by Lucy Langton
“But, Your Highness –” Philip protested.
“No, no,” the prince said, lifting his gloved hand yet again. “The decision has been made.”
Philip’s heart sank. He wished for nothing more than to get out of London, and for good. He imagined a whole new life for himself in the country, with Sophia by his side. Should he have to return to town again and again, he thought it not only a nuisance but also a drain on his precious time with the woman he loved.
“I was once a man of war, sir,” Philip began to explain, his voice calm and steady. “But I now consider myself a different kind of gentleman entirely. I devoted myself to Britain by wielding a sword, and now I plan to do the same by growing a garden.”
“Growing a garden?” the prince asked humorously.
“Indeed, sir. In threat of sounding ridiculous, I’ll still speak the truth. My power is no longer in my fists but in my heart. I am a man in love with his country, and also with the prospect of a new life of peace and marital happiness. That is the garden I wish to grow, and I think it more beneficial to Britain’s prosperity than my picking up the sword yet again.”
The prince seemed impressed by Philip’s words, and he cocked his head to one side, regarding the soldier for some time.
“You’re an admirable fellow,” the prince finally said.
“To hear you say that brings me inestimable joy, sir,” Philip replied, still anticipating the prince’s verdict.
“You have moved me,” the prince went on, motioning for more tea to be poured. “I shall allow you to cultivate the garden of which you speak. But there is one last issue in this for which I am not yet resolved. I cannot yet allow you to marry Sophia Barberry.”
Philip knew that if he tried to protest the prince would merely raise his hand to stop him. And so instead, he remained silent.
“We can discuss it more,” the prince went on, and momentarily Philip’s despair was supplanted yet again by hope. “But for now, let’s have a chat about your brother.”
“That seems fitting,” Philip replied. For weeks he had been wondering what Timothy’s fate might be. Although he was not fond of his brother in the slightest, Philip still secretly hoped that his transgressions would not cost him his life. It pained Philip to think that he was the only remaining member of the Clumber family.
“I think his actions abominable, past question.”
“Without a doubt, sir.”
“And because our relationship with our former colonies is tenuous, at best, I am of the opinion that your brother should receive the worst form of punishment.”
“I see,” Philip replied, not wishing to give away his deep disappointment. His heart sank in his chest.
“That being said, if Lord Timothy is greeted by the hangman, it gives him utter freedom from contemplation of his actions. I think it far more fitting that he should spend the rest of his days meditating upon his treason.”
Philip responded with a surprised smile upon his face.
“For that reason, I have decreed that Lord Timothy, the former Duke of Clumber, shall be exiled to Australia where he shall spend the rest of his days in penitence and prayer.”
“That is a generous verdict, sir,” Philip said.
“It’s not generous in the slightest,” the prince assured him. “Australia is an island of beggars and thieves. There’s a good chance that Lord Timothy may meet his own demise trying to survive amongst the rough and tumble.”
“I have a feeling that he’ll manage,” Philip replied, thinking that fighting for his life might be just what Timothy needed in order to amend his privileged perspective on life.
“Therefore, Lord Timothy shall be released from the Tower of London in a fortnight and shipped out on the SS King’s Destiny. I have a feeling he will not enjoy the trip.”
“Sir, I commend your leniency in these affairs.”
“Let’s celebrate the finality with cake,” the prince said, motioning for the servants to cut the strawberry confection that Philip could see nearly melting in the warm sun.
The cake was served, and the gentlemen continued to chat and carry on, all the while Philip couldn’t help but think about the question of Sophia being held in the balance. As Philip suspected, the sun began to set and the sky was alight with dusky colours, the men sitting in silence and admiring the verdant surroundings. Although a great wave of peace had come over Philip, he knew that he would need to bring up that last issue one more time, in order to keep it at the forefront of the prince’s thoughts.
“The matter of Sophia Barberry has not yet been resolved, sir,” Philip finally said, seeing that the prince was about to nod off in contented pleasure.
“Ah yes,” the prince said, coming to. He rubbed his eyes and took another sip of tea, which was being served to them continuously piping hot. “That will not be resolved today.”
