introductions while Sophie gave Queen Elizabeth a welcoming stroke and bent down to examine Henry Five, whom she knew only by reputation. “Extraordinary creature!”

“Lord Shrewsbury will take luncheon with us,” Aunt Clarice informed them. “He says he is hatching a project in which he hopes we will be interested, Sophie.”

“That sounds lovely,” Sophie said. “Lady Susannah, your tortoise is remarkable. I never knew they grew to be so large!”

“You must call me Sukey, dear. And, yes, Henry Five will outlive me undoubtedly! I must make a will one of these days and provide for him, poor dear.”

Luncheon was a lovely affair, served on Aunt Clarice’s rare and colorful Imari china. Her new chef, a Frenchman, had outdone himself. Vichyssoise was followed by turbot in sauce, succeeded by stuffed Cornish game hens and asparagus. For dessert, they were offered a variety of tarts—cherry, gooseberry, lemon, and apple.

“I would say that your new chef is proving himself very capable,” Lord Shewsbury said.

“He is rather good, is he not?” Aunt Clarice asked.

“I vote that you keep him,” Fanny said and then excused herself to take care of Alexa’s needs.

“Let us repair to the Chinese Saloon again,” Lady Clarice said. “Where we can talk business.”

Once they were comfortably seated, Lord Shrewsbury said, “Lady Clarice, I know that you have been working to increase literacy among women. I would like you to consider helping me to organize a school for orphaned girls from the East End. You would know the best primers for me to purchase and how to keep the girls interested in reading.”

“Splendid idea,” Sukey said before her friend could answer. “Truly splendid!”

“Yes,” Aunt Clarice said. “I do think that is an inspired idea. Both Sukey and I would love to organize such an endeavor. I will look into available primers. There are some that might be more appropriate for girls.”

“I just thought of an idea,” Sophie said. “In order for them to really
want
to learn to read, would it not be amusing for them to have someone read something to them that would pique their interest in learning to read for themselves? How old are your pupils to be?”

“That is well thought of,” Aunt Clarice said. “What ages did you have in mind, Lord Shrewsbury?”

“I think perhaps we ought to have two age groups. Maybe ages seven through ten, and eleven through sixteen.”

“The eleven-through-sixteen girls would love to hear books like Mrs. Radcliffe’s
Mysteries of Udolpho.
I think the more hair-raising, the better,” Sophie said. “Remember, these girls are not sheltered misses. They would not sit still for a more conventional work.”

Sukey laughed and was joined by Aunt Clarice. “I am sure Sophie’s idea would make the lessons very popular! I think in most attempts to teach reading, they concentrate on sermons or the like,” Sukey said.

“I told Lord Trowbridge yesterday that I would love to be a teacher. He is part of the enterprise, too, is he not?”

For a moment, Shrewsbury’s forehead was marred by a frown. Then he said, “Yes. Yes, he is.”

Fanny entered the room, and Shrewsbury related his plans for his scheme once again. Fanny repeated her offer to help when she was no longer at Alexa’s beck and call.

“But, Fan, could you not bring Alexa, at least for an hour?” Sophie asked. “There is no one I know who could do a more splendid job reading Mrs. Radcliffe to these girls.”

“Oh, what fun that could be. Yes, perhaps I could manage it. I could bring Alexa in her pram.”

For the next hour, they sat in council while Sukey and Aunt Clarice spoke with Shrewsbury, developing their plans. Sophie became very enthusiastic.

In the entrance hall as they were preparing to leave later, Lord Shrewsbury asked her, “Do you go to Lady Carmichael’s
musicale
this evening?”

Sophie looked at Fanny. “Have we received an invitation, Fan?”

“No,” her sister said. “People do not invite us to many things because it has gotten about that I prefer to stay home with Alexa.”

“Might I offer you my escort then?” Shrewsbury asked. “I should not like for you to miss it. Some of these things are dreadful, I know, but this will be a good performance by a splendid pianist.”

Sophie hesitated. Surely if Frank had known about it, he would have asked her already. And was not Shrewsbury his great friend?

He interrupted her thoughts. “If you are thinking about Trowbridge, I am quite certain he will be occupied with other things this evening.”

She heard the dry disapproval in his voice and wondered at it briefly. She did want to go to the
musicale,
however.

“Yes, that would be lovely if you would escort me.” She turned to her aunt. “Are you going, Aunt Clarice?”

“Of course, my love. I would not miss it for anything.”

“Could we not take Aunt Clarice with us?” she asked, thinking that Frank could not object to that.

Before Shrewsbury could reply, her aunt said, “Oh, but Sukey and I are already promised to the Duke.”

There could be no doubt whom the Duke in question was. Sukey enjoyed a very close relationship with the Duke of Devonshire, the former suitor who had given her Henry Five as a courting gift.

