Chapter Four
For once, Sophie was thankful for Georgie’s anxiousness to participate in an activity.
It was well before noon and she happily trudged beside her friend across the field and along the wood to a large frozen pond, ice skates on her shoulder.
They followed Georgie’s parents, Lord and Lady Edgerton, as well as Rose, Dory, and Lord Harewood.
Since Sophie truly enjoyed skating, she was much relieved that the seven of them would be the first to glide across the ice, the rest of the guests still abed or breaking their fasts.
Her primary goal for the day was to avoid any interaction with Lord Tamworth.
Even as she thought of him, her cheeks flushed at the memory of his kiss, though the feeling of pleasure was followed by pure embarrassment.
She should have known better than to attempt being adventurous.
Her mother, a timid woman in her own right, had often praised timidity as an excellent quality in a lady.
It had to have been the domino. Sophie had seen herself in Ellie’s mirror and couldn’t believe it was her.
Pretending to be Rosalind, one of her favorite characters, had truly been poor judgment on her part.
She’d always admired how intelligent and confident Rosalind was.
To brave the forest and dress as a shepherd in order to reclaim her love was the epitome of a true heroine.
Somehow, Sophie had managed to feel equally so.
Unfortunately, that had given her false courage that had truly led her astray and right into the moonlit garden—and the arms of the man who kissed her twice!
It had been far too easy to flirt with the friendly lord.
There was something about him that engendered trust and put one at ease.
And then there were his kisses. His kisses were all that she had dreamed of when she read about love in her studies in literature.
Love was such a strong motivator and made people brave when they needed to be the most. She was never brave, but she did enjoy observing others, often imagining their childhoods and futures.
She could imagine Lord Tamworth in the future sitting on the nursery floor with a bevy of children crawling all over him, not something she could imagine her reserved, always scowling father, Lord Harewood, or even Lord Sommerset doing.
If only Lord Tamworth hadn’t untied her mask, then she could enjoy her last days at Hawthorne Park.
How horrified her mother would be, especially as she’d recently written about two possible lords she hoped to introduce Sophie to as soon as she arrived home.
Her mother’s anxiousness to have her wed sometimes bordered on desperation.
Now that she thought on it, her mother might well encourage Lord Tamworth’s attentions if she knew.
However, Sophie had no such intention of telling her.
She had to avoid seeing him for the rest of her stay, so he could not ask someone who she was.
She had the perfect plan. She would enjoy the ice, then return to her room to read the book Ellie had given her.
Originally, skating wasn’t in her plan at all, but Georgie had made it possible by insisting she couldn’t wait another minute.
By coming out before everyone else, Sophie could safely enjoy her second favorite pastime.
They arrived at the pond to find chairs and small tables had already been set upon the frozen grass.
The grass itself sported ice crystals, making it appear white even without snow, so it felt like walking in a fairy land.
Her white wool dress and long caramel pelisse blended in perfectly.
Quickly, she chose a seat, took off her warm kid gloves, and strapped her first skate to her boots.
“Come on, Sophie. You’re so slow!” Georgie yelled from the icy surface, then laughed.
Sophie looked up from her second skate to find Georgie already racing down the length of the pond. The woman did everything fast. Sophie smiled and waved.
“Don’t worry. I’ll catch her.” Rose carefully made her way across the ground before stepping onto the ice and setting out after Georgie.
Not worried at all, Sophie watched her friends for a moment, happy to spend this time with them.
As she returned her gaze to her skate, she caught sight of Lord Harewood down on one knee tying Dory’s skates for her.
Dory was talking about how the crystals on the grass reminded her of Plato’s ideal forms. The tableau caused warmth to fill Sophie’s chest.
Carefully, she finished her final tie and rose, holding on to the chair to get used to her skates again.
This would be her first time skating this winter, and she needed a few moments to remember her balance.
After a moment, she took the three steps to the ice and glided onto it.
Immediately, delight filled her, and she skated to the opposite side of the pond before starting a circle along its edge.
The air was crisp and cold, but it did not bite, and she smiled as she enjoyed the sensation of flying. Holding out her arms, she lifted one leg behind her and glided in an arc before spinning around, laughter bubbling up and out.
“Sophie, stop showing us up.” Rose skated toward her.
Sophie grinned. “There’s no one watching. Besides, I’m just having fun.”
Rose hooked her arm. “I know. It’s just that I feel so awkward around you. I’m glad you rarely dance. You move like an angel.”
Sophie squeezed Rose’s arm as they glided together. “You have no need to fear comparison to me. You are like the fire that attracts people toward you, while I am like the vase that sits on the shelf. Or, at least, I hope I am.”
Rose shook her head. “No, you are the beautiful flower in that vase that people can’t help but stop and admire.”
“You are such a storyteller. You must try writing. I know you would be famous.”
Rose let her arm go. “Me? Write? That is far too boring.”
As Rose skated off, Sophie glided toward the opposite side of the pond to enjoy another circle around the edge. Georgie caught up to Rose and the two appeared to be racing, while Lord Harewood skated backward, pulling Dory along, much to her enjoyment.
Sophie skated by Lord and Lady Edgerton, who sat on the embankment.
She waved. They nodded in acknowledgment.
Once past them, she found open space and lifted one leg again, loving the feel of her self-made breeze in her face.
Setting her foot back to the ice, she skated past Rose and Georgie before spinning around and around.
“Oh, look. More skaters.”
At Georgie’s announcement, Sophie slowed to look toward the house.
It appeared to be another six or seven people, though from so far away, she couldn’t tell who it was.
She sincerely hoped that Lord Tamworth was not among the newcomers.
She was loath to leave off skating so soon.
Just in case she would have to end her second favorite pastime, she made another circle around the pond before coming to a quick stop to once again view the progress of those approaching.
It was a mix of men and women, but it was impossible to see who they were yet. Maybe just one more skate about.
Once again, she skated the length of the pond then balanced on one leg, moving in tighter and tighter circles before widening and skating backward to a spot where she could clearly see who approached.
Her heart sank as she recognized Lord Tamworth among the men.
Unfortunately, if she skated to the tables now, there would be no way to avoid him.
She’d have to wait until he was upon the ice before she could take off her skates and return to the house.
Her instinct was to remain completely still, as she often did at social gatherings, but on the pond with people moving so much, it might draw his attention.
Forcing herself to move, she skated around her end of the pond, meandering along the edge and cutting across while the newcomers donned their skates. One older couple clearly planned to watch, but the other five people took to the ice one at a time, with Lord Tamworth leading the way.
He skated backward, talking to the others, teasing them about how slow they were.
Much laughter came from the chairs before more people joined him.
Sophie made sure to know where he was even as Lords Manning, Durham, and Wellsley joined him.
Lord Ashfield didn’t have skates and crossed his legs as if settling in to enjoy a play in Drury Lane.
Sophie’s old classmate, Lissa and her husband hooked arms and skated onto the ice together, urging the men to show off their skills.
Much conversation ensued that Sophie couldn’t quite hear, so she skated another small circle to position herself in a better spot to watch the activity.
While Georgie skated over to talk to her parents, who were sitting next to Lord Ashfield, Rose joined the new group.
Movement to Sophie’s right had her turning, just in time to see another group of people approaching, including Ellie, though her husband was not with her.
How freeing to not need a chaperone at all times.
Sophie had once hoped to find a contemplative man for a husband to have a family with.
Her dearest wish was to share her love of literature with children.
She didn’t need a peer. She’d be happy with a vicar or a gentleman of means—or her true dream, a scholar.
But she was resigned, even relieved, that there appeared no such man in her future.
She could be very content sharing her stories with her older brother’s children.
“Go!”