Miss Sophia's Spirited Spinster's Society

by Charlotte Stone

  Morris smiled. “I plan to marry Sophia.”

  “Excellent.” His mother rose. “Now, why have you not introduced her to me as your fiancée yet?”

  “The woman refuses me.”

  He watched as she tried to understand his words. “I don’t understand.”

  He adjusted himself in his chair. “I mean, she refuses to marry me.”

  She blinked. “But you’re a duke.”

  “I know.”

  “The Duke of Cort.”

  “Yes. I’m aware.” And still it all seemed to mean nothing to Sophia. There had to be something more to her refusal to hear him out at Lorena and Emmett’s engagement party.

  Lillias fell back into her chair, then straightened and turned to him. Her smile slowly reached her eyes. “It’s obvious that you need my help.”

  “No.”

  “Oh, but, Morris, you never ask me for anything.”

  “I seem to recall asking you to stop bedding every man in the ton.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve hardly bedded everyone. Most of what you hear is simply gossip and I don’t mind it.” She grinned wickedly. “It always makes my next target very easy.”

  “Except for Mr. Taylor.”

  She shook his head and looked away. “That’s different.”

  He didn’t dare ask her in what way. He didn’t wish to know. “Don’t interfere. I’ll get Sophia on my own.”

  Lillias sighed like a songbird and rose. “Very well, my dear. Good night.” She kissed his head and started toward the door.

  Morris watched her walking away and cleared his throat. “Please, don’t do anything that will ruin my chances.”

  His mother turned around and smiled. “It’s a mother’s duty to see that her son is happy.” She closed the door behind him on her promise to do exactly what Morris wished her not to. He had every reason to believe his mother would interfere. She always did what pleased her.

  And yet while Morris could have been more forceful in his plea for her to not step in, part of him was unsure what he could do besides going along with Emmett’s plan of tying the women up and stealing them away to Gretna Green.

  The thought didn’t seem so wrong once he recalled the passion between him and Sophia. She wanted him, of that he was not mistaken, and so with a patience of a hunter, he would use every skill he possessed to capture his prize.

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  CHAPTER TWELVE

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  Sophia stared at the food on the small table in her room then looked up at her lady’s maid, Kitty. “Really, you must tell him to stop this.”

  Kitty moved to straighten the bed. “I don’t have the heart to. I think it’s quite sweet what Lord Cort is doing for you, ensuring that you eat every morning and making sure a warm bath is prepared for you every day. Can’t imagine how he knew you used frankincense and had its oil added to the water.”

  She knew how he’d become aware of the scent. He’d been all over, running his mouth down her throat and over her chest. She took a calming breath as the memory made her mound ache. He’d not touched her since their meeting in the library. She’d seen to setting their schedules so that they would always be in separate parts of the house. She watched her maid through narrowed eyes. “It’s surprising how he seems to know exactly when I wake and precisely the moment I return to my bedchamber. Do you know who is giving him this information?”

  Kitty fluffed the pillows. “I can’t imagine a soul, mistress.”

  “You’ve been hanging around Jane too much, Kitty.” Jane was Lorena’s small but tough and outspoken lady’s maid, who also took on other duties like personal guard and advisor, both positions self-given. Jane, like Lorena’s butler Sudworth, had been found on the street when Lorena employed them. They were both untrained yet had added refreshing element to the lives of the Spinsters.

  Sophia had instructed Kitty to teach Jane everything there was to know about being a lady’s maid and to Kitty’s credit, Jane was flourishing in all areas, and yet Kitty was becoming blunter by the day and Sophia wasn’t sure how she felt about it, especially since Kitty always voiced what she refused to think about. She was like a second conscience, filling the place of the one Sophia had purposefully silenced. “You’re not to give Morris any more information about me.”

  Kitty turned to her. “I didn’t tell him what scent you wore.”

  “I know.” She turned to her meal. “No more, Kitty. I mean it.” She buttered her toast and looked up when Kitty appeared at her side.

  Kitty’s pale fingers were laced in front of her, her brown eyes full of concern. “I know he makes you happy, mistress. Why won’t you let him make you happy?”

  Sophia put down her knife and filled her mouth with bread in the most unladylike manner.

  “It’s your parents, isn’t it?” Kitty asked. “You should really tell Morris the truth. Hopes and dreams change every day. He wants you.”

  “Yes,” Sophia whispered. “He wants me today. He’s wanted me these last few months but that can change, Kitty, and I’d rather not bear it again.” Her thoughts returned to the orphanage where her mother had left her in her pursuits of happiness and where her father had found her. She remembered the woman in charge being kind to her, the noise of the children of various ages talking and running through the house. The cold of winter before her father had come for her.

  Her father had barely looked at her before demanding she be brought home with him. She’d been so young and he’d been so sure. She’d never questioned it, yet as she grew older, their relationship had been proven. They looked far too much alike.

  She often wondered what would have happened to her if her father hadn’t found her. She wouldn’t be a writer. She wouldn’t have learned to read. Maybe Lady Beth’s comment would have been true and she’d have made a fine housekeeper.

