Star Sapphire: Love and wild adventure in Regency England

by Janet Louise Roberts

“Yes, yes, I should like to.”

  Now that the settlement was being put within his reach, he was anxious to get it all over and done with.

  “I will ask that Sonia come to the drawing room. You may be private there with her.” Meyer rang the long cord for a maid.

  Sonia was working in her rooms when the maid came to her. Her uncle wished her to come to the drawing room. She sighed, a little impatiently. Her work was going poorly, she kept thinking. Her mind wandered to the fine young marquess who had shown her attentions. She understood he was just being kind — yet — what if… But no, he was attentive to Mrs Daphne Porter, he could not have anything much to do with a young girl like Sonia, inexperienced and naive. She knew nothing of the ways of men and the heart.

  If her uncle was going to present her to yet another of his “fine young men with prospects,” she would retire to the country! She shoved back her curls from her broad white forehead, smoothed down her hair at the back, gave an impatient look to her white muslin gown with its simple blue ribbons, and descended the stairs to the first floor.

  The footman, face impassive, showed her into the drawing room and shut the door after him. Sonia stared at the tall figure near the windows. Her heart seemed to stop still, then began again with a frightening leap.

  “Oh — you —” she breathed. Her manners came to the fore. “Lord Fairley! Forgive me, I was — startled —”

  He came forwards, took her hand in his, raised it to his lips. She wore no gloves; she felt the warm lips on her fingers, and a thrill shot through her. She sank into a chair near the fire, for the early November day was damp and chilly. Lord Fairley took a seat next to hers.

  “Forgive me for calling unannounced,” he said gravely. He was looking at her anxiously.

  She contrived a smile. “You are always welcome. Have you been discussing business with my uncle?”

  He gave a start. “Yes, well — we have. Your uncle gave me permission to speak to you.”

  Misunderstanding, she gave him a shy smile. “But of course you may speak to me. Did you enjoy the remainder of the play the other evening?”

  “Yes, yes, it was splendid. However, it was on another matter —”

  She waited, her heart thumping. Would he ask her out again? And what would the world of London say, if Lord Fairley appeared once again in the company of the Jewish designer of jewellery? How the tongues would wag! She was not sure she should go. She wanted to go — yet…

  He cleared his throat. “I have requested permission of your uncle — to pay my addresses to you,” he said solemnly.

  She stared at him, her grey eyes wide, her hand to her heart. “You — wish — what?” she managed to whisper in a choked tone.

  He stirred in the chair. Colour came to his tanned face. “I am sorry to — shock you, Miss Goldfine. I have long admired you, despite — the differences in our stations. It seemed to me that it did not matter — our differences of faith, our positions — the fact that we are of different upbringing. We have much in common — do we not?” he asked desperately.

  “Oh — sir — I cannot think what to say,” she murmured. She was sure she had fallen asleep at her desk and was dreaming. This prince in a story, this grave charming man, with his deep blue eyes, his handsome face solemn — he could not be asking for her hand in marriage!

  He sighed, and passed his lean tanned hand over his forehead. She was surprised to see his face was damp, as though he were in some deep emotional stress.

  “If you say no, there is no more to be said,” he said, lowering his head. “However, if you wish to think it over… Believe me, Miss Goldfine, I deeply admire your nature and your mind. You are a very intelligent and fine woman. Your uncle is immensely fond of you, and speaks highly of you. Your reputation in the city is a credit to him and to you. If you wish to hear more of me, I can recommend several friends, my record in the war —”

  “My goodness,” she said faintly. “I would not dream of asking — I mean, everyone thinks highly of you — and — and you have been extremely kind — and Uncle speaks so of you —”

  “You will consider my offer, then?” he asked anxiously. “I will promise to take every care of you, to consider your wishes in every way an honourable man can. You may know — I have one brother and two sisters to settle in the world. Perhaps —” he smiled slightly, “that very consideration might cause you to draw back. One sister is in particular quite a handful!”

