He was glad that Edward had to leave promptly to return to his office, and hadn't asked for news of their father. This question could easily have led to him being obliged to mention Lucas, and the possibility that Edward might no longer be interested in meeting Sophia. Lucas' name was tainted throughout the city. He was thought of in many quarters as a scoundrel.
Nevertheless, providence had been on Sophia's side that morning, and Owen Barlow was smiling when he left the club. Intending to make the long walk back to the town house, as quickly as he could, and tell her the good news.
Chapter 4
Meanwhile, Sophia was walking through Hyde Park with her best friend. Miss Hannah Audley. She was the daughter of a baron, and lived a much more comfortable life than Sophia did. So she had instructed her maid, Lizzie, who was walking behind the two ladies to also bring a parasol for Miss Barlow. Lizzie was enjoying being outside in the sunshine, and seeing the myriad of flowers they walked past. It was a glorious day, but Sophia and Hannah were distracted by the latest development in Lucas' attempts at matchmaking on behalf of his sister. Whispering beneath their parasols as they walked, so that the maid wouldn't be able to overhear their conversation.
Hannah was understandably shocked when Sophia told her what Lucas had done and how she had hoped, quite innocently, that he might actually have found a decent suitor on this occasion. Instead of arranging for her to be married in a few days' time under a common licence of all things, so that Lord Dilley and her could leave immediately afterwards for Europe.
"But Sophia, that is absolutely shocking. I suppose you already know that Lord Dilley is as bad as Lucas. It is well-known across the ton how desperate he is to wed, and have an heir for his vast fortune. However his appalling manners and behaviour have deterred even the most persistent mama from encouraging a proposal from him. When he has ignored this state of affairs and made one, it has always been refused. Even by those debutantes who are themselves in danger of being left on the shelf, due to advanced age or a distinct lack of beauty. I have even heard papa refer to him as an old rogue." Hannah glanced at Sophia who had by this time paled, and joined her in a sharp intake of breath. Both of them duly horrified, by the thought of being forced to marry a man like that.
"I don't know if I should tell you this, Sophia, but I had the misfortune to dance with him a few weeks ago at Lady Forrester's ball. All I can say is that he was extremely rude, and uncouth.Certainly not a gentleman. Not at all like your brother, Owen," Hannah said, blushing.
"I am sorry to say that he held me far too close when we danced. Something which I'm sure you'll understand I thought could be exciting, if done by the right gentleman, but certainly not Lord Dilley!" Hannah wrinkled her nose in distaste and hesitated. Uncertain, only for a moment, whether she ought to tell her friend the worst part of all this. Especially since she was talking about the man who would more than likely shortly become Sophia's husband. Nevertheless, sheer indignation compelled her to repeat the rest of her story in a much louder voice, which Lizzie was delighted to listen to.
"He then had the audacity to squeeze me, just before the dance ended. Making me feel as if he had taken a liberty, and been far too intimate. When I hadn't given him any encouragement whatsoever. I'm sorry, Sophia. Maybe I shouldn't have told you that, but you cannot possibly marry a man like him!" She paused again, and said more forcefully, "what about your bridal gown, and clothes for Europe? There won't be enough time to have them made." Hannah's last words were filled with dismay.
Sophia shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid Lucas has no interest whatsoever in what I shall wear, or that he has turned what should have been one of the best days of my life into the worst. Not forgetting to mention of course that it will clearly be a disgrace. I shall be pitied throughout polite society, and shunned by the ladies of the ton wherever I go. It's a nightmare from start to finish, Hannah. It will ruin everything. I don't even know if Lord Dilley will allow me to carry on reading, and even more importantly, writing my poems! How shall I survive if I am unable to do so?"
Sophia began to cry quietly then. Much to Hannah's concern. She quickly passed a lace edged handkerchief to her friend, so that she could dry her eyes as they were already receiving curious glances from the passers by. Her maid who was still walking behind them was however delighted. She had gathered enough delicious snippets to repeat in the servants' dining room later which wouldentertain them all, and it appeared that Hannah still hadn't finished.
"I know I have said it before but I simply can't believe that even Lucas would do such a dreadful thing to you, Sophia. All for money. When, from what you say, he already has more than enough. I know that he is your brother, but he really is the most appalling man! I wish there was something I could do to help you. My life is so different to yours, and for which I can only be very thankful." Hannah touched her friend's arm in a gesture of sympathy. Realising that her words were pointless. There was nothing she could do to help her.
"I sometimes wonder how Lucas became so awful," Sophia said, philosophically. "Mama and papa treated all of us in the same way when we were growing up, but he always had to be the best and win any of the games we played. Owen and I were a lot quieter. Not worrying about such trifles. All we wanted to do was enjoy ourselves. Although I have started to wish now that I could run away. I honestly can’t see that I have any other option, if I am to avoid marrying Lord Dilley."
Hannah stared wide-eyed at her friend, and asked anxiously where she intended to go. Finding it difficult enough to believe that something as horrendous as this had happened, without Sophia doing something she had only read about in books.
Sophia sighed, and said quietly, "that's the problem. I have absolutely no idea. I have stopped thinking about trying to outwit Lucas as if it was a game or some sort of adventure I imagined having after reading Northanger Abbey. I am very much afraid now that the reality of the situation is much more unpleasant, and there really is nothing I can do but accept my fate."
Not knowing what else to say to each other after that, they walked on in silence for a few minutes. Until Hannah said that it might be a good idea if they returned home. Sophia was clearly still very upset, and they were drawing a lot of unnecessary attention to themselves. The last thing she wanted to happen was to find themselves in the scandal sheets the following day. When Sophianodded in agreement Hannah told her maid to hurry back to the carriage, and ask the coachman to collect them from one of the other entrances to the park which was nearby. This meant they wouldn't need to retrace their steps. Lizzie did as she had been told, glad to be able to walk by herself through such a beautiful garden, and imagine that she was also a lady.
