Chapter 19 #2
“Perhaps Hayward has been visiting someone here, or he is staying as a guest. Or possibly he just broke into a home that is closed up for some reason. I propose that you and I go to meet our neighbors because no one is going to refuse an earl at their front door. What do you think? Are you tired of this situation yet? Should we take action?”
“It will certainly be better than sitting here waiting for his next strike. Do you still carry the pistol I lent you?”
While Sophia dressed with the help of her maid, her mind worked over what Richard had told her about his failed betrothal.
She wanted to do something for him. Last night, he had saved her life.
At the time, they believed the danger had been caused by his past misdeeds, but that made it no less telling of his character when, to protect his household, he leapt onto a physically imposing man wielding a weapon.
Then it came to light that she was the one who had brought the villainous machinations to their doorstep. To which her husband had responded by giving her solace without a word of complaint. Even now, he had gone downstairs to plan with Perry how to locate her brother and end the threat.
He was doing all the work. What had she done except sit around useless?
She needed to contribute in a meaningful way, and an idea had come to her after Richard left her chambers.
An idea that took root and she felt driven to execute.
Immediately. The moment she was dressed, she ordered a carriage be brought round.
While she prepared to leave the townhouse, she saw the taller John hovering close by.
“Where is the other John? Is he all right?”
“He is recovering and well today, but his lordship assigned him the lighter duties of the nursery and tasked me with taking his place.”
“Good. We are going out.” With that, she stepped out the front door and headed for the carriage.
A short drive to a nearby Mayfair home and then Sophia was standing in the entrance hall waiting to be shown in.
She hoped the noblewoman would see her. She needed to do something useful, and this felt right.
It would help Richard confront his inner demons, so he could finally forgive himself for his past sins.
The butler returned. In his unusually hoarse voice, he informed her that the duchess would see her and showed her into a lavish drawing room decorated in blue and gold.
Sophia entered to find a young woman of her own age seated on a fine Chesterfield sofa, with a tea service laid out on the table. She had a crown of curling chestnut hair, and warm eyes the color of brandy with glints of gold not dissimilar to the light catching in said drink.
“The Countess of Saunton,” announced the very proper butler in his husky tone, startling Sophia so that she flinched ever so slightly.
The duchess stood and walked over to greet her. “Your Grace.” Sophia sank into a curtsy, feeling a little in awe of the elegant noblewoman.
Her hostess smiled widely before exclaiming, “Pish! My name is Annabel.”
Sophia smiled in return. She could not help it.
Her mouth moved in response to the young woman’s vibrant energy.
Richard had said she was lively, but he had not mentioned how warm the woman was.
Sophia felt like she was being wrapped in a sunny Saturday afternoon in the park, her overwrought nerves relaxing into an even state she had not enjoyed in some time.
“Sophia,” she acknowledged.
“I was hoping I would meet you soon, Sophia. I wanted to see what kind of woman tamed the infamous Earl of Saunton and here you are. Shall we have tea?”
Richard was right. The duchess’s mind moved quickly despite the surprise of her visit. She could see a younger version of this woman haring across two counties alone on horseback to find an escape from her nuptials. Of course the duke had been immediately captivated.
She followed the duchess to take a seat, then watched as she poured another cup of tea and passed the cup and saucer to her. Sophia breathed in the delightful fragrance before raising the china cup to her lips to take a small sip.
Annabel leaned back in her seat. “What is the reason for your visit?”
“May I speak frankly?”
“I would prefer it. I am still mastering the art of polite small talk and could do without it for a spell. We have much more interesting subjects we could talk about than the weather.”
“Richard told me what happened between the two of you.”
The duchess raised her chestnut eyebrows. “Indeed. The duke told me he believed a singular woman had finally captivated Richard. If your husband told you about The Stable Incident, then I know it must be true rather than merely my husband’s hopes on behalf of his cousin.”
Sophia smiled, feeling uncertain. They had a true marriage in the sense that they were now working together.
However, the duchess appeared to believe that Richard loved her, and there was no evidence of that.
He had not said so. He had not promised it at any time.
She feared she might just be the medium for his crusade, but it seemed dishonorable to confirm or deny it, so she said nothing.
“I was wondering what it would take for Richard to receive your forgiveness. He feels much guilt over what happened, and it would provide him peace if he knew you were no longer angry.”
Annabel sighed deeply. “I am no longer angry. Things turned out well for me. I met the man I love, and I have a wonderful baby boy upstairs in the nursery. If Richard had not been faithless, I would never have met Philip—the duke—under the circumstances that we met and I would not be wed to the most honorable man.”
“So you forgive him?”
“No.”
“But … you said you are not angry with him.”
“I appreciate that he finally took responsibility for what he did to Caroline Brown, but he has not done what is required to make things well with me. I am happy that he and my husband have been able to resume their friendship and I wish him all the best, but I will not forgive him. He knows what I require.”
“I … is there nothing I can do?”
“You can convince him to do the right thing.”
Sophia put her tea down. She had hoped this discussion would proceed well, but now disappointment was rising in her chest and her hands were shaking from all the repressed emotions.
Under ordinary circumstances, she would know what to say next, but nothing about the past couple of weeks had been ordinary.
“Please, could you tell me what it is he needs to do so I can assist him?”
“I want an apology.”
“An apology?”
“That is correct.”
“An apology?”
The duchess nodded in agreement. Sophia wondered if she was dreaming because suddenly nothing made sense to her. “Are … are you saying … that the earl never apologized for what he did?”
Annabel raised her chestnut eyebrows, which Sophia took as an affirmation.
“My daft husband was too proud? Is that it?”
“Not exactly. At the time, he insisted he acted exactly as he should, that it was essentially a man’s prerogative. Since that time, if he is now struck by remorse, I would assume it is pride that stands in the way of him coming to see me.”
“So all he has to do to end this matter with you is simply apologize for his faithlessness?”
“That is correct.”
Sophia bit her lip. “May I ask a favor of you?”
The duchess appeared intrigued, tilting her head in agreement. “You may.”
“Before I do, perhaps I should tell you about some unusual events from the past few days and the heroics of my protector.”