by Sandra Heath
Sophie sniffed and tried to collect herself before doing as she was told. She took a seat opposite Camilla, and started to fiddle with the dragon carving on the arm of her chair. “What will Lord Ennismount do, Lady Camilla?”
“I really don’t know.”
“He’s going to tell the grand duchess and William’s father, I know he is!” Sophie hid her face in her hands and began to cry.
“He’ll be quite justified if he does,” Camilla replied frankly. “Oh, don’t look at me like that, for it’s the truth. By continuing to meet after promising not to on the night of the ball, you and William have been proved to be totally untrustworthy and irresponsible.”
Sophie avoided her eyes. “We only met tonight. It was the first time, I swear it.”
“Don’t lie, Sophie.”
“I’m not!”
“Yes, you are. You and William met in the kitchens at Cavendish Square, and you’d arranged to meet again at the Cross Keys in Wantage, as well as by the south lodge bridge here, so tonight certainly wasn’t the first time.”
Sophie sat forward with a gasp. “How did you know—? Mary! She told you! I knew she was being sly with me!”
“Don’t blame Mary, for you put her in an impossible position. She would have held her tongue about everything if Lord Ennismount hadn’t put two and two together and realized she was your agent. What was she supposed to do when I confronted her? Cast all caution to the wind and not only risk her own livelihood but also that of her family, who depend upon Summerton Park? It was very reprehensible and selfish of you to involve her as you did, Sophie, so if anyone should bear the blame for all this, it’s you. And William, of course.”
Sophie’s eyes flashed mutinously, but then she hesitated and nodded contritely. “You are right, Lady Camilla,” she admitted.
“I know I am.”
“But I do love William so,” Sophie got up, and all pretense fell away at last as she went to the fireplace and stood looking down into the flames. “It—it is very difficult to be the czar’s ward and know I must always do exactly what he wishes. He does not know me now because I have been away from Russia so long. It suits him to please the Grand Duchess Catherine by making me marry Prince Ludwig. He does not care if I am to be happy or not.”
After Dominic’s slip of the tongue by the pagoda, Camilla now had no doubt that Sophie was the czar’s secret daughter, although it was equally clear that Sophie herself did not know it. If Sophie Arenburg was really Sophie Romanov, could the czar really be so hard as to brush her feelings aside so completely?
Sophie had no doubts. “The grand duchess is the most important person in the world to him, and he always does what she wishes. This marriage is a whim to her, and therefore to him, but it will affect me for the rest of my life. I know I have been foolish and willful, Lady Camilla, and I am very sorry for the trouble I’ve caused, but it is very difficult for me when I know William is the only man I will ever truly love and I cannot marry him.
“You may say I am too young, that at only seventeen I cannot possibly know my own heart, but I do. I met him on almost my first day in London, before I knew I was to marry Prince Ludwig, and I loved William at first sight. It was at an assembly at the Russian Embassy in Harley Street. He came into the room, we looked at each other, and we both knew. Not a word was said, we simply knew. Do you understand, Lady Camilla?”
The speech had been quietly uttered from the heart and Camilla found it very affecting. There was nothing false or dramatized, just a simple and honest statement of fact. This was the real Sophie Arenburg, without the histrionics and affectations that usually surrounded her, and it was a Sophie to whom Camilla could warm far more.
Camilla got up and went to her. “I do understand, Sophie, and I believe you are truly and deeply in love with William.”
Sophie was anxious. “You are not just saying that? you don’t really think I am a silly little girl who will love someone else next week?”
“I’m not just saying it, I really believe you, Sophie.”
With a glad cry Sophie flung her arms around her neck and burst into tears again. Camilla held her close and stroked her golden hair, and after a while Sophie drew back and wiped her eyes. “I could be so very happy with William, my whole life would be happy, but I must leave him, leave England, and be unhappy until the day I die.”
“You may not be as unhappy with the prince as you think,” Camilla offered encouragingly.
“Have you met him?”
