Chapter 11 #2
She leaned back slightly when the footman cleared her plate and replaced it with a dish of fresh squid and prawns spiced with curry and fresh coconut. She fought a grimace and glanced at Anthony. “Some of this region’s wonderful food is wasted on me,” she whispered. “I do not care for seafood.”
Anthony smiled. “I remember. I suppose you shall resort to the time-honored method of moving the food about on the plate to appear as though you’re enjoying it?”
“One does what one must,” she grumbled. “Distract me with tales, if you please. Surely you’ve made observations on more than simply Mr. Darzi, the prince’s cousin.”
Anthony speared a bite of his squid and nodded at her as he closed his lips around the fork and chewed.
She gagged in the back of her throat, and her eyes watered.
She quickly put her napkin to her mouth and looked away from him with a cough.
She heard his answering laugh and wondered how badly it would embarrass her sponsor if she were to dump her plate of seafood in Anthony’s lap and storm out in a dramatic huff.
“Very well,” Anthony said, his voice merry.
“Seated at the other table is Clergyman Denney, Mrs. Denney, and their two daughters. He leads the flock each Sabbath with verses from the Old Testament and is less concerned with growing the flock than he is filling those who already attend with fire and brimstone. His wife is very gentle, very kind, and very likely trampled beneath her husband’s formidable personality.
Their daughters return to London soon to enjoy the Season—their second and first, respectively, I’m told—and Mr. Denney is quite determined that one, or preferably both, daughters will make a splendid match.
There is soon to be a dowry at play which could serve both daughters very well. ”
Sophia studied the family as she absently stirred her food about on her plate. “The younger of the two is the prettier, is she not?”
Anthony’s answering smile was wry. “I had arrived at the same conclusion myself. I anticipate exactly what you’re about to say.”
“I fear that unless the elder is gregarious, she may find herself eclipsed.” Sophia paused. “Although, she does seem to have captured the attention of the soldier seated to her right. Of course, he seems to be doing the majority of the conversing.”
Anthony leaned toward Sophia to look at the couple in question.
“Ah, yes. That is Corporal Mailor. He was the shepherdess at the costume party, if you’ll recall.
” He lowered his voice. “He fancies himself a bit of a charmer. I do hope Miss Denney has a good head on her shoulders and will not be deceived by a few flowery compliments.”
Sophia scowled at the young soldier. “Does he mean her ill, do you suppose?”
“I certainly have no basis to suspect it, but in the short time I have been here, Corporal Mailor has attempted to endear himself to no fewer than seven women, and he leads three other like-minded corporals about like the Pied Piper.”
“Ah. The sheep.”
“Yes. Such short-lived attention for any one woman is hardly rare here, of course, but he seems to me to be an opportunist.” He drew his brows together and paused, thinking.
“He is rather more shiftless than most. His ambitions far exceed his potential, in my opinion, but he will reach upward, nonetheless.”
“Hmm.” Sophia frowned. “One hopes her father might spot a ne’er-do-well and offer her some useful counsel. And you say both girls have been in Indian society for a time?”
He nodded.
“Perhaps they are more discerning than some. From what I’ve experienced in these scant two days, Major Stuart had the right of it.
The Fishing Fleet ladies are often met fresh off the boat with multiple proposals.
That the Denney daughters have lived here in this society and remain unattached speaks to their perspicacity, perhaps. ”
“Multiple proposals have been your experience? Was this what you were hoping for when you sought to join the Fleet?”
Sophia snorted lightly. “Certainly not.” She then cursed herself for answering too quickly. She had wanted him to believe she was here to find a husband.
He glanced at her but left the comment alone.
Mercifully, he turned the discussion back to the Denney girls.
“Whatever their reasons for remaining unattached, the daughters must be impressive indeed to defend such a stance against their father. Mr. Denney does not strike me as a parent who is concerned if his daughters marry for love or affection.”
“A pity.” Sophia set her fork down on her plate.
“My parents married for love and, true, it cost them dearly. But to this day my mother insists she would not change history even if she could.” She smiled, but it felt bittersweet, and she lowered her voice.
“We used to sit in our flat, with barely enough to eat, Mama sicker and more frail by the day, and she would tell me stories of my handsome and wonderful father who would have so loved to see his beautiful children grow. He would be so proud of Jack, working hard at sea even as a child, all to help provide for his mother and little sister.”
She glanced up at him and blinked away telltale moisture.
“She always insisted that if a man and woman have love and affection, a desire to put each other above all else, that life is livable under any circumstances.” She cleared her throat.
It wouldn’t do to cry her way through the meal, even if she didn’t like the squid.
“And as I now have opportunities that she never dreamed of, I intend to take advantage. I’ll not marry simply for the sake of being married. ”
“Very progressive thinking, Miss Elliot.” His smile was gentle.
Sophia nodded. “Yes. I shall marry someone I love, or not at all. So you see, my lord, your task is a challenging one. You must find me a husband I can adore.” She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and her mouth dipped in a smile.
“If I am relegated forever to the proverbial shelf, it shall be entirely your fault.”
His jaw clenched before he shoved another bite of food in his mouth. Could it be the man was feeling uncomfortable?
Sophia smiled. Good.