A Most Inconvenient Wish (4 page)

Sophia stabbed her needle into the fabric. This was not to be borne. How was she going to survive living the rest of her life in this small village?

Going to the Fairy Steps had been a desperate measure, but she hadn't really thought she'd need a wish to capture Lord Bateman. It was a good thing too, because she'd botched the wish and good, thanks to Mr. McDonald.

The door to the parlor opened and Nathaniel and Ian entered the room. Ian's eyes met hers and she quickly looked down at her work.

Ian took the seat next to Sophia. She stabbed again at the fabric, pulling the thread too tight, causing it to pucker.

“Angry embroidery tonight?”

His voice was low, with a hint of a Scottish burr that rumbled across her senses in ways she'd never experienced before. Damn the man. What was his hold over her? Sophia took her needle and loosened the stitch to remove the pucker. “I'm not angry.”

He chuckled. “Miss Townsend, may I have the pleasure of your company while taking the air? The moon is out and it's quite lovely.”

Sophia felt a nearly uncontrollable urge to say yes, as the thought of what could happen while they were alone sent tingles under her skin. She could not allow herself to be distracted by him. “It is too cool after the rain.”

“We need to talk, Sophia.”

Talking was the last thing she wanted. A vision of their kiss flashed through her mind. Good heavens, where had that come from?

“I'm not going to stop asking until you say yes.”

She set down her embroidery. “I suppose if I'm ever to have peace tonight, I'd better comply. Are you always this persistent, Mr. McDonald?”

“You have no idea, Miss Townsend.”

Sophia stood and accepted his arm, refusing to give either Anne or Nathaniel a glance. She didn't need to see their questioning looks. They exited the room through the French doors into the garden. A full moon tinted everything with silvery gray light, catching on the drops of water left behind by the earlier storm. It was a beautiful night, she had to concede.

He led her away from the house and deeper into the garden.

“Is this wise, Mr. McDonald?”

“I don't want to be overheard.”

Sophia pulled her arm away. “What could you possibly say that I wouldn't want overheard?”

“Are you serious about Lord Bateman?”

The change of topic startled her. “Of course I am. He's a handsome lord—why wouldn't I be serious?”

“So you are expecting a proposal?”

“He wrote to me, accepting my invitation. What else am I to think?”

Ian took her hand and led her a bit farther into the darkness.

“Should we stray so far from the house?” she asked.

“Would you accept his proposal even after the kiss we shared this afternoon?” Ian persisted.

Sophia was now thankful for the darkness. It covered her blush and a multitude of other emotions that filled her at the question. “I've already told you, the kiss changes nothing, Mr. McDonald.”

Ian grabbed her arm and jerked her backward into his arms. “Has he kissed you?”

“What?”

“Have you allowed Lord Bateman to kiss you?”

“My relationship with Lord Bateman is not your affair. You overstep, sir.” She pulled out of his arms. She turned to leave, anxious to put as much distance between them as possible.

“Sophia, wait, please.”

She turned back toward him.

“I apologize. I should not have asked that.”

She stood as he approached, his hands held out in supplication.

“You drive me mad sometimes,” he said.

“The feeling is quite mutual. It is late and we've been out here alone for too long.” She stepped carefully through the wet grass.

He touched her arm. “Please, don't go yet.”

There was something in Ian's voice that tugged on emotions Sophia didn't think she was capable of feeling. “I think I must. I accept your apology sir, but I don't think it would do for us to be alone together. Someone might get the wrong idea.”

“Or the right one.”

She shook her head. “It would be wrong for me. Good night.”

Sophia turned and made her way to the parlor without a backward glance, leaving Ian behind. It was for the best, though she was more tempted by these strange, racing emotions than she wanted to be.

It was better to discourage his attachment now rather than lead him on. Better for both of them. She couldn't allow herself to weaken. She wasn't capable of giving her heart and would only end up hurting Ian.