“Then when, sir?” Philip asked, hoping that his question was not too anxious and desperate.
“I have met Lady Sophia on one previous occasion, but I require one last encounter before I give final word.”
“I’m sure she would be more than happy to comply, sir,” Philip said, hope filling him once more.
“Bring her to me, then,” the prince said, motioning towards his servants to signify that the afternoon’s entertainment was complete. “At her earliest convenience.”
“She shall pay a call to Your Highness tomorrow, sir.”
“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow,” the prince replied humorously, quoting Shakespeare. “Till then.”
With that, the monarch excused himself and his procession followed. The servants began to hastily clear the tea accoutrements and Philip remained seated in his chair, admiring his lush surroundings. So many wonderful things had been accomplished that morning and afternoon. Philip had secured the dukedom, secured Willow Grange, and been given a new life of freedom. Lord Timothy had been granted his new, penniless life, and there was still hope that Sophia might be his wife.
He thought of her once more, as he had for the better part of the day, and imagined her seated across the table from him where the prince had just been seated. She would be smiling and contented from all the food and tea. The prince regent would show them around the grounds and Sophia would take note of things that inspired her own gardening ambitions.
Philip revelled in that domestic life that he imagined with her each passing day. It would be a life of peace. And not only would he have the freedom to delight in Sophia’s beautiful, wedded company, he’d also be able to delight in her bed at leisure.
Chapter 24
Walking back to the townhouse from the prince regent’s palace, Philip felt as light as air. Everything was coming together just as he had planned, although there was one last element that was needed to perfect the situation. He was resolved to see Sophia at once and tell her of all that had transpired. Philip was sure that it would finally lift her spirits in the way that she desperately longed for.
Reaching the home, Philip looked up towards Sophia’s window and noticed that she was not there. Perhaps she had finally come down from her room and was taking tea in the dining room. It warmed his heart to think that it was so.
The footman opened the door and Philip entered, an excited grin upon his face.
“Good evening, M’Lord,” the footman said.
“It’s most good, indeed,” Philip replied. “Where is the lady of the house?”
“I’m unsure, M’Lord,” the footman replied penitently. “I have not seen her for some time.”
Philip knit his brow, thinking it the footman’s job to know of Sophia’s whereabouts at all times.
Without replying with words, Philip forcefully walked down the hall and looked side to side, peering into every room that he passed. Sophia was not in the study, nor was she in the library or the dining room. He climbed the winding stairs that led to her bedroom and pushed open the door without knocking, noting that she was not there either. It was rude for him to enter her room t
hus, but a feeling of panic came over Philip and his instincts took over.
Exiting her room, he continued to walk down the hall, inspecting the other rooms. But he could not find her in any of them. Passing a servant in the hall, Philip grabbed him by the arm.
“Find me Arabella,” Philip said.
“Yes, M’Lord,” the servant replied with a bow of the head.
Within no time, Arabella was summoned and met Philip during his feverish search.
“You called?” she asked.
“Where is Sophia?” Philip asked breathlessly.
“I’m unsure, M’Lord.”
“Does no one here know how to do their job?” Philip replied bitingly, continuing his search. “Find her.”
“Yes, M’Lord,” Arabella replied with fear in her voice.
Philip shook his head in frustration. Were it Willow Grange, such a thing would never happen. The staff there were much better trained. They would know of the lady of the house’s whereabouts at all times. Fear suddenly filled him as he considered the fact that Sophia might have slipped out without anyone even seeing her. Was she running away? Trying to escape it all? The thought filled Philip with terror and heartbreak.
Having searched the entirety of the townhouse, Philip was considering paying a visit to the authorities until he realised that there was one last place that he had not checked. Walking up to the fourth floor, Philip pushed open the door to his own chambers and found Sophia curled into a ball upon his bed. His heart broke seeing her there, so small and sad. It heartened him to think that Sophia took some comfort from lying upon his own bed.
“Sophia,” he said, quickly walking towards her.
It was as though she were awoken from a sleep, for Sophia turned towards him, her eyes tired and weary.
“Philip,” she replied.
“I have been looking all over for you.”
