No, if there were any straying eye, it belonged to her. But that was all it could be. A glance. Lingering looks. There was no future with Mr. Dixon. For Miriam and the other Caswell daughters, Victoria could not allow herself to marry a penniless man.
*
Some moments were near perfect; everything in the world seemed right, filling one with such bliss that the thought of it ending was painful. In all honesty, Sophie did not have many of those moments. A few were scattered throughout her youth, but they’d become increasingly rare with age, and with five and twenty years to her credit, Sophie was hard-pressed to think of any other moment that compared to this morning.
Striding alongside Mr. Kingsley, it was easy to forget the rest of the world as they talked about a great many things, traversing subjects that likely would have shocked a parlor full of morning callers; Sophie couldn’t understand why anyone chose the weather over debating favorite books and artists.
Caught up in Mr. Kingsley’s spell, it was easy to forget that her only claim on him was friendship, and it wasn’t until they wound their way into the picnic that Sophie recalled the truth of their situation. The servants had laid out a mountain of baskets with a veritable feast atop a smattering of ground covers for those who wished to enjoy the picnic to its fullest and even a few chairs for those whose age or dignity did not allow for such repose. The guests mingled around, but her eyes immediately fell to Miss Caswell.
Sophie wished she were a more charitable creature. Though she did wish Mr. Kingsley happiness and good fortune in his life with Miss Caswell, jealousy pierced her heart; with each step towards that lady, it pricked and poked her, dredging up fantasies best left alone.
And yet the couple was only courting. That was no small thing, but it wasn’t the same as being engaged or married. However, even as Sophie allowed that thought a place in her mind, she batted it away. She had no wiles to lure a man to her side, and the few times she’d attempted coyness with a gentleman had ended in disaster. Best not.
Mr. Kingsley greeted the young ladies as he led Sophie close to the trio. Curtsies and bows were given, and Miss Caswell gave him a brilliant smile before coming to his side to take his arm.
“I am pleased you joined us,” she said.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he replied, and Sophie refused to look at his arm entwined with his lady’s.
“Had you a pleasant morning?” asked Miss Phyllis Thompson, her eyes moving between Mr. Kingsley and Sophie. For her part, Sophie didn’t mistake the insinuation in the innocent question, and she fought to keep from fidgeting, blushing, or making any other movement that would confirm suspicions.
“Very pleasant,” replied Mr. Kingsley with an innocent smile that spoke of his ignorance concerning Miss Thompson’s undertone. “I stumbled upon Miss Banfield exploring the fields, and she was kind enough to teach me about the local moths.”
“Moths?” said Miss Thompson with a sour curl of her lips while Miss Caswell’s dark brows rose. Like the proper society lady she was, Miss Hettie Nelson gave no sign of any emotion other than the slight hint of boredom all posh people were wont to affect.
“That is a unique subject,” said Miss Caswell. “Might I ask what prompted it?”
And before Sophie could avoid that line of questioning, Mr. Kingsley replied, “She is an avid naturalist and has a vast knowledge of insects, wildflowers, animals, and the like.”
“I cannot imagine why anyone would find that worth studying,” replied Miss Thompson, her dark brows furrowing.
“Nonsense,” replied Miss Caswell. “I cannot claim a great love of nature, but it can be fascinating. Remember when we visited that menagerie three years ago?”
“I believe it was four,” said Miss Nelson.
Miss Caswell gave her friend a winning smile. “Quite right, but we were all enamored with the animals.”
Miss Thompson waved an airy hand. “Exotic one, perhaps, but who would be interested in a simple moth? Unless you are a valet or lady’s maid protecting the master or mistress’s clothing, in which case you’d live in fear of them.”
Sophie held her tongue, for she knew better than to engage in such a fruitless discussion, but then Mr. Kingsley turned to her and prompted her to speak on her behalf, and Sophie found herself unable to remain silent.
“There is so much variety and beauty in the world around us,” said Sophie, clasping her hands before her. “Moths are commonplace enough at first glance but have countless species and genera, each one unique in its coloring, habits, and abilities. There is nothing simple about them, and the more I study nature, the more I am awed by its complexity even in the most mundane creatures.”
Miss Thompson stared at her for a long moment while Mr. Kingsley fairly beamed at her.
“Brava, Miss Sophie,” said Miss Caswell with a smile equally as bright as her beau’s. “I cannot claim to have such passion for nature, but it is clear you have found your calling.”
At that, Sophie’s hands twisted in her skirts. “That is giving my meager talents too much credit, though I thank you for the compliment. And before you say it is false modesty, Mr. Kingsley, there is nothing false about it. I do love it, but it is a hobby and nothing more. Whenever I read the texts written by the true talents in the field, it is clear I have a shadow of their understanding. I know where I stand, and I quite happy with it.”
“Good afternoon!” called Miss Lily Kingsley as she scurried to their group with just enough decorum so as not to be called unseemly, but with none of the calm grace of Miss Caswell, Miss Thompson, and Miss Nelson. “I am so pleased that we made it on time. Mama and Papa were moving quite slowly this afternoon, and I feared we would never set out.”
Miss Caswell pulled free of Mr. Kingsley and embraced the young lady. “Thank goodness you did, for we would’ve missed you terribly.”
Sophie’s gaze darted to Miss Thompson and Miss Nelson; the latter’s expressionless mask slipped just enough to show a flash of annoyance in her gaze while the former’s smile tightened into a grimace. For her part, Sophie was no more successful, for a scowl pinched her features as she watched at the horrid pair. But all three had their facades back in place in a flash, giving Miss Caswell and the Kingsley siblings no inkling as to their true feelings.
Releasing Lily, Miss Caswell took her place beside Mr. Kingsley once more. “We were just speaking with Miss Sophie about her love of naturalism. She was expounding quite beautifully about the intricacies to be found in nature.”
An arm came around Sophie’s waist, and Allen burst into the conversation with a laugh. “Don’t say that she was boring you to tears with scientific names and endless diatribes on plants and the like.”
