Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
“The best way for a woman to acquire knowledge is from conversation with a father, a brother, or a friend.”
Dr. John Gregory, A Father’s Legacy to His Daughters
Richard led Sophia down to his study, closing the door once they entered. He guided her to an armchair where, to her surprise, he took a seat. She stood by hesitantly, unsure what to do. Suddenly, she felt his hands at her waist as he picked her up and settled her down on his lap.
Squeaking, she looked at him in surprise, noting the rather pleasant experience of being in his arms. He buried his face in her neck and breathed in deeply.
“You smell so sweet,” he murmured softly against her skin, his breath warm near her ear.
The gentle closeness sent a shiver through her, and she instinctively tilted her head to the side, allowing him to linger near.
Her hand rested lightly on his chest, the steady beat of his heart grounding her as his lips brushed her cheek in a tender caress.
When their lips finally met, the kiss was hesitant at first, a sweet exchange that deepened as she leaned closer. The warmth of his embrace surrounded her, and she lost herself in the moment, the quiet stillness broken only by the soft whisper of their breaths.
Slowly, he pulled back, giving her sweet kisses before withdrawing to look at her. She opened her eyes and found herself enthralled by his gaze.
“Why did you marry me?”
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “You intrigued me.”
“Yes, but that first time you dissuaded my interest with that vapid act of yours—it was very effective, by the way. When I danced with you the second time, you showed no interest. What changed?”
“I … did not want to marry. But then my circumstances caused me to change my mind. Once I changed my mind, I realized that your crusade to reclaim your honor intrigued me.”
“What circumstances?”
She flushed in shame. “It became clear that the terms of my dowry created an untenable situation in which I was exposed—vulnerable to fortune hunters. As the terms were set long before my birth, they could not be altered. I concluded that the most favorable solution was to seek security through marriage to a man of my own choosing, and I immediately thought of you. Your interest in me appeared genuine.”
Richard looked troubled. “Is that the only reason?”
She bit her lip, her eyes focusing on the hand resting on his shoulder. “I … found you fascinating after our second conversation … and … attractive during our first dance,” she blurted out, the last in embarrassment.
He grinned in delight, wrapping his arms around her to embrace her close to his body, which emanated heat. He lowered his head to rest on hers, and she gave in to the impulse to burrow against his chest and remain there.
“We should eat soon,” she ventured after a while.
“Soon. Right now, I just want to hold my bride before any more excitement can find us.”
She smiled at his words and nestled her head against his shoulder.
Several quiet minutes passed as she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek.
The comforting sound and the strength of his presence filled her with a quiet anticipation, her thoughts drifting to what their future together might hold.
He spoke in a low, soothing voice. “How is it you knew what to do with Ethan? I am at a loss, but you did not hesitate.”
“I was a girl not that long ago. A motherless one. I simply thought what I would like in Ethan’s place and acted accordingly.”
“What about the mothering?” He gestured his head up toward the nursery.
“Lady Moreland is a capable woman. I was older than Ethan when we arrived at the Abbott household, but I thought he would need similar things. Time spent with family, including meals. Something to engage his curious mind. My aunt and uncle are very involved with their family, and I was fortunate to be included. I observed them for many years, so I developed some instincts, I suppose.”
“I am impressed. You are quite composed for such a young woman.”
Sophia raised her head to roll her eyes. “That does not serve as a compliment. Am I not composed for an older, more experienced woman?”
Richard chuckled, leaning his forehead on her shoulder. “I stand corrected. You are quite composed—period,” he emphasized.
His hand rested gently against her midsection, the touch sending a flutter through her chest. Even with the fabric of her day gown and shift between them, the simple gesture carried an unexpected intimacy that made her breath catch.
“I am afraid there is something I failed to mention.”
Sophia stopped breathing. She had been taking the events of the past evening and this morning in her stride, but she thought she might have reached her capacity for surprises.
“I accepted an invitation to a musicale for this evening. Before I knew I would marry yesterday.”