  What she knew, however, was that she would not make a fine duchess, not when there was a chance of losing Morris’ affections. They’d be stuck together, and she’d bear the burden of the marriage if he regretted the decision.

  Kitty sat across from her. “Morris doesn’t seem the sort of man to abandon anyone he loves. Look at how well he treats his mother. She’s the Great Lynx. If he’d wanted to, he could have locked her away in a house in the country with no allowance but instead, he allows her to do as she pleases even though he frowns upon it.”

  Sophia thought about that and had to admit Kitty was right. He would help his plans for Prime Minister if he locked his scandalous mother away. “Speaking of the duchess, I’m to meet her at the pond in an hour.” The lady had been trying to get Sophia’s attention for the last day or so and though she’d rather avoid Morris’ mother, she knew it wouldn’t be proper.

  She caught Kitty staring at her bread and pushed it toward her.

  Kitty glared and stood. Then she scoffed. “What is this, a holiday? A lady’s maid doesn’t eat with her mistress. Even I know that.” She started for the door. “Ring the bell if you’re in need of anything. I’ll place your gloves and shoes by the fire. The butler has your cape.” She left with that.

  Sophia finished her meal, slipped on her warm glove, grabbed her cape from the butler, and started from the house when the door opened.

  Shock made her still as she looked up into a pair of eyes she’d hoped not to see again. She noted that Lord Helsby did not seem surprised at all to see her.

  He removed his hat and gave it to a nearby footman. Two young girls followed him and a maid came and took them from the foyer. They were his daughters, the daughters he’d had with another woman. She wondered where Mrs. Helsby was.

  Sophia remembered her manners just as he approached her. “Lord Helsby.”

  He bowed. “Miss Sophia.” His eyes were full of emotion.

  Sophia pulled in a breath and looked around the foyer. There we
re a few couples standing about and a group of men. She turned back to Helsby. “What are you doing here?”

  “I managed to get an invitation from the viscount. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “You know I do.” She stepped around him. “Enjoy your holiday, my lord.” She walked out the door, the cold hitting her face immediately. The world was white around her but in the distance, she could see the people who’d gathered by the pond. She groaned when she heard him following.

  “Sophia, I must speak to you.”

  She stopped in the snow and turned to him. “I believe it to be obvious that I do not wish to speak to you.”

  His eyes grew sad in the same way they had when she’d left him. “Sophia, please. You must hear me out.”

  “Where is Lady Helsby?” she asked him. “Perhaps she would like to hear whatever it is you wish to tell me. Perhaps you’d like to convince me once more that you’re not married, that you love only me.” Tears built in her eyes but the cold managed to dry them quickly.

  He puffed out a cloud of air, his hair moved in the wind, the brown dulled by the gray. He’s come out without his hat, chasing her and risking catching his death. “My wife is dead. She’s been dead for almost a year now.”

  Sophia closed her eyes and thought of the little girls inside the house. Like her, they’d grow up without their mother. “I’m sorry.”

  He reached out for her and she stepped away. “Don’t touch me.”

  Her words visible wounded him. “Sophia, you must understand. Had I known I would have met a woman like you, I would have waited to marry but when I saw you… I had to have you.”

  Pain sliced through her and this time, her tears could not be stopped. “You were married, Lom. You had a wife and babies and you made a horrible woman out of me.”

  “You were innocent.” He quickly grabbed her hand. “You didn’t know about her. Don’t blame yourself.” He’d kept his entire family hidden from her during the time they’d been together. She’d started to suspect something was amiss when he refused to be seen in public with her. Their meetings had always been kept in private and away from the eyes of the ton.

  “I don’t blame myself.” She took her hand back. “I was younger and stupid. I’m no longer stupid.” Her heart raced. “Why are you here?”

  His expression changed. “Isn’t it obvious? I love you.” He spoke with deep emotion. “I wish to marry you as it should have been.”

  Sophia stared at him and forced back the memories of the time they’d spent together. “Did you love your wife?”

  He lowered his brows. “What?”

  “Did you love her?” she asked. “When you asked her to be your wife, did you love her?”

  He averted his gaze. “We were young when we married. At the time, I thought I did but…”

  “And what is to happen when I grow old? Will you stop loving me as well?”

  He tried to reach for her again. “Never.”

  “Touch me and you’ll regret it. The only reason I’m allowing you to stay is that I refuse to be the reason the holiday of those innocent girls is ruined. You shall refrain from speaking to me for the rest of your stay or I will have you removed.”

  “Sophia, please.”

  Anger made her skin warm. “Would you stop being selfish for one bloody moment and think about your children?”

  Her words seemed to snap him out of his emotional torment.

  A hand from behind cupped her side and she turned to find Aaron standing next to her, his cold blue gaze focused on Lom as he spoke. “Are you all right, Miss Sophia?” He pulled her closer to her body as if to protect her from not only the cold but the man before her.

