Chapter 10
S
ophia stood at the window of her room and stared, unseeing, at the garden. She didn't want to go down to breakfast. She didn't want to face Ian after their conversation last night. He and his probing questions had slipped behind her mask.
The last thing she needed was his pity. Worse yet, he thought he could repair her. What was it about men that made them feel they had to attempt to find a solution to every problem a woman had?
She was more than capable of dealing with her own issues.
But that wasn't the worst part of it. She'd let Ian see a side of her few ever had, She'd been vulnerable, weak.
He would exploit it. Men always did.
A knock sounded. Sophia turned and watched as Anne came into the room and closed the door behind her. “Good morning.”
“You look awful.”
“Nothing like having someone else confirm what you saw in the mirror.” Sophia stepped away from the window. “Did you need something?”
“Nathaniel told me Ian was outside your bedroom door last night.” Anne moved deeper into the room. “Might I remind you that our family already has a reputation for improper behavior?”
As if she didn't know. “Might I remind you that I have no intention of adding to that image? Seriously, Anne, I was upset. He angered me and was trying to get back into my good graces. I had no intention of letting him in.”
“What of Lord Bateman?”
“Lord Bateman is planning to propose to Miss Hamilton and her immense fortune. He made his feelings quite clear to me last night.” The
old girl
comment still rubbed.
Anne moved to the other chair by the fire. “Sophia, I'm so sorry. You must be devastated.”
“There was no understanding, Anne.”
“There most certainly was on my part. He called on you, brought gifts and flowers. He singled you out in Town. Everyone was talking about the match. And he comes here and doesn't propose? Think of what that will do to your reputation.”
“As we are not likely to be in Town anytime soon, that hardly matters. He has to marry a fortune, Anne. His estate is in ruins.”
“Then the rumors are true?”
Sophia nodded. “Hence Miss Hamilton.”
“But she is in love with the captain. Where does he fit into all of this?”
“How do you know she is love with the captain?”
“Anyone with eyes can tell she is more than just partial to him. Neither of them is good at hiding their feelings. I'm surprised Lord Bateman allowed the captain to accompany them to the north.”
Once again Sophia had underestimated her sister's capacity for observation. “Captain Smith-Williams has no money. If Miss Hamilton marries him, she loses her dowry. I feel sorry for him. He has to stand back and watch the woman he loves as she is courted by another man. The man her father wants her to marry.”
“None of this makes sense.”
“No, it doesn't.”
“Lady Catherine is quite taken with Mr. McDonald.”
Sophia snorted. “She quite taken with his purse. She is determined to marry a wealthy man and he's the only one nearby.” Sophia glanced at Anne, noting the look in her eyes, and quickly looked away.
“Does that bother you?”
“Why should it? Ian can marry where he wishes. He has funds and an estate.” Sophia kept her voice even.
“It does bother you. You care for him.”
“He is a friend. It does not mean I want to marry him. He lives in Scotland, with sheep.”
“You live in Beetham with sheep.”
“And I hate it.”
“Do you really?”
“I meant no offense.”
“None taken. We are sisters. We should be honest with each other.”
What did she mean by that? “I loved my time in London.”
“You loved being the center of attention.”
Sophia gasped. “That's a horrible thing to say!”
“But honest.”
Anne had her there. “Fine. I loved being the center of attention. What is wrong with that? I love dancing. I love the music, the theater.”
“The shops.”
“Yes! Exactly. I see nothing wrong with those things.”
Anne patted her hand. “There is nothing wrong with it, but those are trivial things.”
“So?” Sophia wasn't sure she liked where this conversation was going. Anne had a way of seeing inside her head that she didn't like.
“I think you hide behind those trivial things to protect yourself. If you aren't careful, you'll find yourself alone and bitter because you let so many opportunities go by.”
“I have no intention of letting opportunities go by.”
Anne gave her that look, as if she were calling her bluff. She hated that look.
“Come downstairs to breakfast, Sophia. For better or worse, our guests await. Do you know how long they will be staying?”
“Too long, I'm afraid.” Sophia shook out her skirts. “I had no idea Bateman was such a boor.” Or Catherine such a witch, but she kept that to herself. They were too much alike for her to point fingers.
“You were too busy being dazzled by the attention in London. I never liked Lord Bateman, and his sister is just as bad. But as they are our guests, we must make the best of it.”
“Perhaps the heat will drive them north,” Sophia whispered into Anne's ear as they walked to the staircase. “Or the rain. Do you think rain would drive them away?”
“Until Lord Bateman achieves his objective, nothing will drive them away.”
” What do you mean?”
“Good morning, Mrs. Matthews, Miss Townsend,” Captain Smith-Williams said cheerfully as he passed them on the stairs.
“Good morning, Captain. I trust you slept well.” Anne's voice was all politeness.
“Indeed.”
Sophia waited as he disappeared around the corner to the morning room. “Explain.”
“Anyone can see Bateman is here with a purpose. I think it has something to do with Mr. McDonald. So does Nathaniel.”
“But what?”
Anne shook her head. “I don't know.”
Sophia thought back over what Ian had said and her conversation with Bateman. Was Bateman's objective to marry his sister to Ian? Was that what he meant? But why here? Why not just call on Ian in Scotland? Or have him come to Carlisle? Ian had a close connection to the family if his father had been the family's steward.
She'd not once seen Ian while she was on Bateman's arm. He had been there, he would occasionally dance with her when she wasn't engaged, but the more she involved herself with Bateman and his friends, the less she saw of Ian.
Why would Bateman throw his sister to someone who was so far outside their circle? Except for money. For the first time in the years she'd known Lady Catherine, Sophia felt sorry for her.
