THE MOMENT I walked into the room, I felt him. Glancing around, I smiled when my eyes landed upon him.
Danny.
Nelly leaned in and whispered, “Your betrothed appears to be quite taken with you.”
Tittering, I responded, “And I with him.” Turning to Nelly, I shook my head. “Nelly, I cannot even begin to describe what he does to me. To my body and my heart.”
Smiling, Nelly took my hands in hers. “Dear Sophia, I see it in your eyes. I see it by the flush upon your cheeks. You are deeply in love and anyone can surely see this.” Glancing over my shoulder, she gestured for me to go. “Go be with your betrothed.”
Kissing Nelly softly on the cheek, I whispered, “I do love you, Nelly.”
As I made my way along the perimeter of the room, my eyes were steady on Danny. He was talking to my father, his father, and another gentleman whom I had never seen before. He gracefully bowed and excused himself as I drew closer. Stopping in front of me, his eyes moved over my body.
I wore a light-blue gown that showed my bare shoulders and accentuated the swell of my breasts. My eyes took in the handsome sight before me. He wore black trousers, a white shirt, and a black coat. He needed nothing else to show how incredibly good-looking he was. His blue eyes felt as if he were looking into my soul and I let out a soft whimper.
“My betrothed has finally arrived.” He pulled my body close to his and brought me to the dance floor. I could scarcely hear the orchestra playing. The only thing I was able to focus on was the beating of my heart and the amazing cornflower blue eyes staring into my chocolate brown eyes.
“Tongues will wag with how close you are holding me,” I said, barely above a whisper.
Smiling that smile that melted my insides, Danny chuckled. “Let them wag all they want. You are mine and I don’t care who knows it.”
My eyes moved and I caught a glimpse of my mother. She was standing next to Daddy and Mr. and Mrs. Stowe. Mrs. Stowe had a smile on her face and for one brief moment, I longed for her motherly advice. Unlike my own mother, who wanted me to marry Devlin Covington. A marriage to Devlin would insure her future, or so she informed me.
“You are lost in thought, my darling.”
Turning my attention back to Danny, I grinned. “Will we get a chance to be alone this evening?”
Raising an eyebrow, Danny nodded his head. “I have worked it out that I shall take you for a stroll in the cool night air. You’re going to become overheated from all the dancing.”
“Is that so?”
Pulling me scandalously close to him, he laughed. “Yes, so that means we must dance.”
After dancing most of the night, Danny and I walked about briefly and mingled with the guests Daddy had invited. The entire evening I felt my mother’s eyes upon me. Walking up to Mr. and Mrs. Stowe, I smiled. Kissing Danny’s mother on the cheek, I asked, “Are you enjoying yourselves?”
Giggling like a schoolgirl, Mrs. Stowe said, “Oh my, indeed I am. Mr. Stowe and I haven’t danced like this in years. I fear I’m getting too old for such things.”
Grinning like a fool, I shook my head. “Nonsense. Wait until you have a grandchild to chase around.”
Mrs. Stowe’s eyes lit up and she tilted her head. “Why Sophia, that would be an amazing adventure.”
I was about to agree when I felt a cold hand grab my elbow. “Excuse us, Mr. and Mrs. Stowe. I need a word with my daughter.”
Curtsying and excusing myself, I allowed my mother to lead me out to the garden. Once we walked through the doors and away from prying eyes, I pulled my arm from her. “How dare you embarrass me in front of my future in-laws.”
My mother threw her head back and laughed. “Me, embarrass you? What of your behavior with that man you call your betrothed? The way he looks at you makes my skin crawl. Why don’t you dance with Mr. Covington? You’ve hardly spoken to him this evening. I did not raise you to be rude.”
My mouth dropped open. “I’m engaged to another man and you want me to dance with Devlin?”
“Just because you are engaged does not mean your manners go out the door along with your virtue.”
I felt the tears begin to build in my eyes. “How dare you talk about my virtue. I know you had an affair with Mr. Stowe before you were each married. It is written all over your pathetic face every time you cast your eyes upon him.”
