“Far from it!” Tobias cried. “It only speaks of the wisdom in your choice of publisher, sir, that they should invest further in their most talented client. More people should have the privilege of reading your daughter’s exquisite writing.” He gazed proudly at Sophia.
Mr. Grant looked at Tobias as if seeing him properly for the first time. His eyes narrowed.
“Thank you, Papa,” Sophia said hastily. “You have brought me such encouragement. Not only now, but when you invested in the first print. My success really began with you.”
Her father shifted his gaze to her.
“Nonsense, my dear. I simply did what any proud father would do—shamelessly boast to the world of his children’s gifts.”
“I must thank you, too, sir.” Tobias beamed. “Without you, I would never have known Miss Grant existed.”
“That is most kind,” Mr. Grant answered. But his eyes darted from Tobias to Sophia, and the mechanisms of his brain did not appear to produce pleasing conclusions. “Shall I see you out, Mr. Mannerly? You have done what you came to do. Please thank your uncle for thinking of us.” He looked at Sophia again. She sat primly, her eyes lowered, her mouth soft and undefiant. She was the very picture of an obedient daughter.
Tobias pitied her. How easily she slid into the role that was expected of her. It all made sense now. She was so willing to give up her own desires to appease others.
But enough was enough. She must shine in her own right. Not just as a poet, but as a person. He must see to it, no matter what.
He allowed her father to escort him out with only a polite bow to his dear Sophia. While Tobias waited for his horse to be brought to him, Mr. Grant stood like a sentry at the door. As soon as he had mounted up, the man took hold of the rein nearest him and looked Tobias dead in the eye.
“Mr. Mannerly, I thank you for your enthusiastic support of my daughter’s writing. However, to arrive without warning, no matter your desire to personally see the results of your news, is unacceptable. Your uncle has no doubt informed you that we are a very private family. We have our reasons. It means we seldom receive visitors, and then by written invitation only. You are a gentleman and will respect this.”
Tobias, despite his affable nature, was not one to be bullied. He returned the steady gaze and answered. “I am a reasonable man. All reasonable demands will be honored.”
Mr. Grant blinked. Then he stood back. “I believe we understand each other. Good day to you, sir.”
Tobias touched the tip of his hat, more out of habit than respect. He clicked his tongue and spurred his horse forward. As he rode down the drive, he could feel Mr. Grant’s glare burning into the back of his neck.
His skin crawled. Fifteen years under that tyrant’s thumb! It was a wonder Sophia had kept her bearings at all! Now, more than ever, he was determined to set her free from her gilded cage.
He must talk to his uncle. He needed the advice of a sensible person. If the earl didn’t hold Tobias back, he was bound to dosomething foolish. He set his horse into a canter, then a gallop. His heart thudded along with the hoofbeats.
When he reached the stables, he threw himself out of the saddle, leaving the reins trailing and the stableboy scurrying to grab them. Tobias marched into the earl’s study without knocking, causing the man to look up in surprise.
“Uncle, we must talk. Matters are worse than we thought.”
Lord Carthige cast a longing look at the pages before him, then sighed and removed his glasses. He leaned back in his chair and braced himself. “Very well, Tobias. I do not know how I have come to take on the role of advisor to young lovers. It is certainly an unenviable task. But I will help where I can. Tell me everything.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Sophia twirled asecond time, and Katie clapped her hands in delight.
“Oh, miss, you look wonderful! The color suits you.”
“I didn’t realize how much I had missed it. You don’t think it’s too much?’
“It’s only lilac, miss. Half-mourning. Most ladies are wearing it after a year. Some even six months. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you in anything but black.”
“Well, you’ve only been working for us for five or six years. So you wouldn’t have.”
“High time, then, if you don’t mind my saying so, Miss Grant. And I know a certain gentleman who is sure to agree.”
Sophia’s hand traced the trim of lace at the low neckline. “Yes, Tobias will notice at once.” Her hand whipped away and her wistful smile disappeared. “But so will Papa.” She sat down quite suddenly, her legs tired from the brief exertion. “There will be questions. No doubt he will even draw conclusions. Accurate ones. But I must begin to stand up for the little things. If I cannot be bold in my small choices, I will never gain the courage to fight for the harder ones.”
“You don’t think he will be angry, miss? Not about something as harmless as this?’
“Oh, he won’t see it as harmless. This is a much bigger step than perhaps you realize, Katie. I am signifying that I am comingout of mourning. I am the only one of his children who has lingered in it as long as he has. He will feel betrayed. Abandoned. He will feel I no longer honor the memory of my mother. And—more importantly—he will ask himself why. Why, all of a sudden, do I do this? He will make the connection with Mr. Mannerly’s visit. And heshould. I do not want to live in shadows anymore.”
She spread her fingers across the soft-hued cotton. “I am not as bold as Adriana. I cannot shout and stamp my foot. Besides, that has never been the way to convince Papa of anything. Mama was always gentle in her manipulations. And he welcomed them, accepted them with love, just as they were done with love. If I am ever to resurrect his older, better self, that can be the only way. I must try. Tobias has been so patient, so willing to seek answers. I must match him in effort. Otherwise, I do not deserve him.”
