Chapter 14 #2
When Effie was downstairs again Florence asked her how she had coped with looking after Miss Barlow, and Effie whispered confidentially to her that she didn't have a lot to do.
Since there hadn't been very many clothes to put away, and more weren't expected to be delivered.
Florence was shocked by this, especially since she understood from her Ladyship that Miss Barlow had been a debutante and presented to the Queen of all things, so she thought at first that Effie was telling tales.
Until the girl became quite upset about her accusations, and she believed her.
Florence knew she would have to warn the Duchess that her companion most likely didn't have enough day dresses and ball gowns for the number of social occasions she would be expected to attend in Yorkshire, which would be a disgrace in her opinion, and set the ladies of the ton talking about it.
Later that evening, after Sophia had changed into one of her less formal gowns and Effie styled her hair simply, she knocked politely on the door of the Duchess' bedchamber.
So that she could accompany Cynthia downstairs to dinner.
Sophia still had mixed feelings about the Duke's absence, and was beginning to realise how much she would miss him.
Especially after them being in such close proximity inside the carriage for the last three days.
She had become used to the thrill of being in his company.
A part of her also objected strongly now to the fact that she had only just found a gentleman whom she liked a lot, and he had been taken from her almost immediately.
Even though nothing could possibly have come of it!
Her thoughts were still in turmoil as she followed Lady Cynthia down the main staircase, and it came as quite a shock when she saw that Edward was waiting in the hall for them.
Feeling her knees trembling under her gown Sophia curtseyed politely to him.
While her cheeks were on fire from the blush which seeing him unexpectedly had caused.
The Duchess turned to her straight away, and said, "I have an apology to make, Sophia. Ned is going to dine with us. He won't be going away after all, and I foolishly forgot to mention it earlier."
Although Ned and Sophia both wondered why the Duchess was going to the trouble of apologising to a servant, neither of them saw the twinkle in her eye.
After she noticed, with delight, the effect which seeing each other again had on both of them it was plain to see the pleasure on their faces.
Making her hope that it wouldn't be long before they admitted their obvious attraction to each other.
Quite ignoring the fact that this still didn't mean Ned and Sophia would agree with her, the Duchess remained undeterred, firmly believing in love at first sight between whoever it might be, and that nature should be allowed to take its course.
Moreover, what on earth was the point in Ned working so hard to become as rich as he was, unless he could have exactly what he wanted in life?
She was also absolutely certain by now that this was a romance with Miss Sophia Barlow.
Cynthia Carlisle knew in truth how lonely her son was, because of all that business with Joey and Felicity, also that he could be quite stubborn.
Consequently she hadn't been entirely convinced when he said that he would begin looking for a wife, that he was ready to do it.
So it was her place as his mama to make him see sense, and this was what she fully intended to do.
Sophia was beautiful, good natured, educated and well mannered without fault.
The Duchess of Carlfield knew in her own heart that she had the makings of becoming the daughter-in-law she had always wanted.
All she had to do now was get Ned to agree, and see what she was able to, that they were falling in love with each other.
Without knowing any of this was going through his mother's thoughts, the Duke took her arm to escort her into the supper room, and Sophia walked behind them. Taking a seat next to the Duchess she didn’t fail to notice that Edward seemed to be a little upset, and her first thought was that Lucas had found her.
Until she reminded herself that this was highly unlikely, at least not so soon after she had left London.
Cynthia however asked Edward if he was alright, because he had that awful frown on his face.
Unknown to her he was trying hard not to look at Sophia, or think again of how beautiful she looked tonight sitting next to his mother.
He simply said that he was disappointed to have lost the opportunity of going into business with Lord Watson, and hoped that it was only a temporary setback.
The Duchess responded by saying that only time would tell, so he might as well lighten his mood, and enjoy his favourite dinner which Cook had made especially for him.
Edward rolled his eyes at that point, and grinned at her as he used to when he was younger.
Making her laugh. He was quite used to her treating him as if he was still a boy, but couldn't help wishing that she hadn't done it in front of Sophia.
As it might well diminish his standing as a gentleman in her eyes.
Sophia couldn't believe how wonderful all of this was, in particular the way Edward and his mother behaved towards each other.
It was exactly how she had imagined a family ought to be.
Unlike her own where Lucas always told them what to do.
While Owen and her were simply expected to comply with his every wish.
At that precise moment, Sophia dropped her soup spoon which fell onto the floor with a loud clatter.
Her cheeks flushed immediately from embarrassment.
While the servant waiting behind their chairs hurried across the room to replace it with a clean one, putting this on the table next to Sophia's bowl, before he picked up the offending spoon from the floor to remove it.
Cynthia acted as if nothing had happened, since she didn't wish to embarrass Sophia any further, and continued her conversation with Edward.
However her clumsiness had made Sophia feel awkward, and overly anxious.
Even more so because it was Jimmy who had picked up her spoon, and smiled cheekily at her when he replaced it.
None of which escaped Edward's notice, or his wish to deal with the footman's impertinence which had now become a priority.
So that both Sophia and he couldn't help feeling relieved when dinner eventually came to an end.
Neither of them were capable by that time of dealing with how they felt.
When Cynthia told her that she wouldn't need her for the rest of the evening, as she would shortly be retiring to her bedchamber, Sophia politely said goodnight and went upstairs.
Having also told Effie earlier that she wouldn't need her later, she undressed and picked up her journal intending to write a poem.
She had drawn the curtains back, and was thrilled to see the new moon in the sky, surrounded by a myriad of twinkling stars.
The perfect setting for a verse, and Sophia soon began compiling a new poem in the hope that it would take her mind off thinking about Ned.
Instead she wrote a poem about a handsome hero who came to the heroine’s rescue on a moonlit night like this.
Sophia didn't intend to show what she had written to anyone else but secretly admitting to herself that it was the Duke who had inspired her words.
How she wished she could really call him Ned!
She thought with a smile, as she blew out the candle and closed her eyes.
Hoping that she would dream of him, again.