Willow Grove Abbey (9 page)

With that,
I turned and raced up the stairway to my bedchamber, and began to throw clothing back into my case. Unbeknownst to me, there was much worse to come. Mummy had been listening to every word I’d shouted at my father. She rushed out of her room from across the hallway, and into my bedchamber. She held a pair of scissors. Grabbing a handful of the clothing that I was re-packing, she began cutting it into shreds. “If you are leaving the Somerville family, you can begin by not taking any of the expensive apparel we have provided for you, in an attempt to improve your
exceedingly average appearance
,” she screamed hysterically. Her voice was growing hoarse from shrieking. I was transfixed by the spectacle of my mother shredding, cutting, and ripping. After she had finished her demolition, she threw down the scissors, and ran back to her own room.

There
was utter silence in the house. I knew that my father would soon be desperately trying to bring Mummy to her senses. Eventually, he would coax her out of their suite with the purchase of some sort of luxurious gift. I suddenly realized that the entire foolish dance was becoming very tiresome. I turned and ran down the stairs to the entry door. I rang for Joseph, and asked him to take me to the station at
Bedminster-with-Hartcliffe
. This time there were no bags to carry. I bid a tearful farewell to
Willow Grove.

On the train en route
to London, I finally stopped sobbing, and tried to think what my course of action should be. The logical thing would be to return to Drew and Annie’s, but I didn’t want to have to relive the whole nightmare again. In addition, by the time I arrived it would be late. They had no idea that I was coming. I wanted desperately to speak with Spence. But I knew that if I told him what had happened, he would insist upon talking to my parents. I did not want to subject him to the verbal abuse that was certain to accompany such a conversation. I also knew that he would tell me not to worry about Mummy threatening to sully his reputation. On the one hand, I wanted to run to him, let him hold me, and tell me that everything would be all right. I didn’t care about ever going back to
Willow Grove Abbey.
I did not care if my parents disowned me. I only wanted to be Spence’s wife. However, I also knew that it was unlikely that Spence would marry me under such circumstances. He was so honorable and decent. The idea of marrying someone whose parents thought him beneath their station would be anathema to him. Finally, I decided that I would take a room at the
Royal Hotel,
and contact Spence in Twigbury. I would ring him, tell him where I was, and ask him to come to me. Thankfully, and unbeknownst to Mummy and Papa, I
did
have a farthing. Much more than a farthing. My dear Grandpapa had set up a banking account for me before his death, and had warned me never to tell my parents. He ‘d said at the time that he wanted me to have something that was all mine, in case I ever needed it. I wondered if he didn’t suspect some of the turmoil that I lived with. It was not a fortune, but enough to see me through an emergency, and that moment certainly qualified as an emergency.

There was a s
mall Queen Anne desk in the foyer of my room at the
Royal
with a telephone upon it. I sat there, and placed a call to Spence. His receptionist answered, and it was only a matter of moments before his voice was on the line.

“
Sophia?” Is that you? Is everything all right?”

“I needed to ring
to tell you that I’ve left ‘
Willow Grove Abbey’
, and am at the
Royal.
...have taken a room at the
Royal,
” I stammered. “I need you to come here when you’re able.”

“Whate
ver are you doing at the
Royal
?”

I
searched for the proper combination of words. “It’s much too long a story to go into on the telephone, Spence. I’ll explain everything when I see you.”

“Is there anything wrong,
Sophia? Your voice sounds strange?”

“No, I’
m fine. A little tired, perhaps. When do you expect you could come to London?”

“Darling, I have a full load of patients to
morrow, but I’ll leave as soon as I’ve finished with the last. I shall come straight to the Royal. I should think it would be about seven. Why don’t you make reservations for dinner in the
Thames Room
, and as soon as I arrive we can dine?”

“That sounds splendid
,” I agreed. The thought of a lovely dinner with Spence in the place where our romance had begun revived my spirits. He was all that mattered to me. We would talk, and make plans to be married very quickly. I was certain that I could convince him that there was no need to speak with my parents. That it would be fruitless. I knew that he loved me, and would agree to marry me in whatever manner I thought best.

“All right then
, Sophia, I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”

“Yes,
Spence. And darling . . .”

“Yes,
Sophia”.

“I love you.”

“Dearest, I love you too. Goodbye until tomorrow.”

