The Duke looked deeply into them. "I am glad that I have found you here in my favourite place, although I hope I didn't alarm you," he said, gently with concern. It was impossible for him not to notice that she had been crying but which she didn't try to explain. How could she? To do so would mean revealing her secret, and Ned in any event had carried on speaking. Unable to contain his feelings any longer.
"Sophia, I have a confession to make," he said, earnestly. "I have always wanted to marry for love, just as my parents did." He hesitated for a moment when he saw the surprise on her face. Believing that she must have been expecting a proposal from him when clearly now she hadn't been. Nevertheless it had taken him most of the night to find the courage to do this, so as far as he was concerned there really was no turning back.
Whereas, unknown to him, Sophia had been afraid he was about to tell her that he had been aware of her deceit for some time, and couldn't hide it any longer. However that obviouslywasn't the case at all when he continued. "From the moment we met I have been unable to stop thinking about you." Ned stepped closer to the bench, and reached for her hand.
Sophia gasped when he said, "I can no longer deny my feelings. I have fallen in love with you. I can only hope that you feel the same way about me."
With her heart racing Sophia looked into the face of the man she loved, and was still desperately afraid of losing. The situation couldn't possibly go on any longer, not now, without her telling him the truth. "My dearest Ned, there is something you should know about my past before you say any more," she said, wishing with all her heart that she didn't have to tell him about her betrothal to Lord Dilley.
"No, I will not hear it! The past doesn't concern me, only now. This very moment when I need to hear you tell me, Sophia. Can you, or do you feel the same way about me?" He said, feeling as if the world was standing still. Until his heart would surely burst with happiness when he heard her reply.
Miss Sophia Barlow had said softly, but distinctly, "yes, I am in love with you!"
As soon as she said the words he wished to hear, which would change both of their lives forever, the Duke of Carlfield dropped down on one knee and proposed to her.
Whilst Sophia couldn't believe what she had done. She was already betrothed to another man, but if she didn't accept Ned's offer now she might well lose him which would certainly break her heart. The remnants of the nightmare she had woken from not so long ago returned to her, and without thinking any further about what she was doing she said, "yes!"
Ned's arms were around her again, but this time his lips were also on hers. It was the sweetest moment in her entire life, and later, she was so glad that Lord Dilley had never managed toget around to their first kiss. He meant nothing at all to her. Whereas Ned was everything.
Chapter 28
A short while later, Edward and Sophia joined the Duchess as she was about to go into the breakfast room. They had walked back to the house side by side, and arm in arm. When the Duke told her that this was where she belonged, and nothing would part them now, it left Sophia with mixed feelings. Although she obviously didn't want to leave his side, she was worried at first that Lady Cynthia didn't know about their betrothal. She might learn from one of the servants that they had been walking through the garden unchaperoned, and in such close proximity to each other.
Ned had grinned at her then in a mischievous way, so that Sophia could see how fun loving he was under the serious demeanour he usually showed to the world. He told her that she wouldn't need to worry about anything from now on. He would care for her, protect, and love her. Whilst Lady Cynthia would shortly hear the news directly from them, before any gossip had the opportunity to reach her ears. He was certain that she would be delighted. Given the hints she had dropped earlier, about this happening.
Sophia was unable to contain her delight on the one hand, regarding her close proximity to Ned which she had craved for so long, but at the same time she fully realised that their happiness could be short lived. Depending on the reaction she received from Ned and his mother to what she still had to tell them about her past. All of which was making her feel anxious, and Edward couldn't help noticing how ill at ease she looked. He attributed this to her shy disposition, also the recent change in her status which she would no doubt still be coming to terms with. Knowing of no reason why he should regret making a marriage proposal to her. Only that they still had so much to discuss about the future, and of course their wedding.
