“Is something wrong?” he asked, noticing her hesitation.
Technically no, nothing was wrong. For two weeks, everything was right and this marriage was growing stronger by the day. The only thing that was missing was physical intimacy, a sense that Sophia and Gabriel were ready to take the next step in this marriage.
She knew that it would come eventually. Surely, it must? There was no reason it would not, and every reason that it should. But Gabriel was yet to attempt anything that suggested he wantedsuch a thing from this relationship, and Sophia was careful about being the first to act.
I might have changed much, but I have not changed as much as that.
“No, nothing is wrong.” She smiled warmly so he could see it, and he smiled in return. It was a kind gesture, and it spoke to how much he cared for her. But it wasn’t enough to sate Sophia’s desire, the need for this relationship to take that next step.
She held their smile as she turned and hurried through the manor, head down, determined to push that thought away.
Things were going so well between her and Gabriel, so why was she desperate to find fault? He cared for her, she knew, as she cared for him, and soon they would show that care and that compassion through physical contact. A kiss here. Holding hands there. And then…
Her cheeks turned pink at the thought and her smile grew.
Yes, things were going well and she was a fool to let those thoughts trouble her. Patience is what was needed, and seeing as they had the rest of their lives together, patience was exactly what Sophia would show.
By the time she reached the washroom, Sophia’s mood was back to normal… that was until she heard the whispers.
They came from just outside the washroom, getting closer by the second. Three voices, women, heading her way, and considering what they were saying… Sophia’s eyes widened and she darted into the stall and shut the door, just as the three gossiping women walked into the room.
“Who does she think she is fooling?” one of the voices said.
“What do you mean?” another asked.
“The way she has been behaving,” the first voice confirmed. “We all know what she is doing.” A disgusted drawl to her voice. “And I tell you now, her husband is not fooled.”
“Oh, be nice,” a third voice interjected. “I do not know Her Grace personally, but she seems like a lovely lady.”
“Ha!” the first voice laughed. “She was that, until she married. Now…” A pause and Sophia leaned closer to the door to listen to what was said. “I have heard that His Grace caught her with one of his staff.”
“No?”
“Just a rumor,” the first woman confirmed. “But it makes sense. I mean, think about it. She has changed so much these past few weeks, and it is all in an effort to steal her husband’s attention. She is desperate for it.”
“She will need to be,” the second woman noted. “I mean, it is not as if his reputation is perfect.” She laughed mockingly. “Likely, he encouraged it. We all know how much of a rake he used to be.”
“Still is,” the first woman said. “And now Her Grace is going down the same path. And why? For a man who clearly thinks so little of her. You saw them out there. He could hardly bring himself to look at her.”
“It is so sad,” the third woman sighed. “That one would change themselves for a man who does not care.”
“Sad? More like desperate.”
Sophia did not recognize the three voices who spoke, but that made little difference. Their words were sharp and each one cut her like a knife slicing against her bare skin. She winced and cowered back, even trembled, as if she had been physically beaten.
And while she told herself that she did not care what the woman said, she knew that to be a lie. The changes she made were for herself, not for her husband, but that others thought so little of her, that they mocked and judged… it stung.
She waited until the women left the room and then carefully opened the door and snuck out. Sadly, her pain and torment were far from over.
“I take it you heard what was said?” It was none other than Lady Clarissa Harwood, standing by the washbasin, looking at Sophia with a sense of pity that hurt even worse than the awful things those women said.
She was more beautiful than Sophia remembered. Those full lips, those sharp features, the strength in her, while somehow managing to look delicate all in one. Her eyes were deep blue, her teeth were pristine white, and none of that was to mention her curves. Sophia eyed them with jealousy…
“I…” Sophia attempted to stand tall and proud as she tore her eyes off the woman’s body. “It bothers me little. What do I care what some random women think?”
“Good for you.” Clarissa went to her and took her hand. “That’s the spirit. I mean, if you and His Grace cannot handle a little rumor, then perhaps your marriage is not as strong as you thought.”
“Oh, yes…” She pulled back a little, surprised by the comment. “I did not think of it like that.”
