My Dear Sophy (17 page)

Over the next half hour, they taught the young curate the steps for many different dances. They were a merry party, each one taking an interest in Mr. Hollingson's education. Even the shy young girls seemed to enjoy their part in helping.

In time, the curate was spinning and leaping as if he had been dancing all his life. Sophy was pleased to see him smiling and so evidently enjoying himself. When he had learned the steps, Mr. Hollingson made an elaborate show of asking her to dance.

“
Miss Wentworth,” he bowed low before her, “may I have this dance?”

Sophy could not stifle her unladylike grin. She curtseyed back to him. “Mr. Hollingson, I am glad to accept.”

Their conversation was limited while they danced, as the curate still needed to concentrate on his steps. Sophy was impressed with his quickness of learning and the ease with which he moved around the floor.

“
Mr. Hollingson, I must say that you have learned the steps faster than anyone I know. It is quite impressive.” Her eyes flashed with humor.

“
Why thank you, Miss Wentworth. I had a particular interest in doing so.” He looked at her intently. Sophy's heart raced as they moved away from each other, following the steps of the dance. She could feel her cheeks heating up. She had not seen Mr. Hollingson in many days and had forgotten what it was like to be in the presence of a man she knew loved her. As they danced, the memory of their embrace that afternoon in his cottage was recalled to her mind. She felt shy of him and yet ready to speak of more significant things.

As the dance brought them back together, Mr. Hollingson spoke to her again. “Miss Wentworth, I hope that you will forgive my earlier neglect. I did not mean it as a reflection on you. Or on how I feel about you.” The last was almost whispered. His words shivered up her spine. She could find no words to answer, only a look that she hoped spoke of her desire that he should know he was forgiven. His answering gaze held her rapt, even as the dance finished and they parted.

* * *

Connie could feel the blood pounding in his veins. It kept him from relaxing into his chair as his mother beside him was doing in hers. Instead, he leaned forward, clenching his hands together until his knuckles turned white. His leg moved up and down with extra energy. Calm yourself, Conrad, he thought. He must get his anger under control.

But each time he looked at Miss Wentworth dancing with the curate, it all bubbled up again. Dinner had been bad enough, watching the two lean together and share intimacies he knew nothing of. When the curate had refused to dance, Connie had thought maybe he had a chance of dominating her time this evening. But no, the man had to go and admit that he could not dance at all! He had made himself a project. And Connie knew that ladies could not resist a project.

Oh, he knew the curate's actions were not deliberate. But the man had the damnedest way of doing everything right. Connie had only ever wished for that kind of luck. And he wished most heartily for it now. For ever since the man had declared that he could not dance, all the attention had been on teaching him how.

What a spoiled child I am, Connie thought, laughing angrily at himself. Do I fall to pieces when the attention is no longer on me? Only yesterday I longed for an escape and now here I am, feeling neglected because the women are paying more attention to Mr. Hollingson. If Connie was truthful with himself, it was only one woman from whom he desired attention.

And at the moment that woman was gazing into the eyes of that damned young man. Connie clenched his teeth as he watched them. They moved together quite naturally. Mr. Hollingson had learned the steps well in such a short time. But that didn't make Connie any more comfortable with the idea that the man was touching Miss Wentworth and he was not.

Just as he was about to burst, the music ended and the dancers bowed to each other. Connie sat, waiting for another agonizing set in which he would watch another man enjoy conversation and dancing with the most brilliant woman in the room.

“
I feel ready to dance again,” Mrs. Croft declared. She had sat out the last dance and had left Connie without a partner. “Let us switch partners, my dears,” Mrs. Croft suggested. “I should like to try our dear Mr. Hollingson, if I may be allowed?” The curate bowed to her with alacrity and they took their places on the floor.

Connie sent up a blessing for his dear mama as he swooped in to claim Miss Wentworth.

“
Miss Wentworth,” he bowed. When he looked up, she appeared startled. “Have I done something to startle you?”

“
It is only that you appeared before me like a whirlwind, captain. I hardly knew what had happened.” They smiled at each other.

“
Will you honor me with this dance? I have watched you this long time with Mr. Hollingson and I wonder if you might teach me to dance as well as that.” Connie saw that he had made her blush. She smiled prettily.

“
You do me too much credit, captain. And anyway, I have observed your dancing and I believe you to be quite the most elegant man in the room. There is nothing I should be able to teach you.”

“
A high compliment, indeed.” Connie's eyes flashed with fun. It was so easy to be with her. He had already forgotten the anger that had been coiling within him only moments ago.

“
I would not have offered the compliment had it not been well-deserved.” The dance took them away from each other for a moment, but she was still laughing when they came together again. Connie could not help but smile.

The heat of Miss Wentworth's hand as she placed it in his own suddenly recalled the nearness of yesterday. Connie's expression changed instantly. He squeezed Miss Wentworth's hand hard enough that she looked quickly up into his face. Connie wondered what she saw there. Dare he hope that she remembered what had passed yesterday? Dare he hope that she could see it had not been a mistake? A thousand questions flew through his mind until, as he had also done yesterday, Connie was recalled to the fact that this could not happen. As much as he wanted to know Miss Wentworth more, to declare himself infatuated with her, as much as he wanted that, he could not have it. He was leaving soon and, besides, now he knew that she had a stable prospect in Mr. Hollingson. He could not upset that on a silly whim, a desire he did not know if she returned.

As quickly as it had come, Connie forced his expression to disappear. In its place, he put a smile, one that he hoped conveyed friendship and not something more of the turmoil he felt roiling inside of him. He did not want to hurt this wonderful woman.

