Edward groaned. This situation really was impossible, he couldn't help thinking, as his valet helped him to dress for dinner. Sophia was always in his thoughts when he wasn't with her. No matter how hard he tried to stop seeing her face, and dare he say it, replace her image with Lucy. He just couldn't seem to do it, and seemed now to not even be trying to divert his attention elsewhere.
In his entire life he had never been attracted so much to a woman, as he was to Miss Sophia Barlow. However the Earl of Duxbury's intimation that he should marry Lucy, his daughter, still sat uncomfortably at the back of Edward's mind. If he couldn't marry Sophia, that didn't mean he had to make a proposal for Lucy's hand or did it? Mama would get the daughter-in-law she craved, and a business alliance with the Earl would most likely be beneficial. He would have to make a decision on whether to proceed with it very soon. Even Lucy and her mama were clearly expecting him to reveal his intentions. Nevertheless, irrespective of the offer of Lucy's hand in marriage made by her father and not of course losing sight of how beautiful she was which had confused him initially, Edward knew deep down that his heart was still set on Sophia. She was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. No one else. That is if he had been able to choose her.
Whereas if he was to pursue a marriage to Lady Lucy Exley, any sort of relationship with Sophia would definitely be out of the question. So he would need to ask her to leave Carlfield. Something which he was finding increasingly difficult to accept, but there wasn't any alternative as far as he could see. Despite his mother's nonchalant attitude to a scandal, and whilst he may secretly agree with her and not be in the least concerned about himself, he could never subject Sophia to anything like that. It would be highly improper, and very wrong.
A little later with his grey silk cravat tied properly by the valet and wearing his favourite cologne which smelt predominantly of bergamot, musk, and cedar the Duke made his way downstairsto the drawing room. He was standing next to the window, aimlessly staring at the rain and wondering why life couldn't be more straightforward, when Sophia followed his mother into the room. It took Edward a moment or two to catch his breath. Completely overwhelmed by how stunning Sophia looked in what seemed to be a new gown.
It was exquisitely trimmed with the finest antique lace, dyed pale lemon, with a drawstring ribbon of a similar colour beneath the bodice to accentuate her willowy figure. The pearls she wore were equally stunning, and quite valuable, he thought. Making him wonder briefly who had given them to her. Surely not another gentleman! The thought brought the heat of jealousy once again to his cheeks. Feeling entirely consumed by her presence the Duke felt an urgent need to know everything about her, and frustration when he recalled once again that this simply wasn't possible. Or his place to do so, other than if it was something which affected her employment.
When Sophia curtsied to him in the most enchanting way he had ever seen, Cynthia was smiling broadly as she watched them both, with a sense of satisfaction and pride. Unable to contain her excitement any longer, she said, "Ned, doesn't Sophia look charming, and so beautiful this evening? Please tell her that she does. She is wearing one of the dresses I had in my younger days. Florence and Effie have worked wonders with it. Don't you agree?" Not waiting for him to reply, which he was exceedingly pleased about, she went on to say that Sophia would most definitely steal a few hearts when their guests arrived and she read her poem later. Making Sophia blush, and look down at the rug in embarrassment.
Not for the first time, the Duke wished that his mother could be a little more tactful. Her suggestion that Sophia would steal a few hearts tonight really was unacceptable. Especially if she received the reaction from some of the ladies of the ton he feared she might. Also looking as beautiful as she did in such an exquisite gown wouldn’t help her case once jealousy reared its ugly head. Given how much the Duchess clearly liked her new companion, he sincerely hoped that it wouldn’t distress Sophia so much that shedecided to leave Carlfield house. Admitting guiltily then to himself that this would be for his own sake, as much as for his mother's.
Meanwhile, Sophia was also feeling guilty but about her deception. She realised how much Cynthia had become attached to her, in all of the kindnesses she had shown. Even appointing Effie as her maid, and now, filling the wardrobe in her bedchamber with new clothes which were truly beautiful. Far too good for a servant, and someone whom the Duchess barely knew. Cynthia had insisted earlier that she wear one of her gowns for the recital, which the two maids had sat far into the night altering for her. Sophia also felt more than a little confused by all of this attention. It was almost as if the Duchess considered she was more to her than just an employer. Sophia's heart missed a beat. It was as if she felt like a mother to her, but that surely couldn't be the case. Her heart began to ache then, simply thinking about it, and the loss of her own mama. Finding it so overwhelming that her hand grasped her mother's pearls, trying to seek comfort from them. At the same time being very grateful for Lady Cynthia's affection.
