Willow Grove Abbey (3 page)

“I think so too, but I can assure you Doctor Stanton, a lot of the girls you see here tonight, will be married within the year. You know that’s the entire purpose behind the Presentation and the Debut Ball. Actually, it’s all rather embarrassing. I’m sure you were made to take dance lessons when you were a boy, just as we girls were. Remember how excruciating it was to wait and see if a girl would want to accept your invitation to dance with you, or, in my case, to wait to see if a boy would ask me to dance?”

“I doubt that you had too many excruciating moments waiting to see if you would be asked to dance,” he laughed.

“Well…perhaps that’s a bad example. But, you understand what I’m saying. Here are all of these debutantes, lined up for all to see, hoping to be selected by the man with the most promising future. And, furthermore, all of the gentlemen, lined up are assessing which debuting girls have the most promising dowry.”

Spence bent over laughing. “Sophia, you are hysterical. What a perfect description of a Debut Ball! It’s all so true.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’ve had a good time. I love my dress, and all of the flattery. But, my parents have spent a fortune to try to attract the proper man, and I’d much rather be searching through brochures for University courses.”

“Do they know that?”

“Heavens no. They would think I was bonkers. There are certain things expected of young ladies. This event is one of them. Perhaps someday women will stop all of this nonsense and expense, and just get on with their lives after school. A nice graduation party is a splendid idea. It’s just when it’s designed to entice a man into marriage that I think it’s a bit fraudulent.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you. There doesn’t seem to be an artificial or pretentious bone in your body.”

“Oh, if my parents were here with us, I’d have to recite the so-called party-line. You know what I mean. Simper, and by be coy, and sweetly ask you to refresh my drink.” I giggled.

“I find you very refreshing.
”

“Thank you, Doctor. I’m just being honest.”

“If you were to look through college brochures, what would you be thinking about studying?”

“Probably Psychology. It’s not a typical field for a girl, or even a man for that matter. But, people and their actions have always interested me. I’ve read a lot on my own, and am fascinated with Freudian theories, and those of Carl Yung.”

“Well, that is simply amazing. I’m terribly interested in psychology too. Of course, in medical school I had courses in that area, and they were some of my favorites. I’ve entertained ideas, from time to time, of going back to school and getting an advanced medical degree in that discipline.”

“That is interesting. I’d like to talk to you more about it. I’m certain you know a lot more than I do.”

“Perhaps we might arrange that. I’d be very interested in talking with you more too. Besides that, I find myself very attracted to you.”

“That’s a rather bold statement to make, just having met me.”

“Yes. But you seem to like honesty. Are you offended because I find you attractive?”

“No…not really. It’s just that no man has just come out and said that before.”

“Well, then it seems to me we should get along quite well, because you are the only lady I have ever met who is as honest and forthright as you are.”

“That’s probably true,” I laughed. Gosh, I wasn’t always like this. I used to be very shy and awkward around men. Perhaps all of the champagne I’ve had tonight has made me bold. But, I don’
t really believe so. I have a very strong belief in honesty. To tell you the truth, I’ve grown up in a family that oftentimes has trouble with the truth. Perhaps I’ve gone overboard the other direction,”

“I like your honesty. It’s a good trait, and it tells one right at the beginning if they are wasting their time or not.”

“How do you mean, ‘wasting your time?”

“Just that. I suspect that if you would prefer that I not bother you any more, you would simply politely excuse yourself. Or, if you didn’t care to see me again, you’d tell me.”

Yes, that’s right. But, I
would
like very much to see you again.

“Right
. Lady Sophia, you have cast a spell upon me.”

“Please stop calling
me
‘Lady’
Sophia. My name is Sophia. Actually, it
is
‘
Lady’
Sophia, but everyone calls me just
Sophia,
” I said, raising my head, and finding that I was staring directly into his sapphire blue eyes.

He had a comeback for anything I said. I remember thinking that he possessed an unforgettable face, the kind that stood out in a crowd. It had more to do, perhaps, with an attitude than anything else. His steely, sapphire-blue eyes were straightforward. They had a kind of mesmerizing hold when engaged in conversation. I could never have denied that I was attracted to him.

“
May I call on you tomorrow?”

“Yes.”
I replied, surprising myself with such rapid acceptance. “However, I won’t be here at
Willow Grove
tomorrow. My brother Drew has a townhouse in London. I shall be staying there with him and his wife for the Season. It’s’ just across from Kensington Gardens, at Number Ten, Lancaster Gate. Will that present a problem for you?”

“
No. Not at all. I have the entire week ahead free, and I was planning on being in London. I’ll stop by at two o’clock, if that is suitable for you? Are your parents going to be in London for the Season, as well?”

“
Papa has to look after business interests, so he comes and goes. Drew is studying Theology there, and Mummy spends some time in the city, as well. They will be remaining here at
Willow Grove,
after tonight, so they won’t be at Drew’s house tomorrow. Drew’s wife, Annie, is splendid. She’s been very gracious, allowing me to spend time at Lancaster Gate, not minding playing hostess to my friends.”

“She won’t object
to my calling?”

“No, of c
ourse not. The purpose of my being in London is, after all, to have gentleman callers.”

“
There’s your refreshingly honesty again.” he laughed, shaking his head. “Right, then. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon. We’ll have tea together at an elegant spot.”

“Yes
, but, now I really must get back to the party, or someone will begin to wonder what’s become of me.” I fleetingly questioned whether I should have accepted his invitation quite so readily, but he was, after all, an old acquaintance of Blake’s, and there was no doubt that he was a gentleman. Besides, he was extraordinarily good-looking, and I’d never had tea with a gentleman at ‘an elegant spot.’ He escorted me back into the ballroom, where my brothers had just discovered my absence. My parents were saying ‘goodnight’ to guests, and would soon retire. I tried to gauge by the number of persons queued up to say their farewells, how long they would still be present in the Ballroom. I hoped that they might have the chance to meet Doctor Stanton.

