“My word, I was only suggesting…” Mrs. Harington said, stiffing up her upper lip.
“I understand that you might be well intentioned, but you should not make me feel cross about something that I carry with me on a daily basis,” Sophia replied firmly. “After all, my scars make me who I am today.”
Mrs. Harington had been taken aback by Sophia’s bluntness. She stood up from her place, adjusting her spectacles so that they did not slide off her nose.
“I have coached members of this family for years. They have always listened to my advice.”
“I am sure you have never been anything but kind to members of this family. I know that because you respect their status,” Sophia continued. “I would remind you that I will soon be a part of this family as well. You should not chide me on something that I cannot change.”
Sophia had never asserted herself like this before, but it felt truly empowering to stand up for herself.
“As far as my scars are concerned, they are a part of me,” she said. “You should get used to the fact that the Duchess has them. It is what makes me different, and the Duke accepts me with them.”
“My apologies, My Lady,” Mrs. Harington stated. “I shall be careful next time.”
“Lovely.” Sophia smiled to herself.
All her life, she had let herself be the subject of brutal tongue lashings. The shame that she felt regarding her scars had always been too big for her to step up to defend herself, but taking the Duke’s advice felt liberating.
If Sophia was to embark upon a new life, she would have to learn to put people in their place. Otherwise, she would only be seen as a weak duchess, and that was the last thing she wanted.
Cecil purred in Sophia’s lap as she sat on her kitchen table, surrounded by all the members of her household. It was the night before her wedding, and Sophia was aware that this was the last time she was spending time with everyone as an unmarried woman. The thought both scared her and excited her at the same time.
Aunt Rose looked quite distraught as she gently touched her niece’s hand from the seat across.
“I must say that it was always my wish to see you get married to a worthy gentleman. The Duke has exceeded my expectations in every single way. However, I cannot help but feel a heavy heart as the day draws nearer,” Aunt Ross admitted with a sigh.
“I shall visit you every chance that I get. I am sure that the Duke will not have much of a problem with that,” Sophia reassured.
“I believe so too. He has been incredible so far. I was impressed when he agreed with you taking Clara and Cecil along with you,” her aunt replied. “While I think that is good as you will have some familiarity in a new house, it does mean that this house is going to be empty without all of you here.
“But I also understand that it is your duty. After your parents passed, I considered myself to be your mother,” her aunt continued. “As your mother, it is one of my greatest responsibilities to have you married to a man who will take care of you. It is sad to let you leave, but I am happy to fulfill that important responsibility.”
Sophia’s heart lurched at the mention of her parents.
“I wish they were here on my wedding day.” Sophia found herself getting choked up again.
“My dear, they will be with you in spirit. You only need to feel their presence in your heart,” her aunt assured. “I am sure they are happy for you from the heavens.”
Sophia sniffled away her tears. She did not want to dampen the mood by crying, so she reminded herself to remain strong.
“I suppose you are right…”
“You know, I have never told you this, but your mother always had such great big dreams for her daughters’ weddings,” Aunt Rose mentioned.
“I was too young for her to discuss these things with me, but I would do anything to have her by my side now.”
“Your parents had a lovely marriage themselves. Both you and your sister were a testament to the love that they shared.”
“What do you think they would have said if they knew that I was not marrying for love?” Sophia asked. “I am not under any delusion that this marriage is not purely out of convenience. It is to fulfill a sense of duty.”
Her aunt was quiet for a moment, as though she was gathering the right words to say.
“I believe that love will follow,” she finally broke the silence. “Once you spend time in each other’s company, you will find feelings developing.”
Sophia shrugged her shoulders. She had no experience with love as she had never even been courted by a man before. All her life, she told herself that she would not find someone due to her curse, but now that she was just hours away from getting married, she realized that her situation was quite unique.
“Do you believe that?” she questioned. “I do not know if the Duke will fall in love with me. I think of him as a man of principles, and so far, he has done his part in standing up for me when needed. However, I do not feel any warmth from him. His interactions with me are reserved and dare I say, cold.”
