If truth be told Edward was by now almost certain that he would appoint Sophia, and felt instinctively that meeting her would be more of a formality than anything else. Not only was she the answer to his problem, but Edward had convinced himself that she would most likely be the female version of her brother who was a true gentleman. Given how highly Owen seemed to hold her in regard. Having his sister's welfare at heart in making the arrangement for her interview, and stating that he would accompany her himself.
The only question mark so far, as he was concerned, was whether she would make a good impression on the Duchess once they finally met. Despite her enthusiasm tonight, Edward was well aware that she could be quite particular about the way she wanted things done. If Miss Barlow showed that her temperament was similar to his mother's and she wasn't quite as compliant as he had hoped, then things might not work out after all.
However it wasn't long before Jenkins came into the drawing room to announce the arrival of their guests: Edward’s aunt Grace, cousin Beatrice, and the gentleman she was betrothed to. Cynthia remained seated, feeling more than a little worn out by all of the excitement earlier, but was soon engrossed in conversation with her sister and Beatrice, Grace's daughter. Leaving Edward, who had stood up immediately to greet their guests, free to talk to Oliver.Not wishing to risk losing her to someone else, the Duke of Setterton had made a formal proposal at the start of the season for Beatrice's hand in marriage. As Setterton was near to Edward's estate, the two men soon began to discuss current events in their locality.
Dinner was served before long on hand-painted Sevres plates which had been a wedding present to his parents years ago, and still looked stunning in candlelight. Edward made a toast in honour of the happy couple as it had been impossible for him not to see the way Beatrice and Oliver looked at each other. He felt in no doubt whatsoever that they were deeply in love. Reminding him again of his wish to experience this, as well as the necessity of finding a wife as soon as he could. Strangely enough at that precise moment, his Aunt Grace asked him when he was intending to settle down.
Cynthia came quickly to her son's rescue. "Grace, you may pose that question to Ned as many times as you wish, but I doubt he shall provide an answer until he is prepared to do so,."she said to her sister trying to save him the embarrassment of concocting a reply. "I would love to know the answer, but the truth is that Ned is far too busy overseeing his business affairs. However his father would have been very proud of his success, as I am, and I am sure he will wed when the time is right! Pray, do tell me all the particulars of Beatrice and Oliver's upcoming nuptials. What arrangements have been made since our last encounter?"
Edward had meanwhile cleared his throat, since he wished to answer the question for himself. Much to Cynthia's surprise, and delight. As in her opinion it showed that he was at last thinking about finding a wife. "I must admit that I am still enjoying being a bachelor," he said. "But I am encouraged by the proposal Oliver so gallantly made for your hand, Beatrice. For that reason I will admit that it must be my turn next."
Edward was obliged to undergo a lot of teasing after that, and guessing from the ladies about who his bride might possibly be. Whilst Edward could see the sympathy in Oliver's eyes. He hadalso clearly been subjected to this, with the questions being modified to suit Beatrice and his circumstances.
Edward looked fondly around the table at his family. What he hadn't revealed was that he also wished to marry for love, as his parents had done. So he could only hope that if fate had anything to do with it, the right young lady would shortly come along whom he could fall in love with. Not being quite brave enough to say it though, and endure a barrage of further questioning from the ladies. Knowing full well that they wouldn't give up until he had contributed something more for them to talk about, which he couldn't do. Since there was absolutely no one whom Edward Carlisle could think of that he might even possibly fall in love with.
He tried hard then not to listen to his guilty conscience, telling him again and as often as it could, that he had let his mother down for long enough. Through failing to give her the company and other benefits of having a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, which she had every right to expect. Edward knew that this guilty feeling was the only reason he might succumb, and make a proposal. Even if it was to someone he didn't, nor believe he could, love. If only he could have enjoyed the London season, its balls and other entertainment, but it wasn't in him to do so. Much preferring the quietness of his Yorkshire estate, and being left to his own devices, although his mother did her best to make it more lively whenever she could, which made him smile.
His feelings about the ton certainly weren't directed at her or any other members of his family. However he was filled with unease by all this endless parading of young women by their ambitious families, many of whom looked as uncomfortable as he felt. Not forgetting those awful scandal sheets which could destroy any decent man or woman's reputation and destiny very quickly. Along with all the unnecessary gossiping which was done, and had become a source of entertainment to those who participated in it. To the point of being malicious and destructive, as far as he could see. Truly, it was all utter nonsense! A sentiment which he knew was shared by a lot of the other gentlemen at his club.