I
placed the receiver back into its cradle, dropping my head into my hands. I had a ghastly headache. My entire life depended upon him. I’d made the decision to give everything in the world up for Spence. I didn’t care. He mattered more than anything else, but nothing had turned out the way I’d hoped. I readied myself for bed, and was so happy to be able to have a lie-down. The room was magnificent, decorated in the Edwardian style, with yellow draperies which began at the ceiling, and fell to the floor in folds, and a bed fit for royalty, covered with a pale lavender spread. However lovely my surroundings, I am afraid they were a complete waste, as I tossed and turned all night, and by morning, saw things from an entirely different perspective. My previous hopes of spending a future with Spence had evaporated. I don’t know what I had been thinking. The more I pondered the situation through the endless, sleepless hours, I knew that the only thing for me to do was put an end to my relationship with him. Certainly, he would not marry me without speaking to my parents. I must have been delusional to ever have thought differently. He was far too proper and moral to do that. Moreover, once he spoke to them, I had no doubt that my mother would carry through on her threat to ruin him. Papa would not have any control over her. I had to make certain Spence wasn’t harmed in any manner, simply because he had made the mistake of loving me. Somehow, I would have to make Spence believe that I had changed my mind.... Had decided that marriage to him would be a mistake.

I
spent a dreadful day, waiting for the evening and Spence’s arrival. My chest felt as if it had a large stone sitting upon it. I went shopping, and purchased frocks, and other needed apparel, as I had only what I was wearing when leaving
Willow Grove
. It seemed a meaningless errand, and not at all what it should have been. I purchased another day dress, and an evening gown, as I needed something appropriate to wear for dining at the Royal. I selected a lilac-colored, silk evening gown, with scalloped cap sleeves and a V neckline. Dressing carefully for that last evening, I wanted him to remember that I had looked beautiful, which was ridiculous and vain. And perhaps even a bit cruel. But, that isn’t the way I saw it then. I was thankful that Mummy had forgotten to take away my jewelry. At my neck and ears, I wore my pearls, which had been there when I left
Willow Grove
, and
I
styled my hair in an up-sweep, proof that I had no need of a lady’s maid. At nearly half after six, Spence arrived. I met him at the door. He was so handsome, dressed in an impeccable dark, blue suit, and I wanted desperately to forget the horror of the scene at
Willow Grove,
and concentrate solely upon my love for him . . . Upon our future together. However, I knew that I must not let go of my firm resolve. He pulled me close when I met him at the door, kissing me with passion. I
loved
him so very much. I
did
begin to wonder if there might be some way to sort through the ghastly nightmare without having to relinquish Spence. It was so tempting.

“Well
Sophia, this is quite a mystery. Your being here, at the
Royal
. Why aren’t you at Drew and Annie’s? I’ve been worried since your call. Is something amiss? You sounded somewhat peculiar on the phone.”

“I‘d ju
st arrived from
Willow Grove.
Was a bit fagged out. I decided we needed to speak in private, and that it would be easier if I took a hotel room.” I tried to keep my voice normal, when all the while, my heart was breaking. My mind was also whirling frantically, as I searched for some other path than the one I had chosen to take.
Surely there was another way?

“
I might have met up with you at
Willow Grove.
That way I could have met your parents, as well. I assume you didn’t want me to do that.”

“Not at this juncture, Spence.
I felt that we should have some time alone, and Drew and Annie would have been home if I had gone there, so this seemed a good alternative.” I reached up, and smoothed the back of my hair. He smiled warmly, and put a hand out to touch a tendril which had escaped the side of my upsweep. “I adore your hair like that. It reminds me of your debut Ball. It makes you appear very chic and sophisticated.”

“Well, Spence, I think you know I’
m hardly that,” I laughed, trying to sound casual.

“
I know nothing of the sort, dear Sophia. But, I agree completely with your idea about engaging a room here. Good thinking. I’m pleased you did. Do you want to talk here in the room or would you rather go down to dinner?” he asked with a smile.

“I’
m famished, and have been looking forward to dinner in the
Thames Room
. Let’s go down. We can talk over dinner.” I was postponing the inevitable. When I told him my decision, the romance would end. He would leave. I would never see him again. I was still desperately searching my mind for an alternative. Upon entering the
Thames Room
, a four-piece band was playing, and there were couples on the dance floor. The Maitre’d escorted us to a table by the windows. Spence ordered Dom Perignon champagne, making it evident that he intended the evening to be a celebration of our love and commitment to one another. I decided to let him speak first. Then I would cruelly break his heart.

“Well, Spence
. Have you had a busy week since I last saw you?” I asked, after we had ordered the champagne, and had each been poured a glass.

