An Unexpected Love (10 page)

He brushed straw from his breeches and smiled. “A gentleman in a complete state of disarray, I fear. What brought you to the stables? Surely you’re not intending a carriage ride this late in the afternoon.”

“No, nothing of the sort. During tea with Lady Illiff, she revealed that you plan to accompany us to London. I wanted to come and tell you that the news gave me great pleasure.”

He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as they started to walk back toward the house. “I’m elated to know my decision pleases you. I had planned to remain at Illiff Manor throughout the winter, but when Lady Illiff informed me you were going to visit London and suggested I come along, I couldn’t resist the temptation.”

She squeezed his arm. “And which is the greater temptation— London or me?”

He tipped his head back and laughed. “Why you, of course, my dear. London is a marvelous city, but without you to share the sights, I would not have been enticed to return.”

She reveled in his words, already certain he was the man who had captured her heart. His statement gave her the courage to add, “And when the time arrives, I hope that I will entice you to return to New York, too.”

His smile waned at her suggestion. “And how was young Daniel faring when he returned to the house? He was in a great deal of pain when he was kicked. I feared his leg might be broken.”

The abrupt change of topic surprised her, but from Lady Illiff’s earlier conversations, Sophie knew Wesley had lived with his wife in New York City and in fact still had a home there. Perhaps the reminder of New York had evoked memories of her death. Sophie hurried to put such grief from his mind.

“I’m afraid Mr. Irwin has made rather a fool of himself. He loves attention, you see. Especially if it involves Fanny. It would not surprise me at all to find out that he planned such a thing just to gain my cousin’s sympathy.”

“Surely not. He would not risk permanent damage just to impress a young woman.”

“It is hard to tell what Mr. Irwin would do to impress. You should have seen him on the ship. He followed Fanny around as if she were his keeper and he a starving pup.” She continued describing Daniel’s behavior on the trip, exaggerating it until Wesley doubled over in laughter.

“Then to see him come into the manor house, being half carried as though he’d been mortally wounded in battle—a hero being brought back on his shield,” Sophie declared with one hand to her forehead. “Well, I’m convinced it was mostly an act for Fanny’s benefit.” She dropped her pose and grinned.

“We are being most unkind. I’m certain the poor boy has suffered immensely.” He wiped a tear from his cheek with the back of his hand. “I must cease this laughter before we go inside the house, or my relatives shall think me quite uncivilized.”

Sophie pointed to one of the stone benches that bordered the garden yet remained well hidden from the house. “Perhaps we should wait until you’ve recovered.” Taking the lead, Sophie sat down and then patted the bench with her palm. “Please. Sit with me.”

“How could I refuse?”

Wesley’s laughter ceased as quickly as it had begun. He looked into her eyes but swiftly turned away. “We must go inside before I say or do something untoward. I wouldn’t want to risk . . .” He shook his head. “I’ll say no more.”

She longed to hear him continue and possibly bare his heart to her, but he would surely think her bold should she tell him so. Taking his arm, she walked with him and considered what she could say. There must be some way to indicate her feelings without overstepping any boundaries that might offend him. “I want you to know that I find your company most desirable, Wesley. You have become . . . well . . . quite dear to me.”

Wesley touched his finger to his lips. “Say no more. There are those who might repeat what they hear.” He nodded toward several servants standing near the entrance. “I won’t risk your reputation, but suffice it to say, I find my feelings for you run quite deep.”

The moment she and Wesley parted, Sophie rushed up the stairs. If she was to look her best for him that evening, she must hurry. With luck, both Veda and Minnie would be free to help her get dressed and style her hair.

“Where have you been?” Amanda frowned with the sternness of an angry parent.

Sophie ignored her cousin’s question and glanced about the room. “I need Veda and Minnie to help me dress.”

The skirt of Fanny’s gown swished across the Aubusson rug as she crossed the room to greet Sophie. “They were here first and have gone to assist Aunt Victoria, but we’ll be glad to help you, won’t we, Amanda?” She helped with the buttons as Sophie pranced nervously.

