Chapter Eighteen
Two days later
“Rose, if you want me to eat more soup, then you need to have Mrs. Boyd send up barberry ice cream. I know she has some.”
“Absolutely not. You’ve barely been warm for twenty-four hours. I will not have you eating anything cold.”
“Then I’ll go down and get some myself.” Sophie threw the quilt and sheet off and lifted her legs over the warm brick next to them.
“No!” Rose came around the bed and put her hands on Sophie’s shoulders. “You must stay in bed and stay warm.”
“Then I’ll wear a dressing gown.”
“Sophie Howard of Dowling, you are not leaving this bed.”
“Rose Ambrose of Enderly, I am leaving this bed.”
At a knock on the door, they both looked that way. Sophie answered, “Please come in.”
The door opened and Tam entered, quickly closing the door behind him. “I need to speak to you.”
Rose let go of Sophie and stepped in front of him. “You can’t be in here. What are you doing?”
Sophie’s heart warmed. Seeing him was the best cure for falling in the pond. “Truly, Rose, this is the solution. I wish to go to the kitchens, and here is Tam ready to escort me.”
Rose swung around toward her, and in the morning light, Sophie noticed the tiredness about her eyes. The poor woman had not slept in two days, her guilt riding her hard. “No, no, no, no.”
Tam opened his mouth, and Sophie quickly interjected. “Rose, all is well. Please stand outside the door to prevent anyone else from entering. I need to talk to Lord Tamworth.”
Rose looked about to argue, but as she turned and faced Tam’s scowl, she finally nodded. “Ten minutes. Not a minute more.”
As Rose brushed by Tam, he strode to the bed. “I had to see you for myself. Lady Sommerset said you are doing well.”
Sophie smiled, very happy to see him. “I am. I want to go back to my studies, but Rose is determined to keep me in my room.”
His gaze swept over her before he brushed her loose hair off her shoulder. “I don’t want to agree with Rose, but I do in this. Another day won’t hurt, will it?”
She pouted like she had when she was five and was told she had to stop reading her books and go to bed.
It felt odd, since she rarely wished to do something other than what was required.
“I suppose I can stay in here one more day, but you must have Mrs. Boyd send up some barberry ice cream. Have my maid, Miss Clark, bring it. She’ll be able to get it to me when Rose isn’t paying attention. ”
He didn’t smile like she’d hoped he would. “Is Rose making you well, then? Do I need to send for the duchess?”
“The duchess? Merciful heavens, no. I’m already better.”
He set his hand to her forehead then cupped her cheek. “I’m glad for that.”
Still, he didn’t smile. He was like another person, or as if he had troubles on his mind. She put her hand over his. “What is it, Tam?”
He squeezed her hand in his. “I thought I’d lost you.” He swallowed hard, his cravat moving as he did so.
“But you saved me, and I’m feeling well.” She gave him a reassuring smile, hoping to ease his worry.
He shook his head. “I can’t lose you. I don’t have much to offer you yet, but I promise I can provide for you. It won’t be as well as you’re used to, but I can’t wait another moment to have you be mine.”
Her heart raced at the idea that he might put aside his plan for her. She clasped his hand with both of hers. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want you to be my wife. I humbly ask you to believe in me and be at my side as we build a life together.”
Joy filled her. Letting go of his hands, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes! I want you for my husband now and forever.”
His brows rose as his lips quirked upward. “Truly? I have only a few servants and the house is not up to snuff, and—”
She kissed him, unable to wait another moment. To know that she would be in his arms, in his life, forever was pure happiness.
He grasped her to him and deepened the kiss.
Just as she pressed herself harder against him, the door opened.
“Christopher!”
At Rose’s scolding, Tam stopped kissing her, but didn’t release her. He turned his head to look at Rose. “Yes.”
She closed the door quietly, a scowl on her face.
Sophie couldn’t keep her good news to herself. “Lord Tamworth has just asked me to be his wife, and I’ve agreed.”
Rose collapsed in a chair. “Then I’m very happy for you both.”
