Willow Grove Abbey (24 page)

“I’m meeting a former professor of mine,
”
I responded. “I’m not altogether certain what the meeting is about. We’re fast friends and I respect him enormously, but he’s never asked me to meet him away from University.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Spence grinned.
“Is he a handsome young chap fresh from Oxford or Cambridge?”

“Oh no, no,” I
protested. “Nothing of the sort. I daresay he is sixty at least. Perhaps older.”

Well, you
must be careful that you don’t beguile the old gentleman with those eyes of yours,” His tone was bantering, and it reminded me of our first meeting on the night of my debut.

“Oh
my! I hardly think that’s a concern,” I smiled. He seemed about to initiate further conversation, but the arrival of a tall, svelte, posh redhead halted our brief exchange. I needn’t add that it was Charlotte Ross.

“Spencer
, darling, here you are! I’ve been waiting for what seems ages, and then I spy you over here, across from where you’re supposed to be. Good Heavens, my dear, it is ghastly cold. How cruel of you to keep me waiting in this awful weather,” she exclaimed, in a breathy, dramatic voice.

“Charlotte
, I do apologize. I’ve just stumbled onto Sophia Somerville. You
know
we’ve known one another for eons. She’s the sister of a former school chum. Sophia, you remember your former school mate, Charlotte Ross?” He made the introductions a bit awkwardly, and I could not help but wince when he referred to me as merely the sister of a school chum. He directed a look toward me that held a hint of apology for having to deny what we had once shared. Then, in what seemed an afterthought, he added that Charlotte was now his fiancée. His voice sounded reticent, but I have to admit that I could have been reading those feelings into the way he spoke. I knew that he hadn’t yet married, as Drew had seen him over the Holidays at a gathering of former school chaps. He’d told me that Spence didn’t seem in a great hurry to ‘tie the knot’.

Charlotte
wore gorgeous, elbow-length, black kid gloves, elegant open-toed high-heeled pumps, and a very chic hat with a black net veil covering the top half of her obviously breath-taking face. I didn’t remember that she was so lovely. Her coat was fur. Black Seal, I thought.
I hated her.
She stood there in her posh elegance, possessively slipping her arm through Spence’s. “Hallo, Sophia. I haven’t seen you since the night I met Spence at the
Thames Room
. Did you know that we’re now engaged? Spence is just
too, too
much of a treasure. He’s even changed my mind about living in a small Cotswold village. Isn’t he utterly amazing?”

I
knew that she meant to send the message that Spence cared only for her, and nobody but her. I did not know how Charlotte sensed that I wanted him too, but women have uncanny abilities. Of course, I had no idea what he had shared with her about our failed romance, but if they were planning on marriage, I image she knew quite a lot about me. I was aware of an intense feeling of jealousy, which was not a familiar emotion for me. It made me want to get away from both of them, as quickly as possible. I almost feared that Charlotte or Spence could read my thoughts. I managed to extend a few socially acceptable comments, and, as swiftly as possible, departed. “It was lovely running into you, Spence, and so nice to see you again, Charlotte. I really must be on my way, as I’m late for an appointment. “Best wishes to you both,” I murmured, moving on. I knew that Spence had to have seen the heartache in my eyes. I could only hope that he didn’t understand my behavior too well. I left them both standing in Sloan Square, as I dashed off to my destination, wishing I’d followed my original instincts and taken a taxicab. In my haste, I hadn’t even asked Spence what he was doing in London.

I
arrived at
the pub
a few moments before my scheduled meeting, despite fears that I might be late. I visited the loo before being shown to a table, where Dr. Hausfater was already seated. He stood as I approached, and motioned to the chair opposite his, which the waiter held for me. I had removed my beret and mittens in the loo and now slipped out of my coat, placing it on the adjoining, empty chair.

“
Lady Winnsborough. Sophia. How good of you to come. My apologies for bringing you out on such a day, but I really was most anxious to speak with you,” my professor said.”

“That’s perfectly all right, Dr. Hausfater.
I am always glad to hear from you, although I must admit to being puzzled. There’s nothing amiss, I hope?” The table was a very dark wood, polished to a high sheen. Before either of us could speak again, a waiter appeared and took our order, which consisted of a pint of bitters for him, and tea and biscuits for me. While he was ordering, I studied him. He was certainly not a young man, nor even middle-aged. His long face was heavily grooved, and craggy in appearance, topped with eyebrows that seemed to grow in a continuous line. They stretched across his very dark eyes and hawk-like nose, thereby creating a perpetually brooding look.

“
No, my dear. Nothing amiss. So, Sophia, how have you been?” he enquired.

I
was still somewhat embarrassed at the memory of the dreadful scene at
Willow Grove Abbey,
and Dieter’s unspeakably rude remarks to Dr. Hausfater. “I’m been quite well, thank you, Sir. Keeping busy, what with our permanent move to London. We’ve finally settled in.”

“
And your little girl? Is she happy in London?”

“Oh, yes indeed.
Isabella is happy anywhere, as long as she has people to dote upon her, and there is never a shortage of those,” I laughed.

“Yes.
She is a beautiful child.” There was a pause as the waiter brought our order. “So, yes, what are your plans now?” he asked in the quaint way he had of expressing himself, with his lingering German accent.”

“I’
m hoping that I’m going to be able to return to my work, assisting you, Sir, as I do plan on resuming my classes at University soon. Now that I am actually living in London, it will be so much easier than in the past, when I had to travel back and forth. Have you been keeping busy, Sir?”

“Very
much so. There is the excitement of a new project for me. This is the primary reason I brought you here today, so that I might have the discussion with you about it.”

