“Thank you,” Sophia said, a little overcome by her adoptive mother’s enthusiasm, “but I can easily modify one of the dresses I already own. There’s really no need to purchase a new one.”
“Pish. You’re like the daughter I never had and you’re marrying my only child. Of course I plan to help make the day as special for you as possible, starting with the gown. I won’t take no for an answer.” She shook her finger at Sophia before she turned away and disappeared back to the kitchen.
Air left Sophia’s lungs on a long exhalation. She very much feared Mr. Fenmore and his wife were far more excited about the upcoming wedding than she or Edward would ever be. And this bothered her. More so because thoughts of Jack kept filling her head. No matter how much she tried, she could not forget the effect his nearness had wrought on her during dinner at Eastgate Abbey five days earlier. He’d not been kind, but that didn’t seem to stop her treacherous body from wanting. A flutter caught hold of her heart, increasing in strength as the conversation she’d had with Edward later resurfaced.
She gripped the edge of the counter and stared at the baskets she had completed that morning, which now totaled six. Although she would never allow herself be swept away by Jack while she was engaged to another, having Edward’s permission had caused all manner of indecent thoughts to swamp her brain. They’d invaded her dreams, leaving her breathless when she woke.
“Madness.”
All she could do was pray it would stop once she spoke her vows. Jack wasn’t her friend anymore. Perhaps he never had been. Maybe all she’d ever been to him was a pesky child. She was no longer sure. Everything had become such a muddle. She’d thought she understood him once, but then… Then she’d learned of all the women sauntering in and out of his life, and while she’d not believed a word until it had been confirmed, she’d been jealous. Mostly because she’d known deep inside that she would never stand a chance of gaining his notice. Not in the way she wanted.
She still hadn’t. All she was to him now was a lost opportunity. He didn’t want a future with her, so even if he cared for her in some small way on account of their shared history, anything more than a bit of fun would always be impossible.
And why was she even having these foolish musings?
Perhaps because Kaitlin and Felicity had called on her two days ago to inform her that Jack had been in a constant state of pique ever since that dinner. Because they believed she was to blame. According to what they’d said, he’d made a hash of the hunt he’d invited the guests to attend, returning empty handed after missing three times and frightening off the prey. From there, things had apparently gotten worse. He’d accused Mr. Madsen of cheating at cards, had complained about the food not being up to par – resulting in a massive row below stairs – and insisted Eastgate was a damp and dreary place he ought to have stayed away from.
“He’s like a dark cloud hanging over the house and spoiling everyone’s fun,” Kaitlin complained.
“I don’t understand,” Sophia said. “Jack was always so sporting. He used to be the one who made everyone laugh.” He’d always cheered her up. When she’d scraped her knee, he’d joked about her looking like a hardened soldier, upon which he’d offered a sweet.
Felicity harrumphed. “I don’t believe he’s ever been denied anything before, and now he’s not just being denied but realizing he can’t have something he never knew he wanted.”
“Whatever are you going on about?” Sophia asked.
Kaitlin sighed. “You’re driving our brother round the bend, Sophia.”
“But I’m not even there,” she’d protested.
Sophia shook her head to free her mind from the words she’d exchanged with her friends and started bundling up. It was best if she thought of something else, like the baskets she had to deliver.
Grabbing two of them, she set off for the Bakers and the Walkers since they lived closest. Her breath fogged the air, but the fur-trimmed winter hat she wore along with a pair of thick woolen mittens helped keep her warm. Both families showed appreciation for her visit. They invited her in and offered her tea, then chatted with her for a good fifteen minutes until she took her leave.
When she returned to the vicarage, she glanced at the hallway clock. It was almost two in the afternoon. If she hurried, she could reach the Richmonds by half past and the Scotts by three, leaving her just enough time to make the final deliveries of the day before it got dark.
Collecting the baskets, she headed back out, and made her way toward the northbound road at a brisk pace. Grey clouds were beginning to gather, but the Richmonds’ cottage was only one and a half miles away, the home belonging to the Scotts just slightly farther, provided she cut across some of the fields. No doubt she’d return before the weather grew hostile.
“Miss Fenmore,” Mrs. Richmond proclaimed when Sophia showed up at her first destination. “Please do come in.”
Sophia smiled and stepped across the threshold.
“I’m sorry we’ve not much to offer,” Mrs. Richmond said while cradling her youngest son on her hip. “We ran out of tea yesterday and with the two eldest sick with a nasty cold and the roof in need of repair, neither my husband nor I have managed to get to Town since Wednesday.”
“No need for apologies,” Sophia said. She followed Mrs. Richmond into the parlor where one of her younger daughters busied herself with some mending. “What’s wrong with your roof exactly?”
Mrs. Richmond sighed. “Looks like some of the rafters have rotted through. When it rained a few days ago, part of it collapsed. Mr. Richmond’s up there now attempting to fix it with Lord Hawthorne’s help. They’re in the attic.”
Sophia froze. Jack was here? She’d not noticed a horse or a carriage when she’ arrived, but maybe they’d been taken around to the back. She wondered how to proceed and quickly made her decision. Meeting Jack would be awkward, so it was best if she could avoid him completely.
She set her basket on a table. “I hope this will help the situation in some small way, Mrs. Richmond, and please don’t trouble yourself about the tea. I don’t have time to stay anyway since I’ve yet to reach the Scotts’ and run two more errands before it gets dark.” She paused, then said, “I’ll send some honey over tomorrow along with some lemons. That ought to help your children get better.”
“Thank you ever so much,” Mrs. Richmond said, her voice cracking. “You’re so very kind.”
Sophia smiled and turned for the door, reaching it just in time to hear footsteps on the stairs. She hastened across the tiny hallway, desperate to escape before Jack found her. The basket she held for the Scotts caught the railing. A voice, Mr. Richmond’s no doubt, said, “I hardly know how to thank you, my lord.”
“I’m sure I can think of something.”
Sophia recognized Jack’s low timbre and frowned. If he meant to take advantage of these people she’d—