T
he day the Earl of Bateman and his party arrived was hot and humid. Summer was refusing to give in to fall. There wasn't even a wisp of a breeze to offer any relief. The humidity frizzed Sophia's hair. Her muslin dress hung limply on her frame. There was no saving the dress or her hair in this heat. She should have known this wouldn't bode well for her guests.

Worse yet, Anne's children were cranky. The whines of the two boys echoed through the house, setting Sophia's teeth on edge. The household was in an uproar. There was no way she would make a good impression with the pandemonium around her. Lord Bateman was going to step out of the carriage and into chaos. He'd take one look and get back into the carriage headed for the nearest inn. This whole idea was brewing into a first-rate calamity.

Anne placed a hand over Sophia's. “Be calm, Sophia; your guests will be so tired of being in the carriage that it won't matter how the children behave.”

“I sincerely hope so.” Because she couldn't take any more whining. How did Anne stay so calm?

“It's so unlike you to be nervous about guests.”

“Please tell me you spoke with Nathaniel. He won't embarrass me, will he?”

“How foolish you are. Nathaniel would never do such a thing.”

“He'll embarrass me, tease me in front of our guests, or worse, provoke me.” Nathaniel couldn't resist teasing her in front of company.

“You have as much control over that as he does, Sophia.”

“I just want everything to be perfect.” Sophia stared out the window, watching the lane just beyond the Lodge. She glanced back at the mantel clock, then back to the road.

“Watching the clock or the park will not hasten their arrival,” Anne said.

Sophia didn't care. She felt an excitement she'd not experienced in a while. Lord Bateman would come, propose, and her life could begin. She'd finally have the life she most wanted. She knew Anne thought her shallow for wanting to marry a titled gentleman and live in London, but she couldn't explain how badly she hated being so far away from good society. Their neighbors, Mrs. Dellwood and her husband, the vicar, were not good company. Lord, she could hardly sit and listen to Mr. Dellwood's sermons without wanting to drift into a doze.

She heard the wheels of the carriage before it came into view. “Anne, they are here!” Sophia raced out to the park.

Anne followed behind her. “Slowly, Sophia. Calm and graceful.”

“Where are Nathaniel and Mr. McDonald?” Sophia said. “They should be here to welcome our guests.”

“Honestly, Sophia, it is better that they aren't.”

“But we have guests arriving. Nathaniel should be here at least.” What kind of impression would they send if Nathaniel wasn't here to greet them? Sophia wanted everything to be perfect. What would Lord Bateman think?

“All will be well, Sophia, you'll see. Besides, our guests have traveled days in that carriage. I'm sure they'll want time to rest and refresh themselves before dinner tonight,” Anne said.

Sophia said nothing as the carriage and two riders approached the house. Lord Bateman and another man sat upon the horses. She'd forgotten how handsome Bateman was, with his dark brown eyes and dark hair. He dismounted and handed the reins to a groomsman.

Sophia dipped a curtsy. “My lord, welcome to the Lodge. You remember my sister, Mrs. Nathaniel Matthews?”

Bateman took her hand and pressed his lips to it. “Miss Townsend, so delightful to see you again.” He nodded to her sister. “Madam, thank you so much for your hospitality.”

“Our pleasure, my lord.”

“May I present Captain Crispin Smith-Williams?”

Sophia smiled up at the captain. He was tall and slender, with hawkish features and dark blond hair. “Captain Smith-Williams, welcome.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Townsend, ma'am.”

Lord Bateman moved to assist the ladies in the carriage. Lady Catherine stepped out of the carriage as if she'd just stepped out of a shop in London. Her dark blue carriage dress and matching bonnet were the latest style. Even the feather in her bonnet bounced as she moved, defying the high humidity. Her face held no shine from the heat. Not one hair was out of place. The blond ringlets that framed her perfect complexion were still perfect.

Sophia felt like a wilted piece of lettuce next to her—the poor relation version of lettuce. She should have changed her dress or done something else with her hair.