  “Oh, sir, I am sure they are charming,” she blurted out, drawn out of her shyness and amazement by his humorous speech. “I should be happy to assist you in their care. I know you are devoted to them —”

  “Very devoted. I am responsible for them,” he said. “After thinking of nothing much but battles and estates for some years, the care of three young persons is much on my mind. I shall be glad of your advice and assistance.”

  Now that they had spoken more at ease, she was able to think again. He must be serious! He spoke of marriage, and her helping him with his family. He was looking at her with respect and anxiety about her answer. Could he possibly be attracted to her, could he love her?

  “You will think seriously about my offer?” he asked.

  “Oh — yes —”

  “And — there is no other man in the offing?” he blurted out, blushing like a schoolboy. That endeared him to her. “I do not mean to cut out some chap, but I am sure if you would allow me to escort you about and we could converse more —”

  He did mean it! He was serious! He reached out his hand for hers. Timidly, she put her slim long fingers into his. “I — I should like — like that,” she said.

  “And you will consider my offer of marriage?” he asked solemnly.

  Something made her say it: the squeezing of his fingers on hers, the tone of his voice, or the melancholy blue of his eyes…

  She said, “I should like — to marry you, Lord Fairley.”

  He stared down at her. “You — would? You would?”

  She swallowed, and glanced to the fire shyly. “I think so. If Uncle approves.”

  “Oh, he has approved, he told me, or I should not have approached you, Miss — may I call you Sonia?” he said, more naturally. “It is a splendid name, and suits you so well!”

  His spontaneous outburst calmed her. She managed to say, “Please do, and thank you. I — I feel rather — overwhelmed. I did not know that you — you liked me well enough — I mean, I did not think —” She longed to ask him about Mrs Porter, but that would not do!

  “I think we shall get along very well together,” said Alastair Charlton thoughtfully. He was still holding her hand and they were talking in low tones when her uncle tapped lightly on the door and entered.

  Sonia sprang up, blushing. “Oh, Uncle — Lord Fairley has said — asked — I mean —”

  “I have been honoured by her acceptance of my offer,” said Lord Fairley, standing beside her and taking her arm in his hand naturally. He looked across at her uncle. Sonia felt rather than saw a slight tension between them.

  Her uncle smiled. “Well, well, if that is what you both wish,” he said, benignly. “You must stay for a little luncheon, Lord Fairley, and we will discuss the happy event. My dearest Sonia, to have you married happily and settled at last! I shall be so very pleased!”

  Her uncle kissed her cheek. Lord Fairley watched them, then bent and kissed Sonia’s cheek also. It was a solemn moment. She wanted to laugh and cry. His lips on her cheek! How sweet that was, that gentle touch. And she would marry him, and live with him, and he would kiss her often, and love her and cherish her…

  It was a dream. Her handsome prince, coming to wake her with a kiss. How beautiful he was, this prince of hers, this marquess who was so courtly and thoughtful. And to belong to her! She would belong to him and they would live together for ever and ever in great happiness!

  They had the same tastes and interests, he would escort her to operas and plays and concerts. They would chat with their friends and family and ea
ch other.

  Her grey eyes shone like stars that afternoon, as she listened to the conversation of her uncle and her fiancé. She was engaged to be married! It was a wonder, and she could not believe it entirely.

  CHAPTER 6

  The plans seemed to move forwards with stunning quickness. Sonia had thought they would be engaged through the winter and perhaps be married in the spring or summer.

  Instead her uncle said, “I see no need to wait. Lord Fairley needs you in his household. It is sadly in need of a firm hand, I believe. And why wait? You are both of age and know your own minds.”

  Jacob came, to be closeted in the study with his father for two hours. He came out, flushed behind his beard, his eyes angry. He sought out Sonia.

  “I cannot believe you have agreed to a marriage such as this,” he burst out. “What pressure has Father brought on you? To marry a Gentile!”