Tam seemed to take pity on her friend. “May I suggest that you go to your room and get some sleep? Lady Sophie has agreed to remain in her room for one more day, so you do not need to watch over her.”
Rose sat straighter in the chair and looked about to argue.
Sophie quickly added her own assurance. “Truly, Rose, you have made me feel much better. I promise I won’t leave my room until the morrow.”
Rose’s shoulders sagged once again. “I know you don’t break promises, so I will rest for a bit. Chris, you will leave with me.”
Tam nodded and released Sophie. “I will.”
“I wish you could stay.” She sighed.
“I must go to ask your father’s permission. I’m hoping he will be as understanding as you about my ability to support you.”
She’d forgotten about how much importance her father would put upon that, and it worried her. “My father is a quiet, studious man. He understands logic best. If you can act in the same manner, he will be more likely to accept your suit.”
“I will remember that. Continue to get well, and I will see you again in a few days.”
Rose stood then opened the door.
Tam gestured for her to leave first and then he followed her out, closing the door behind him.
Already Sophie felt her spirits sag, knowing Tam would not be at Silver Meadows.
Her father’s reaction to Tam’s proposal was concerning.
He had often criticized matches he’d seen in the paper based upon what he perceived as uneven wealth.
Maybe if Sophie wrote to her mother how much she looked forward to wedding Tam, she could help.
Immediately, she left the bed and donned her dressing gown. Then she pulled a piece of paper from a drawer and sat at her dressing table to write a letter to her mother. She’d just sharpened the quill when the door flew open.
“You’re getting married!”
She turned in her chair just in time to catch Rose’s hug.
When Rose released her, she grinned. “If Father allows it, yes.”
“You are so good at keeping secrets. How long have you and Chris been courting? He seems the opposite of you, always the center of attention.”
She ignored the question, as she’d rather not answer it. “Yes, and I like to watch everyone else. I find him fascinating. He’s full of life and so very kind.”
Rose sat on the bed across from her. “But you didn’t know him before Ellie’s, right?”
“I didn’t. But I learned much about him there, and later here. He has consulted with me, asking my advice with his readings.”
Rose’s eyes widened. “Now that’s interesting. Are you absolutely sure? It has not been that long. I’ve known Chris my whole life and I wouldn’t marry him.”
Sophie laughed. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“I guess he wasn’t serious about waiting until after he was thirty to marry.”
“Oh, but he was, even after we met. But he said when I went through the ice, he couldn’t stand the thought of losing me.”
Rose’s demeanor crumbled. “Sophie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize the ice had weakened out in the deeper water. When I poured it, I thought the cold would keep it in the shallows. You must know, I never meant to hurt you.”
The tears in her friend’s eyes were too much for Sophie.
She rose from the desk and pulled Rose into a hug.
“I know you didn’t. It was just a prank that never should have been.
” She set Rose back from her. “And if I hadn’t fallen in, I’m quite sure Lord Tamworth would have waited the two more years to marry me. ”
Rose sniffed and gave a watery smile. “I know you’re patient, but I honestly don’t think he would have waited so long. He’s rather impetuous.”
Sophie didn’t think investing for years until Tam could buy an estate to be impetuous, but she held her tongue. “It’s of no matter now. What matters is that my father approve, and I get to be Lady Tamworth.”
“I don’t know that I’ll ever marry. There is just so much to learn about making people better.”
“Yes, and now that I’m better and confined to my room, you need to go to your room and rest, like you promised.”
“I didn’t actually promise.”
“Rose.” Sophie used her best stern voice.
Rose threw her hands up and slid off the bed. “Fine, I’ll go rest. But I’ll come back to look in on you later.”
“That would be lovely. I don’t want anyone to know about the betrothal until Father gives his consent, so you’re the only person I can talk to about it.”
Rose grinned as she strode to the door. “That’s right. Who knew the rumor about Lord Tamworth being betrothed would actually become true?”
Sophie silently agreed as her friend exited the room. Then she turned back to the desk and began her letter to her mother. Since her mother had always wanted her to wed a reserved and studious man, she would focus on those traits of Tam. What could be more studious than a scholar from Oxford?
