Chapter 16
S
ophia had had enough of staying in her room. Last night she'd sat quietly by the fire, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in her arm while listening to the party downstairs. Someone was playing a jig and she could hear the sound of boots on the wood floors. They were having a high old time while she sat in her chair trying to read.
She had her maid change the bandage for a much smaller one and dressed in a light blue dress with shorter sleeves to accommodate the injury. It felt better today, so no more staying in her room. It was also past time to face Lady Catherine. While she'd told Nathaniel and Anne the injury was an accident, she wasn't so certain. Lady Catherine was much more competitive than she'd given her credit for. She could have done the deed on purpose.
As she made her way down the hall, Sophia practically ran into the object of her thoughts. “Lady Catherine, good morning.”
“Miss Townsend, how is your injury?”
“It's fine, thank you.”
“I'm glad you are recovering from the accident.” Lady Catherine made to move by her to go downstairs.
“Was it an accident?” Sophia forced her voice to stay light. “You seemed very intent on winning the archery tournament.”
Catherine laughed. It sounded hollow, fake. “You have a creative imagination. I only wanted a rematch to help the time go by. It's been deadly dull since we've arrived.”
Sophia didn't believe her. “I'm sorry your visit hasn't met your expectations.”
“I daresay we'll make up for it when we celebrate my brother's wedding to Miss Hamilton.”
“I daresay you will.”
Sophia watched Lady Catherine make her way down the corridor to the morning room.
“She is furious with you, Miss Townsend,” Miss Hamilton said, coming up behind her.
“I can't imagine why. I've not done anything.”
“You've captured Mr. McDonald's attention. She came here with the intention to marry him.”
“Do you think she really cares for Mr. Matthews?”
“She cares for his wealth, just as Lord Bateman cares for my dowry more than he cares for me.”
“Miss Hamilton, that's not entirely true. He treats you with care. I think he likes you a great deal.” Sophia couldn't believe the words were coming out of her mouth.
“It doesn't matter. In just a few days I'll be Mrs. Smith-Williams, thanks to Mr. McDonald.”
“I thought you had decided on a date since you were already packing your things.”
“I would leave right now if it were up to me. Crispin has other ideas. I hope to speak with him about it today.”
“I'm very happy for you, Miss Hamilton.”
“Thank you. Coming from you that means so much. I hope you find your true love as well, Miss Townsend.”
Sophia didn't answer but watched as Miss Hamilton also made her way to the morning room for breakfast. Sophia took the steps at a slower pace. Did she have a true love? She honestly didn't know. She had thought she liked Lord Bateman, but there were things about him she didn't care for. And having Lady Catherine as a sister frankly scared her.
Then there was Mr. McDonald. According to Theo, he'd gone out of his way to help the couple. Sophia was dying from curiosity to know just what Ian had arranged. She'd had no idea he could be so romantic.
She couldn't deny that she enjoyed his company. He was witty, with a cutting sense of humor. He was ruggedly handsome, but he could be tender as well. His touch set her on fire. In his arms she felt a desire she'd never known, but was this love? She didn't know.
It was a tangle that was best solved after tea. She entered the morning just as Miss Hamilton took her seat. The three gentlemen at the table stood at her arrival.
“Miss Townsend, how are you this morning? We missed you last night,” Lord Bateman said with a smile.
This was a new development. “Thank you, sir, I'm much better.”
“It was very brave of you to rescue your nephew, but I assure you he was perfectly safe.”
“Accidents do happen, my lord. I'm just thankful it was me and not my young nephew.” Sophia took a seat and accepted a cup of tea from the footman. She added sugar and took a sip.
“Is your arm giving you pain, Miss Townsend?” Ian asked.
“Not at all, sir.”
“Shall I fix you a plate?”
“I'm sure Miss Townsend is capable of getting her own plate if her arm isn't paining her, Mr. McDonald.” Lady Catherine's voice was so sharp that everyone in the room looked at her in shock. “I'm only repeating what Miss Townsend said.”
