by Lucy Langton
“I told her that we’re finding our way,” Sophia said softly.
“Indeed,” Timothy replied, suddenly turning cold. “I must be off. You may introduce me to her over dinner.”
With that he was gone and Sophia was left to wonder what had led to the sudden change in his demeanour. So many ups and downs, pushes and pulls. That’s what Sophia’s marriage was proving to be.
“What’s wrong?” she heard Kitty ask. Sophia turned and continued to frown. Kitty might as well see the truth.
“Sometimes, I feel so helpless,” Sophia said, dissolving into tears. Kitty took Sophia in her arms and gently held her as she cried. “I didn’t know it would be this hard. I just didn’t know . . . ”
***
At the other end of the hall, Philip silently watched. He did not wish to reveal his presence. He’d already been caught chasing after Sophia once that day, and he didn’t wish to do so again. Instead, he quietly retracted his steps and exited the hall, back towards the library.
He found Sophia’s friend to be interesting, to say the least, seeing her jaw drop as he entered The Mount. It made Philip wonder how different life must be at Willow Grange for Sophia. She had a whole other life back in America, and he found it amusing to consider. Did Sophia Barberry dress and behave differently in her former life? Was she happier?
Philip knew that Sophia wasn’t happy, and he could have informed her of that future problem when she was in America. He could have sent her a letter, detailing how it was that she would come to Willow Grange and become miserable. He would have done that for Sophia then, had he known he would begin to care for her.
And the truth was that he was deeply starting to care, all attraction aside. He enjoyed teasing her over breakfast, if only to get a rise out of her. But he was also trying to cheer her up. She wouldn’t be the first woman that his brother had made miserable, and she probably wouldn’t be the last. Philip had to consider that it wasn’t merely because Timothy was a cad, but his emotional crippling had happened after their mother was gone. Timothy was human, and he was doing his best. Philip only wished that his brother would try a little harder.
Philip could see that the rain had finally ceased. He stepped out into the garden to enjoy a little fresh air and could see the work that Sophia had already put into the garden’s restoration. A thought came to mind that surprised him. Had Sophia been his, he would tend to her like a garden.
The thought surprised him because he’d never thought about women like that before. He was always quite fond of them, perhaps too fond, but he often tired of a woman before she was with him for too long. But in his opinion and experience women did need tending, as a garden needed tending. They needed to be allowed to grow with the nurturing of his love. That’s how he would treat Sophia Barberry if she were his.
Looking back at Willow Grange, Philip could see Sophia standing at the window, looking down at him. She quickly turned away, surprised at being caught, and it made him smile.
“So, we’re spying on each other, then, are we?” he said to himself.
“Philip,” he heard a voice call, and turned to find the Duke of Clumber seated in his chair below a tree.
“Father,” Philip replied, drawing towards him.
“Sit with me for a bit.”
“As you wish.”
The duke looked up at the tree, admiring it.
“Nice to have a break from the rain,” the duke said.
“Indeed.”
“Have you seen Timothy today?”
“I’m afraid that I haven’t,” Philip replied.
“Oh, these old bones. The rain makes it all the more egregious, having to be stuck in the house all day in this blasted chair.”
“I can imagine that that is not enjoyable in the slightest,” Philip went on.
“Son, I have something to ask of you,” the duke said.
“And what is that?”
“Leave this place.”
Philip was taken aback and responded with silence. If his father didn’t want him to be at Willow Grange, then Philip saw absolutely no reason why he should stay.
“Let me explain myself,” the duke went on, seeing that Philip was quite taken aback.
“I wish that you would.”
“You do not seem happy here. I know that you stay for my benefit, but it pains me to see you so stagnant. No wife, no prospects.”
There, Philip had to cut his father off. “And why do you assume that I’m not happy?”
“I see it written on your face.”
“To be perfectly honest with you, Father, I am quite content here.”
“But how can that be?”
“I find plenty of things to do. I have many friends, and what’s more,” Philip went on, looking back up towards Sophia’s window, “I have prospects.”
Philip felt like hitting himself for even uttering it. What did he mean that he had prospects? Certainly, Sophia Barberry wasn’t a prospect. She was his brother’s wife. He considered the statement to be utter nonsense.