Stepping toward me, she raised her hand. “If you hit me, Mother, know you hit a woman who is with child.”
Her arm dropped. “What?”
Smiling, I whispered, “I have not had my courses. I am carrying Daniel’s child.”
Her eyes burned with anger. “How can you be so selfish? You have ruined any chance of marrying into a decent family. I’m embarrassed to say you are of my blood.”
Squaring off my shoulders and holding my tears back, I hissed through my teeth, “That makes two of us, Mother.”
“You have disgraced this family and I should disown you this very second, you ungrateful little whore.”
I was about to say something when I felt Danny’s presence. “You will not talk to Sophia that way ever again. How dare you stand here and belittle her when tongues wag of your own indiscretions with Mr. Covington.”
Dropping her mouth open, she took a step back. “I beg your pardon.” I looked at Danny. My mother and Devlin’s father were having an affair?
Danny wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “Now if you will excuse us, I’d like to take Sophia for a stroll, she needs fresh air.”
Danny quickly led me to the path that meandered through the massive gardens. I let out the breath I had been holding and attempted to keep my tears at bay. My mother calling me a whore had cut deep.
“Darling, do not let her words bother you. She of all people has no right to speak of you in such a way.”
As we drew far enough away, I stopped and faced Danny. “How did you know of my mother’s affair?”
Smiling, Danny said, “My mother had tea yesterday morning. The women were doing nothing but speaking of how your mother was seen leaving a room at The Hotel Tybee the night of the ball. Mr. Covington emerged from the same room but a few moments later.”
Putting my hand over my mouth, I drew in a breath. “The same night we were together?”
Nodding his head, Danny whispered, “Yes.”
Dropping my hand, I looked into Danny’s eyes. “That is how she knew I was not in my room. She came in there in the middle of the night after she…”
I began walking again. “How can she do such a thing to my father? I hate her.” My voice cracked and Danny put his arm around me as he walked us to a bench where we sat.
Placing his hand on the side of my face, Danny looked into my eyes. “I did not want to tell you about your mother, Sophia. When I walked up and heard her speaking to you that way, something in me snapped. I will not allow anyone to hurt you. Ever.”
I wanted Danny to take me into his arms again. The few times we had managed to sneak off and make love was not nearly enough. I stood and he quickly followed. “I’d like to return to the party. I’m going to alert my father that I’m not feeling well. Then I’d like for you to take me away from Savannah.”
Danny pulled his head back. “What?”
Placing my hand on his chest, I pleaded, “Take me to Tybee Island for a few days. I need to hear the waves upon the shore and breathe the fresh salt air.”
Danny swallowed hard. “Sophia, the only way we can do that is—”
My insides lit up at the mere idea of marrying Danny now. “Nelly and Richard could be our witnesses.”
Danny gazed upon me with loving eyes. “Sophia, I want you to have a wedding. A beautiful wedding fit for a princess.”
Shaking my head, I whispered, “We cannot wait.”
Danny’s eyes narrowed together. “Sophia, if you are angry with your mother, that is no just cause to rush.”
“I’m with child, Danny. I missed my courses.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “Sophia, you’re …” Looking down, he smiled before his eyes looked back into mine.
“A baby? You and I … a baby?”
Looking at Danny with a closed-lip smile, I said, “Yes.”
Danny’s hand wrapped behind my neck as he brought his lips to mine. It was a sweet and passionate kiss, one that I would remember for the rest of my life. “We must speak with our parents right away, Sophia.”
Nodding my head, I smiled and whispered against his lips, “Yes, right away.”
Taking my hand in his, we made our way back to the dance. I searched for my mother and felt the bile in my throat when I saw her talking to Mrs. and Mr. Covington. Looking away, my eyes landed on my father. As we walked up to him, Danny squeezed my hand. He stopped and turned me to face him. “This will go two ways, my darling.” He looked up and frowned. “Three, really.”
“Three?”
Nodding, he smiled slightly. “Either your father will kill me, my father will kill me, or they will be so blinded by happiness it would be ill thinking to kill the father of their grandchild.”