I felt a stab of sadness co
me over me, even though I was exhilarated over my conversation with Spence. My exquisite Ball was coming to an end. I likened my feelings to the way Cinderella must have felt at midnight. Drew and Blake were looking a bit frantic when I re-entered the room, escorted by Spence. Their expressions were ones of relief, mixed with surprise, when they saw me with him. “Good Lord, Spencer Stanton. I never thought to see you at a function like this. I had heard you’d hidden yourself away in the country, dispensing elixirs and the like,” exclaimed Blake. “

“True,
but even country doctors can use a bit of amusement now and again. I’m a guest of Charles Dyer. Do you remember him from Oxford?” He smiled, showing lovely, straight white teeth.

“Yes, of
course. Rather a boring chap, if I recall,” Blake replied, with a sheepish grin.

Elizabeth
, his wife, nudged him in the ribs, and chided. “Blake, really! What a beastly thing to say.” Elizabeth was Blake Jr. and Pippin’s mother, whom Blake had married while still at Oxford. Lately it seemed that they weren’t getting along tremendously well. Blake, of course, had a strong tendency to want to control his environment and everyone in it, and Elizabeth was the complete opposite. She too was extremely honest, and that didn’t always please Blake. Mummy had told me, in confidence, (which meant that she’d told it to the whole world) that Blake had met a young lady in Scotland on a business trip for Somerville Ltd, and was quite smitten. I wondered if he was embroiled in an affair. If so, I could have slapped him, for I adored Elizabeth. One thing I knew for certain. If Blake was carrying on an extramarital affair, and Elizabeth found out, she would leave him in nothing flat.

The conversation in the ballroom continued.
“Charles Dyer has a country house near Chipping Camden, and I accompanied him to your parent’s lovely Ball as a sort of favor, although it’s beginning to look like the favor was his to me,” Spence said. “Charles fell from his horse while hunting, and had a bad break, so he’s not able to drive. Train travel is difficult as well, so I agreed to drive him.”

“An
d, now you’ve met and charmed our little sister,” Blake smiled. “I don’t believe you’ve met my wife, Elizabeth, nor my brother, Drew Somerville and his wife, Anne.”

“Yes, Drew
and I
have
met. I believe it was at an Oxford gathering.” Drew nodded in agreement. All of the men exchanged handshakes, and Spence took Annie’s gloved hand and kissed the fingertips. He repeated the same act with Elizabeth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he answered.” And, yes, I’ve met Lady Sophia, but I believe it’s she who’s charmed me.”

“Just keep in
mind that she’s our
sister
,” Drew laughed. “I assure you, it wouldn’t be wise to tangle with my parents or with us where Sophia is concerned.”

“I’ve only
honorable intentions,” Spence grinned. “She’s consented to see me tomorrow. Have either of you any objection?”

“None
whatsoever. I’d rather have you show her about London than some of the fops I’ve seen hovering over her this evening,” Blake answered. Of course, he was referring to Lord Winnsborough. I felt a bit of a child
. Who were my brothers to offer any objection regarding whoever I chose to see?
However, I’d been well schooled at never showing displeasure in front of others, so I remained passive.

“Then, we’ll
meet tomorrow, Lady Sophia,” Spence said, taking my hand and brushing it with his lips. “I’m looking forward to it.”

I
blushed. “You promised to call me ‘Sophia.” We were in the lighted ballroom and I was able to clearly see how truly handsome he was. I’m certain that I trembled at the thought of seeing him again.

“
So I did,” he answered. I just wanted your brothers to know that I
am
aware of the correct form for addressing gentry.” He chuckled and so did they.

“She’s been
‘Sophia’ from the day she was born,” Drew replied. “Don’t stand on form with us, Spence.”

He
laughed heartily. “Sophia’ it is, then,” he added, with a fond look in my direction. “I promised to see that Charles gave that leg a rest before the night is gone, so I’d best keep my word,” he continued. “Drew and Blake, I’m awfully glad to have seen you, and of course to have met you, Anne and Elizabeth.” He turned, and said “Sophia, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Once he’d departed, I had a hundred questions for my brothers, but did not want to seem inappropriately curious. They were not fools, and I was certain that both already suspected that I was more than a little smitten with the good doctor.

“
Sophia, a word of caution,” Blake warned. “Spence is a good chap, but you
do
realize that he won’t meet with Mother and Father’s approval?”

“Why ever wouldn’t he?
” I asked, truly unable to understand such a statement.

“No
title, no land, no inheritance. A nice fellow, and a bright one too, but he’s not of the nobility.”

“
Blake! I have never heard you talk this way! My Goodness, he must have
some
means. After all, he has an excellent education. And in addition to being a doctor, he was an officer in the RAF.”

“
Sophia, I don’t mean to imply that Spence is a pauper. He comes from good people, if I remember correctly. It’s just that his parents were killed in some sort of accident, and what inheritance he received was used on his education. You know very well that our parents would consider a physician in the same vein as one who practices a
trade
.”

“Good
Lord Blake! He isn’t a rag picker. Mummy, herself wasn’t a noble, until she married Papa. I cannot imagine that he wouldn’t be acceptable to
any
family. On top of that, it takes a lot more intellect to be a physician than it does to be a land owner.”

“He
might be acceptable to
most
families. Nevertheless, when it comes to marriage, you know our parents. They will expect you to marry at your same social status or much higher.”