“A polite smile on my face at all times,” Sophia completed the sentence for him, now laughing as well. “I guess she has not changed her ways.”
“Oh, she is quite old, and it is too late for her to change her ways. I am sure that she means well at heart, but I personally find her lessons to be very overbearing.”
Jacob had sparked Sophia’s curiosity. She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it again. She did not know if it would be appropriate to ask him personal questions, given that they had just met.
“What is it?” he asked. “I can see that you are holding back on saying something to me. I am perceptive that way. You may speak your mind.”
“Well,” Sophia began, “I do not wish to overstep, but I am just curious on how you grew to develop these opinions. I know that the Duke has a strong sense of responsibility, and I assume that he must abide by these rules. How come you are so different?”
“Oh, you should not discount my brother just yet,” Jacob laughed. “But that is a topic for another time. As for me, well, I have always considered myself to be somewhat of a free spirit.”
“A free spirit?” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“Yes. I believe that a person only has one life, and it must not be spent worrying about what others think.”
“I think the same way!” Sophia interjected in excitement. “But it seems a lot more is suddenly expected of me now.”
“I can sympathize with you. I am aware that ladies of our society have it more difficult,” he attested. “However, you can rest your mind knowing that you do not always have to keep up appearances. You can be yourself around me as we are friends now. I am sure that with time, you will build a level of comfort with Duncan as well.”
“You believe so?” Sophia asked, biting down on her lip once again. She was glad that she had run into Jacob. Their interaction provided her a more authentic peak into what their household was like. She wanted to ask him a lot of questions, now that she had begun to feel safe around him.
“Yes, I am certain of it,” Jacob noted. “You will enjoy it when you move here, I assure you. In fact, I must give you a tour of the Estate. Shall we?”
Sophia shook her head.
“I am afraid I cannot as much as I would like to. The Dowager is expecting me to share a cup of tea with her.”
Jacob shrugged as though it was no matter of worry at all.
“That is hardly an issue. Come, I shall ask mother myself.”
The two of them walked over to the front of the garden. The Dowager was there already, and she seemed surprised when she saw the two of them together.
“Mother,” Jacob grinned. “It was such a lovely coincidence that I ran into Lady Sophia in the garden just now. I have decided to take up this opportunity to give her a tour of the Estate. Unfortunately, this means that I will have to borrow her for a while.”
The Dowager raised an eyebrow. Sophia noted that she seemed to have a soft spot for her youngest son as she did not immediately voice her objection.
“Perhaps you can wait a while…”
“But what will we be waiting for?” Jacob asked. “There is some free time that we have right now, and I think it best that we utilize it effectively.”
“Maybe the Duke has something to say on the matter. Getting his opinion would not be a terrible idea.”
“Mother, dear, I know what my brother would say. He would say that it is not a useful thing to cling onto superstitions. I am sure that I do not have to tell you that.”
Duchess Anna was quiet for a moment. Sophia wondered if there was something that she was missing here. Was there a conversation about her between them that she was not privy to?
Whatever the reason, Duchess Anna let go of her hesitation and nodded to show her approval, albeit begrudgingly.
“Fair enough. But I suggest Lady Sophia’s lady’s maid accompany you both.”
Within moments, Clara was summoned from inside the estate, and the three of them were on their way.
“I must say, I expected the Dowager to put up more of a resistance,” Sophia admitted. The two of them walked as Clara shadowed them.
“My mother has a tough exterior, but inside, she is soft. I believe the same to be true for my brother,” Jacob pointed out. “I believe that you will find this to be true when you get to know them better.”
“I will take your word for it,” Sophia noted. “After all, you do not have any reason to lie to me.”
