Chapter 21 #2
By the time Felix arrived at Grosvenor Square, he was rigid with nerves and more than relieved when he was admitted into the earl’s residence, where he found Lady Sophia ready to receive him. He smiled as soon as he saw her, remembering only belatedly to bow.
“I see you have received my note. The weather is fair. Would you care to take a walk?” She nodded, and as soon as she had put on her bonnet and gloves, he led her outdoors.
Grosvenor Square’s flagway was broad and the day beautiful. People strolled along it in different directions, and he offered his arm, enjoying the warmth and intimacy of walking together.
“How have you been? Not too fatigued from the masquerade?” He felt a little tremble go through her and slid his eyes sideways at her heightened color.
“I am not tired,” she replied.
“I spoke today to an MP by the name of Lord Henry Ashford, brother to the Duke of Stanley. He is known for having some sympathy for reform, even if he leans conservative. I asked if Lady Henry would be open to receiving a visit from you, for she is famed for her benevolence and is known to be amiable. I thought you might approach her first about a subscription, for she might lead you to others afterward.”
“You are too kind. I have hardly dared show my face to Miss Edwards, for I have not even begun seeking donors. The fact that Lady Henry expects my visit will make it much easier.”
“I am delighted to be of assistance and am ready to do more, should you wish it. Would you like for me to accompany you to visit Lady Henry?”
She smiled softly but shook her head. “I believe a visit to a lady with whom one is unacquainted is better done by another woman. I will ask either my sister or Marie—or even Miss Edwards, for she knows more about the asylum than I do.”
“You are probably right.” They were approaching Park Lane, and the sight of its green trees brought him back to the last time he had come to Hyde Park with Lady Sophia, and to the conversation he hoped to have today.
His heart began to chug violently in his chest. He waited for a pause in the carriages and horses on the road before leading her to the other side.
The open path under the row of trees would give them the privacy he needed to begin speaking. It would not allow him to take her in his arms as he wished, should his suit prove successful, but he could speak his heart without fear of being overheard. Now…how to begin without oversetting her?
“I asked if you were tired after the masquerade last night, but I did not ask if you enjoyed it.”
Lady Sophia was quiet for long enough that he turned to examine her expression. He guessed that his opening had embarrassed her because it demanded she give voice to what he had not yet had the courage to express.
“Perhaps I shall answer my own question first,” he said.
“I enjoyed it. Very much. In fact, I do not remember ever enjoying any ball as much as that one, for I was paired with the most charming dance partner.” Since he hadn’t taken his eyes from her, he did not miss her dimpled smile and gaze directed downward.
“There was only one thing that cast me into regrettably low spirits.”
Her regard swung to his, and he held it. “I was unable to see the face of my masked partner when all was revealed, and I so should have liked to have.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
“Because then she would know the words I had spoken were meant for her.” If he kept his voice light, he might not scare her off.
Felix watched emotions flit through her expression, varying like colors in a sunset and sending a delightful hue to her cheeks.
He stopped and gently turned her toward him, reaching for her hands to clasp in his.
She looked up at him, a tremulous smile on her lips.
Lips he meant to kiss as soon as he was given a private opportunity.
But first, she must be convinced beyond a doubt of how he felt.
“I must tell you of my esteem—the depth of love I have come to feel for you.” Her hands sat lightly in his, but her regard was unwavering, and he knew he had not erred in divining her feelings.
A stray wisp of curled hair flew loose from underneath her bonnet and caught on her lips; he reached up to free it. “Sophia, I—”
“Harwood!”
Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise and alarm, and Felix turned to the unwelcome sight of Robert marching toward him, flanked by Tom Perkins. His stomach plunged.
What wretched timing! At last, he was on the point of declaring himself to Sophia, of asking if they could have an understanding, even if it meant a long courtship—as long as she needed.
His hope was only half-formed, but he even thought they might go further and commit to a betrothal.
If she was as equally lost to the helpless longing he suffered every time they were apart, perhaps she would be ready for it.
Robert’s face was mottled with anger. “Sophia, stay away from this man, for he is an imposter!”
She took a step apart from Felix, sending a wave of disappointment through him that she would so easily credit Robert’s denunciation.
“Mr. Cunningworth,” she began in a tone firmer than he had ever heard from her.
“I do not know what you hope to achieve by telling me what I must or must not do. May I remind you that you are not one of my relations, and therefore I do not answer to you. I wish you would abandon the idea that I have any desire to be guided by you.”
For Sophia, this was a long speech, and a decisive one. In any other circumstance, Felix would have wished to shout “bravo!” But he was too filled with fury at Robert’s innuendo to rejoice in Sophia’s courage.
“What do you mean by coming here with these false accusations—”
“Sophia, it matters little whether you wish to hear what I have to say; my information is too vital to be withheld. Although Mr. Harwood preaches reform”—Robert now glared at Felix, letting those words ring out a conviction before continuing—“it is only a convenient pretext to achieve a more exalted position and line his pockets. I have proof of his deeds, and what is more, all of London will be in possession of it by tomorrow morning.”
Felix was so bewildered by this accusation—the last one he expected, considering that he thought Robert’s objection would have to do with Sophia—he had no ready retort.