Sophia replaced her cup in the saucer and stood. “You are so right, Lady Catherine. I am perfectly capable of preparing my own plate of food.” She glanced at Ian and the tick in his jaw caught her attention.
She placed eggs and ham on her plate and returned to her seat. She picked up her fork and pushed the food around.
“Are you not hungry?” Ian's voice was so soft she was sure no one else noticed it.
“I'm fine.”
“What are the plans today, Miss Townsend? Or are you unable to provide entertainment for your guests?” Lady Catherine's voice was sharp as cut glass.
Sophia drew in a breath and pushed down her anger. “I thought we'd walk to the village. There are some fine local shops.”
“How quaint! I think it's a splendid idea,” Miss Hamilton said with a smile. “I should like to find a new pair of gloves for my mother.”
Lady Catherine smiled indulgently at Miss Hamilton. “Then that's what we shall do. What time should we be ready to leave, Miss Townsend?”
“In a few hours.”
“That should give us enough time to prepare for the walk,” Miss Hamilton said.
“Is it a far walk, Miss Townsend?” Captain Smith-Williams asked.
“It's not far at all, perhaps two miles down the lane. Most of it is shaded by the wood until we get to the church. You are welcome to join us, Captain.”
“I would love to join you, but I'm afraid I've already committed to another engagement.”
“Should we accompany you on this shopping trip?” Lord Bateman asked.
Ian pushed his plate away. “Please do not include me. I hate shopping.”
Sophia grinned at him. “Come now, Mr. McDonald. Surely there is someone you wish to purchase a present for? Some memento of your visit here?”
“I'm afraid not, Miss Townsend. I too have some business to attend to.”
“Then shall we meet in the entryway in a few hours?” Sophia said.
“I look forward to it, Miss Townsend,” Miss Hamilton said pleasantly.
“It appears you are our only chaperon, my lord. Are you sure you wish to accompany three women shopping?” Sophia teased.
Bateman bowed. “I should be honored.”
Ian pushed his plate away and stood. “If you'll all excuse me, I've work to do.”
Sophia watched Ian leave the room. “Goodness.”
Bateman laughed. “Someone needs to remind him that all work and no play makes for a very dull gentleman.”
Lady Catherine snickered. “You might want to take some lessons from him, brother dear. He's much wealthier than we are.”
Bateman glared at his sister.
“I hope it's not too hot,” Lady Catherine grumbled. “Can't we take the carriage?”
Sophia bit the inside of her cheek to keep an inappropriate comment to herself. “I assure you, Lady Catherine, it is a lovely walk.”
“What's a lovely walk?” Lady Danford asked as she entered the room.
“Lady Danford, good morning. We are walking into the village for a bit of shopping. Would you like to join us?” Sophia said with a smile.
“As much as I'd love too, I'm afraid these old bones won't allow me. You young people go along on your adventure.” Lady Danford motioned the footman for her tea and toast. “I would have you pick me up something in the village, if you would, Sophia.”
“I'd be happy to.”
“I'll write it down for you.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Sophia said. She finished her tea and toast. “I will check with you, Lady Danford, before we leave for Beetham.”
“Thank you, child.”
“If you will all excuse me . . .” Sophia stood and made her way from the room.
“Miss Townsend, a moment?” Theo Hamilton stopped her in the hall. “If I could have a word in private?”
“Of course.” Sophia took her hand and made her way down the corridor to the empty back parlor. “No one will bother us here. It's rarely used.”
Theo Hamilton was twisting her hands. “I think we have a date for our elopement. I need your help. I'm afraid Lord Bateman suspects something is going on between Crispin and me.”
Sophia wasn't surprised. The two couldn't keep their eyes off each other when they were in the same room. Bateman had to have noticed. “Do you think he would stop the elopement?”
