“My dearest, if only I could make you see yourself as I see you, and as Sophia sees you.”
I wish he could understand that I do not need his pity or comfort. I am quite resigned to my fate. And yet, he cannot accept what I have known to be true all along. A marriage of love, such as the one he enjoyed with Mama, will never happen for me. In fact, despite all of her beauty, even Sophia will be fortunate to marry for love.
Her father struggled with the unrealistic notion that both his daughters should marry for love, just as he had. He found it hard to accept that most marriages sustained on many things other than love. Duty, responsibility, and convenience were the most common factors.
“Papa, I cherish you and your good heart. You and Mama were truly blessed.” He smiled but there was a sadness in it. The same sadness she always saw when he spoke of her mother.
Before he could say anything else, she decided to change the subject back to the matter at hand.
“When are we to leave?”
He licked his lips, appearing momentarily startled at the abrupt change in conversation.
“This upcoming week. I have already instructed your maid on what to pack. And I was hoping that…”
He got no further for suddenly from outside a bone-chilling shriek shattered the air and he jumped out of his chair, knocking it over in the process.
Ruth rose, staring in the direction of the noise. A moment later, Mrs. Worcester, their housekeeper appeared, her face pale with fright. “Your Grace, come quickly it is Lady Sophia!”
Her father paled and his mouth dropped open. “Sophia? What has happened?” The panic in his voice was as clear as day.
“She has fainted, and we cannot wake her,” the housekeeper said. Her father and Ruth exchanged a look. He did not have to say anything for her to know exactly what he was feeling. The memory of that awful day that had robbed him of his wife was surely at the forefront of his mind.
Without another word, he ran outside, following the housekeeper to where his youngest daughter had fallen. Ruth remained behind, her hands shaking, and she was consumed with the fear of having to relive her worst nightmare – losing another loved one.
Chapter 2
Kenneth rode his horse, Artemis, across the fields surrounding his father’s estate with his friend, Jackson Lasetter, the Viscount Bronwyn, in hot pursuit.
“Come on, Artemis. Just a little faster. You don’t want to be beaten by Jack’s old mare, do you?”
As if the horse understood his prompt, they speeded up toward the lake on the edge of Goldclaw estate, the finish line of their race. As Artemis leaped over one last hedge and set his hooves down on the grassy ground, Kenneth whooped with delight. He turned his horse to face his friend just as he and his mare, Lottie, came across the finishing line.
“Well, old chum. It seems you owe me one rather fine bottle of brandy from your father’s stash.”
“It seems that way. Unless!” His friend raised his index finger in the air, as he often did when announcing a new scheme. “Unless you allow me to challenge you to a game of billiards. Double the wager.”
Kenneth laughed. His friend was a terrible loser and always had been. They had been the closest of friends ever since their childhood days. Their estates were side by side and thus the two had been close growing up. Once they were old enough, they’d been sent away to Eton together, strengthening their friendship further.
I have to say, I often felt alone as a child, given that I have only sisters and all of them are so much older than I, I’ve been blessed to have someone like Jack in my life, someone of the same age with similar interests. Indeed, if I had the good fortune of having a brother, I’d like him to be just like Jack. What fun that would be.
“As you well know, you stand no chance at beating me at billiards, and I could not relieve your poor father of quite that much brandy anyhow. I’d never find occasion to drink it, either.”
Jack rolled his eyes.
“I know you well enough to know when you tell a fib. Well then. If not billiards, how about a game of darts? At the tavern.”
Kenneth gasped in mock horror. “The tavern? Where the commoners dwell? Have you lost your mind, my man? The scandal if I were seen among the paupers. My dear mama would never recover from the shock. You are quite cruel and inconsiderate of her poor nerves to suggest such a thing,” he said, trying to stifle a chuckle.
His friend shook his head. “You are a jester, are you not? If your mother only knew how much you love to imitate her.”
Kenneth nodded toward the house. “I dare say she suspects I do not quite take her concerns about my activities seriously.”
Jack caught up with him and they rode side by side back toward the grand manor.
“I must say, Her Grace is very concerned with your reputation. I never quite understood her worry. You are among the most respectable young men in the area and I know several noble ladies who have an eye on you for their various daughters.”
Kenneth groaned once more. “I am painfully aware.” He sighed then and shook his head. His mood darkened.