“Oh, do hurry.”

“I wish you’d think of others on occasion, Sophie. You’re going to make all of us late for dinner if we don’t hurry.” Amanda began to pull the pins from Sophie’s hair before adding, “Lady Illiff will think all three of us ill-mannered, and Mother will be completely mortified.”

“Then we must stop chattering. I plan to wear my midnightblue gown—I told Veda this morning,” Sophie said.

Amanda pointed toward the bedroom. “It is good for you that Veda is dependable. Your dress is ready.” The afternoon gown dropped to the floor, and Sophie quickly stepped out of it. Amanda motioned again. “I’ll fix your hair while Fanny tightens your stays.”

Sophie followed her cousin’s instructions, and soon she was sitting in front of the dressing table. Amanda tugged on Sophie’s hair, pulling the brush through her tresses with less than gentle strokes and then pinned the curls in place.

“Ouch! You’re jabbing those pins into my scalp, Amanda.” Sophie reached up and tried to loosen one of the curls. “And I can hardly draw breath. Must you corset me so snug?”

“You’ve eaten quite enthusiastically on our trip,” Fanny said. “The waist of your gown will never close if we do otherwise.”

“I shall endeavor to curtail my gluttony,” Sophie said, frowning. “I wouldn’t want Wesley to think me too plump. That would pain me greatly.”

“You may be in far more pain once Mother confronts you,” Amanda said.

Fanny slipped the gown over Sophie’s head and began to do up the back buttons while Amanda went back to work to fashion a cascade of brown curls around Sophie’s shoulders. Fanny sat down on the edge of the bed. “You should confide in us first and tell us where you have been sneaking off to. Every day we’ve had to make some excuse for you. If you tell us about it, then perhaps you’ll be well rehearsed for Aunt Victoria’s myriad questions.”

Sophie grinned at her younger cousin. “You’re not fooling me in the least with that suggestion, but it does hold merit.” Her eyes met Amanda’s in the mirror. “I’ve been meeting Wesley, of course. Just now I went out to the stables to locate him and tell him of my pleasure that he would join us in London.”

“Oh, how delicious,” Fanny replied. “And did you? Find him, that is?”

“Yes. We walked through the garden and then sat on one of the benches. Wesley is everything I could ever want in a man. He treats me with respect, yet I know he cares deeply for me.” Sophie tucked one of the curls into place. “And we share a common sense of humor, too. I do believe I’ve met the man I will marry.”

Amanda gasped as she inserted the final pearl pins into Sophie’s hair. “Please don’t be foolish. You’ve only just met Mr. Hedrick. Do you realize you’re speaking of marriage to a complete stranger?”

“Amanda makes a good point, Sophie. Mr. Hedrick is likely a very nice man, but you should move slowly. And he’s older than most of the fellows you’ve acquainted yourself with in the past. You may find you have little in common once you get to know him better.”

Sophie folded her arms across her chest and glared into the mirror. “I know much more than either of you can imagine.” She pushed away from the dressing table and surveyed herself in the mirror across the room. The gown fit to perfection, and the pearls in her hair were a lovely touch. She cared little what her cousins or her aunt thought. She and Wesley made a perfect match.

“Wesley sets me on fire. I feel all atingle when I’m near him. My heart races and I can scarcely draw breath.”

“Sounds like a state of apoplexy, rather than love,” Amanda said, raising a brow in disapproval.

Fanny giggled and got to her feet. “I felt that way once when I fell out of a tree.”

Sophie shook her head. “I would have thought that at least
you
would understand, Fanny. You at least suppose yourself to be in love with Michael.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Fanny questioned, sobering. “I do love Michael, and I need not speak as though I’m in need of medical attention to prove it.”

“Well, if he doesn’t set your heart aflutter and leave you breathless, perhaps you should reconsider Daniel Irwin.” With that Sophie stormed off for the door, the blue gown swaying fashionably behind her. “Or better yet—go climb another tree.”