  “Oh, Jacob,” and her tears came. “What a thing to say! Lord Fairley has been most courteous and kind. He asked me so gently and courteously and —”

  “That is not the point,” said Jacob brusquely. “You know he has need of money and you are wealthy —”

  She drew herself up, drying her eyes. “That is unworthy of you, c ousin!” she blazed, anger seizing her. “Not a word has been said of money! Uncle has told me that my fortune is my own, no matter what happens. It will go to my — my children. Lord Fairley wants no part of it!”

  “Indeed?” Jacob looked puzzled and disturbed. “Gossip says that he is short of money and in debt. He has been seen at the money-lenders, though not recently, I believe —”

  “Jacob, you will not insult him in my hearing!”

  Jacob sighed, patted her shoulder. “You know I love you as my own sister,” he said quietly. “This marriage troubles me. It is not like Father to agree to your marriage with a Gentile. You realize you must be married in his rites. Only Father and I may attend, with the rabbi’s permission. There will be no chupah under which you two will stand, there will be no bridal party of your relatives and friends —”

  Sonia stared at him, her face paling. Nothing had been said about this to her. “No — of course not,” she said slowly. “How could there? I — I must be married in — in his church, I suppose —”

  She put her hands to her face. No, she had not thought of this. Now she began to consider it seriously. No bridal canopy covered with flowers, no rites such as Jacob had enjoyed when he married Beryl, none of the joyous ceremonies she had witnessed since childhood when other relatives married. No singing of the songs she knew, no processions, no feasts. She would be among strangers, marrying a stranger, in strange rites.

  “I must speak to Uncle,” she said, and Jacob was satisfied.

  She went to her uncle, who frowned when she spoke of the matter. He studied her face with his keen eyes.

  “But Sonia, my beloved,” he said very gently, “You are a girl like the daughter whom the Lord never gave to me. He brought you to me and you are like my own. Would I consent if I thought you would be unhappy? I thought you liked and respected this young man, or I should never have given my consent.”

  “I do — like him.” She thought she loved him. She gazed at Alastair with all her heart in her eyes, until she felt embarrassed for herself. He was so serious, so handsome, so princely. Yet — he was not a Jew. “I just — never thought — Uncle, we cannot be married in the synagogue, can we?”

  He shook his head sadly. “No, he would never agree. Sonia, you may keep your religion, and go alone to the synagogue with Leah. But your children must take his faith, and be brought up in it. Do you understand that?”

  No, she had not looked that far ahead. The mists of her dreams fell away from her. She rose unsteadily to go to the window and stare out into the garden. “How much — must I give up — Uncle?” And her voice quivered.

  “Some of the rites,” he said steadily. “You will give him a ring, as you wish. But your ring must be on your left hand, as the Christian custom is. Not the right hand. You will not observe the dietary laws in his household, you will give up your customs for his. His relatives will be yours. His habits yours. His friends yours. In your own sitting room, you might have a corner of your own in which to worship. But if he wishes, you must attend his church with him.”

  She felt coldness gather about her heart. “Uncle, you would never have agreed to this kind of marriage — for Jacob or Abner, would you?” She did not turn to look into his kindly worried face. Still she stared unseeingly at the bright flowers in the autumn garden, the asters and late roses that drooped their heads.

  “No, that would be different. A Jewish man must marry one of his own kind,” said Meyer Goldfine decidedly. “A woman is different. She can give up to the man. A man cannot give up to a woman.’

  She bent her head, leaned against the cool glass. He came to her, putting his arm about her waist.

  “It will not be so hard, Sonia,” he said quietly. “You have never participated deeply in the faith. It scarred your youth. You can begin again in your marriage, have love and trust and confidence with this man you respect, eh? He will take care of you, he will guard you, he will respect you. You will forget the troubled past, live for him and for the future and your children.”

  She could not speak, her voice choked. He squeezed her gently. “My dearest Sonia, I hope much for this marriage. You have always refused the other young men I brought to you, the Jewish men. I think, underneath, you wished someone different, someone to help you forget the past. Eh? With Lord Fairley, you can have a new life.”

  “You believe this, dear Uncle?” she whispered. Perhaps he knew her better than she did herself.

