Adriana was silent. Sophia knew this did not mean the end of the argument. Her sister had merely grown thoughtful. That did not bode well. Adriana’s personality was spontaneous and bright. She dealt with all challenges head-on, including their father. She argued fiercely and passionately where Sophia would have shrunk within herself. If Adriana went quiet without having won the debate, it meant she was plotting a more creative way to succeed. Yet, even though Sophia knew this, she was wholly unprepared for what came next.
“I shall have to find you a husband.”
Adriana said it with such solemnity that Sophia was momentarily struck mute. Then anger boiled up.
“That is not funny!”
“I did not say it in jest.”
“Then you have lost your wits! You know full well there is no dowry in the world that could make a match for me. And if such a sum existed, our father would not pay it.”
“Well, there is that. Papa’s selfishness really does complicate matters.”
“That is the least of it. Husbands want wives who are healthy and can bear them an heir. I can barely walk across the room! Really, Adriana, if I didn’t know you loved me, I would think you are being cruel to even speak of marriage for me.”
“But you deserve it just as much as the rest of us, dear Fee! You are clever and beautiful and thoughtful and…”
“That is irrelevant,” Sophia interrupted. “There are many such ladies who also play piano and ride and show off their accomplishments. What is the point of a beautiful bride if a man cannot parade her upon his arm?”
“You are very negative,” Adriana complained.
“But I am right.”
Adriana sighed. “Yes,” she conceded reluctantly, “you are right.” The fight seemed to drain from her. “I wish you weren’t. You should be happy.”
“You make me happy.” Sophia smiled bravely.
“But if I leave…”
“I will manage.”
“You will be lonely.”
“I will have Katie for company.”
“Hmph. She is not enough. You need someone to spar with, dear sister, lest you withdraw even further into the dark corners of your mind. Someone like that Mr. Mannerly, with whom you correspond so frequently.”
“Oh,him,” scoffed Sophia. “We merely discuss my writing.” Her heart fluttered a little, but it was hidden in her bosom, safe from view.
Her sister gave a look both mischievous and indignant, a look only Adriana could manage.
“Ah, yes,” she said with a knowing nod, “you think me a simpleton. You use the word ‘merely’ when there is no such thing. I see with what eagerness you await his letters.”
“I don’t know what you mean!” Sophia said a little too loudly. “He is a perfectly decent gentleman with whom I discuss literature. And he is not the first.”
“No, but he is young, younger even than yourself by several years. And his uncle is an earl. If Papa did not have such ridiculous notions about us marrying, he would be arranging the engagement himself.” She grinned, an action which infuriated Sophia.
“There is nothing to it!” she almost shouted, which only caused Adriana’s grin to widen.
“I think we should have him ’round to dinner one evening.”
Sophia relaxed and leaned back against her pillows. “Well, now Iknowyou are joking. You had me concerned for a moment.”
“Oh, but I wasn’t joking in the least.” Adriana threw up a hand defensively as Sophia made to swipe her with a pillow. “Wait! Hear me out!”
“No, indeed, I shall not. You have never used those words but as a preface to some harebrained scheme, which I want no part of.”
“I think you will like this one.”