They were in the same predicament. As much as it pained her to admit, they were both trying to achieve the same objective: finding a husband who met their qualifications and securing their futures. Lady Catherine had the advantage of connection on her side. Sophia couldn't even claim that.
* * *
Ian greeted Captain Smith-Williams as he came into the room. The man looked relaxed, but Ian felt tired. After being caught by Nathaniel, Ian felt like a fool. Luckily, only Nathaniel had witnessed his foolishness.
No more letting Sophia tie him in knots.
Mrs. Matthews entered the room and he got to his feet. “Good morning, ma'am.”
She smiled and motioned to the footman for a pot of tea. “Please be seated. I wouldn't want your breakfast to grow cold.”
Ian sat and stared at his cup. Usually, his mornings were spent with coffee and the business news, before anyone else was up. Here he was expected to make small talk before coffee. It did not bode well.
Sophia stepped into the room and paused, as if she wanted to turn around and flee. She seemed to relax when she realized he wasn't alone in the room. What had he done to make her afraid of him? He watched her straighten her shoulders and enter the room. He drew to his feet. “Miss Townsend.”
“Mr. McDonald.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Matthews and Miss Townsend,” Captain Smith-Williams said brightly. “I trust you both slept well. It is a beautiful day, isn't it?”
“Yes, thank you,” Sophia said quietly.
Ian almost growled into his coffee. The man was too cheerful to have spent a frustrating night alone. Ian wondered how long the captain had spent in the garden with Miss Hamilton.
Sophia walked to the sideboard to fill a plate. She toyed with the eggs and kippers but decided on just toast. She sat down across from Ian, next to her sister, and glanced at him.
He felt his face flush. Ian forced himself to pick up his fork and eat. He hated that so many people were in the room. He wanted to talk to Sophia alone, find out what had upset her so.
Sophia wasn't one of those missish girls who cried over every little thing. That she was visibly upset meant something. That she'd let slip the mask she insisted on wearing in public meant more. He had definitely touched a nerve. “Are there plans for today, Mrs. Matthews?”
“I thought Sophia could show you all the Fairy Steps. It's quite famous in the area.”
“Is it a long walk?” Captain Smith-Williams asked.
Sophia smiled at him. “Not at all. It's quite a lovely spot. You can see for miles from the top.”
“I look forward to it, then.”
Ian said nothing.
“It's quite a magical place, Captain,” Sophia said. “The fable goes that if you climb the steps without touching the sides of the stone, a fairy will grant you a wish.”
“I didn't think you believed in magic, Miss Townsend,” Ian said.
Sophia smiled at him. “I don't really, but you have to admit, Mr. McDonald, it is romantic.”
“The steps had a much more practical purpose,” Anne said. “They used to bring the coffins from Arnside down them to be put to rest at St. Michael's.”
“Gruesome place, then,” Captain Smith-Williams said.
Miss Hamilton entered the room. Ian and the captain got to their feet. He missed breakfasting alone. All this standing and sitting was growing tiresome.
“Please don't get up for me,” Miss Hamilton said.
Ian watched as she smiled at the captain, who smiled back. It hurt to watch them, knowing she would marry another. He knew just how the captain felt, but it didn't make it easier. “I hope you slept well, Miss Hamilton,” Mrs. Matthews asked.
“Indeed. This country air is perfect for sleeping. I didn't awaken once all night.”
Ian noticed the look exchanged between Miss Hamilton and the captain. Something was afoot.
“Miss Hamilton, you should join in. You love historical places,” Smith-Williams said.
“I would like to join if you do not mind, Miss Townsend.”
“I'd be delighted. We shall make a party of it. Shall I have our cook prepare a basket for us?”
“That sounds delightful, Sophia,” Anne said as she stood. “Allow me to take care of it.”
“Thank you, Anne.”
“Will Lord Bateman also be going?” Smith-Williams asked.
“I'm sure he will, sir,” Sophia said with a smile. “I promised him when we were in London that I'd show him the steps.”
Ian watched as Anne left the room, then turned his attentions back to Miss Hamilton and the captain. They were staring at each other like lovesick calves. What else had happened on that garden bench?
He glanced at Sophia, who shrugged, then tossed his napkin on the table. “If we are to have an outing this afternoon, I need to get to Horneswood so that I can be back in time to join you.”
“Checking on your sheep, Mr. McDonald?”
“But of course, Miss Townsend. One should never ignore an investment. Would you care to join me? I thought you rather liked sheep.”
She blushed. “No. Thank you.”
“If you'll excuse me, then.”
Bateman entered the room as Ian was leaving. “Where are you off to so early, McDonald?”
Why did providence insist on throwing this man into his path again and again? “Horneswood.”
“A word before you leave.” Bateman moved toward the library, clearly expecting Ian to follow. The scene that would erupt if Ian didn't comply was just not worth it, especially with only one cup of coffee under his belt.
“Close the door,” Bateman ordered as they entered.
Ian shut the door with a bit more snap than was polite. “What is this about, Geoffrey?”
The use of Bateman's first name irked him. Good. Ian was tired of the man trampling all over Society, expecting preferential treatment. He thought he was the bloody king of England.
“I thought you were going to tell Miss Townsend the truth about why I was still here.”
“I was. I just haven't gotten the opportunity yet.”
“No need, now. The chit figured it out.”
No wonder she was upset last night. He was an idiot. Bateman probably had put his foot in his mouth again, assuming Ian would jump right on his orders. Why not? Everyone else did.
“Have you given any thought to accepting my offer in exchange for the land you want?”
“If you mean marrying your sister, Geoffrey, the answer is no.” Ian put more emphasis on Bateman's given name and enjoyed the way his face tightened with anger. “You should also speak to her about her behavior. It's quite unbecoming for a young lady to throw herself at a man.”
Bateman chuckled. “When my sister makes up her mind that she wants something, she is very single-minded.”