The captain and I plan to travel to Bath as soon as we return, so you may become acquainted with him. I hope that will not be inconvenient. In the meantime, I have left the studio in Maurice’s care. I know you have great faith in him, so I trust you won’t mind. Mrs. Thrupton will serve as chaperone for our journey, but promises to help Maurice manage the cottages when she returns to Lynmouth.
Until we meet again, I remain,
Your loving daughter,
Sophie
She blotted, folded, and sealed the letter, preparing it for the post.
Mavis had disappeared into her own bedchamber while Sophie wrote her letters, but now she came out, carrying several things in her arms.
“I don’t know if you have given any thought to what you will wear for the wedding, my dear. Of course, you would be lost in any of my gowns, but I do have this silk shawl, and a cap you might wear, along with one of your finer muslins.”
Sophie fingered the soft silk shawl, white shot with primrose, with embossed satin flowers, and very handsome fringe. “It’s lovely,” she breathed. “I would be honored to wear it. The cap as well. I like the lace trimming. It’s smarter than anything I own.”
Mavis handed her a small bunch of silk flowers, “In case the captain doesn’t think to stop for hothouse flowers. If only it were later in the spring we could pick a fine bouquet.”
“That’s all right, Mrs. Thrupton. These will do very well.”
Mavis sucked in a breath, then clapped a hand to her cheek. “Oh no! I completely forgot about a ring! He does not wear one on his little finger, does he, that might suffice until he can replace it? I have a plain silver band, but if it fits my sausage fingers, it shan’t fit you. And there’s no jeweler for miles.”
“That’s all right. Don’t worry.” Sophie tugged gently on the chain she wore around her neck, fishing out its end from within her bodice. “I wear my mother’s ring as a pendant. There is no other ring I would wish for.”
chapter 4
Sophie decided not to wait until morning, but to seek out Captain Overtree that very night so Mavis could meet him before the journey.
Together the women walked to the Rising Sun. There they found Captain Overtree finishing his supper in the inn’s dining parlour.
No welcoming smile broke over his somber face when he saw them, though his low voice when he greeted them was perfectly polite. “Hello, ladies. Will you join me? I am afraid I have just finished, but I would be happy to ask the innkeeper to bring you something, if you like.”
“No, thank you,” Sophie replied. “Captain, this is my friend and neighbor, Mrs. Thrupton. Mrs. Thrupton, Captain Overtree.”
“How do you do, sir.”
“Mrs. Thrupton.” He acknowledged her without warmth, then turned to Sophie. “I did not expect to see you until tomorrow morning. Have you a question, or am I to understand you have come to a decision already?”
“I have, sir.”
His stern expression threatened to steal her courage. Did he hope she would refuse him, so he could wash his hands of her and the whole sordid mess?
“And...?” he prompted.
She swallowed. “I have decided to accept your offer. If you are still willing.”
“I said I was. And I am not given to changing my mind, as I believe I mentioned.”
“Yes, but I wanted to be sure.”
He nodded. “Very well. The hired chaise will be waiting in the mews at nine in the morning, if that will be convenient?”
So soon. She forced a wooden nod. What had she expected? Smiles of pleasure? Whoops of congratulations? An embrace? Glancing at his flinty expression, she knew none of the above would be forthcoming.
In her mind’s eye, Wesley’s affectionate gaze appeared. She blinked it away, along with the stab of pain that accompanied it. This was certainly not how he would have reacted.
Mavis spoke up. “I would like some assurance that you have honorable intentions toward my young friend here. How do I know you will follow through on your promise to marry her?”
His eyes glinted. “I suppose you shall have to take my word for it.”