I placed
my cup of tea back onto its saucer. “Really? And what would that be Professor?”

“
Sophia, I come directly to the point. I would like to work in the partnership with you of the textbook writing.” He made the statement in such a straightforward, but convoluted manner, and I wasn’t certain that I understood what he meant.

“
Are you saying you want me to help you with the research on a textbook project?” I asked.

“No. No.
I want you to be my collaborator. My co-author. It will be an Adolescent Psychology text. ”

“
Me? You want
me
? To collaborate on a textbook with
you?
Oh my, Dr. Hausfater, I’m extraordinarily honored, but, well, Sir, I know nothing about Psychology. Only that which I’ve learned in your courses at University. I scarcely think that qualifies me to write on the subject.”

“You are
more the expert than you know, my dear. I fear you have
lived
the subject.”

I
was mortified. Obviously, he was referring to my mother, and the rage he had witnessed.

“Are you speaking of
my mother’s periodic odd behavior?” I asked, looking down at the table, as I felt color rise in my cheeks.

Sophia
, I do not ask that you reveal the matters of personal nature. We have spoken enough about the subject. I know what you have lived. I just mean to say that you know more about matters of a psychological nature than you think you do. Naturally, I was there, present, when your mother displayed her remarkable lack of coping mechanisms, so yes that adds to the meaning of my comments.”

I
hadn’t any idea at the time what ‘
coping mechanisms’
meant, and told him so.

“It
is simply meaning that your mother has not ever learned to handle the stressful situation, and she loses all control. Sophia, I know the subject of Psychology up and down. However, you have a unique ability to speak to your peers. You have the marvelous ability to write, and this, I am certain, would make you an invaluable working partner.”

“But, Sir, I’ve only just turned twenty
-one. Surely you cannot believe that someone of my young years would be taken seriously?”

“And why not?
My credentials are impeccable, and I am convinced that you have the rare gift for self-expression. You are going to do great things in life, Lady Sophia Winnsborough. Of that I have no doubt. As for your age, you may be merely twenty-one, but there are parts of you that are older than time. You have what I like to call the ‘old soul’.”

Oh, Goodness.
He was saying almost the precise words Spence once spoke to me. Was there really something to what he was saying?

“How do you
mean I have an
old soul
? I don’t understand Dr. Hausfater.”

“I
mean that you have wisdom to go beyond your years. I do not think that you have tapped into it yet, and undoubtedly still see yourself as a child, but you are already facing happenings in life that many people never do. One day you will develop the insight to know what I say. Trust me for now.” He reached across the table, and patted my hand, in a fatherly gesture.

I
was truly stunned. I wanted so badly to grasp such an opportunity. Dr. Hausfater was the first person in my life who had ever professed a strong belief in my capabilities. Besides, of course, for Spence. Here was a distinguished man of Letters, a well-respected Professor, offering to make all of my dreams reality. However, I was engaged in a powerful internal struggle. I could almost
hear
Mummy’s voice admonishing me not to make a fool of myself.

Nevertheless,
after a few moments of internal struggle, I took a deep breath and said “All Right, Sir. I shall have a go at it. I won’t pretend to feel confident, and I am not at all certain that I won’t turn out to be a disappointment to you. Nevertheless, I shall try very hard. It’s a terribly exciting challenge, and I would be foolish not to pursue it.”

He s
miled broadly, and the single eyebrow gathered in the middle. “I’m very pleased. You have made the wise decision. I quite understand your fears, but in the final analysis you will see that I am correct.” I too smiled, although my insides were quivering.

“Of course there is the
matter of remuneration, he continued. “It will not be a large sum, but I have been awarded the grant of money from the private foundation for this project, so naturally you will receive the stipend.”

“That
never even crossed my mind,” I gasped. “Just the privilege of working with you is compensation enough. I wouldn’t dream of taking money”

He grinned openly.
“My dear lady, you must learn to accept what you are entitled to. Of course, you will accept payment. I shall arrange for a bank draft, and a contract to be drawn up, so that everything is kept neat and tidy.”

“Oh how extraordinary.
” I brought my hands to my cheeks, which were now flushed deep crimson. “Thank you so much. I cannot put into words how delighted I am. How pleased and honored. ” I had never actually
earned
any money in my life. I don’t believe any ‘Somerville’ female had. What a lovely feeling it would be to actually be compensated for one’s work.

“
I have no idea of your schedule, but I should like to begin on the preliminary planning as soon as possible,” he continued. I have compiled a file of notes with which you will need to acquaint yourself. I think they will provide a broad overview of subject matter I am wanting to cover. Then, I should be interested in your suggestions and opinions on an interesting format in presenting the material. I want this to be a readable text, Sophia. Not dry and boring, as so many are. Could you be so kind as to ring my office next week? We should be able to arrange to begin our work together by the end of the month. I shall have prepared for you by then. You will have the little space to call your own. ”

“Do you
mean I’ll have an office?”

“Yes,
Sophia, with a typing machine, telephone, and private door to shut out the world.”

I
was beyond exuberance. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Edwina. And just for a moment, I wished I could share it with Spence. I knew he would be proud of me. Also, like a moth to a flame, I harbored my childish instinct to win approval from my parents. To prove to them that I had talent. To have them praise me. As soon as I arrived at the flat, I
did
ring them and told them of my wondrous good fortune. Mummy wanted to know what motive Doctor Hausfater might have for making such an offer, and Papa told me that he thought the money was a ludicrous pittance. I should have known what to expect, and I probably did, but it never mattered. At no time in my life did I stop trying.