“Yes.” Theo covered her face. “Father promised him the dowry upon the wedding day. This trip was supposed to give us a chance to get to know each other, butâ”
“You'd already given yourself to the captain.”
“It happened before I was acquainted with Lord Bateman. Papa is so set on having an earl for a son-in-law.”
“And Lord Bateman has his mind set to gain your dowry.” Sophia did not hide the derision from her voice.
When Theo nodded, she took the girl's hands and led her to a small sofa. “Do you love Crispin?”
“Yes, more than anything.”
“Even more than your parent's approval? It is likely you will be disowned. You will have to become accustomed to a very different lifestyle.”
“But I'll be with Crispin. Mr. McDonald has been kind enough to give him a position on his estate. We won't have much, but we won't starve either.” Miss Hamilton smiled. “I'll have to learn to cook.”
Sophia laughed. “That is something I do not want to do. Anne did a bit while we lived in the cottage and she enjoyed it.”
“I'm sure it won't be too very hard.”
Sophia grew serious for a moment. “If you think Lord Bateman suspects you are not going to marry him, you should spend more time with him on our walk.”
“Crispin will be angry.”
“If your father has made promises to Lord Bateman, he can make things ugly. It's best to pretend that all is well, don't you think?”
“You are right, I'm sure.” Miss Hamilton squeezed her hand. “I hope I shall see you soon in Scotland, Miss Townsend, when you marry Mr. McDonald.”
Sophia's jaw dropped in shock “Oh, uh . . . I have no intention of marrying Mr. McDonald.”
“But I've seen you together in the gardens.”
Sophia pulled her hands free as her face heated. “It was nothing really. He's not made his intentions known to me.”
“Would you marry him if he asked?”
Sophia paused. Would she? The thought wasn't as odious as it had been several days ago. “As he has not posed the question, I've not given it much thought.”
“I saw you kiss him.”
Sophia's cheeks heated. “It means nothing.”
Theo Hamilton stood. “For what it's worth, Mr. McDonald is a good man. Crispin and I will never be able to thank him enough for all he's done for us. I think he cares for you a great deal.” She squeezed Sophia's hands before she left the parlor.
Could Ian McDonald like her well enough to marry her? Could she marry him? She liked him more than she thought she should. Right now she liked him more than she did Lord Bateman. But marriage was forever. If she married Ian, she'd be wealthy, but she'd be giving up everything that had been important to her for a long time. Could she live without the prestige that a title would give her? Could she settle for just being Mrs. McDonald? It sounded droll.
“There you are.”
As if summoned, the man of her recent thoughts came into the small parlor.
“I thought you'd left for Horneswood.”
“I was hoping to catch you before I went. What was Miss Hamilton doing in here?”
“Telling me that she suspects Lord Bateman is catching on to her feelings for Captain Smith-Williams.”
Ian frowned. “They haven't been very secretive about it. He's a bit dim but not that much.”
“True. They can't keep their eyes off each other. Lord Bateman is bound to notice at some point.” Sophia returned to her seat and motioned for Ian to join her. “What are your plans today, as you will not come with us to the village?”
“I need to complete my work at Horneswood. I shall only be here a few more days.”
Sophia's heart did a funny lurch. “You leave so soon?”
* * *
The squeak in Sophia's voice caught his attention. She wouldn't meet his eyes. Could it be that she was finally changing her mind about him? “Would you care, Sophia?”
“I've enjoyed your company.”
“You've enjoyed our intrigues.”
She smiled. “That's true. Can't you stay just a few more days to see our plans play out?”
“I won't leave until Miss Hamilton and Captain Smith-Williams are on their way. I'll need to be here to deal with Lord Bateman. He is not going to be happy.”
“Theo thinks her father has already signed agreements with Lord Bateman,” Sophia said. “Do you really think he'll make trouble?”
“He is counting on her dowry to save his estate. He is going to be very angry when she marries Smith-Williams.”
Sophia shivered beside him.