Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
“Meekness is a virtue that adorns the female character.”
Dr. John Gregory, A Father’s Legacy to His Daughters
Two hours later, Richard ushered her out of his—their—townhouse to a waiting curricle with a matching pair of chestnut bays swishing their tails in the crisp spring air.
“What is this?” she queried in a breathy voice.
She smoothed her pelisse and the ribbons of her bonnet, nervous about her first time in an open-air vehicle.
She had never gone driving with a beau, having avoided courtship for so many years, and a thrill of excitement ran through her that she was to do so now with her handsome husband by her side.
Although, anyone who saw them together in the curricle would likely assume he was merely courting her with this traditional method, for a drive in an open-air carriage did not require a chaperon.
To her knowledge, the gossips were not yet aware of their unexpected union.
Richard turned to her. “I never had a chance to woo you. With how events transpired, I feel I owe you a courtship, which will be even better now that we are wed and do not require a companion. Shall we get to know each other?”
Sophia was dumbstruck. It was so … so thoughtful.
A shy smile spread across her face, and she nodded.
Richard lifted her into the carriage while the tiger in his knee-length coat stood politely looking away while holding the team.
Once Richard walked to the other side and embarked to take hold of the reins, the servant moved to the back and mounted the rumble, causing the curricle to shift into a new position.
She gasped slightly at the shift of balance, shooting a hand out to grab the edge of her seat.
The lightweight curricle was a very different experience from the large family coach she was accustomed to.
Richard shot her an encouraging grin, then deftly guided the horses into motion.
Soon they were driving through the light traffic in Mayfair.
When they entered a congested street into Berkeley Square, she realized where they were heading.
Although she had never desired a courtship before this strange turn of events, suddenly she felt giddy with delight.
“You are taking me to Gunter’s?” she exclaimed.
Richard smiled as he continued to drive the horses patiently through the square, heading for a line of trees and railings where several curricles and phaetons were parked. Ladies perched in their shaded seats, while a number of foppish lords leaned idly against the railings and observed the square.
“I have never been!”
Richard turned his head in surprise, before straightening to look back at the street he was navigating. “Never?”
“Lady Moreland receives visits, and she pays calls on her friends, but she rarely goes out in public. Mostly we go to the modiste, the haberdashery, and occasionally the theatre or opera. My cousin and I are sometimes allowed out with servants in accompaniment, but we always use the opportunity to go straight to the bookshops. Which is to say, I have passed by this square, but I have never stopped here.”
Richard appeared pleased at this news. “I have chosen well, then. Every lady should visit Gunter’s before she weds, but at least we got you here before—” He stopped, then lifted a hand to rub his neck in slight embarrassment. Before our wedding night, she supposed was the end of that sentence.
Richard brought the curricle to a stop by the trees.
The tiger descended from the rumble and came forward to help place the carriage under a large tree, the branches of which extended out to provide welcome shade from the midafternoon sun.
Then the servant moved a respectful distance away to lean against a tree far apart from the patrons of Gunter’s.
To her surprise, Richard remained seated and did not disembark to go stand with the other lords, who were staring at them with curiosity.
She recalled, from the various gossip between her aunt and her friends, that he had not openly courted any woman before, although he had been hunting for a wife for several Seasons.
There had been a rumor that he had been jilted by the daughter of a baron in Somerset, but that must have been two Seasons earlier, if recollection served, and no other woman was rumored to have caught his eye.
She wondered briefly about the broken betrothal.
It was likely that his indiscretions might be the cause of the rift, considering that his crusade to redeem his honor had just begun, according to him, the night of the Astley ball when he overheard her criticism.
The woman in question had purportedly wedded Richard’s cousin, the Duke of Halmesbury, in his stead.
Should I ask him about it? No, she decided.
This was a day of courtship, not the time to discuss difficult topics.
“You are the first woman I have brought to Gunter’s.