“Prince Ludwig? No.”
“He is very handsome, but he is also vain, spiteful, and heartless. He hurt many ladies in St. Petersburg and was unkind to me because I was only thirteen at the time. I shall be wretched if I am his wife, for he does not know how to give happiness. William knows how. When I am with him, I am in paradise.” Sophie smiled sheepishly. “That is a silly thing to say, non! But it is how I feel.”
“Sophie, you’ve just explained everything to me so sincerely that I’m sure the czar will listen to you if you plead with him personally.”
“He only listens to his favorite sister. The grand duchess can twist him around her little finger.”
“Possibly, but the czar is coming here to a hero’s welcome. There is peace after many years of war, and he will be lauded. That will surely put him in an excellent mood.”
“He will still wish to please the grand duchess, and anyway there will be King Frederick of Prussia to consider. He will be here as well,” Sophie reminded her.
Camilla didn’t know what to say.
Sophie sighed. “I must also think of William. If I am truly very good from now on, maybe Lord Ennis-mount will not tell William’s father about all this. I do not want William to be ruined because of me, Lady Camilla, in fact I could not bear it if that happened. I do not really have all the bravado I seem to.” More tears welled from her eyes.
Camilla’s heart went out to her. “Oh, Sophie, you must not think the worst. Lord Ennismount’s temper might have cooled by the morning.”
“But it may not. What will happen then?”
“I—I don’t know.”
“Will you speak to him for me?”
“Oh, I don’t know ...”
“Please, Lady Camilla! I know he will listen to you.”
“Sophie, you’re crediting me with more influence than I have. I will speak to him for you, but I can’t promise I’ll be successful.”
Sophie hugged her. “Thank you, Lady Camilla.”
“Now I think you should go to bed and try to sleep. You’ve had a very difficult night and you don’t want to look ragged when you see William, do you?”
“No, I don’t.” Sophie smiled again. “I know you will make Lord Ennismount relent, Lady Camilla,” she said. “Lady Camilla, may I say something impertinent?”
Camilla smiled. “You don’t usually bother to ask.”
“I know, but I have mended my ways, so may I say it?”
Camilla nodded. “I suppose so.”
“I think you are in love with Lord Ennismount,” Sophie said bluntly.
Camilla drew back sharply, and was suddenly conscious of Harry’s portrait. “Sophie, I—”
“And I think Lord Ennismount loves you too,” Sophie interrupted.
Camilla regained her equilibrium. “That I doubt very much. Sophie, you really don’t know anything about it, so please leave it at that.”
“I—I have offended you?”
“No, of course not.”
With a relieved smile, Sophie gathered her skirts and hurried out.
Camilla looked guiltily up at Harry’s portrait, and then turned away. It wasn’t love that she felt for Dominic, it wasn’t—
The sound of hooves came from outside and she glanced curiously toward the window. Who could be coming to the house at this hour? It wasn’t even dawn yet. She went to hold a curtain aside. A horseman rode swiftly along the drive, and passed from sight as he approached the main entrance. A moment later she heard him at the door.<
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She left the drawing room and saw Hawkins going downstairs ahead of her, grumbling as he went. He had his coat on over his nightshirt, and was carrying a smoking candle which almost extinguished as he crossed the hall to open the door. She heard voices, and then the butler came back in and closed the door. The horseman rode away again.
“Who was it, Hawkins?” she called down.
“A messenger from London, my lady, with a very important communication for Lord Ennismount.” The butler held up a sealed letter.
“Then take it directly to his lordship,” she instructed.
Dominic suddenly spoke behind her. “There’s no need, for I’m here,” he said, going down the stairs to take the letter.
Hawkins withdrew again, and she watched as Dominic scanned the sheet of paper. When he’d finished he pressed his lips thoughtfully together and pushed the letter into his pocket.
“Is it bad news?”
