A Most Inconvenient Wish (21 page)

S
unlight streamed into the room when Sophia next woke. The actions of the last night flooded into her mind, dousing her good mood. What had she done? Was Ian still in the bed next to her?

She silently edged her foot to the other side of the bed, feeling for Ian. He was gone. She didn't know if she should be happy about that or upset that he'd stolen away without saying a word to her. She felt the linen sheets. They were cool, which meant he‘d been gone for a while.

Sophia pulled the covers overhead. How had she let the man slip through her defenses? He would demand that they marry. He'd hinted at such in the back parlor last night. One touch and she had weakened. A few kisses had her throwing all her plans out of the window. He was as addictive as chocolate.

Someone knocked at her bedroom door. Sophia panicked. Dear Lord, she was nude! She sat up and frantically searched the room for her nightgown. Finding it in a heap on the floor, she scrambled out of bed. “Just one moment, please!”

Once she was dressed she called, “Come in.”

Calm. She needed to be calm.

Her maid entered with a tray of tea and toast. “I've brought your tea and breakfast as requested, miss.”

Sophia frowned. “I didn't—”

There was a funny look on the maid's face. Clearly someone had let Cook know Sophia would be taking breakfast in her room.
Ian.
How thoughtful. “Thank you.”

Sophia smoothed her hair, feeling self-conscious. Could the maid tell what had gone on in the bed? The bed! She glanced at it. It didn't look as if two people had wrestled in it.

“Should I set out a dress for you today?”

“My riding habit, please.” Sophia picked up a piece of toast and nibbled.

“The other ladies are also riding this morning.”

So much for riding alone and thinking through this mess she'd made of her life. But given her penchant for thinking too much, it was probably better that she joined the ladies. “I think I'll join them.”

“They are already downstairs so you'll have to hurry.”

Sophia was dressed, coiffed, and ready to ride in record time. She descended the stairs to make her way to the stables. Perhaps the ladies would already be gone. She could use some time to formulate her reaction when Ian forced a confrontation. And he would. His honor would demand nothing less.

“There you are,” Anne said, coming out of the front room. “You slept in this morning.”

Sophia could feel the heat rise up in her face. “I suppose I was tired.”

“Lady Catherine and Miss Hamilton just left for the stables. Perhaps you can catch them.”

“I had planned on it.”

“Please promise you'll keep them out riding for a few hours.”

Sophia laughed. “I will try. With any luck they will be gone in just a few days.” Lord Bateman would have no reason to stay once Miss Hamilton eloped with her captain.

“I hope so.” Anne quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “I did not mean for that to sound so insulting. They are your friends and this is your home.”

“I'm ready for our guests to be on their way just as much as you are.”

Anne gave her a sly look. “Including Lord Bateman?”

“Yes, even him. There is something about him that doesn't ring true. I was entirely wrong about his interest in me.”

Anne nodded. “The right man will come when the time is right.”

Sophia wasn't so sure any more. She also wasn't sure she would have a choice in waiting for the right man now. “Perhaps.”

“Go meet the young ladies before they find their way back here to drive me mad. I'm going to enjoy my quiet house.”

“Where are the gentlemen?”

“Nathaniel took them shooting near Horneswood, thank goodness. They should be gone most of the day. If you keep the ladies out until the noon meal, I shall have several hours of peace and quiet.”

“I will do my level best.” Sophia moved down the stairs with a bit more energy than previously. She wouldn't need to see Ian for most of the day. By then she could prepare the proper response for their confrontation. She had no doubt he would confront her. He wouldn't leave well enough alone.

The main question was marriage. That had not been a decent proposal. She expected flowers. He must get down on one knee. It must be the perfect time. A casual comment right before they were together did not count as a proposal. He'd said he loved her. Men had been spouting about being in love with her since her first Season. They tossed the word about so freely that she did not put much faith in it. The words rolled of their tongues easily when they wanted something. Unless he confessed his feelings with a proper proposal, Sophia wasn't taking anything he'd said last night seriously.

“Miss Townsend, I'm so glad you could join us.” Theo came forward and grasped her hands.

Sophia bowed. “Lady Catherine.”

“I'll inform the stable manager to saddle your horse.”

“Thank you.” Sophia waited until Catherine entered the stable before turning back to Theo. “Are you well?”

“Crispin is gone. He left early this morning.”

“But not for long.” Sophia gripped Theo's hands. “You must hide your feelings, Theo. No one must suspect.”

“I will. I promise.”

“We should be able to leave shortly. It will be just a few minutes,” Lady Catherine said as she rejoined them.

Sophia put on a bright smile. With Theo being sad the captain was gone and Lady Catherine's dour mood, she felt as if she had to liven things up. “What would you like to see? The woods and pastures are lovely around this area. We could ride down to the river and back. That would give us some pastures to let the horses have their heads.”

Theo blanched. “I'm not very good with horses; something staid is best for me.”

“I should like a run,” Lady Catherine said. “But as you know the area best, we will leave it to you.”

Sophia glanced at Theo, who shrugged. Lady Catherine was acting very strange. “Then we shall ride down by the river. It's quite beautiful, no matter the speed at which you ride.”

Sophia left them to mount their own horses while she went to find her mare. She mounted the horse and took the reins from the groomsman.

“Be careful near the river, miss. We had a great deal of rain last night. It will be high.”

“We will. Thank you.”

Sophia took the lead and directed the ladies out of the park and down the lane toward the woods. She crossed to a field that led down to the pastures that edged the river.

It was a cool but bright morning. Autumn was finally edging out the warmth of summer. Soon the leaves would change and fall. Once Lord Bateman and his party left for his estate to the north, Sophia's life would return to days filled with busy nothings. There would be a few social occasions for the holidays, but for the most part, life would be quiet. She had nothing more to look forward to except for Mrs. Dellwood's excellent gossip from her sister in London.

