For the second time in two days, she was to discuss her unusual parentage. She spoke mostly of her mother and the few memories she had of her father. She only mentioned her stepbrother and her stepfather as necessary.
“Your stepbrother,” the Captain said, “he is older than you?”
Sophia nodded. “By four years.” But what a difference it had made. “Oh, there he is!” Spotting the lion, Sophia tugged Captain Brookes’ arm until they reached the tiny space closed off with bars. In large black, bold letters, the word DANGER was printed on a sign at the back of the cage. Below it, a drawing illustrated the lion ripping off a man’s head.
“It would not be so very bad, I think,” she said, “if they were to be given a larger space to wonder about, with rocks and ponds and streams. A place where they could have their needs met and take some exercise.”
Captain Brookes rocked on his heels beside her. “Still a cage, though, Sophia.”
“I suppose you are right,” she said on a sigh. “You don’t hunt, do you?”
“Not unless it’s necessary. There have been times when my battalion would not have eaten had we not hunted.”
He was too perfect, this man. His words appealed to her soul.
This was troubling.
This gentleman, this total stranger, seemed to understand her better than her fiancé did — better than even her closest of friends!
But Harolddidlove her. He’d said so, hadn’t he? Of course, he had! And Harold would care for her and eventually, her mother as well. As she so often did when she was not having a care, her next thoughts slipped out of her mouth.
“I do like you, Captain Brookes.” And she smiled at him. She did like him!
He could be a friend. A respected acquaintance.
Yes, they could be friends.
Except for the kissing… and the licking of sugar on one’s nose…
An overturned log lay beside them and Captain Brookes placed one booted foot upon it. He then draped one arm across his knee and leaned toward her. “Sophia,” he said, suddenly quite serious, “do youlikethis fiancé of yours?”
Oh!
How had she told him such a thing!
He was an honorable man.
“What must you think of me?” She turned her head away, but with tender fingers, he brought her chin back around so that she would look at him.
“Do you love him?”
What was she doing? “I thought I did.” She couldn’t lie. “He is a kind and gentle man. He is always good to me. He is not arrogant. He will not control me or be cruel to me in any way. And my family is so happy that I am finally engaged.” She stared at him openly. “I haven’t much of a dowry. My stepfather made some poor investments a few years back, and those funds were tied up with them… But since I’ve become engaged, everybody is dreadfully relieved. My mother appears ten years younger. I haven’t seen her smile so much in ages.”
This man, this man she’d only just met, watched her closely. It was as though he peered into her soul. He was a good listener — too good of a listener, in fact.
“Does he love you?”
“He has said that he does, I think. I was so happy when he proposed that I cannot remember exactly what was said, but I believe he said something to that effect. He said he esteemed me greatly, yes, I think he said he loved me.”
Captain Brookes tilted his head slightly. “Are you happy for it?”
Sophia gave him what she knew, most assuredly was a pained expression. “Oh, Captain, I had thought I was! I was so relieved to have matters settled! But now…” She looked down at her hands, hands which were suddenly cradled in his.
“Have I ruined it for you?”
“I don’t know!” she said. “You have and yet… even before I met you, I think I was beginning to have doubts. And then when you kissed me… Your kiss…”
He dropped his foot to the ground and moved forward, protecting her display of emotions from curious passersby. “Hush, hush. I didn’t mean to upset you, Sophia. But I am not unaffected by you either. If you were to become free, somehow, I would have you know that I would court you.” He rubbed his hand along her back. Luckily, a large post stood between them and the vendor-lined corridor. “I would not have chosen such a public setting to have this discussion.”