Hannah and Sophia waited under their parasols and the shade of the trees holding each other's arm in silent sympathy, and which they continued to do on the drive back to Lucas' townhouse. Neither of them wished to let go of the other, as the threat of this happening permanently in the next few days loomed closer by the second. Although it hadn't been said, both of them had by now realised that Sophia’s marriage might well mean their friendship from childhood would soon be over. Something which neither of them wished to face up to, as the mere thought of it was unbearable.
They had only just alighted from the carriage, and gone into the house, when Owen came through the door of the parlour. He was breathless from walking quickly, and pleased to see his sister was at home. Although he tried his best not to be in the circumstances, he was even more delighted that Miss Hannah Audley was with her. He blushed as he greeted them both. Sophia also didn’t fail to notice the way Hannah looked at him when he was bowing politely. Since he was afraid of being overheard, or that Lucas might interrupt their conversation, it wasn't long before Owen suggested that if they were sufficiently rested after their walk that morning it would be wonderful to go to Gunter's tea shop in Berkeley Square for ices. The ladies could sit comfortably in the carriage to eat theirs, if the coachman stopped under the canopy that the branches of the plane trees made.
When they were safely in the carriage with Owen sitting opposite he told Sophia again that he was sorry Lucas had behaved so badly, that he hadn't told her about the trust fund, and he would be very concerned about her welfare if she married Lord Dilley. He explained then that he had invited them to leave the house, because he didn't want their conversation to be overheard.
"Thank you, Owen, from the bottom of my heart. Unfortunately I can't see what else can be done, or that I have any choice in the matter," she said, sadly, while Hannah held her hand and squeezed it gently.
Owen's response was not however as either of them had expected. His face broke into a boyish grin. "Oh, but I think you do, Sophia!" He went on to repeat his earlier conversation with the Duke of Carlfield, and that he had arranged for Sophia to go for an interview the following day. He finished by saying that he wished he could have done more. Nevertheless there was a very good chance that it would save her from ending up in Lord Dilley's clutches.
Hannah was clearly delighted, and couldn't help remarking on how clever Owen was to have done this. Whilst also finding his protective matter quite wonderful, although she thought it improper to tell him this. "Sophia, you must do as Owen says. This is your chance to escape," she said, as enthusiastically as she could. Fully intending to do what she could to support him in what she believed to be a highly courageous attempt to save his sister.
Sophia looked from one to the other of the two people she loved the most, and realised that if she wished to save herself from a loveless marriage then this really was what she had to do. "Thank you, Owen," she said, breathlessly. Wondering what she was letting herself in for, and by this time more than a little afraid. Mostly about defying Lucas. Especially if he discovered what she was intending to do before she could escape, and what might happen to Owen if he learned of his part in it.
Later that evening, Sophia joined Lucas and Owen in the dining room for dinner. Her forthcoming marriage to Lord Dilley wasn't mentioned by any of them. Until Lucas remarked smugly over dessert how pleased he was to see that she had finally accepted his decision, and he appreciated her obedience. Reiterating that he did know what would be best for her, and the connection with his Lordship would indeed broaden his business connections considerably.
Sophia didn't reply, but glanced at Owen who gave her a reassuring look.
Chapter 5
Meanwhile Edward’s valet was helping him dress for dinner. The Duke had washed and shaved, then put on his favourite blue silk waistcoat and William was in the process now of tying the matching cravat neatly around his neck. Something which Edward didn't always have a lot of patience for, but his mother was expecting guests this evening so it was important that he looked well groomed. Remaining deep in thought about the future was a hindrance, and meant that he wouldn't have paid a lot of attention to his appearance without William's help. Even when the valet had finished the cravat and was helping him into his jacket, before brushing the back of it to capture any stray hairs on the woollen fabric, Edward couldn’t stop thinking about how fortuitous his meeting Owen had been for both of them. Fate had definitely been on their side!
All he hoped now was that Miss Barlow would be able to fit into the role of lady’s companion for his mother. He didn't actually know if she had any prior experience of this, but assumed that Owen would have mentioned it if she did. Moreover, when would she have had the opportunity to do this? She attended a finishing establishment immediately before her first season, and was still very young. Edward realised then that he should have asked for more information about her, and not get so carried away by the opportunity to solve his problem. A lot would also of course depend on the Duchess, who was quite capable of making her own mind up on matters such as this.
As soon as he had joined her in the drawing room to wait for their guests to arrive, and told her what had happened, Lady Carlfield insisted quite firmly on being present at the interview. Trying her best in the meantime to discover any other snippets of information concerning Sophia, and was deeply disappointed when Edward didn't know any more than he had already told her. Although when she had reflected on this later, his negligence didn't come as any surprise to her. Due to a lifetime of being married to Edward's father and raising his son, she was fully aware that gentlemen weren't quite as interested in social niceties as ladies,who learned the skill of describing the minutest details to each other from a young age.
However Cynthia was very excited to learn that Miss Barlow would be joining them the following morning for her interview, and could barely sit still once she knew this. Much to Edward's frustration, she also continued to surmise this and that about her which she tried her best to get him to confirm. He remained adamant that he didn't know a single thing more about Miss Barlow and a part of him was wishing now that he hadn't mentioned it at all. Until he saw how much his mother was enjoying herself, and tried to be a little more indulgent. Realising just how worried she must have been about coping alone with all of the social events she already had in her diary.