I giggled and hit Danny lightly on the chest. “You’re terrible.”
His smile faded. “No, my darling, I’m madly in love with you.”
Oh my.
Biting on my lip, I felt my father next to me before I saw him. “My darling daughter, it appears you have upset the delicate world of your mother.”
Turning, I looked at him. I raised an eyebrow as my father smiled and looked around the room. Always one to be discreet, my father kept his voice low. “Mr. Stowe and I think it best if you wed right away and head off for your honeymoon. A month away from your mother and fresh salt air will do you ... and the baby good.”
I sucked in a breath as my father looked down at me. “Daddy, how did you know?”
Smiling, he looked around. “How can one miss the glow on your cheeks, darling? I dreamed of seeing that same look on your mother’s face. I shall be satisfied with seeing it on my eldest daughter’s face.”
Danny cleared his throat, “Sir, I wish to—”
Holding up his hand, my father looked at Danny. “I dare not pass down judgment, son, when I once stood in your very shoes. I pray your outcome is far happier than mine.”
My heart was confused. I wasn’t sure if I should feel happy knowing I would be wed to the love of my life soon or heartbroken knowing my father was in a loveless marriage.
Looking at Danny, I silently prayed that I would never know what my father knew. A life full of nothing but regret and sadness.
Our wedding was planned within a week. Tongues wagged of course, but neither Danny nor I cared. It seemed the only person who cared was my mother, who happened to be ill the day of our wedding. The only people in attendance were my father and sister Annie, Danny’s brother Thomas, his parents, Nelly, and Richard. I loved that I was marrying Danny in the house I grew up in. There was something magical about it.
Lucy finished adjusting my ivory silk wedding gown and gushed with pride. “Miss Sophia, you are indeed breathtaking in Mrs. Stowe’s wedding gown. Too bad Mrs. Montgomery is feeling ill. She would also say you are breathtaking.”
Smiling, I felt my cheeks heat as I turned toward Nelly. “I have to agree with Lucy, Sophia. You are stunning. I will not agree with the comment about your wicked mother though.”
Gasping, my mouth dropped open. “Nelly, you are bad. Very bad indeed.”
Chewing on my lip, I smiled at Nelly as I glanced at myself in the mirror. The fitted boned-bodice dress had an off-shoulder neckline and short sleeve band. Danny would like that he could see my bare shoulders. Lace gathered in the front to form a delicate collar. Beads were applied on the bodice to complement the pleated sash ties in the front. The full gathered skirt with bustle was overlaid with beaded lace and medallions. Pearls and beaded tassel served as the trim. I was shocked it fit me like a glove. It was the perfect size. When Danny’s mother offered to let me wear her gown, I began crying. My mother would not even talk of the wedding. To her, none of it existed. Nor did the child I carried in my womb.
Nelly fixed a few curls that hung down, framing my face. “Are you ready, Sophia?”
Nodding my head, I felt the tear slip and roll down my cheek. Nelly shook her head and sniffled in a rather unladylike fashion. “No tears allowed today, Sophia Marie.”
My voice cracked as I barely spoke. “What if they are happy tears, Nelly?”
She smiled a beautiful smile as she let out a titter. “Tears of happiness are okay.”
There was a knock on the door and Nelly and I both looked over our shoulders. Mrs. Stowe walked into the room wearing an amazingly beautiful smile. I immediately saw where Danny got his smile from. One look at me in her wedding gown and she was crying. She brought her hands up to her mouth. “Oh, Sophia. Sophia you make a much more beautiful bride then I ever did.”
Feeling the heat move across my face yet again, I smiled. “I find that hard to believe,” I whispered as she kissed both my cheeks.
She fussed with my hair before moving her hand lower. Her eyes locked on her hands, which were placed over my stomach. Closing my eyes, I whispered, “Please do not think ill of me or Daniel.”
Opening my eyes, I noticed her eyes moved from my stomach.