Writing the letter was far easier than she’d thought it would be.
She was able to write about her feelings for Tam and her hope that her father would approve, along with a request that her mother help persuade Lord Dowling.
After sealing it, she rang for her maid, ordered her ice cream, and sent off the letter.
Back in her bed, she’d just taken the first bite of ice cream when there was a knock on her door before it opened and Georgie strode in.
“You must be feeling so much better. If I fell through the ice, I don’t think I could eat anything cold for a year.” She pulled the chair from the dressing table to the bed.
“Not even if it was your favorite food?”
“You mean marzipan? That’s not cold, so I needn’t worry. You are feeling better, right?” Georgie’s brow lowered in worry.
“Yes, I’m truly much better. Rose took very good care of me.”
“Do you ever wonder what it will be like when we marry and no longer have our classmates to depend upon?”
She froze, her spoon halfway to her mouth. Surely Rose hadn’t said anything to Georgie. She was very sweet, kind, and of a happy disposition, but she couldn’t keep a secret. Even if she discovered what was for dinner in an hour, she had to tell someone.
Sophie set the spoon back in the bowl. “Why do you ask?”
Georgie shrugged. “I was just thinking that when I marry Lord Ashfield, he’ll take me to his home, and I may not see you or Rose or any of our classmates again.
We haven’t seen Elsbeth in months, and she’s on the property here.
And don’t forget, we were only able to see Dory and Lissa because Ellie invited us all to her ball. ”
“Don’t be silly. Of course you will see us. You will still go to Town for the Season and most of us will be there. Don’t forget Elsbeth is due to have her baby, so you may not see her at the start of the Season.”
Georgie immediately brightened. “You’re right. I’ve been so focused on finding a husband, I hadn’t thought what it would be like after marrying. I knew I would miss you all so much, but forgot we will be in Town for the Season.”
Sophie swallowed another bite of ice cream. “Tell me, do you love Lord Ashfield?”
“Oh no, not yet. But I know I will.” Georgie cocked her head. “If anyone can love me, I know I will love them.”
“Many people love you. All your friends love you, as does the duchess.”
“I know, and I’m so grateful and love you all.
That’s how I know I will love Lord Ashfield if he loves me.
Here, I feel accepted. It’s so much better being here at school instead of home.
I would stay here all year, except that the Season is when I get to dance and search for a husband.
Then again, I probably won’t have to do that this Season. ”
Sophie took another bite of her tart yet sweet treat. She truly hoped Lord Ashfield did love Georgie. She deserved to be loved, to be someone’s whole world.
Georgie’s round eyes sparkled with excitement. “He sent me another letter. He said he holds me in the highest esteem. No one has ever said that to me.”
“Well, it’s time someone did. I’m very pleased for you.”
Georgie bounced out of her chair, never one to sit still for long. “Thank you. I can’t believe I truly have a suitor, and he’s one Mother thoroughly approves of. I hope you can find a suitor, too. You deserve one. You’re so much more patient than I.”
“I just wish to enjoy each day for what it can bring.”
“And today it brought you good health. That’s why I came in.” Georgie moved toward her and gave her a hug. “I’m so glad you’re well. I was so worried.”
The last was said in a whisper, as if Georgie had been afraid Sophie would die. She felt her eyes tear up at the sentiment. “Thank you, my friend.”
Georgie stood back and grinned. “Now I must go. I’m writing about the blue tits and promised Mrs. Evans I would have it done for tomorrow. But I’ll be back before dinner to make sure you’re not bored.”
Before Sophie could reply, Georgie flitted out the door. To have such exuberance must be tiring. In fact, it might be time to rest, especially if both Rose and Georgie were coming back. Sophie also expected Lady Sommerset, Lady Felicity, and Lady Arabella to visit before dinner.
She finished her ice cream in silence, happy she could still enjoy such a pleasure thanks to Tam’s rescuing her. Georgie was right—it was wonderful to have so many people to love and who loved her back. And soon, she’d have her very own person to love with all of her heart.