It wasn't long however before all of them were distracted by Jenkins' polite cough, which was a prelude to him announcing the arrival of the Earl and Countess of Duxbury, accompanied by Lady Lucy Exley. Sophia felt herself trying to shrink into her new gown, so that she didn't appear quite as conspicuous as she now felt, and did her best to blend into the background. Quite forgetting that this wouldn't be possible, since she was still standing between Lady Cynthia and Ned. Not apart from them. Also because she did look absolutely stunning in the Duchess' silk gown. The Earl looked at her on this occasion with raised eyebrows, causing her to wonder what was going through his mind. Not being aware of the proposal he had suggested Edward make for his daughter's hand in marriage, she assumed the worst, and that he had guessed her secret.
Sophia paled as she lowered her eyes, unable to meet his stare any longer. The best she could do to get through the evening, she told herself quite sternly, would be not to overthink any of it. Despite how alarmed she already felt. Even worse she had sensed the tension within Edward, before he stepped forward to greet their guests.
The Duke was also at a disadvantage, without him realising it, and because he was equally unaware of what was going through the Earl's thoughts. The truth of the matter was actually quite different. Howard Exley had a penchant for alcohol, and gambling which was out of control. With the result that although the matter still remained relatively unknown in the ton, he was actually on the verge of filing for bankruptcy. Recently deciding that the only way he could avoid the disgrace of being sent to a debtors' prison was if he could persuade the Duke of Carlfield, whom everyone knew was exceedingly rich, to merge their two families by marrying Lucy.
In a drunken stupor one evening it had even crossed his mind that he could wager her hand on a set of cards he felt certain would win him the game, and a considerable sum of money. Although Lord Neil Dilley had been very tempted by such an attractive offer, and enjoyed gambling as much as Howard did, he said that he must regretfully refuse to accept the wager on this occasion. He had recently become betrothed. As it had taken a long time for his proposal to be accepted and the marriage was now imminent, he didn't wish to upset the arrangement. The Earl had been grateful for this refusal afterwards, since he subsequently lost the game.
Whilst in his more sober moments he believed that Amelia, his wife, had been going about the situation in completely the wrong way. His daughter's beauty was undoubtedly a great asset, but for a man like Edward there would need to be something more. The Duke would be looking for an intelligent and sensible wife, with whom he could also have a conversation in the evenings and at breakfast, before he was about to begin his day. Helping to keep him on an even keel. Something which the Earl lacked in his own life, and bitterly regretted. Feeling that if Amelia had been a little different, he might not have succumbed to drinking quite so much alcohol at his club in the evenings. Wishing instead to be at home, more often.
Hence his reason for staring at Miss Sophia Barlow, and hoping that she might soon be gone from Edward's sight. The Duke was clearly interested in her, and she was a great beauty, he had to admit albeit reluctantly. Given that she was part of Edward’s household they surely would meet often throughout the day, increasing their familiarity, even though she was only a servant. Moreover the Earl needed his daughter's marriage to go aheadspeedily. Since one of his main creditors was about to call in the debt which he simply didn't have enough money to pay. Howard couldn't risk asking Edward for a loan at this crucial point in what he saw as their negotiations about Lucy's future. Possibly making the Duke suspicious of his motive in offering Lucy's hand to him, and receiving a refusal on both counts. While he still had the upper hand at the moment, when Edward didn't have any inkling of his financial difficulties. The Duke also surely wouldn't be so foolish as to risk a scandal by marrying a servant? The Earl had business dealings with his father a few years ago. He remembered his admiration of him at the time, and he equally had an enormous amount of respect for his son. Despite this current subterfuge which came from dire necessity. Especially in the way Edward had continued to build his father's business after his death.
The Earl scowled. The problem was his wife and daughter. They had held him back in life, and were doing it even now. Amelia was far too absorbed in herself to be of any help when he needed it the most. She wasn't even aware of their imminent destitution. Whereas Lucy was extremely spoiled, expecting to have her own way at all times, and thoroughly empty headed. Unable to converse on very little other than the gossip of the ton, the latest fashion in gowns and bonnets, and the look a gentleman had supposedly given a lady which must mean a proposal would be forthcoming shortly. Quite ridiculous!
Furthermore, if Howard was being completely honest with himself when he was sober, one of the things he regretted the most was trying to foist Lucy onto a gentleman like Edward whom he did genuinely like. He would have difficulty changing her, but would need to if he wished to have any peace at all in his home. Not something he envied him in the least. Whereas from what he had seen of Miss Barlow she was bright, intelligent, well read and even wrote her own poetry. He could see the attraction there for Edward. Obviously for her the Duke's wealth and status, but he was also well travelled and spoke eloquently of the places around the world he had visited, which she would no doubt have read about in her books. This was what happened when women were permitted to read, and although he wasn't entirely certain that he should think of it this way, he actually believed that all of those dreadful bluestockings could well be right in asserting their wish to read and write.