Connie looked down at Miss Wentworth and smiled. “You look lovely this evening, Miss Wentworth. Blue perfectly becomes you.”

“
Thank you, captain.” Miss Wentworth was blushing furiously. Connie realized that she was not used to being noticed in that way, but he was glad he had told her. She did look lovely. He could not remember a woman he thought looked more beautiful than Miss Wentworth did tonight.

Each time the dance brought them together again, Connie tried to imprint her image on his mind. The grace of her movements as she performed the steps of the dance. The way her dress swirled around her legs. How the strands of hair that had escaped her coiffure moved lightly on the air as she spun. The feel of her warm hand in his. And her smile. That sweet and trusting smile that would have been enough for him by itself. Even if he would not be able to tell her how he felt about her, Connie wanted to remember these moments, to keep them in his mind for some of those long days at sea that stretched out ahead of him.

* * *

Sophy fell exhausted into her bed that night. She had danced and danced, first with one partner and then with another. But it was more than that which caused her to feel worn out by the time she reached her bed. She had spent most of her energy this evening in trying to control the turbulent emotions that had poured over her in waves. There had been joy and longing and rejection and joy again. First with Mr. Hollingson as he had spoken sweet words to her and all but said again that he loved her. Then with Captain Croft, who showed himself the truest of friends. Before she had entered the rectory, she had been unsure how he would react, even unsure of her reaction to him. But he had been the picture of a gentleman. Only once had she thought she glimpsed a look like what had passed between them yesterday. But it had been gone when she'd looked back at him. Otherwise, they had passed a comfortable evening together. Captain Croft made it easy to smile.

Sophy fell asleep thinking about what a wonderful time she had passed this evening and hoping that the others felt the same.

Even the fact that they had spent the entire previous evening together did not stop the Crofts and the Wentworths from spending most of their Friday afternoon in company with each other. Knowing their time with the captain was running short, the boys spent the afternoon asking him as many questions as possible and begging him to tell them stories, even ones they had heard before.
             

The boys were ever eager for stories of Captain Croft's time at sea. Sophy watched Freddy especially. He had been running away to sea, after all, when she had first met the captain. Maybe she should speak to father about getting Freddy into a naval career, however they might do that. Edward, on the other hand, seemed remarkably suited for a studious life. She had no doubt that he would take orders. Sophy knew that Mr. Hollingson had talked to him about it a month ago and they had prepared a strict course of study to ready him for Oxford. Papa had seemed pleased with Edward's decision, though Sophy suspected that he still harbored dreams of one of his sons following in his footsteps and becoming a doctor. Sophy believed that Papa was coming to realize that his dream might not be such a realistic one for his sons. Freddy certainly showed no inclination toward that course of study – to
any
course of study, actually. Yet Sophy saw that he hung on every word Captain Croft said.

And so it was no surprise that the young man leaped into action to convince Papa when Captain Croft offhandedly suggested that they all join him when he returned to his ship the next day. Freddy almost stood on his seat and hurrah'd at the prospect of seeing a real ship.

“
Papa! You must let us go! It would be so wonderful to see a
real
navy ship!”

Papa laughed. “My boy, we should most likely be in the captain's way. He has duties and no time to entertain us aboard ship, I'll be bound.” Freddy turned pleadingly to Captain Croft, who quite quickly relented.

“
Not at all, sir. It would be a delight. We don't ship out to Portsmouth until Sunday and so my Saturday afternoon is quite free to entertain guests. Besides, if young Freddy here can see the discomfort of a true ship of the line, perhaps he will not feel so inclined to run away to one.” The company all laughed at this. Even Freddy entered into the good-humored teasing. “The reality is sadly disappointing to the marvelous creations of the imagination, I am afraid.”

Freddy ignored the last part and turned back toward Papa. “See? Watchet is not far – a few hours' ride at most. We can go and come back in the same day. It would be so easy.”

Papa considered, taking delight in making his unruly youngest son squirm in anticipation. There was really no question of his finally relenting. Sophy smiled to herself to see the gentle power play between father and son. And to see how Freddy was being patient, where before this past week he might have thrown a fit. Papa hemmed and hawed while Freddy practically danced in anticipation.

“
What do you think, Edward? Would you approve of this trip?” Papa asked. Freddy looked like he might go into a spasm. His brother could sink the whole thing. But the truth was that Edward was as eager for the trip.

“
I wouldn't mind it, Papa. It could be fun,” Edward conceded, excitement dancing in his eyes while he tried to remain calm. Freddy let out a hiss that sounded a little like a triumphant 'yes'. It was not every day one had the opportunity for such an adventure.

Having obtained both his sons' opinions, Papa turned to Sophy. “And you, my dear, would you enjoy such an outing?”

Sophy hesitated, only to tease her brothers. “Hmm...” Freddy groaned. “I think that sounds like a delightful idea, Papa. I, too, would like to see a ship of the line.” Sophy looked around. Her brothers and Captain Croft were all grinning at her. Her heart gave a flutter at the latter. She quickly suppressed the rush of thoughts that threatened to overwhelm her.

It was settled. Saturday morning they would leave for Watchet. Papa had declined the trip, saying he would make up too many in the party. But the Crofts volunteered to play the chaperones. The Reverend, Mrs. Croft, Sophy, and the captain would ride in the carriage while the boys would take the horses, including the hired one Captain Croft had ridden into town.

They would pass a few hours on the journey and then spend the afternoon on the ship. It was to be a rare treat for them all. No one, however, was willing to consider that the end of the day would mark a sad goodbye. They would return to Milverton with one less in their party. For the moment, they focused on the anticipation of the journey ahead and the new sights they would see.

* * *