It was so much easier in London, when they could meet at assemblies or musicales. There they were on equal ground. Here at the Lodge, Sophia would be subjected to the judgment of Lord Bateman and his sister. She had a feeling there was nothing she could do to measure up.

“Heavens! I thought we'd never arrive,” Catherine Grayson said as she looked around. “How very quaint! Dare I hope it will grant us a relief from this heat?”

“Catherine, I believe you remember Miss Townsend,” Lord Bateman said.

“Lady Catherine,” Sophia said with a small curtsy. “May I present my sister, Mrs. Nathaniel Matthews?”

“Welcome to the Lodge, my lady,” Anne said.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Catherine,” Sophia said, though her eyes darted to the other woman in the carriage. She looked vaguely familiar, but Sophia could not remember her name. Lord Bateman assisted the lady out of the carriage. Sophia's heart sank at the infatuation etched on his face.

“Mrs. Matthews, Miss Townsend, this is Miss Theodora Hamilton,” Lady Catherine said. She whispered to Sophia, “I hope to soon call her sister.”

Theodora Hamilton was petite and very pretty, with large brown eyes and a sweet smile. She wore a simple carriage dress of dark plum. Judging by the fabric and design, it was very expensive.

“Welcome, Miss Hamilton,” Sophia said with a forced smile.

Anne shot her a questioning glance. “I'm sure you'd like to freshen up after your journey.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Matthews, but are you sure you have enough room for us all? This place looks very small. The park is quite small indeed.”

“I'm sure you'll be quite cozy, Lady Catherine. You must be very tired from your journey. Our housekeeper will see you all to your rooms,” Anne said with an edge in her voice.

Sophia said nothing as Lady Catherine breezed by her, followed by a quiet Miss Hamilton. She'd met Theodora Hamilton only a few times in London. The daughter of a wealthy merchant with a very large dowry, Miss Hamilton had been pursued by many gentlemen.

Miss Hamilton curtsied. “I hope we aren't an inconvenience, Mrs. Matthews.”

Anne smiled. “We have plenty of room, my dear. Please make yourself at home.”

“You are very kind,” Miss Hamilton said.

Anne followed Miss Hamilton into the house. Sophia trailed behind to accompany the gentlemen into the house.

Lord Bateman walked at Sophia's side. “Miss Townsend, is this all there is to the party?”

“No, my lord. We have another guest, Mr. Ian McDonald. He is a business associate of my brother-in-law.”

Lord Bateman smiled easily. “Good. Then we shall have even numbers for entertainments.”

“Are you acquainted with Mr. McDonald?”

There was a long pause before Lord Bateman spoke. “We have not been introduced. I have been wanting to meet him.”

“Mr. McDonald is out with my husband but will be here for dinner tonight, my lord.” Anne said. “I'll let him know you've arrived.”

“Thank you, ma'am.”

Sophia studied Lord Bateman for a long moment. There was something in his tone that did not ring true. Why would he want to be introduced to Ian McDonald? The man was a sheep farmer.

“What time should we be down for dinner, ma'am?” Captain Smith-Williams asked.

“We sound the gong at six, sir,” Anne said.

Sophia watched them walk up the stairs. “Why would Lord Bateman be interested in meeting Mr. McDonald?”

“What a snob you are! Mr. McDonald is a successful businessman. He is well known in Town for advising various members of the Ton with their investments. Perhaps Lord Bateman would like his advice.”

So he wasn't just a sheep farmer. Sophia kept that comment to herself. The man still irritated her on a daily basis. Still, there was something in Lord Bateman's manner as he spoke of Ian McDonald that warranted further study.

A walk to Horneswood, her sister's home, would give her time to think as well as recover from the disappointment of the appearance of Miss Hamilton. Sophia wanted to wallow in her defeat for a few minutes alone. She wasn't ready to give up, but even she had to admit that her chances of being on the receiving end of a proposal were looking rather bleak. Sophia could kick herself for wasting a perfectly good wish on Mr. McDonald.

“Do you need me, Anne?”

