A look of shock registered immediately on the older woman’s face, but she recovered quickly with a smile.
“I did not mean any harm from the comment,” she clarified with a small laugh. “But you are right. I must not forget that she is the future duchess. Only a few more days remain now.”
The Dowager was busied by something that Aunt Rose was saying to her however her words had left an impact on Sophia. Her smile faltered, and she self-consciously diverted her gaze to her hands which were folded neatly onto her lap.
The Duke took notice and nudged Sophia gently to get her attention.
“You should not let anyone speak to you in that way,” he whispered. “Not my mother and definitely not the rest of the ton.”
“How am I supposed to control what others say to me, Your Grace?” Sophia replied with a melancholic smile.
“Remember who you are,” he asserted without missing a beat. “You are a duchess, and I expect you to act like such. Make that your armor, and the rest will follow suit.”
Sophia could not stop her heart from skipping a beat from his words.
“Have I made myself clear?” he stressed when he did not get an immediate response.
“I suppose this is all new to me,” she admitted earnestly. “I am not used to having a title like this.”
“You have one now, and the sooner you realize it, the better. You are to be the Duchess,” he affirmed.
It was at that moment that Sophia truly realized the prestige that the title carried. The fact that she would be able to command respect just owing to her status as the Duchess was a profound realization.
“Those etiquette lessons are not of much use unless you internalize this feeling of carrying your title,” he continued. “I believe you will be capable of doing so with some practice.”
Sophia felt a rush of warmth as she realized that she had the Duke standing in her corner now. She felt empowered and nodded.
“I promise to do so, Your Grace. I will not let others decide who I am.”
Sophia felt elated by this realization. She was to embark on the next chapter of her life, and she resolved to herself that she would do so with her head held up high.
Make it your armor.His words repeated themselves in her head. No one had ever given her advice like this in such a confident manner. It was beginning to rub off on her as well.
It was time for another one of Sophia’s lessons. However, this time she found herself alone with the etiquette coach as the Dowager had gone down to the town for some important work.
“I think you have shown great improvement in your walk,” the older lady commented as Sophia gave her a display by walking from one end of the room to the other. “Well done.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Harington,” Sophia smiled. “It surely means a lot coming from you.”
“I must say that I have changed my mind regarding you,” she replied, adjusting her spectacles. She was observing Sophia again, but this time, Sophia found her gaze to be quite judgmental.
“Pardon me, Mrs. Harington? What is it that you mean when you say that you have changed your mind?”
“Well…” Mrs. Harington paused briefly. “I had assumed that I would have to work much harder on you than I have. Of course, appearances can be deceiving…”
“Appearances?” Sophia gave her a pointed look.
“Your scars,” Mrs. Harington replied, her eyes flitting over to where Sophia’s scars were. “I suppose the expression to never judge a book by its cover holds weight after all.”
Sophia felt her heart sink at her words. Her first instinct was to hide away as she felt exposed once again, but then she remembered what the Duke had told her.
Make it your armor.
Sophia readjusted her posture and straightened her back.
“I would be careful before saying such a thing, Mrs. Harington,” she said with confidence. “You are aware that you are speaking to the future duchess?”
Mrs. Harington was caught off guard. Perhaps she had assumed that Sophia would not take any offense to her words, but Sophia had heard compliments like this before; they were backhanded and only served to make her feel smaller. She was not going to take them lying down.