  He nodded. “You need someone different, someone intelligent and honourable, someone with a mind to match yours. I think in Lord Fairley you have met your match. I will pray daily that this is true.”

  Comforted, she was able to go ahead with the wedding plans. She kept her set smile when the Christian ceremonies were explained to her by a minister, a man who was cold and formal and obviously thought little of this marriage of Lord Fairley’s. Nevertheless, he was proper, careful to explain everything several times, going over the wedding ceremony with her and making sure she knew her part in it.

  For some reason, both her uncle and Lord Fairley were anxious to have the wedding take place at once. She would wish for more time to think; she felt rushed and confused. Whenever she mentioned this, her uncle would gently tease her.

  “Ah, my dear, I do not want you to think, maybe change your mind. You have depended too much on your intellect! I wish you to feel emotions instead, and to be eager to be with your fiancé and husband.”

  She blushed deeply, agreed to a change of subject. To be with him — alone — she scarcely dared think of it.

  Leah prepared her for the physical side of her marriage, as she had no mother to do so and no aunt. Beryl came one day, speaking gently, precisely, ignoring Sonia’s embarrassment, to teach her lovingly what her marital duties would be.

  The dressmakers came almost every day, hurrying to prepare an exquisite wedding dress of white silk and lace, with chiffon draped over all. The wedding veil was of Brussels lace, fine as a spider’s web.

  There was one engagement party, in Lord Fairley’s home. It was the first time she had been in his townhouse. She felt timid and anxious as she stepped out of the carriage. Only Leah came with her. Jacob, for some reason, was angry about the marriage. Beryl would not go without her husband. Meyer was not well, and was keeping his strength for the wedding ceremonies themselves.

  Lord Fairley met her at the door, and smiled to see her pale anxious face. “My dear, how lovely you look,” he said, taking her arm. The butler removed her cloak carefully, with awe at the splendid white ermine. Sonia stood revealed in a beautiful gown of pale blue satin, with sapphires and diamonds at her throat and wrist. Lord Fairley took her aside into a little room. He seemed rather pale and serious himself, she thought, though splendid in his blue satin
and sapphires.

  “I wished to give you your engagement ring, Sonia,” he said, taking out a small velvet box. She held out her right hand automatically, and he smiled, and took her left. “No, the left hand, my dear! You are indeed confused tonight.”

  She said nothing. Jewish brides wore their rings on their right hands. She would feel odd with the rings on her left — but she must accept his customs, her uncle had said so. She made no protest as he put the fine diamond on her finger and raised her hand to his lips.

  They returned at once to the hallway. His sisters were coming down the stairs. Sonia looked up shyly at them; she had not even met them!

  Lord Fairley presented them formally. “Sonia, my dear, may I present my sister, Lady Edwina. And this is Lady Henrietta. My dear sisters, this is my bride, Miss Sonia Goldfine.”

  Sonia held out her hand. She did not mistake it; there was hesitation before Lady Edwina, grand in blue velvet, took her hand and murmured something. Lady Henrietta hesitated even more, and her violet eyes looked as though she had been crying.

  “How do you do?” murmured Sonia, as Lady Henrietta dropped her slim hand hastily. No, she had not imagined it. They looked coldly, proudly, disdainfully at her.

  They proceeded to the drawing room full of guests. A blond young man came up, looking much like Alastair, only more immature and amiable, unformed.

  “Maurice Charlton,” said Alastair. Someone else called him “Lord Maurice,” and Sonia wondered if she should address him like that. To be safe, she did.

  He wore flashing blue satin, trimmed with gold rather gaudily, but it suited his dashing good looks.

  The brother and two sisters stood with them in a receiving line. Edwina murmured names to her sister-in-law-to-be, in a cool polite social tone which spoke well for her training. Everyone was staring openly at Sonia. She kept her head up, her smile pinned on, longing for a reassuring touch of Alastair’s hand.

  When the guests had drunk their health and eaten of the cakes and pastries, they departed. An uneasy silence came over the remaining few. Leah had remained in the background, an alert abigail, watching everything with her curious eyes.