“I’m in no hurry to take a wife. There is a time and a place for such things.”
“Perhaps after I’m dead, so that you can deny me the pleasure of seeing you settled down.”
“I’m engaged in a great deal of business of my own,” Philip went on, not entirely able to express what that business really was. But for the time being, or at least while his father was alive, that information would need to remain confidential.
“Well, I suppose my attempt to push you out hasn’t worked,” the duke said with a sigh.
“I fear that it hasn’t. I plan on staying for quite some time.”
“Don’t tell your brother that,” the duke went on. “I fear that he’ll challenge you to a duel.”
“He has already tried, and I have refused,” Philip replied humorously.
“Why is that?”
“Because I don’t want to live with the guilt that comes from having killed one’s brother.”
With that, both father and son laughed, and Philip began to consider what the rest of the day’s entertainment would consist of. He was happy that Sophia’s friend was in town, although he wished to have her to himself. But at the very least, Sophia had seemed a little happier that day. Her skin glowed, and her smile shined.
If nothing else, that was all that Philip wished to see on Sophia Barberry’s face.
Chapter 9
When Kitty left, Sophia keenly felt the absence. For the brief few days that they had shared, Sophia had finally felt like herself again. Back in America, she was always light-hearted and gay, enjoying each new pleasure that the day might bring. But in England, it had been all clouds, rain and longing. Kitty had reminded Sophia what it was like to feel free again, and Sophia planned to hold onto that feeling for as long as she possibly could, even in Kitty’s absence.
“You’re smiling,” Timothy said, entering the library and discovering Sophia with a book on her lap.
“This is a rather pleasant read,” she replied.
“What is it about?” he asked, drawing near.
“It’s the story of a governess who falls in love with her master. She thinks it impossible that they can ever make a match, because of her lowly station in life, but to her surprise, the master falls in love with her, as well.”
“A romance,” Timothy said dismissively, seating himself at the desk.
“I am keen on romance, yes,” Sophia replied.
“Well, if it gives you pleasure, then I approve,” he said, looking down at some documents sitting on the desk.
There was silence after that as Sophia considered his kind words. Yes, her husband did want her to be happy, even if he could not make her happy. That was the meaning she took from it.
“Father’s health is ailing,” Timothy went on, deep concern in his voice.
“Have you called the doctor?” Sophia asked, feeling equal concern.
“There is no point. It will be his time soon, and the duke is resolved.”<
br />
“Are you prepared to be a duke?” Sophia asked, wishing to know her husband’s feelings on the matter.
“Of course I’m prepared,” Timothy said with great pride. “It’s my fate.”
“It’s a large responsibility. I would be intimidated.”
“There is no reason for intimidation,” he replied. “A man accepts his fate. Even embraces it. There is nothing to fear.”
“That seems like a favourable approach.”
“Are you prepared? To be a duchess?”
The question hung in the air for some time. Could Sophia even call herself a duchess if her relationship with her husband had no foundation? If she never provided an heir to the Clumber name, could she ever possibly be considered the Duchess of Clumber?
"I am prepared, yes. I embrace my duty as well.”
More silence followed as the very topic of ‘duty’ was one that plagued them both.
“I regret that you have not been introduced to society in a proper fashion. You met several people at the wedding,” Timothy explained, “but I fear that wasn’t good enough. I do not like the fact that you’re cooped up in this house all the time.”
“I was prepared for that kind of life,” Sophia replied. “I knew that you lived in the country.”
“But you didn’t know just how dull country life could be,” he said with a smile.
Sophia’s heart was warmed. Yes, her husband was trying to make an effort. She could feel it in her bones. She thought back to what she had told Kitty, how she wished to be her husband’s friend. It was the truth, after all. If they could at least be warm and pleasant with one another, then Sophia could carve out a life for herself at Willow Grange.
“We shall have a special dinner tonight,” Timothy went on. “It shall lift father’s spirits.”
“I think that’s a fine idea. I’ll make the necessary preparations with the cook.”
“Wear something pleasing,” Timothy said, leaving Sophia to wonder for who’s benefit that would be for.