Robert was so sure of this supposed perfidy that he was ready to smear his name?
His hands hung helplessly at his side. “Explain yourself.”
“Oh, you need have no fear that I won’t. Not only am I going to explain myself to you, but I have exposed the facts to the gossip sheets as well. All of Society will know you for the fraud you are.”
Felix stared at him, his brain working sluggishly as he tried to understand what could possibly have caused Robert to act in this way. He was vaguely aware that a crowd had gathered to listen, near as they were to Hyde Park’s entrance.
“I am still waiting for you to explain exactly what you mean by these ridiculous allegations.”
“You preach reform and merit-based appointments,” Robert began again, “yet you have been supported by patrons your entire life. My father paid for your schooling and called in favors to get you your first clerical position in Brighton, and you repaid him by casting his aid aside. Not only you, but your father owes his living to mine. We shall see if he will still retain it after my father turns the parish against him.”
The reference to his father was a blow from the side, and Felix could scarcely comprehend it, but he would not be deterred.
“You have said nothing other than what everyone knows. Anyone who wishes to learn that your father owns the advowson to my father’s living, or that the baron paid for my schooling, might have the information simply by asking you or me.
I have never hidden it, nor have I disguised the fact that my first clerical position was owing to him. ”
“Astonishing that you will own it, since you are now preaching merit-based appointments rather than favors in the Admiralty. You refuse to assist my father in the only favor he asked of you in return.”
This stung, for there was some truth to it, but Felix had grown in his convictions on this and would not back down.
“You are right that your father connected me with the customs officer who gave me my first position, but you must own that I had the qualifications for that position. He pulled strings so that I might come under the customs officer’s notice, but I was perfectly competent to perform the role.
And what’s more, my career evolution afterward was entirely based on my own performance and not on any other favors. ”
“You are forgetting the admiral’s patronage in purchasing your seat in Parliament.”
Felix tightened his fists. This was another half-truth that he was not entirely comfortable with.
His only reason for accepting the seat was for the good he could do in Parliament.
And he had done nothing illegal; it did not matter that the town of Gatton was so small the admiral easily persuaded the constituents to elect Felix.
With the practice so common, not even his father had expressed qualms about it.
He glanced from Robert to Perkins, aware all the while of Sophia standing beside him.
He shuddered to think of the impression she would have of him.
“Everyone in White’s is saying that the admiral simply bought his mouthpiece. He did not wish to enter Parliament himself, so he found someone he could buy off who would spout the same foolish notions he has.”
“I am no one’s mouthpiece,” Felix said firmly. “The words I speak in the Commons are of my own conviction. I sit in Parliament with the aim to serve crown and country, and everything I do or say—every vote I cast—is to that end.”
The argument stretched on painfully, but he was forced to remain for walking away would only make him look guilty. Sophia had remained silent during the exchange. How he wished he could whisk her away and explain that he had done nothing illegal.
“If you are not bought, then how do you explain your sudden influx of money?” Robert demanded with a glance at Perkins, who nodded. “You stole a march on me by buying that house I wanted in Russell Square—and with what funds?”
It had come down to the house. A heaviness settled in Felix’s chest, and he wondered if Robert had wanted it for the same reason he did—to take a wife.
He had certainly not intended to steal the house directly from Robert and had not even known that a gentleman meeting his description was interested until after he signed.
He had simply been the first to put in a formal offer.
“You did not have the funds to purchase that house,” Robert went on, “but I know where the money is coming from. The admiral put you in charge of a subscription fund attached to some widows’ pension, and you are pocketing a share from each one.”
“That is outrageous!”
“Is it? Admiral Mowbray’s name appears first on the subscription list. You’re collecting subscriptions from unwitting patrons with talk of widows, but it is all for your own ends.
And what is worse,” he went on ruthlessly, “your father, who appears to be the picture of piety, is now tangled in a will dispute in the Court of Canterbury. You Harwoods are the greatest hypocrites I’ve ever seen! ”
“I’ve heard enough of this nonsense,” Felix said through gritted teeth, his anger only increasing at the sight of Sophia, who had shrunk into herself.
Robert’s tirade had hit the wrong victim, and her initial signs of courage in standing up to him seemed to have deserted her.
“Step aside and allow me to escort Lady Sophia back to her home.”
“As Sophia’s oldest friend, I will do the honors,” Robert retorted.
Sophia took a step back and put up her hands, which to Felix’s dismay, were shaking. “I beg you will both excuse me. I see Marie walking with Mr. Edwards, and I will ask her to accompany me.”
She did not give either a chance to answer, but hurried over to the park’s entrance, where Miss Mowbray saw her approach and paused.
Her expression filled with concern, and she put an arm around Sophia as they spoke.
Felix had not been able to shield her, and it was the greatest blow. He turned back to Robert.
“Your father might have paid for my schooling, but it does not give you the right to slander my name just because the woman I love does not return your regard. I can only hope you will think better of this day’s work.” He walked off, valiantly resisting the temptation to punch the man in the nose.
“Slim chance of that,” he heard Robert mutter behind him, followed by Perkins’s guffaw.