  Sophia pressed deeper into his side, gathered her strength, and realized she was shaking. “I’m fine, my lord.” They were being formal in front of Lom. “Baron of Helsby, allow me to introduce the Earl of Jeanshire.”

  “We know each other.” Aaron cut him a look and Sophia wondered at their acquaintance.

  Lom straightened and bowed. “Lord Jeanshire.”

  Aaron didn’t return the gesture, Instead, his jaw hardened and he continued to glare at Lom. Sophia knew then that it was best that they be on their way. She’d heard about Aaron’s temper.

  “I’m heading to the pond,” she told him. “Would you kindly escort me?”

  Aaron spoke to Lom, “You wouldn’t be out here harassing the woman, would you?”

  Lom stumbled over his words, caught off guard at Aaron’s insistence on speaking up about the disagreement they’d been having when a proper gentleman would have left the matter alone. Sadly, Aaron was the opposite of Morris with it came to propriety, caring less about decorum than the others.

  “I… my lord… the lady and I were…. It was a personal matter.”

  Aaron lifted a brow and turned to Sophia, his handsomeness only enhanced by his anger. “Do you have a personal matter to discuss with this man?”

  “No.” She never wished to discuss anything with him again.

  Aaron nodded and turned to Lom. “It seems that the lady has no wish to be personal with you. Therefore, you will restrain yourself or I’ll restrain you.” A dark light lit his eyes as though he were begging the man to disobey him.

  Sophia cringed.

  Lom stood a step back and straightened his coat. Then he quickly bowed and started for the house again.

  Aaron started moving and Sophia was forced to move with him.

  “Thank you.” She wiped at her eyes and sniffed, trying to hide the fact that she was crying.

  Aaron stopped and gave her a handkerchief. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you again.”

  Sophia didn’t have to ask who ‘we’ was. She knew it to be the other men. She allowed herself to weep into the cloth for a moment and felt when Aaron blocked her from the wind and the line of sight of anyone outside.

  His arm went around her. “Did he hurt you?”

  She took a deep breath and looked up at him. “Not physically.”

  He nodded slowly. His temper grew even shorter at the thought of physical abuse. He cupped her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. “Sophia, tell me if he seeks you out again.”

  She swallowed and nodded her head, though she knew she would never tell Aaron or the others. She didn’t want an altercation caused by her but it pleased her to know he cared. She put a smile on her face. “Let’s go to the pond.”

  He took her arm and escorted her the rest of the way.

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  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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  Morris stood by a tree and watched his mother and Mr. Taylor skate around the pond, a wide smile on her face. It seemed the tailor had managed to get his mother to enjoy herself in the company of a man somewhere outside the bedchamber. She’d called him down that morning so that he could skate as well, and though he’d prepared himself for the activity, he’d found himself pulled into a conversation with some of the other men who’d come out to the pond to escort their females. A heated debate had been struck and Morris had enjoyed hearing the opinion of every man around him.

  Lord Ashford had been present, though his daughter Lady Beth had remained inside. He and Morris had agreed on almost every point and while it would do him well to get closer to the man, when Morris received an invitation for a visit after the holiday, he’d refused. He knew a trap when he saw one and he had no intentions of marrying the man’s daughter or giving him the impression that he intended it.

  Eventually, the men had started to leave but Ashford stayed behind.

  “I’ve heard a rumor that you compromised a woman here,” Ashford said.

  Morris’ eyes widened, surprised that such a rumor had gotten out. He was sure that Lady Beth would have kept her mouth closed. “Who told you this?”

  “A servant.”

  “Did this servant
mention the woman’s name?”

  Ashford shook his head. “But I wanted to let you know that you should be more careful though I understand quite well.” He grinned. “A man has his needs.”

  Morris returned the smile and didn’t have to wonder if the man was being faithful or not to his wife. Lady Beth had all but said she’d be willing to take on a husband who was not faithful to her, a lesson she must have learned from her mother.

  Ashford left and Morris turned back to the pond, hoping that the rumor would die swiftly. A few moments later, he moved in his mother’s direction to tell her he was going inside as he was not needed. She already had an escort and seemed to be enjoying herself but he paused at the sight of Sophia and Aaron on the other side and his feet moved toward her before his mind could make a decision.

  When he approached, she looked up and he noticed her reddened eyes. He also took note of Aaron’s silence.

  His pulse quickened with anger. “What happened?”

  “Nothing.” Sophia’s reply came too quickly.

  Aaron dropped his arm from her and moved toward Morris. “I need to speak with you.”

  Sophia stepped between them, her green eyes wet with worry. “Nothing happened. Please, just leave it alone.”

  Morris’ gut twisted and he wondered if his had anything to do with the secret she’d been keeping from him. He turned his back on the pond and grabbed her jaw. “Why are you crying?”

  Her mouth trembled, and she pressed her lips together.

  He looked at Aaron. “What occurred?”

  “No.” Sophia’s fingers bit into his coat. She shook her head. “Please, leave it alone.”