Edward smiled broadly then at how judgemental he had become, but soon reverted to his usual demeanour. Marriage was a serious matter, not only for himself! As the Duke of Carlfield he was considerably more fortunate than those debutantes whose families forced their hands. Compelling them to marry gentlemen who weren't of their choosing, which must have led to a miserable life. Why on earth had love become so complicated, he asked himself? The answer came quickly. It seemed to him that the ways of the ton, and society had made it so. Not nature, or our own inclinations. As far as he could tell, love was a thing of beauty, to be treasured. He knew now that he had the first inkling of this with Felicity until fate had intervened. Since then, it was in the way he had seen others look at each other.
The Duke's thoughts returned to Miss Sophia Barlow. He hoped once again that she would be suitable, and he could ask her tomorrow morning to join his household.
Chapter 6
The following morning when Sophia woke up, she felt very anxious about the future. Also exhausted, as she had been wide awake for most of the night. Only falling into an uneasy sleep when she heard the blackbird singing in the tree outside her window, and realised that it was dawn. Owen’s plan for her escape was all she could think of. Even worse what would happen afterwards to not only herself, but also to Owen, whom she loved dearly and wouldn't want to see hurt at any cost.
Lucas would obviously be very angry when he discovered that she had left without his permission. He would know straight away she had done it to thwart his plan for her to marry Lord Dilley. What if he assumed correctly that Owen had helped her? Lucas was not a man to be crossed! That was even assuming Lord Carlfield liked her sufficiently, to appoint her as his mother's companion. Would he really like someone like her whose interest was mostly in reading books, and writing poetry? Not something which young ladies were always encouraged to do by their fathers or husbands. So an employer who was a gentleman would likely be the same. Especially when it stopped them from thinking about the latest fashion, their appearance, and the importance of socialising.
She had to remember not to talk too much about her writing during the interview. This was when she appeared most passionate, which was something else that might go against her as being unseemly. She would need to talk instead about what she had learned at finishing school, which would hopefully be to her advantage as a ladies' companion.
Even if the plan worked and she reached her twenty-first birthday, Lucas was still the trustee of her fund, or perhaps she ought to say the little which it now contained? If she applied to take any money from it, and she would be entitled to, he could find out where she was living. What if he found her instead before her birthday? Even though it wasn't too far away, there was still enough time to look and create a scandal over her disappearance. Even involving Lord Carlfield who would have become unwittingly involved in this sorry affair. There were so many unanswered questions, the answers to all of which frightened her enormously.
Nevertheless one thing she could be certain of was that Lucas' anger would not have any bounds, and be like nothing Owen or her had seen in the past. These unpleasant thoughts, and others she couldn't specifically recall in the morning, remained tangled in her mind throughout the night. Until she had seen Owen and herself thrown out of the family home for their disobedience. Ending up like those unfortunate people who wandered the city streets begging for a coin or scraps, simply to survive.
After Amy had brought her tea and opened the curtains, Sophia got out of bed and looked at her reflection in the looking glass. Frowning at herself, and how dreadful she looked. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. Whilst her long hair was tangled and in knots from all of the tossing and turning she had done during the night. She realised then that she would have to pull herself together, and try to stay calm. Lucas didn't have any idea of her plan to leave so nothing had as yet effectively changed. Apart from the need to be sensible and strong, which meant staying in control of herself. As it was vital she made a good impression on the Duke if she truly wanted to save herself from an unwanted marriage, and she most definitely did.
She shuddered at the thought of being Lord Dilley’s wife, and the necessity of even being polite to him. Let alone having his hands touching her. No! This wouldn't do. He was as bad as Lucas, but in a different way. The only chance she had of getting through this would be to block all thoughts of her situation from her mind, and try her best to focus on the interview without worrying. Starting with her hair, she thought, as she picked up the brush to begin sorting it out. While she considered the equally pressing matter of what to wear. Knowing full well that the manner in which she was dressed would contribute to the impression she made.
Appearing too frivolous in a dress that was merely pretty probably wasn't the best idea, but one that was more formal might make her come across as too serious and foreboding. Maybe having so little choice from the few dresses she owned would be a blessing in disguise this morning, as tiredness had made her slower than usual in getting dressed. Until it eventually came to her that she didn't really have a choice, so there was no need to think about it any further, and delay going downstairs for breakfast.