“Sophia, darling, society places rules on us that make us think we have to behave a certain way. I certainly cannot blame you for falling in love. I was a young girl once, too. I found myself lost in the eyes of Daniel’s father.” Smiling, she glanced down as the blush moved into her cheeks. “There were many a time when that man talked me into sneaking away from my Abby to be alone with him. I never once regretted it. Sometimes love is very powerful and makes us … follow our hearts instead of rules others place for us to follow.”
Smiling, I stole a look over to Nelly. She smiled as well. “Was it a mad love, Mrs. Stowe?” I asked.
Laughing she replied, “First off, darling, you will shortly be my daughter, I insist you call me Irene. To answer your question, it was more a passionate, insanely romantic, mad love.” She raised an eyebrow and I found myself giggling like a schoolgirl. “His kiss could render me speechless for minutes.”
“Yes …” I whispered as I placed my fingers lightly upon my lips.
Smiling, she whispered, “His smile. Oh dear, his smile is still my undoing.”
Grabbing Irene’s hands, I held them in my own. “Danny’s smile does the same to me. My stomach takes flight with a million butterflies when he smiles at me.” Looking into Irene’s eyes, I whispered, “I love Daniel more than the air I breathe. I will love him until I take my last breath. I would do anything for him.”
“And he you. I’ve never seen such light in my son’s eyes as when you walk into a room. The first day he met you, in the park, he told me that evening he was going to marry you. Said he had met the girl whom he dreamed at night about. Then he whispered your name from his lips … Sophia.”
Irene reached up and wiped a tear from my face. “Are you ready to marry my son, Sophia?”
Nodding my head, I barely spoke the words. “Yes.”
After the ceremony, we had a quick reception and my father and Danny’s parents sent us off with words of advice and well wishes for a happy honeymoon. My mother never came down from her room. One quick glance up the staircase, I decided I would never let that woman bring another tear to my eye. Nelly whispered that Mother probably snuck out to meet up with her lover. Glancing at my father and seeing how happy he was with my mother not at his side, broke my heart.
Before helping me into the carriage, father lightly kissed my cheek. “I love you, my darling, Sophia. I’m so proud of you for following your heart.”
Looking around, I leaned in closer. “Daddy, I’m so sorry I didn’t—”
Placing his fingers on my lips, he shook his head. “Are you happy?”
Smiling, I nodded my head. “Very.”
“That is all that matters to me.” Kissing my fore
head, he held out his hand. Placing my hand in my father’s, he turned and handed it over to my husband. “Take care of her, Daniel.”
Smiling, Danny nodded his head, “Forever and always, Sir.”
Quickly waving good-bye to everyone, I slipped into the carriage. We were headed to Tybee Island for a month long honeymoon. The moment the carriage pulled away from my house, I felt a pressure lifted from my shoulders. Turning to Danny, he smiled and I could feel the desire building in the core of my stomach. Had Lucy not been with us, I would have crawled on top of him and had my wicked way with him.
Running his knuckles down the side of my face, Danny smiled. “Are you happy, my darling?”
Fighting back tears, I nodded my head. “I don’t think I have ever been so happy in my entire life.”
Settling into his side, I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to tell him the carriage ride was making me feel ill. I didn’t want anything to ruin this perfect moment.
My eyes widened when I felt his hot breath at the back of my ear, heating the skin on my neck. “I cannot wait to peel that dress off your body. Slowly, taking in every single inch of your glorious body.”
Looking up, I licked my lips. “My perfect moment just got better.”
THE MOMENT MY feet touched the ground, Danny lifted me up and began carrying me up to the house. Throwing my head back, I laughed. Lucy quickly ran ahead, opening the door to the house so Danny could walk us in. Once inside the house, I felt the warmth invade my body. Glancing into the parlor, I thought back to the night when we had spent our first night together. In this very house. The night I was sure we made the child growing inside of me.
Danny slowly slid me down his body, allowing me to feel the length of his hard cock. Letting out a low moan from the back of my throat, I closed my eyes. “Lucy,” I whispered.
Leaning down to my lips, Danny stopped just shy of them. “Has been taken care of.”
Springing my eyes open, I looked at him. “What does that mean?”
Predestined Hearts Page 13