6

Monday, November 8, 1897

Daniel’s accident delayed their departure for London, but it gave the girls time to smooth over their differences. Amanda had been first to apologize, and Fanny had quickly followed. Amanda knew there would be little peace in the house if they didn’t afford Sophie her dreams. Ever the peacekeeper, Amanda could never stay angry at either of her cousins for long. She supposed being the eldest gave her cause to consider the consequences of delaying apologies.

Even now, knowing that Sophie had once again slipped away to meet Mr. Hedrick in private, Amanda tried to be understanding. She’d never known the feelings Sophie espoused, so how could she remain critical of the matter?

“Obviously Sophie is quite taken with Mr. Hedrick,” Fanny said, tossing aside her embroidery. “We shouldn’t suppose that her feelings are less than genuine. One cannot always choose whom they will love. I am a perfect example of that.”

“Yes, but I do wish she would practice more discretion.” Amanda shook her head. “Sophie has been looking to fill the emptiness inside her since her mother passed away.”

“It’s not just her mother’s passing that created the loss,” Fanny said. “Losing your father strips away a certain security, too.”

“But she’s not lost her father.”

“In some senses she has,” Fanny said thoughtfully. “Uncle Quincy has hardly been taking an active interest in what Sophie does. He seemed quite happy to be rid of her. And her siblings are hardly kind to her. They act as though she’s more of a bother than anyone has time for. Then Mr. Hedrick comes into her life and shows her genuine affection and attention.”

“I suppose you’re right. Still, I would hate to see her suffer additional loss. After all, what will she do when we return to America? I heard Lady Illiff state clearly that Mr. Hedrick intends to remain here in England for some time.”

Fanny shrugged. “If he cares for Sophie as much as she believes, then perhaps we’ll have yet another man to accompany us on the ship home.”

“Well, he is wealthy and a gentleman, so apparently he needn’t work for his living. I suppose it wouldn’t be a far stretch to imagine he might join us,” Amanda agreed. “And it would give us time to better know him.”

“Exactly. We may have misjudged the situation. Even if he is older than Sophie, he may very well be the perfect man for her.”

“I can hardly imagine you both married. I’ve not yet met a man who captures my thoughts the way you and Sophie have.”

Fanny smiled and reached out to pat Amanda’s arm. “He will come in time. Sometimes he’s right in front of you, and you never even know it.”

“I cannot even begin to see myself with any of the young men I know. None care about the things that interest me. Most are too frivolous with their father’s money or lack interest in anything other than increasing their fortunes.”

“You speak as though being financially secure is a bad thing,” Fanny said. “I’m quite blessed to know that there is money for my use—even if I have to wait until next spring to have say over it. Still it’s nice to know that the security is there if I should have need of it.”

“But money is hardly a security,” Amanda countered. “Our trust is in the Lord.”

“True, but the world still demands it. We’ve known nothing but comfort. We live lives that few people know of.”

“My point exactly. There are so many causes—so many people who have needs. I want to use my abilities and fortune to better society.” Amanda sighed and put her own embroidery away. “I can’t hope to ever convince Father, but Mother seems to understand. I believe she will be my advocate.”

“In what way?”

“In allowing me to go to college.”

“Are you certain that getting an education is what God would have you do?” Fanny asked.

Amanda shrugged. “I know God would have me help others. I wouldn’t feel such a compelling drive to involve myself in such matters if not. Acts of kindness and assistance to the poor are hardly things Satan would desire of me.” She smiled. “Nevertheless, pray for me that I might know exactly what I am to do. Obviously I have no love interest to put my attention on as you and Sophie have.”

Fanny laughed. “Yes, but you can never tell when that love interest might come into your life. Until we came here, Sophie had no idea of Mr. Hedrick’s existence. Your very own Mr. Hedrick might be awaiting you in London.”

Amanda shook her head and rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Goodness, but I hope not. One of us acting like a lovesick ninny is quite enough.”