Chapter 3
Edward's heart sank, as he left the employment agency which he had been told was the best in London.
Unfortunately, the agent had said that they didn't currently have anyone available who could replace Ruth. Even worse, it might take two weeks or more to find the right companion for the Duchess of Carlfield. He couldn’t stop frowning as he walked.
Letting anyone down like this was inconceivable to him.
His standards were very high, especially when it came to looking after his family.
Not wishing to return to his office immediately even though his guilty conscience insisted that he ought to be working, he decided to stop at his favourite club near St James' Place for a cup of coffee, and try to read the newspaper in peace.
Hoping that this would take his mind off the problem, or possibly give him some fresh inspiration.
There might also be someone there who would be able to recommend another agency he could approach.
Thankfully, the club was situated in a side street away from the main road, which had seemed to Edward to be even more noisy and chaotic than usual this morning.
In the hustle and bustle of horse drawn carriages, people trying to cross the road, along with the pavement sellers and vagrants.
It was a relief when the doorman opened the door to the club, and greeted him by name, stepping aside so that Edward could walk through it into the quiet interior.
He left his hat and cane at the desk, and made his way into one of the smaller rooms where he asked for a coffee to be brought to him.
Five minutes later he was sitting in one of the comfortable chairs near the door, with his drink and an unopened newspaper on the table in front of him.
His mind was still in a turmoil about what to do next, and whether he should cancel his trip to France, when he was interrupted by a gentleman taking the seat opposite.
Edward glanced up at him realising that he vaguely recognised him, but couldn't recall his name.
The gentleman greeted him as the Duke of Carlfield. Placing Edward in an awkward predicament when he was obliged to ask where they had met before, as the man's identity had completely escaped him.
"My apologies for interrupting your reverie, your Lordship," Owen Barlow said politely.
"I believe that you did some business with my father, a few years ago.
I was with him at the time, albeit a lot younger.
However, as we were introduced back then, I was hoping that you wouldn't object to me sharing your table.
" He glanced around the room which had by this time filled up, then down at the cup he was holding.
"I am in desperate need of this coffee, and there doesn't seem to be another seat available. "
"By all means, please sit down, Mr Barlow," Edward replied, as he quickly moved the newspaper to the edge of the table and his cup closer to himself.
"I must apologise if I was frowning. It was unintentional.
My father used to say even when I was a child that I had a countenance that could terrify even the bravest soul if I frowned.
Sadly I am still in the habit of doing it today.
Although I do believe that he was only joking.
" Edward grinned at Owen, and added a further explanation that he did have a lot on his mind which had taken his thoughts miles away.
Prompting Owen to nod, and admit that he completely understood.
As he was equally preoccupied by a problem.
Edward had taken an instant liking to the young man sitting opposite him, and remembered also that he had later seen his father’s obituary in the newspaper.
It had saddened him, as in Edward's opinion, he had been an honest and trustworthy man whose integrity was beyond question.
Owen too had the same look about him, an open face which invited trust, and a kind manner.
Although he did seem to be a little troubled.
It wasn't long however before Edward found himself saying that he urgently needed to find a lady’s companion for his mother.
As he would shortly be travelling abroad on business, and didn't wish to leave her alone on his Yorkshire estate.
Despite still being a very capable woman, age and infirmity meant that she could no longer do everything she wished to unless she had some help.
Without the benefit of a daughter or daughter-in-law, she was also in dire need of female company at home.
He gave a bittersweet smile to Owen, expressing the thought that if Mr Barlow had a sister he was certain he would understand the Duchess of Carlfield's need for female conversation, and someone with whom she could follow more gentle pursuits.
Owen couldn't believe his ears, and thought at first that he must be mistaken.
As soon as he realised that he wasn't, he decided to seize the opportunity without further ado.
Preceding it with another apology about not wishing to appear bold, he told Edward that he completely understood his mother's need for a companion.
Also that he did by chance have a sister whom he believed would be a suitable candidate.
Adding that Sophia was well educated, had attended a finishing establishment to prepare her for the season, and was passionate about helping others.
Carefully omitting any explanation of her need to escape from the horrendous situation Lucas had put her in.
As it turned out the solution was even better than Owen could have dared hope for.
He realised this when Edward told him that the Duchess would shortly be returning to the family's country seat in Yorkshire.
This meant that Sophia would have the opportunity to leave London very soon, if of course the Duke decided to employ her.
Owen couldn't help thinking that Edward did genuinely seem interested in giving her the job. Especially when he went on to say that if Sophia would be happy to accompany his mother on her journey north, could she come for an interview the following day? It was much to the relief and satisfaction of both of them when Owen agreed on Sophia’s behalf that he would accompany her to Edward's town house in Belgravia, at eleven o'clock the following morning, and the arrangement was made.
Edward left the club, with a much lighter heart than when he first went in.
Believing that if Miss Sophia Barlow was anything like her brother, and he had no reason to doubt she wouldn't be, he had unexpectedly found the solution to his problem.
Owen hastily consumed his coffee, eager to make his way back to his abode and impart the news to Sophia.
He wasn't in any doubt whatsoever that she would much prefer to join Lord Carlfield's household, albeit as a ladies' companion, than become the wife of Lord Dilley who was a truly vile man.
Even though it wasn't in Owen's nature or character to be unkind, or unjust to anyone, he couldn't bring himself to call either Lucas or him a gentleman. Given Sophia’s refusal of Lord Dilley's earlier proposal and the cold manner in which she treated him at dinner last night, it must be perfectly clear to his Lordship by now that he was about to marry a beautiful young woman against her wishes.
Whilst as far as Lucas Barlow was concerned he might bear the title of gentleman, but that didn't mean he was anything like it at heart.
Sophia deserved so much better than to be connected to either of them!
Owen's thoughts turned then to Edward Carlisle.
The kindness in his eyes, and voice had impressed him very much.
In particular when he spoke of his mother, it was clearly from a place of love and respect as he was fully prepared to lose a valuable business contract, if he couldn't replace her companion with someone suitable before he was due to leave for Europe, rather than let her down.
The contract was clearly of no consequence to him when it came to a choice between his mother's welfare and it.
He was exactly the sort of husband Lucas should have been looking for on behalf of Sophia.
The Duke of Carlfield was obviously very rich.
However Owen also surmised that the fact he was a true gentleman meant he wouldn't be prepared to associate himself with Lucas, and his dubious dealings. So the two were unlikely to have met.
Nevertheless, that could easily pose another problem for his sister in the future.
If Sophia could be rescued from having to marry Lord Dilley, and subsequently found a suitor who was a gentleman who might even have a title, would he be prepared to marry into a family which had a man like Lucas at its head?
Something which could result in disgrace by association at a later date.
However Owen looked at it, only a very courageous and honourable man might be prepared to take the risk of marrying Sophia because of Lucas.
Whilst for her Owen knew it would need to be a love match.
Since she thought love was the most precious thing in the whole world.
He was glad that Edward had to leave promptly to return to his office, and hadn't asked for news of their father.
This question could easily have led to him being obliged to mention Lucas, and the possibility that Edward might no longer be interested in meeting Sophia.
Lucas' name was tainted throughout the city.
He was thought of in many quarters as a scoundrel.
Nevertheless, providence had been on Sophia's side that morning, and Owen Barlow was smiling when he left the club. Intending to make the long walk back to the town house, as quickly as he could, and tell her the good news.