“Still game?” Shrewsbury asked her. “We will go in an open carriage, so there will be no need of a chaperone.”

“Yes,” Sophie said. “Yes, I am.”

When she arrived home, it was to find Gorgeous Frank awaiting her once again in Buck’s study. After greeting her husband with a kiss, Fanny went upstairs to put the sleeping Alexa in her cot, telling Frank and Sophie she would join them in the green sitting room shortly.

They repaired hence, and Frank closed the door. Taking Sophie in his arms, he kissed her thoroughly. She grew warm all over, and for a time was quite carried away. Her soul expanded and a yearning she had never known clamored for more. But worries of Fan catching them overtook her. She pushed him away with a little laugh.

“Ah, Angel. One kiss is never enough. And you do flit about. Never at home, it seems.”

“I was at Aunt Clarice’s with your friend, Lord Shrewsbury. We have been making plans for the school. Aunt Clarice and Sukey are very enthusiastic and have it all in hand.” She led him to the sofa where they sat.

“Splendid! I know it will be beautifully managed, then. I came to see if you had received your invitation from Lady Melissa.”

“Invitation?” she queried.

“I have been invited to a family dinner tonight. Perhaps your invitation came while you were gone.”

“Perhaps. Let me see.” After ringing for the butler, she asked Frank if he would like tea.

“No, thanks. I just want you.”

Sophie blushed, and Fanny entered the room along with Perkins.

“Have I had any messages or post this afternoon, Perkins?” Sophie asked.

“No, Miss. Nothing has come. Will there be anything else?”

“No, thank you.” As the butler took his leave, she said, “Melissa must have a
tendre
for you.”

“I was certain I was asked only to partner you,” Frank said. “What a coil. I shall have to go, I suppose.”

“Never mind. Your friend, Lord Shrewsbury, knew of your plans and has offered to escort me to the Carmichaels’
musicale
this evening.”

“The deuce he has! Pardon my language, but he knows nothing of my plans. What did he say?”

“Just that he was certain you were occupied this evening.”

Frank set his jaw and looked away from her.

Fanny said, “Frank, do not be moped. Spending one evening apart will not be the end of the world. Would you have Sophie stay home and play solitaire? I understand there is to be an excellent pianist at the Carmichaels’.”

“Shrewsbury finds Sophie uncommonly attractive,” he said.

Sophie was amused and a bit flattered by his jealousy.

“And so she is,” Fanny said with a touch of complacency.

“You will enjoy dinner with Melissa’s family. You and her father have much in common, remember,” Sophie said and tried to distract him with an account of the plans for the school. “Fan is to read a bit of Mrs. Radcliffe to the eleven-to-sixteen-year-olds after each lesson,” she concluded.

He gave a half smile and rose. “I must take my leave. Enjoy yourself tonight, Angel.”

“I am certain I shall.”

{ 12 }

FRANK FELT HIS WELL-BEING DRAIN AWAY
as he walked home at a furious pace. What was Shrewsbury up to? Why had he told Fanny that he was engaged that evening? His friend had been reliable and true ever since they had met at Eton. They had shared rooms at Oxford. Could his attraction to Sophie be great enough to overrule all the history they had together?

Changing direction, he went to Shrewsbury’s rooms on Half Moon Street. He wasn’t in. Next, he tried Brook’s, but failed to find him there. Weary from being out of temper, Frank finally went home, belted down a whiskey, and sat staring into the grate in his library.

Shrewsbury was the Golden Boy. At Oxford, he had been awarded Cricket Blue, as well as taking a first in Modern History. He was as handsomely blond as Frank himself was dark. He kept himself in excellent physical condition and was a member of the Four-in-Hand Club. Shaping up to having a brilliant future as a Whig politician, he would undoubtedly go far. And the man had spent the afternoon with Sophie, drawing her in to the plans for his wretched Girls’ School.

Pouring himself another whiskey, he thought of Sophie herself and calmed a bit. Sophie knew his feelings and shared them. But she was just beginning her introduction into society. He had no doubt that his had been her first kiss. What if Shrewsbury made love to her? He was a great success with the ladies.

Surely his angel would remain true.

~
~*

The dinner with Lord and Lady Kent and Melissa was pleasant. Sophie’s friend was an eager little thing and refreshing in that she did not try to pretend to worldly wisdom or to affect that society was a bore.

Her brother, Lord Donald, clearly held him in awe.

“I know you by reputation as a top-of-the-trees Corinthian! You hold records at Gentleman Jackson’s, do you not?”

“I do. Do you box, then?”

Melissa’s brother threw a nervous look at his mother.”No-o. Someday, maybe.”

“Lord Trowbridge, will you tell us about your family?” Lady Kent asked. “Do you have brothers and sisters?”

“One of each,” he replied. “My sister is married to Lord Lovington and just had her first child. My younger brother is at Oxford. At least, I presume he has not been sent down recently.”