As he had anticipated it was easy to see how thrilled Lady Cynthia was that they had come in from the garden with their arms linked, since this could presumably only mean one thing, and she smiled broadly at them both. As they turned the corner of thepassageway, Ned was also talking to Sophia quite animatedly about his latest project on the estate, which to the Duchess' knowledge he had never done before. Essentially concerning the improvements to the tenants' cottages he had in hand, to which Sophia seemed to be listening very carefully so as not to miss a single word of it. Cynthia's heart went out to them both. They made such a wonderful couple. They even looked right together. So much so that it almost felt wrong for her to interrupt them, and announce that they were just in time for breakfast.
After they had sat down Edward smiled at Sophia then his mother, and said, "I have an important announcement to make before breakfast is served. Mama, I know you'll be delighted when I tell you that Sophia and I are betrothed."
For a brief moment silence filled the room, before Cynthia said, "I can't begin to tell you how glad I am, and that you have finally come to your senses, Ned. My biggest fear was that you were going to make the greatest mistake of your life by asking for Lady Lucy’s hand in marriage, and not Sophia. That would have been insufferable!" She turned to Sophia then, and with tears in her eyes told her that Ned couldn’t have made a better choice in finding a wife.
Edward had to keep his own emotions under control when the Duchess went on to say that his father would have been very proud of him. Smiling even more broadly through her tears of joy, she revealed that she had been longing for Sophia to become her daughter. Pulling her gently into a maternal embrace, before she kissed her forehead gently. "I can't wait for Ned and you to be married," she said, warmly. When she felt Sophia's shoulders shaking, the same as Edward had done, she thought that this was simply a reaction to what had happened. There was so much for all of them to take in, and it had all happened very quickly. She never once imagined that this nervousness came from fear.
Meanwhile Sophia was feeling overwhelmed. She had even had her first kiss, and how wonderful that had been. She still couldn't believe Lady Cynthia would officially become her mother. In that particular moment, she knew that however much Neddidn't wish to listen to her revealing her secret, she immediately had to do it. She glanced at him, and couldn't help smiling when she saw the way he was staring at her with love in his eyes. This really was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Nevertheless after taking a deep breath, and without any further hesitation, she said that there was something important they needed to know. Unfortunately she was unable to say any more, because Jenkins came into the breakfast room to announce the unexpected arrival of the Earl and Countess of Duxbury who were accompanied by Lady Lucy.
Cynthia frowned at the intrusion so early in the morning, and that they had arrived without an invitation from her. Complaining loudly of their visitors' apparent lack of good manners. Whilst Edward recalled then that he was supposed to be giving Howard his answer today, regarding whether or not he would be asking him for Lucy's hand in marriage. He was however as surprised as his mother by the Earl's arrival at such an early hour, and that he had brought his family with him. Surely Howard didn't wish to prompt him on the issue? If so it was highly impertinent, since the Duke had given his word that he would have a reply today. Alternatively if he had wished to ask for Lucy's hand in marriage, the Earl surely wasn't expecting him to make the proposal this morning, and that was why he had brought his wife and daughter with him? In his opinion, and still not knowing why his lordship regarded the matter as urgent, he couldn't help but think that Howard had lost his senses either way.
Whereas Sophia was left to sigh inwardly, that their arrival had prevented her once again from being able to reveal the truth. She certainly couldn't say anything now! It was a private matter which wasn't for anyone else's ears. Nevertheless, feeling quite euphoric by what Ned had just told her and a little light headed by the need to eat her breakfast, Lady Cynthia welcomed their unexpected guests and gestured to them to take a seat. She smiled when she said that she had some wonderful news to share. After a brief pause, while the Earl and his family looked at her in anticipation, she said that she was very excited to be able to announce that Edward and Sophia were betrothed. They had stillto discuss the details of the wedding, but would no doubt be doing that later today.