He placed his hand over
mine on the table. “Busy and lonely I’ve thought of you every moment. I’m rather glad I was so covered up with patients or the time would have gone more slowly. I’m so anxious to meet your parents, and get the beastly formalities out of the way so that we can begin planning our future.”

I hadn’t planned on getting into this part of t
he conversation so soon. I still hoped that at the last moment I would change my mind. But, there wasn’t any feasible way to work it out. I knew that. There also didn’t seem to be any way to prolong my speaking. I was just about to reply, when another couple appeared beside our table. It was an acquaintance from
Ashwick Park
and her beau. I wanted to die. This probably meant that we would have to invite them, at the very least, to have a glass of champagne with us. The girl’s name was Charlotte Ross, and she was a schoolmate I did not especially care for.... She’d always shown a disdainful attitude toward Edwina. However, etiquette required that I be civil to her.

“Fancy
meeting you here,” Charlotte commented. “I’m surprised we haven’t run into each other more during the Season,” She smiled.

“Yes, I guess we’ve attended different functions
,” I replied. “Charlotte, I’d like you to meet my good friend, Doctor Spencer Stanton.” Spence was now standing, and he reached over and shook her hand. The he turned to her companion. “Hello there, I’m Spence Stanton. And you are...?

The other gentle
man extended his hand and shook Spence’s while stating that his name was William Young. In turn, Spence introduced me to Mr. Young. Then, just as I’d feared, Spence asked them if they would like to join us, and they readily accepted. It meant that my opportunity to speak privately with Spence had been postponed. I hoped I didn’t lose my courage. The four of us sat down at the same table where Spence and I had been alone before. The waiter hurried over, bringing two more glasses, while also spreading napkins in their laps. Then, more champagne was poured.

“So, Sophia. What a handso
me dress you’re wearing. Is this a special celebration? I hope we’re not intruding upon anything.” Charlotte placed a beaded evening bag on the table beside her, and removed her lace gloves. She was wearing a pale pink, silk evening gown, with large shoulders, and puffed sleeves. I complimented her dress, as well. She was an attractive girl... fair skinned and red headed, with a long, willowy silhouette. If I remembered correctly, she was not of the nobility, and I could ascertain no reason for her to be looking down upon Edwina.

M
y voice took on a nervous edge. “No, we aren’t celebrating anything of note,” I answered. Spence just drove up from his medical practice in Twigbury, and we decided to have a nice dinner in the
Thames Room
.”

“You have a
medical practice in Twigbury? How gruesome! What on Earth do you find to do in such a hole in the wall sort of place?” She picked up her champagne flute, and took a sip. I was astounded at her rudeness. But, I knew that Spence could take care of himself.

“We don’t share the sa
me view of Twigbury, Miss Ross. I think it’s especially quaint and really quite charming. I enjoy working there very much,” Spence smiled. He turned to face William Young. “And, what is that you do, William, he inquired in a pleasant manner?

“I’ve just finished up at Ca
mbridge. I’m taking a year to travel, and then will undoubtedly join my father in his law practice here in London.”

In the
meantime, Charlotte was studying Spence carefully. There is no question that she was intrigued with him. How could she not be? He was so extraordinarily good looking, as well as so self-assured and poised. She was obviously trying to ascertain what exactly
ou
r relationship was. She turned to me.

“
Have you and Dr. Stanton known one another a long time?” she finally asked.

“Just since the beginning of the Season,” I answered. We
met at my debut Ball. You must have met him? I remember you being present”.

“Yes, I was. But, I didn’t spend
much time socializing with you and your group. I have never much cared for Edwina Phillips, you know. A lot of the girls at
Ashwick Park
felt the same way. She just isn’t the sort of girl one expects to come upon at such a fine school. She really hasn’t a great deal of class, you know.”

“As you undoubtedly know, Charlotte, Edwina is
my closest friend, so I’m afraid I cannot listen to any negative comments you wish to make about her. I think she fit in splendidly at
Ashwick
, and we shared wonderful times together.”

I was astounded at Charlotte’s cheekiness. What she was saying didn’t totally surprise
me, since she and others had never been shy about showing their disdain for Edwina. My rather brusque comment seemed to have put her in her place, as she did not make an attempt to continue the conversation. My own opinion was that Charlotte, and whomever her friends were, were green eyed with envy over Edwina. Instead, she looked over at Spence, and said, “You don’t look like a doctor. You look more like a professional polo player, or a dashing RAF pilot.” She laughed.

“I
am
an RAF pilot.... Not certain about the ‘dashing’ part,” he retorted

“You
are
an RAF pilot! I just
knew
it. You have the sort of rugged, but genteel look of a pilot.”