“It is for Sophie.” He retraced his steps to where she stood. “The grand duchess and Prince Ludwig are in London, and the former has made it crystal clear that not only is Sophie to be betrothed to the prince as soon as possible, but also that the wedding itself is to take place when the czar and King Frederick of Prussia arrive in June.”
Camilla stared at him in astonishment. “The wedding?”
“I fear so, and before you ask if there’s a chance I’ve been misinformed, let me say that the messenger came directly from Carlton House. At the moment the grand duchess thinks Sophie is recovering from influenza, but that excuse can only be dragged out for so long. Sophie will soon have to be declared well again, and then she must go to the grand duchess to prepare for an imminent London betrothal.”
“It will break her heart.”
“There’s nothing we can do about that. The Prince Regent is most concerned that the grand duchess shall never hear about this de Marne affair, and to make certain a discreet veil is pulled over the whole business he has issued a warning that if Sophie carries out her threats to cause trouble in high places, he’ll not only see that her character comes in for some very unwelcome scrutiny, but also that the Earl of Highnam is denied his lofty new title because of his son’s scandalous behavior. This will result in William’s ruin.”
Dominic exhaled slowly. “In short, the prince has implemented most of the threats I used by the pagoda, except that where I merely rattled them with no intention of actually doing anything, His Royal Highness fully means to carry them out unless Sophie does as he wishes. I’m therefore instructed to see she is minutely aware of the consequences should she choose to be headstrong.”
Camilla was dismayed for Sophie. “Oh, I’m sure she won’t do anything. She’s already afraid of the czar’s reaction should she forfeit her good name, and she’s certainly anxious about any aftermath for William. You, er, made the necessary impression when you spoke as you did by the pagoda.”
“I hope you’re right, but it should be remembered that Sophie Arenburg has promised good conduct before.”
“I know.” Camilla looked at him. “Dominic, you refused to answer this before, but perhaps you will now. Is Sophie the czar’s daughter?”
He hesitated, and then nodded. “But she doesn’t know it,” he said quickly.
“I realize that.”
“Her mother was a Madame Arenburg, the beautiful wife of a Swedish diplomat in St. Petersburg. The late Monsieur Arenburg was prepared to accept paternity in exchange for a considerable sum of money, and on his and his wife’s deaths, Sophie became the czar’s ‘ward.’ The czar has bestowed a great fortune on her, which is why she’s so attractive a proposition for Prince Ludwig. Czar Alexander is officially childless, which is why he has taken such a keen interest in Sophie. The Grand Duchess Catherine has persuaded him that it would be inappropriate for his only daughter to make anything other than a royal marriage.”
“Poor Sophie,” Camilla murmured, and then looked at him again. “Can I assume you don’t intend to add to the difficulty with the Prince Regent?”
“Add to it? In what way?”
“Oh, come on, Dominic, the prince is only likely to find out about Sophie and William’s disobedience if you tell him.”
“What do you take me for? Damn it, Camilla, it’s one thing to issue threats in order to achieve a modicum of good conduct, quite another to carry those threats out. I admit I’m angry with them both, but I don’t intend to throw them to the lions, if only because I don’t want to go down in history as one of the fools who couldn’t control the latter-day Romeo and Juliet whose affair led to an international quarrel between Britain, Russia, and probably Prussia as well!”
“This latter-day Romeo and Juliet as you call them, are every bit as much in love as the originals,” Camilla replied.
“Possibly, but they should remember their obligations, and as soon as de Marne’s ankle permits, he’s to leave this house, because it’s far too risky to let him stay.”
“How hard and unfeeling you sound.”
“If it’s hard and unfeeling to utter the truth—”
“What right do you have to adopt the moral high ground and condemn Sophie and William?” Camilla interrupted quietly. “If it’s simply a matter of remembering obligations, perhaps you should have thought of that before you attempted to seduce your best friend’s wife. I knew I was doing wrong and I’ve felt guilty ever since, but you, it seems, must have a clear conscience. How very agreeable it must be to feel so free to select one’s principles.”