“I shall,” Sophia replied.
Seeing that her husband became deeply engaged with business affairs at his desk, Sophia set out to make the preparations. She loved it when there were arrangements to be made, dresses to choose, place-settings to select. These kinds of tasks helped the day to pass along in a swift manner and helped Sophia to clear her mind of troubling thoughts.
The chef was hard at work in the kitchen, a rather rotund fellow by the name of Rudolph. Rudolph was from Prussia and had a faint accent. He had been the chef at Willow Grange for some time and took great pride in his work.
“M’Lady,” he said with a bow of the head as Sophia entered the kitchen.
“Rudolph,” Sophia replied.
It was the first main meal that Sophia was to organise. When she first arrived at Willow Grange, it was the duke who made most of the preparations. But as his health began to fail, it was all the more necessary that Sophia should jump in and take the reins. It was to be her eventual duty, after all.
“Is it possible to secure fresh lamb?” Sophia asked, looking about the kitchen and considering her options.
“It can be taken fresh from the market this very afternoon,” Rudolph assured her.
“And potatoes. How should we prepare them?” Sophia asked.
“I’m of the opinion that new potatoes with butter and fresh herbs would accompany the lamb nicely.”
“Yes, that sounds right,” Sophia replied. “And what of the vegetables?”
“I’m afraid that with these rains, there’s no possibility of taking any from the garden,” Rudolph replied.
“It breaks my heart,” Sophia said with a little smile. “I can hardly wait until it’s possible to do so.”
“And most importantly,” Sophia heard a voice say, “What of the wine?” It was Philip, standing in the doorway and crossing his arms in front of his chest. His stance was casual, and he gazed upon Sophia with what appeared to be admiration. “My brother will be most interested in the wine.”
“You mustn’t be so cruel to him,” Sophia replied, tilting her head to the side.
“He’s my older brother. I can be as cruel as I like,” Philip replied with his childish grin.
“There will be plenty of wine, I assure you,” Rudolph replied. “The cellar is stocked.”
“I’m sure that it is,” Philip said.
“And what of cheese?” Sophia asked.
Without replying verbally, Rudolph went below the counter and picked up a massive round of cheese, placing it in front of her.
“This was procured only yesterday from the cheesemonger.”
“My God, look at the size of it,” Philip said.
“That will do,” Sophia replied with a smile.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Rudolph said, “I will go to the market to purchase the lamb.”
“Very well,” Sophia replied.
There was a tense silence that followed as Sophia realised that she was alone with Philip. He entered fully into the kitchen and leaned on the counter, looking down upon the cheese, then up to Sophia.
“You seem happier today,” Philip remarked.
“I enjoyed seeing my friend. We had a lovely time together.”
“I’m of the opinion that you need more friends, then. If it makes you happy.”
“I regret that I have not met more people while in England. Lord Timothy and I were discussing it this very afternoon.”
“Were you? He wishes for you to be happy?”
“Of course. He’s my husband,” Sophia replied.
The tense silence descended upon them yet again.
“May I ask why you have been unhappy?” Philip went on.
Sophia stopped to consider his words. She assumed that Philip knew full well why it was that she was unhappy, and she didn’t wish to speak it aloud. Although it seemed like her friendship with Lord Timothy was subtly getting stronger, there was still no physical bond to speak of. And what’s more, she harboured a secret desire to share that bond with Philip, himself. It was scandalous in Sophia’s estimation.
“I have a plan to see more of England. I think that will only make my happiness grow.”
Philip studied her as though she had evaded his question. “That’s a sound idea, and we shall discuss it over dinner.”
“Have you seen much of your own country?” Sophia asked.
“Of course I have. I have also seen much of the world. That’s the great benefit of being in the military.”
“I would imagine so,” Sophia replied.
“If you could go anywhere, anywhere in the world, where would you go?” Philip asked.
“I’m not sure,” Sophia replied, considering Philip’s question. The way he was looking at her was undoing her. In his eyes she saw a mixture of fondness and longing, and it made Sophia weak at the knees. “I have always wanted to travel to France. See Paris.”
