Chapter 8
Sophia took a deep breath as she walked into the drawing room, and tried to calm her thudding heart.
Wishing that Owen and Hannah had been able to accompany her, she suddenly noticed the most handsome gentleman she had ever seen looking at her.
He stepped forward immediately to greet her, with a smile which reached his eyes.
As if he sensed her discomfort, and wished very much to put her at ease.
Edward introduced himself as the Duke of Carlfield before gesturing to an older woman whom he explained was his mother, Lady Cynthia Carlisle.
Sophia could feel the heat in her cheeks from the intensity of the Duke’s gaze, and realised that she must be blushing.
So much so that she had forgotten to curtsy.
When she did remember it was almost too late so became rushed, and not as elegant as it ought to have been.
However in that split second she knew, from the excitement and warmth she felt inside, that she had never been as attracted to anyone else in the same way as the Duke.
Certainly not any of the gentlemen Lucas had arranged for her to meet.
She also realised just how nice his mother looked.
Cynthia was smiling at her kindly, and had motioned for her to take a seat.
Whilst the housemaid who had appeared with a fresh pot of tea, since the first one had been left standing for too long without being poured, was attending to this.
Having been instructed to do so by Jenkins, the Butler.
Sophia felt her hands tremble when she accepted the cup and saucer from her.
Hoping that she wouldn't drop them, and disgrace herself.
Thankfully she had politely refused to take the piece of the cake which had been also offered to her.
The white icing on the top looked delicious, and her taste buds had responded accordingly, but the mere risk of speaking with her mouth full was enough to prevent this.
Why did the Duke have to be quite so handsome, and a distraction she couldn't help thinking in frustration?
When all she needed was to concentrate completely on the interview, to do her best. She had been drawn straight away into the intensity of his dark, brooding eyes.
His broad shoulders and slim waist were equally attractive and although he wasn't fashionably dressed so far as she knew, but elegantly, it was definitely in the style of a gentleman.
Without any outrageous colour for his cravat or waistcoat, which were both a subdued shade of blue.
Almost the perfect match for her best dress, she couldn't help thinking but not understanding why this made her blush even more.
The interview was always going to be difficult, without the excitement she now felt because of being in such close proximity to him, and the deliciously warm feeling she had inside.
While her inner voice was screaming at her that she must pull herself together, or risk not being able to present herself properly to her new employer, and face once again being doomed to a loveless marriage to Lord Dilley.
Meanwhile, Edward was watching Miss Barlow carefully.
She was exceptionally nervous. Just then she looked up from her tea cup, and her hazel eyes met his.
Edward was immediately mesmerised by the softness in them.
She was equally moved by the light in his blue eyes, which fascinated her.
At times it appeared almost green, and she was unable to avert her gaze.
Resulting in them both staring at each other for a moment too long, which could easily have been deemed scandalous had they been in a different situation.
Much to his surprise Sophia's ethereal beauty had captivated the Duke, and this train of thought was soon interrupted by a delighted Cynthia.
She hadn't failed to notice any of this, or that Sophia was exactly as she had hoped she would be.
Very beautiful to the point of being willowy, softly spoken, and demure.
Perfect for what she now had in mind. Moreover if she knew anything about it, which she did, nature had already started to play its part in the way Ned had looked at her.
After his earlier admission about Joey's sister, Cynthia had soon felt the need to give her son a helping hand.
She appreciated that some might well regard it as meddling, including himself.
However she felt vindicated by the fact that she had become a lot more forgetful lately, which she hoped he hadn't noticed.
She had begun to feel her increasing age, and this was the main reason she had wished to replace Ruth as quickly as possible.
Even more so now, if the quite charming Miss Sophia Barlow could also set Ned well and truly on the path to finding love.
There was also the niggling thought at the back of her mind that she was partially to blame for what had happened to Ned.
Not that she had of course wanted him to die at Waterloo, but her husband wished initially to give his blessing to him accompanying Joey when he went to fight Napoleon.
He said it was a matter of honour, and was proud that it was in his son's blood to do it.
She was the one who had argued vehemently, and possibly selfishly, against it.
Pointing out that Ned was his only heir, and May it never come to pass, what would happen if he didn't come back?
Maybe she shouldn't have been quite as quick to think this.
Given the effect which it ultimately had on Ned, but this was the opportunity now to make everything right again.
Having Sophia in their lives would give them both a new lease of life.
Just because she wasn't like the rest of those mostly dreadful mamas she had to listen to every season, since she didn't have a daughter to launch, that didn't mean she couldn't help her only son find a wife.
Albeit without letting him know what she was up to.
She had always been a no nonsense sort of woman, which meant that she didn't have a great deal of hesitation now in giving Ned a helping hand when he needed it.
He was obviously still grieving for the loss of Joey, and Felicity too.
Cynthia knew from her own experience of true love, that having the right woman share his life would cure him from the horror she anticipated he felt whenever he gazed sadly into the distance.
If this occurred at the dining table his food would be left untouched, and he seemed so far away that he could no longer hear her voice speaking to him.
Even though he was sitting in the most beautiful room beneath the most enchanting candlelight, being served exquisite food on the finest antique plates in the land, Ned was like a lost soul.
Whilst it was her duty as his mother, especially now that his Papa was no longer with them, to help him make his way in life.
Cynthia had learned from her own marriage to his father, in particular at the end of his life, that it was only love which could save us in times of despair and hopelessness.
A love which was so strong that it had the power to overcome whatever obstacles fate placed in our way, and make us truly want to live again.
That was the love she wished for Ned, and made no apology for the way in which she was prepared now to help him get it.
No, this was the right decision to make!
Whatever polite society might think of his romance if it should be with Miss Sophia Barlow, and from the way they had looked at each other a moment ago, there was every chance it might well be.
Cynthia sat up straight in her chair, even more determined than ever that this should work out well for them both, and her too.
As far as she was concerned, the other mamas could gossip as much as they wished to about the Duke marrying his servant, if it should happen that way, because they would still have had love in their lives.
Something which sadly not everyone did. In reaching this decision the Duchess had however completely ignored the effect of being named in the scandal sheets, and being shunned by polite society.
Since she believed what she read in them to be mostly wicked lies.
There was far too much hypocrisy in the world now!
She had also never been one for abiding by social rules set by others.
People who caused great unhappiness, and should frankly know better.
She laughed then with delight at the possibility of her wish coming true, causing her to splutter into her tea, and Ned looked curiously at her.
Not wishing to make him suspicious about what some might regard as a highly unladylike scheme, she turned it quickly into a cough.
Using her embroidered handkerchief to cover her mouth.
"All better now," she said, innocently enough, and with a beaming smile.
Making him wonder what she had been thinking about.
His heart sank when he imagined what it could have been, but at least she seemed to be in good spirits again for which he was grateful.
Still smiling Cynthia began the interview by asking Sophia to tell them a little about herself, and her education.
Feeling that these were safe and easy subjects for her to talk about, without of course knowing the truth of the situation.
That Sophia was already on the verge of causing a scandal by running away from home, and an arranged marriage to Lord Dilley.