Although neither Amelia nor Lucy would of course have any of this. Believing that being able to sew a piece of embroidery was the best way to a man's heart. When to be able to converse with him was of course far preferable. On the other hand Edward would make a fine son-in-law, and at least they would be able to discuss matters at length, which Howard felt would improve his life at home enormously. The Earl grinned when he noticed Lady Cynthia talking to Amelia and Lucy. Wondering what effect she would have on them, as she clearly didn't tolerate any nonsense. Those dreadful ladies they currently consorted with had been too great an influence on them. It really did have to stop, and however this sorry state of affairs turned out, he had come to a decision after drinking a considerable amount of wine that both Amelia and Lucy had to start reading without any more excuses.
Howard glanced at Sophia again, standing demurely behind Lady Cynthia and Edward. The three of them even looked right together, he couldn't help thinking in frustration. Even as a ladies' companion, she had backbone. You could tell that from looking at her. Although he deeply regretted the observation, he could definitely see the attraction for a man like Edward. Had his own circumstances been very different he might well have been tempted himself. A woman like Miss Sophia Barlow presented much more of a challenge. Not only in him having the pleasure of instructing her on how to warm a gentleman's nights, but his conversation too! Whilst for the Duke there would of course be the satisfaction of having to find a solution to the additional dilemma of how to avoid a scandal, if he should marry her.
The Earl of Duxbury could well imagine that something like this would intrigue the Duke of Carlfield, but not if he had anything to do with it. Howard raised himself up to his full height. He realised now what he had to do. He would have to put a stop to this, and Miss Sophia Barlow's scheming, before it went any further!
Chapter 23
Edward was seated next to Lucy during dinner, and following her mama's instructions on how to regain the Duke's interest in her, she was trying to talk enthusiastically about the literary readings which Lady Cynthia would be hosting later that evening. However when Edward finally managed to get a word in edgewise, and asked her if she would be reading, she stared at him wide eyed as if he had gone completely insane. The Duke was of course well aware that it was frowned upon in certain quarters for ladies to have an interest in books, but he hadn't expected to receive such a vehement response from her. Especially when this didn't equate to her having an interest in the rest of the evening, as she had been initially trying to infer.
Lucy said then that she played the piano to a high standard, again according to Mama and the guests who had listened to her recitals at home after dinner. They had also found her embroidery outstanding. She did admit then confidentially to the Duke that she had been disappointed by the Duchess' decision to change the theme of the evening from talent to literary. Since this meant she couldn't take part in it. Nevertheless she would be very happy to sit quietly next to him and listen to the readings. Edward decided not to pursue the matter any further with her, since he was already thinking about Sophia’s reading later that evening.
After dinner, the guests were invited by Jenkins to make their way to the drawing room where the entertainment was to take place. Once everyone was seated Cynthia announced that Miss Barlow would be gracing them with a poetry reading to open the event. She also revealed that she had already had the pleasure of a private reading of her companion's delightful verse, so knew that they wouldn't be disappointed. As she was taking her seat again at the front near the stage, she gave Sophia an encouraging look, but she unfortunately failed to see it as her head was bent low. Not quite finished however, Lady Cynthia graced the audience with a beaming smile as she turned to sit down. Congratulating herself then on giving Sophia as much support as she could and still firmly believing that inviting her companion to read her poemwould be for the best. Glancing at Edward once she began, the Duchess was heartened even more by the look of admiration on her son's face.
Meanwhile Sophia felt extremely nervous throughout dinner, and as a result had barely eaten anything. Her legs were quivering when she finally stood up in front of the guests. Especially when she couldn’t fail to see that some of them were frowning at her. Not amused that they were apparently about to listen to a servant entertain them, and had been expecting much better from the Duchess of Carlfield who seemed wholeheartedly to support such nonsense.
Sophia had added an extra verse to the romantic poem she read aloud to Lady Cynthia, a couple of days ago, and which no one else had heard. Wishing to do her best, she hadn't been satisfied that the original version was complete without it. Thankfully it was still a short poem, so it wouldn't take long to read. Although it would still seem like a lifetime to her, and there were a couple of places where she knew she might falter. She had learned the words by heart, so that she wouldn't need to look down at her journal. Deciding that if she did encounter any bad feeling from the guests, which now seemed highly likely, the only way to get through the reading was to not take any notice of them.
Lady Cynthia had her best interests at heart in asking her to read, and it was an honour to be on the stage at Carlfield in front of her guests. If the Duchess had confidence in her abilities as a poet, which she clearly now did, it was up to Sophia to do the best that she could. Also reminding herself of how she had often regarded herself in the past as a bluestocking, and this was proof of it. Feeling very self-conscious she cleared her throat and began to read her romance poem:
"Capturing her heart in a swoon,
While the stars twinkled high above
The luminescence of the moon,
A Lord and Lady fell in love.