Sophia was completely taken aback by this. Not realising the extent of Lady Cynthia's impetuous and independent nature, she had assumed Ned would make the announcement when he was ready. However she was even more surprised when Lucy and her father both smiled, as they congratulated Ned and her. Since this was the very last thing she would have expected them to do. Making her feel very uneasy. Something wasn’t quite right about this, and she had no idea what it was! However it wasn't long before she found out. The sound of shouting was by this time coming from the hall.
Sophia felt chilled to the bone, and more than a little afraid, when Lucas pushed past Jenkins to force his way into the breakfast room. Her brother was clearly in a foul temper, and extremely angry. He looked around the table, and pointed at her with an unpleasant sneer on his face as soon as he saw her, in the same moment as Edward rose to his feet.
Chapter 29
"Ah, there you are, Sophia, my dear sister! You have a lot of explaining to do, and you won't have Owen to hide behind this time!" Lucas said, as she very quickly cringed from him. Afraid that he would on this occasion walk across the room to strike her. Given the extent of his anger, and apparent lack of restraint. Edward was however quick to act. Noticing how afraid Sophia was of this man who seemed to be her brother, presumably an older one judging by his face. What on earth had she done to cause him to react in this way? Whatever it might be he was not prepared to stand back and allow this to continue, and he quickly stood in front of her. So that she would be out of reach of Lucas.
Sophia could feel everyone staring at them when Edward moved forward to protect her. "You, Sir, will calm down. I will not tolerate such appalling behaviour," he said, firmly to Lucas. "You have entered my home forcibly, made your own way into here after ignoring my butler's request for you to leave, and spoken to Sophia in a highly disrespectful manner. Miss Barlow recently consented to become my wife, so we are betrothed. Consequently it is I who you must take issue with, if that remains your intention. Most certainly, not her!"
Sophia couldn't believe that this was Ned. Her Ned, putting Lucas firmly in his place. He was magnificent! She hadn't seen this side of him before, and despite the seriousness of the situation, she couldn't believe how strong and powerful he was. Her heart went out to him. However this turned out she knew that she would be indebted to him for the rest of her life.
"And you, Sir, I assume are the Duke of Carlfield," Lucas said, sneering at Edward. "I don't know what pack of lies my sister has been telling you, but I am her legal guardian so she cannot possibly be betrothed to you. I haven't given my consent to it. Also because I hasten to add, she was already promised to Lord Neil Dilley before she ran away from London. Sophia was fully aware of these circumstances, although I admit a formal announcement wasn't made until shortly after she disappeared."
Just then Sophia distinctly overheard Lucy telling her mother in a loud voice, which she had tried to pretend was a whisper by putting her hand in front of her face, that she knew all along there was something undesirable about Lady Cynthia's companion. The Duchess who was standing next to Sophia behind Edward, trying to comfort her, also heard what was being said. She patted Sophia's hand, and told her not to worry. Edward would deal with her brother, before she marched across the floor to where the Earl was seated next to his wife and daughter. Completely ignoring Lucas, she demanded that her unwanted visitors leave immediately. They had not received an invitation from her to be here, and what they were now witnessing was a family matter. Certainly not for public consumption. Howard was about to respond when he saw the set look on her face, and realised there would be little point in arguing. He had no intention of going to Edward's assistance, since he wished Sophia to leave Carlfield house with Lucas. Not remain, which is what would happen if the Duke had his way. With Sophia gone Lucy would be able to comfort him, and definitely secure a proposal of marriage.
While Cynthia was in the process of escorting Lucy and her parents out of the breakfast room, Edward turned around to look at Sophia and asked her if she was already betrothed. Tears were streaming down her face when she told him what had happened before she left London, and how she had tried to explain this to him in the rose garden earlier that morning. Running away had been her only option, to avoid a loveless marriage with a despicable man who was twice her age. It definitely wasn't a love match, and never would be. She continued shyly, saying that it was the Duke she loved. Surely he knew that! All the while hoping with all of her heart that he would believe her, and not hand her over to Lucas to be sent back to London to marry Lord Dilley.