“Convenient? Selecting one’s principles is sometimes the hardest thing in the world, for whichever way one decides, morality is left by the wayside!” he replied.
“How profound, to be sure,” she murmured, glancing away.
He put his hand to her cheek and made her look at him. “It’s better you don’t understand me, Camilla. I wish it were not so, but it is.”
His hand dropped away again. “As for having to tell Sophie and de Marne what lies ahead, I think we must tread with care. Don’t say anything to them yet about the message from Carlton House. We must choose our time and words with infinite care. Sophie may seem to have seen the error of her ways, but we still don’t want to run the risk of any, er, precipitate actions, such as an elopement, for instance.” He hesitated. “Have you written to Elizabeth Oxforth?” he asked suddenly.
“Yes.”
“I trust you’ve shown discretion?”
“If you’re wondering if I’ve poured out every detail of our embarrassing inability to keep things under control, you may rest assured I haven’t. I merely asked her to come because William was here with a broken ankle. I hope she responds swiftly, for she can take him back to London with her.”
He gave a coldly wry smile. “Oh, you may rely upon it that she’ll come; indeed, I was quite surprised when she didn’t accompany us in the first place.”
“Why do you say that?” Camilla asked, remembering how anxious Elizabeth had been to do just that.
“Oh, call it a hunch.”
“You’ve been dabbling in politics for too long, Dominic, and now can’t help talking in riddles,” she said.
“I daresay,” he murmured, turning to walk on to the apartment.
Camilla caught his arm. “You do promise we’ll be lenient with Sophie and William when we tell them the news from London, don’t you? I know you have every right to be angry with them, but when they learn there is no hope and Sophie’s marriage is to take place in June, their hearts will be broken once and for all.”
“I’ve already said we’ll choose the time and words with care.”
“I know, but—”
“Camilla, do you honestly think I’m not aware of how desperately heartbroken they’re going to be? I assure you that if there’s one thing I know about, it’s heartbreak.”
He looked down into her anxious eyes. “Have you any idea at all how heartbroken I was when you married Harry? Do you know how my heart broke when you chose to stay with him after those stolen moments in th
e pagoda? No, I don’t think you do, but it’s water under the bridge now, and perhaps that’s just as well, for you and I would clearly have done very badly together.”
She stared after him as he went into his apartment and closed the door.
Chapter 17
Sophie and William had still to be told about the grand duchess’s new plans when Elizabeth came post haste from London in response to Camilla’s letter. It was nightfall at the end of a wet and windy day as she stepped down from her carriage.
Camilla hurried out to greet her. “Elizabeth! Oh, I’m so glad you came so quickly!”
“Of course I came quickly, for I mean to give that Arenburg creature a piece of my mind!” Elizabeth replied, shaking out her peach merino skirts.
Camilla was dismayed. “They’re both at fault; you can’t just blame Sophie,” she said, shivering a little as the blustering wind fluttered her blue velvet skirts and blew a wisp of dark hair across her face.
“William would never have done this if it weren’t for her!” Elizabeth replied sharply.
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“Oh, Camilla, how do you expect me to feel? I wanted to come here with you because I felt so uneasy about it all, and now I can’t help thinking that if you’d agreed this might not have happened.”
Camilla was nettled. “Are you suggesting Dominic and I have been negligent?”
“No, of course not,” Elizabeth replied hastily. “Forgive me, I—I’m just not thinking clearly. When your letter arrived it reminded me of the last dreadful time you wrote to me like that. It brought everything back so much that I cried for over an hour.”
“The last time ...? Oh, yes.” Camilla looked away, for that other occasion had been when Harry died.
Elizabeth squeezed her arm. “Well, dire as the present situation is, it’s not half so bad as then. Lord, it’s cold out here. Can we go in? I’m afraid I have some more exceedingly disagreeable news to impart.”
With a sinking heart, Camilla linked her arm and they went toward the house, but as they reached the steps something made Elizabeth glance back at the dark skies.