” Richard leaned in to inform her. “We may raise some eyebrows, and gossip that I am courting you will run rife throughout the day until news of our wedding gets out. As far as these gentlemen know, this is merely an outing with an eligible young woman.”
Sophia giggled. The gossips would get their conjecture wrong today.
“How does this work, then?”
“A server will come out to take our order for ices, then bring them out to us. We will eat them, return the dishes, and when you are ready, I have another destination in mind.”
“And you will not join the lords over by the railings?”
Richard shook his head. “I am not here to visit with the fashionable set. They come here to be seen, but today is for learning about my bride so that we may begin our life together. Have you had an ice before?”
“I have not. What do you recommend?”
“I despise the Gruyère cheese, so do not order that. Perhaps …” He thought for a moment. “… the chocolate cream ice?”
Her mouth watered. Feeling like a na?ve young debutante rather than a woman who had navigated three Seasons and wed that morning, she nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds lovely.”
Richard turned away upon the waiter’s arrival and ordered a chocolate and a maple cream ice.
When he settled back on his seat, he commented to her, “You may try my maple ice, if you like. It will cause quite the rumpus.” He gestured toward the other carriages and lords.
She looked around and realized that the ladies and gentlemen were openly gawking in their direction and talking amongst themselves.
Apparently the very eligible Earl of Saunton was the subject of much speculation, especially since his companion was a self-designated wallflower whom barely anyone had paid attention to since her come-out four years earlier.
“Pay no mind. Nothing useful is ever said.” Sophia looked back to find Richard gazing at her with slight concern in his vivid green eyes.
She shook her head. “It is a little daunting to be so closely scrutinized, but I do not usually concern myself with gossip. People should live their lives based on what they feel is right. I do not care what others’ thoughts might be about my decisions.”
His face relaxed. “I am glad to hear that. Your connection to me … it may expose you to a great deal of gossip.”
She put out a hand to cover his gloved one. “Do not concern yourself. I was well aware of your reputation when I first encountered you. Which reminds me, I must apologize.”
He frowned slightly, perplexed. “For what?”
“You overheard me mocking you about rumors that I paid attention to.”
His gaze shifted away, clearly troubled. “Your words were warranted. I am fortunate to have overheard them, or I would not have elected to change.”
“Richard?” She waited for him to look back at her. “I cannot have worked such a miracle. On some level, you must have been ready to shift your course. The reparations you are making … they were your decision. You are the one doing the work.”
Richard stared at her for several moments.
Eventually, he nodded in agreement, but Sophia perceived he was still directing criticism at himself.
Her husband was going to require patience so that he might heal and rediscover his self-respect.
She felt honored that he was involving her in his transformation.
He was an important man who influenced thousands through his estates and leadership.
It was a terrifying responsibility to aid him in his endeavor.
Their ices arrived, and their discussion moved to their family histories while they spooned delicious, melting ice.
As promised, Richard took up a portion of maple cream ice and brought it to her lips to sample.
The chatter spiked as their observers witnessed the inappropriate sharing, but Sophia smiled up at him and accepted the offering with relish.
Damn the gossips! She was sharing a wondrous afternoon with her new husband, and they could go to the devil.
Soon they left Berkeley Square, and he drove the curricle to Hyde Park.
Once there, he disembarked and then reached up to lift her from the curricle and settle her onto her feet.
They walked along the Serpentine, passing couples and families on the banks of the river as he showed her some of his favorite spots.
The entire day was magical, and she regretted its end when they returned to the townhouse and he sent her up to her new chambers to prepare for dinner.
The day had been a great success. Richard’s bride was relaxed in his presence, and they had spent the day learning about each other.
The ennui that had plagued him for years had been steadily dissipating since his initial encounter with her.
With each apology he made, with each step he took toward Sophia, a little more life and energy loosened within him.
His soul had been frozen in darkness, but now he was thawing out to feel more alive with each passing day.