She pulled the dress she thought of as her best one from the wardrobe, and stared at it reasonably satisfied. It was her favourite shade of blue, made of a slightly heavier cloth than the others. The bodice wasn't too low cut, and trimmed in a slightly darker shade. She could also wear mama's coral necklace. It was beautiful, and always made her feel closer to mama when she wore it. She adjusted her hair which was again done in a simple style, checked that her bonnet was ready to put on before she left for the interview, and her appearance in the mirror again before she went downstairs feeling satisfied that she had done the best she could on her own, without the benefit of a maid or her mother's guidance. Not realising though the change in her, and how she had dressed, would raise her brother's suspicions.
Nevertheless as she was walking into the dining room Sophia still felt her stomach twisting into knots. Especially when Lucas did look at her suspiciously, and she realised that it would have been better to put the coral necklace on after he had left the house. Maybe also left some of the tangles in her hair, so that she didn't appear quite as well presented, but it was too late now for regrets. Trying to look calm, and less self-conscious than she felt, she sat down in her usual chair.
"You look rather dressed up this morning," Lucas said immediately, without asking after her health and whether she had slept well. Although he often dispensed with politeness when addressing Owen or her. As if this was beneath him, and inconsequential. The question he asked next came out as an accusation. "You are clearly going somewhere on an errand of your own, if I'm not mistaken. I would have remembered if I had told you to do something for me. So where might that be?"
Sophia's heart sank, as she tried to stop the fear she felt from showing in her eyes. Everything depended now on the answer she gave to Lucas, as he could easily forbid her to leave the house. Something which he had done from time to time in the past when he wasn't satisfied with her behaviour, and she had displeased him. She glanced quickly at Owen before replying, but the onlything she could think quickly of saying was that she was going shopping with Hannah.
Lucas laughed scornfully, unable to resist the jibe that she wasn't being entirely truthful. Causing Sophia’s heart to miss a beat. Until he reminded her that she didn't actually have any money of her own with which to buy anything, and he certainly didn't have any to waste on frivolity. So she ought to have said that she was accompanying Hannah in her father's carriage, to watch her spending his money on shopping. Lucas seemed very pleased with himself to have made what both Owen and Sophia thought was such a ridiculous observation.
He smiled at Sophia then, and said, "no doubt this situation will be an opportunity for you to change your opinion of Lord Dilley. Since I assume you will shortly be able to spend some of your husband's money, if of course he is sufficiently pleased with you. He will want you to have more gowns and jewellery than I can afford to give you. Maybe this will make you realise, sister, how wrong you have been in questioning my choice of husband for you. When I was only doing my duty and looking after you!" Without feeling the need to say anything else, apart from having business matters to oversee, Lucas left the table.
Owen told Sophia then how beautiful she looked, as he served her breakfast from the dishes on the side table. Wishing she had a good breakfast before she faced the day ahead. He also asked after her health, looking at her face with concern, and told her very quietly not to worry. All shall be well. The Duke was a gentleman, and certainly not someone to be feared. He also knew their brother's plans for the day. Lucas would shortly be leaving the house to meet someone at his club. So he would be gone soon, well before Hannah's arrival.
Owen knew that Sophia had already arranged for Hannah to take her to the Duke of Carlfield’s residence. Meanwhile, he was going to leave the house before them, with the intention that they would meet up again in Hyde Park. He would go for now into the drawing room until Lucas left, and suggested that Sophia wait for Hannah in her bedchamber after she had eaten. Believing that ifshe was out of sight this would be the safest option. Similarly by removing himself to the drawing room wouldn't give Lucas any further grounds for suspicion that something he wouldn't approve of was afoot.
As it turned out everything did go according to Owen's plan, and Hannah arrived shortly after both of Sophia’s brothers had left the townhouse. During the carriage ride, Sophia was feeling afraid again, and extremely nervous. Hannah tried her best to make light of the situation reminding Sophia that she was well read, highly intelligent, and a wonderful person. Like Owen she was confident, and had no doubt whatsoever, that her best friend would make an excellent impression on the Duke. She also complimented Sophia on how beautiful she looked, and told her that the coral necklace had been the perfect choice.