“I think the housekeeper can handle things. Sophia, are you all right? I know you thought Lord Bateman was here to propose—”

Sophia pasted a smile on her face. “I'm fine, Anne. Really. I thought I'd walk through the woods. It would be a relief from this heat, if you could do without me.”

“Certainly. I doubt our guests will be down for tea after such a long journey.”

“I'm sorry for Lady Catherine's comments. She can be—”

“Challenging?”

“Indeed,” Sophia said. “Challenging is the perfect word.”

* * *

Ian McDonald leaned against the fence, watching as sheep were rounded up by Tony Matthews's staff. He had transported several rams from his own flock in Scotland to breed with Tony's sheep. The goal was to breed a better quality of wool. This was the second year of their experiment and it was showing promise. So much promise, he was ready to invest in more land and settle on his estate in Dumfries to raise more sheep. It meant he would no longer need to travel to London regularly for business.

He hated Town. The smell, the thick air, the noise had no appeal to him. The theater was nice, as were other amusements, but he still preferred the green, rolling hills of his home in Scotland.

There would still have to be trips to Town, but not every single Season. He'd have to make a few trips to negotiate future investments in the factories he wanted to build, but most of those would be of short duration. Having Sophia on his arm would be a definite plus. She knew her way around Society. She could be a real asset when he was ready to expand his business.

Of course, that was assuming she didn't marry Lord Bateman and condescended to marry him. She wasn't the only one who had set her sights high. The heart didn't seem to care what Society thought.

Ian half hoped the stupid wish Sophia had mistakenly made would come true. If she were stuck with him forever, he'd have ample time to convince her to care for him. Unfortunately, in his experience, there was no magic, just hard work.

“How's it going? Has the ram picked his prize yet?” Tony asked, coming up beside him to lean on the fence.

Ian glanced at Matthews. Marriage had changed him in a good way. Ian was almost envious of Tony's life. The man was happy, at peace. “He's being picky. Maybe we should have limited his choices.”

Tony shook his head. “Let him pick more than one. We can split the lambs next season.”

“The wool from the last batch is of exceptional quality. I think we should broaden the plan. Include Nathaniel, and others if they are interested.”

Tony looked at him. “Do you think we have a new breed?”

“We will,” Ian said. He squinted at a movement in the distance. A woman marched toward them from the Lodge. Her arms swung with purpose, pushing her forward. This was a woman on a mission. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No.”

As the woman drew closer, Ian recognized her. Sophia Townsend marched toward the stream that ran between the two properties. Since Tony's purchase of the Horneswood estate, a foot bridge had been built. He could almost hear the stomping of her feet on the wood as she crossed. “Does Miss Townsend know not to come through the pasture?” It was mating season; the rams would be dangerous.

Tony laughed. “Sophia? You're bamming me, right? I'm not sure she could tell which were the ewes and which the rams.”

Ian's heartbeat picked up as she opened the gate, stepped inside the enclosed pasture, and closed the gate with a snap. She swung her arms and walked quickly across the pasture, right past the ram with his latest conquest, who didn't look too pleased.

A fear he'd not known he possessed picked up his pulse. “She's going to get hurt.” He jumped the fence and took off running. “Sophia! Stop!”

“Ian, you'll never get to her in time,” Tony shouted after him.

Ian ignored him. An angry ram could not just knock Sophia Townsend on her pretty bottom but seriously hurt her. Visions of those horns and what they could do to her raged through his head as he ran full out toward her.

The space between Sophia and him seemed a mile wide but was, in fact, only a brief distance. He reached her, gasping for breath so badly that he couldn't speak. His eyes were on the ram, who was lowering his head.

“Mr. McDonald, I demand to know what your connection is to Lord Bateman.” She spat out the words. “Imagine my surprise when he asked for you specifically.”

The ram had taken his stance. The damn animal was going to charge right at Sophia Townsend.

He grabbed Sophia's arm and jerked her behind him.

“Ow! That was uncalled for.” She moved back beside him again, her hands on her hips.

“Stay behind me.”