“I don’t know why I came here,” she replied.
“I know why you came here,” Philip said warmly, seating himself beside her on the bed. He brought a hand down and stroked her silky hair.
“Sometimes, this indescribable feeling comes over me,” Sophia began to explain, her voice small and soft. “I don’t know where to go or what to do.”
“You came to the right place,” Philip replied humorously, lying himself down behind her and wrapping his arms around her. It was similar to the posture that they shared when Sophia had been in the Tower of London. He held her tight, hoping that he could do so for the remainder of the evening, should they not be interrupted.
“I have never been on your bed before,” Sophia said, wrapping her arms around Philip’s.
“You’ll be well-acquainted with it soon,” Philip said with a smile. Sophia smiled in kind.
“Do you really think that’s true?”
“I have important news.”
Sophia turned her body to face Philip, curiosity and expectation in her eyes. “What is it?”
“I have spoken with the prince regent.”
“What did he say?”
“I am not only a duke, I’m also a free man. My military service has been concluded, and what’s more, Willow Grange has been granted to me for perpetuity.”
“This is wonderful,” Sophia said with a smile, bringing her hand up to his cheek.
“Timothy is not to die. He’s being sent to Australia.”
“The prince has spared his life?” Sophia said in disbelief.
“It is true.”
Out of pure joy, Sophia curled up into Philip’s chest and he could feel his heart pound when she did so. He held her tight, feeling pure bliss with her there in his arms. Finally, Sophia pulled back and looked up towards Philip’s face.
“And what of me?” she asked. Philip clenched his jaw, thinking of the proper way to respond.
“Your fate is still unknown.”
Sophia turned her back towards Philip once again, and he sensed that she was on the verge of tears. He reached out to pull her close again, despite her struggle to get away and veil her emotion from him.
“Come here,” Philip said. Her efforts to pull away were for naught, as Philip got a good hold of her and held on tight again.
“When will this ever end?”
“Tomorrow,” Philip said with assurance.
“What do you mean?”
“The prince wishes to speak with you personally once more in order to make his decision.”
“What good will that do?” she asked. “He already knows everything that there is to know.”
“That’s not the truth. You must go to him and explain the nature of your marriage to Timothy. You must tell him all the details.”
From the look on Sophia’s face, Philip sensed that she didn’t understand exactly what he was referring to. She softened as she considered the task at hand. “I will be embarrassed to do so.”
“There is no shame in the truth, Sophia. I, myself, have been as candid with the prince as I can possibly be, and that candour was met with understanding. We’re almost there,” Philip assured her, stroking her hair yet again. “All of our dreams are coming true,” he whispered into her ear.
Sophia stopped to consider Philip’s words. He could see that hope was brewing inside of her, and it filled him with hope in kind.
“Where does he wish to meet me?” Sophia finally asked.
“At the palace.”
Sophia’s eyes went wide and she turned towards him once more in disbelief.
“The palace?”
“You wouldn’t believe the beauty of the garden. It shall inspire you, I’m sure,” Philip said with joy.
“I don’t know how it is that you can grin like a young boy at such times as these,” Sophia said.
“Because everything is unfolding as it should. There’s one last thing that must be done, and then we are free.”
“But I’m scared,” Sophia admitted freely. “I’m not sure why. The first time that I met the prince, I was quite calm. But now, with so much hanging in the balance, I feel fear.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of. I shall be by your side.”
“I suppose it’s the humiliation of it all,” Sophia said, her eyes gazing forward at Philip’s chest as though she were looking right through him. “I never thought that things would happen this way. I was to be a wife. A mother. Things were supposed to unfold naturally.”
“They still will.”
“But there are the scars of the past, are there not? Although you are free, and you have your title and your estate, you can’t forget the past. Neither can I.”
“Sophia, why all these dark thoughts?” Philip asked in frustration. Truly, out of all the other frustrations that he had encountered, this was the most challenging. He wanted nothing more than for Sophia to be happy, but it seemed as though all his best efforts were getting them nowhere. Just before his frustration turned towards anger – due to the fact that Sophia could not see things the way that he did – Philip took a breath and changed his perspective.
