Her heart leapt. “Of course I am. Thank you, Thurman.”
Sophie hurried in to the morning room. “Mavis! I am so happy to see you.” Tears filled Sophie’s eyes and her face crumpled.
“Oh, my dear!” In a moment the dear woman’s ample arms were around her, gathering her close to her soft bosom, and surrounding Sophie with the familiar smells of rosewater and freshly baked bread. “I came as soon as I got your letter.”
Somehow her comforting presence made Sophie cry all the more. Her throat tightened and she struggled to speak. “His parents are so angry. And Wesley’s pressuring me. And Captain Overtree won’t answer my letters. Everything’s ruined. Everything.”
“There, there, my dear. We will work out what’s best to be done. Come and sit down.”
Sophie did so, telling the woman about Wesley’s declaration of love, his determination to be together, and to claim her child as his own.
“And the captain?”
“I don’t know. I’ve written to him, but he hasn’t responded. I’m afraid he regrets marrying me, and will regret it even more now that his parents know the child I carry is not his. How mortifying for us both, but especially for him.”
“Does he know his brother is home and repentant and... persuasive?”
“I mentioned he was home in my last letter. But I wasn’t sure how much I should say about his brother. Not when he’s so far away and there’s nothing he can do.”
Mavis took her hand. “Do you regret marrying the captain? Wish you’d taken your chances and waited for the painter?”
Sophie shook her head.
“What do you want to do now?”
“I don’t know—so much has happened. I’m tired, Mrs. Thrupton. Tired of pretending. Tired of worrying. Tired of being pressured. I just want to sleep for a month. I worry what all this anxiety is doing to my baby.”
Mavis patted her hand. “I’m sure your baby is perfectly well. I know that some folks say a mother’s character and worries and cravings are passed on to the child she carries, but I think it’s a great pile of claptrap. But so much anxiety isn’t good for anyone, my dear. That is true. I hate to see you so unhappy.”
“I fear what Wesley will do when the child comes. And then what the captain will do to him when he returns. If he returns. Will his parents even acknowledge their grandchild?”
“They should. And if it had to be another man’s child, at least he is still of the family line. They ought to be happy he’s an Overtree in blood as well as name.”
“They are not happy at all.”
Mrs. Thrupton took her hand, gazing steadily into her face. “I can’t tell you what to do, Sophie. But I’ll support you, whatever you decide.”
“Thank you.” Sophie inhaled deeply. “All I know for certain is that I don’t want to have my child here. Among a family I don’t feel I really belong to—who seem more like disapproving strangers now than when I first arrived. Don’t mistake me. I am fond of the grandfather and sister. And I cannot blame their parents for being disappointed and upset, but I can’t abide the thought of his mother being on hand during the birth. I would be so tense, worrying every second I might do something else wrong.”
“Do you... wish to go to Bath?” Mavis tentatively asked. “To your father?”
Sophie shook her head. “No. I do not wish to be beholden to my stepmother, who has made it plain she doesn’t have room for my child.”
“You know you are welcome to come home with me, if you like,” Mavis said. “I hope that goes without saying. Though I don’t flatter myself you’d be eager to leave all this for my snug cottage.”
Sophie’s heart lightened. “At the moment, I can think of nothing better! There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. But I don’t want to be too much trouble.”
“Nonsense, my girl. I will be with you when your time comes. And Widow Paisley. And we can send for Dr. Parrish if need be. You’ll be well looked after.”
Relief washed over Sophie. And she smiled for what felt like the first time in weeks.
“Thank you! You are a godsend.” Sophie bit her lip as she considered. “The Overtrees won’t like me leaving this near my lying-in. And Wesley could make things difficult. So I’d like to keep it quiet for now, if you don’t mind. I will tell them as I am leaving, or leave a note. But I prefer to avoid a drawn-out farewell. You must think me a terrible coward, but I cannot face another heated confrontation right now. My emotions are too frayed as it is.”
“That’s what pregnancy does to women....” Mavis hesitated, then added, “Or so I understand. Strains our emotions as well as our bodies. But yes, at least leave a note so they don’t worry.”
Sophie nodded in agreement. Through the doorway, she noticed Kate and Miss Blake walk by, wearing aprons and bonnets, flower baskets and gardening shears in hand. Miss Blake glanced in, but Kate chatted on as she passed, unaware.
Once they had gone, Sophie continued in a lower voice, “May I meet you at the Wickbury coaching inn tomorrow? Have you enough money for the night? I will pay you back—the captain left money for any unforeseen needs that arose while he was away.”