Sophia exhaled in relief. This was a minor issue, then.
“I know you have not had an opportunity to order a new wardrobe befitting a married woman, but do you mind if we attend? The gentleman is a friend, and he has two daughters to marry off. He asked me to lend my support, and there has been no opportunity to speak with him about my getting wed.”
Sophia smiled. “I think we can manage that if it is someone you consider a friend. Who is it?”
“Lord Lawson.”
“Oh! I heard his daughters are quite talented musically. I think we could enjoy a most agreeable evening.”
“I hope you are right. I would hate to sit through pitchy singing and missed notes on the pianoforte. Even worse, if they cannot properly play the harp, it could be a loud and painful evening.”
Sophia giggled and swatted his shoulder. “Nay, husband. This is a perfect evening of entertainment. Shall we learn about each other once more? Yesterday the time spent together was enjoyable before …” She did not wish to recall the awful night.
Richard grimaced in distaste. “Yes, before. I want to apologize for the chaos you have encountered since taking up residence at Balfour Terrace. I would have preferred our marriage to begin differently.”
“You could not help that someone played that vicious prank on you. However, Ethan should probably not have been a surprise?”
“I assure you that I was as surprised as you the past few days. More so.”
“Yes, but moving forward … perhaps you could inform me of such things. I would very much like to be your helpmate in this marriage. My own parents were … quite broken. Father always kept secrets about his gambling, and his drinking made him difficult to communicate with. And Mother wallowed in self-pity. Lord and Lady Moreland are much closer, and they work together. I would like our marriage to be more like that. A partnership and meeting of the minds.”
Richard chuckled. “Quite the revolutionary I married.”
“If it is revolutionary to know my mind and to speak my truth, then yes.”
“I agree. We will try it your way. You may require patience because I do not come from a close-knit family and I have not had a feminine influence in my life to soften me since I was a very small lad. I will learn.”
Sophia stuck out a hand. Richard stared down at it for a moment in surprise.
“Is it not what close friends do?”
“I suppose it is.” He shook her hand.
“It is an agreement, then. No more secrets.”
When Richard and Sophia entered the large room of Lord Lawson’s musicale, there was a momentary lull in the background chatter.
Faces across the crowded room swung to stare at the two of them before talking resumed.
Clearly conversation was shifting to the subject of the Earl of Saunton’s unexpected nuptials with that Hayward girl.
His bride held her head up high, her arm woven through his own, and they walked in together to greet Richard’s acquaintances.
They soon found the Morelands and her cousin Lily near a marble column, and they arranged to sit together.
Richard bid them to go ahead so he could collect refreshments for Sophia and himself.
The musicale was very crowded. Having located a server amongst the thronging guests, he held two glasses of orgeat, which he loathed but was all to be had, when he was jostled. Stumbling forward, he managed to hold the drinks steady and quickly returned to Sophia.
Taking a seat at her side, with the Abbott family lined up in chairs to her right, he handed her the drink. She pulled a face. Leaning over to him, she whispered, “When we hold our dinner parties and salons, there will not be any orgeat in sight. Must it always be sweet and watered-down?”
“You have not tried it yet,” he pointed out.
“You know I am right.”
He lifted his glass to take a sip, grimacing. “Indeed, it tastes like watered-down almonds with an excess of sugar.”
She grinned in response.
At that moment, Lord Lawson called for the audience’s attention.
He was a swarthy man with graying hair at his temples, dressed in a black tailcoat, silver waistcoat, and snowy white linen.
He introduced his young daughter, Lady Jane, who hurried forward to take her seat at the pianoforte with a daunted expression.
Richard could not blame her. This event was very well attended, with more than a hundred guests in the room.
The debutante played the opening bars of an Irish aria which Richard did not recognize, but when she began to sing in a clear, high voice, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Sophia had not overstated the Lawsons’ musical talent.
He settled back in his hard-backed chair, easing into a position that was more comfortable.
The seat was not designed for a man of his stature, and he was compelled to drop down to stretch his legs out under the row in front of him.