Lady Catherine guided her horse up next to Sophia's. “It is beautiful here, peaceful even. I don't know why you ever leave such a place.”

It was an odd comment. “Do you not like Town?”

“It is exciting when one is there, but I find it exhausting.”

Sophia smiled. “It invigorates me. I love the fast pace of it, the multitude of events, the new people to meet.”

Theo finally caught up with them. “Are we stopping for a while?”

“Just for a moment,” Sophia said.

“I'm surprised, Miss Townsend, that you've not found some gentleman here to marry, as your sisters have done,” Lady Catherine said.

“Like you, I would prefer to marry someone who can ensure my happiness. I've not met someone here who would do that.”

“Happiness in marriage is more a matter of wealth and connections.”

“Lady Catherine, you don't really believe that, do you?” Theo asked.

“I think you must take into account your temperament. Not everyone is the same, Theo,” Sophia said gently.

“I think I will meander back to the stables,” Theo said, tactfully changing the subject. “By the time you ladies have your runs across the pasture, I should have time to get to the stables.”

“Are you sure you can find your way, Miss Hamilton?”

“I believe this old girl knows her way home, but I remember how we came, Miss Townsend.”

Theo turned the horse around and ambled back the way they had come.

Once she was out of earshot, Lady Catherine turned to her. “Now that Theo is gone, I would like to speak with you privately.”

“Of course.”

“I would warn you about Mr. McDonald. He is not all he seems.”

Sophia's heart gave a lurch. Had Catherine seen Ian leave her room? Had she heard them? Sophia couldn't remember if she'd made any noise, but the bed had certainly creaked. “I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.”

“He's paid marked attention to you during our visit.”

“He's been a friend for three years. He is a business partner of my brother-in-law.”

“You've also shown some favoritism toward my brother.”

Sophia swallowed her irritation. It would do no good to argue with Catherine in the middle of this field. “That is public knowledge, as well you know. But your brother has made his interest in Theo known to us all. I've abided by that decision.”

“Because you could not have my brother, I wondered if you'd set your cap for Ian McDonald instead. If you have, I should warn you that he is already spoken for.”

Sophia fought hard to hide her astonishment. “Is he indeed? By whom?”

“My brother is at this moment arranging a match between Mr. McDonald and me. Ian is interested in a piece of land my brother owns that joins our estates.”

“Mr. McDonald has an estate near Lord Bateman?”

“It was his father's.”

Sophia couldn't hide her astonishment. “Mr. McDonald has inherited an estate?”

Catherine laughed. “I believe he purchased it some years ago. It's a very small house needing a great deal of work. His father was the steward for the late earl, then for Bateman when Father passed. There were some money problems that forced him to seek a position. My father, being a generous man, allowed the family to move into the house until Ian's father died.”

Sophia hid her surprise. “I knew Mr. McDonald's father was a steward, but I had no idea of an estate. Is this the one in Dumfries?”

Lady Catherine nodded. “My father doted on Ian while we were growing up. Held him up to my brother on a regular basis. I believe this is the cause of their rivalry to this day.”

“I had noticed their animosity.” Sophia's mind was spinning. She now realized Ian had said very little about his family.

“I'm a much better choice for him than anyone else,” said Catherine. “He gets the land he wants and ties to an earl that can open doors for his business and possible political career. I'm hoping Ian will officially propose so that we can announce it with Bateman's engagement to Miss Hamilton.”

Sophia found her voice. “Thank you for telling me, Lady Catherine. I wish you every happiness.”

“You are very gracious.”

Sophia pasted a bright smile on her face. “Shall we race?” She needed the wind to sting the tears from her eyes.

“Thank you for being so understanding, Miss Townsend.” Lady Catherine was all smiles. She urged her horse into a gallop. Sophia did the same.

The wind whipped Sophia's bonnet from her head and tore at the pins in her hair. She paid no mind to Lady Catherine. She had to get away from the woman, even though her words echoed in her head. What a hateful woman!

Sophia had so many questions. Why would Ian make love to her if he were going to marry Lady Catherine? She understood the reasoning. With his wealth and Lady Catherine's connections, it would be an equitable match.

Sophia felt used. She urged the horse to run faster, wanting to put a buffer between the confident words of Lady Catherine and her pain at being abandoned by Ian.

Her saddle slipped to the right as something beneath her snapped. Sophia clung to the horse's mane, trying to slow her down. If she fell at this pace, she could be killed. She slowed the horse a bit, then felt the saddle give way, throwing her off into the tall grass.

Sophia rolled to a stop against a tree, unable to catch her breath. Every bone ached as she waited for Catherine to join her. Surely the woman would come to see if she was well after such a nasty fall.

Minutes went by. Sophia raised herself up on her arms. Pain radiated up both her arms from her wrists. Lord, she hurt. She frantically searched for Catherine, but she was gone. Sophia lay back again. Perhaps Catherine would send for help. She must have seen Sophia fall.

She crawled away from the tree to find a softer place. She would just lay here for a few minutes to catch her breath. It was her last thought before darkness overtook her senses.

* * *

It was much later in the afternoon when Ian finally returned to the Lodge. He'd forgotten that Nathaniel was taking the men shooting that morning. No breakfast, little coffee, and rather chilly weather while waiting for birds to fly by was not how Ian wanted to spend his own morning. He would have been happy just to stay in bed with Sophia in his arms. Last night had been one of the best of his life. It had killed him to leave her sleeping in her bed and sneak back to his own room. They could not marry fast enough to suit him. Of course, he'd have to ask her properly, bended knee and all that. She would expect a proper proposal.