An Unexpected Love

by Tracie Peterson

  Amanda sat in front of the dressing table and rearranged several locks of hair. “Do cease your complaints, Sophie. It’s quite unbecoming. Mother is doing her best. From what Mother has told me, Paul’s grandmother is critically ill. I doubt you need give him further thought.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but it doesn’t change the fact that I was required to abide his constant attention on the ship. I would now like the opportunity to enjoy myself.”

  “You worry overmuch about your own pleasure,” Amanda said.

  “That’s easy enough for you to say, dear cousin. You weren’t forced to spend the entire voyage with Paul hovering over your shoulder at every turn. And now that Paul is gone, we’re out here in the country with no men at all.”

  “You succeeded in avoiding Paul much more frequently than I escaped Daniel’s unwanted attention,” Fanny said. “If you desire an escort, please take Daniel. I would be most thankful.”

  Sophie shuddered. “No, thank you! Perhaps we should devise a plan to lose him while we’re in London. Better yet, we should leave him here. There must be someplace where he could be held hostage until we leave for the city. Or we could bribe one of the servants to keep him locked up!”

  “Sophie Broadmoor! What a horrid idea,” Amanda declared. “How could you even consider asking the servants to take him prisoner?”

  “Then perhaps we could convince Veda and Minnie.” Sophie called the two maids, who were busy unpacking their belongings in one of the adjoining bedrooms.

  Veda, the younger of the two, peeked into the sitting room, and Sophie motioned her forward. “If we locate a garden shed or some other confined space, would you help us secure Mr. Daniel inside until we’ve left for London?”

  A look of fear registered in the girl’s eyes. “Oh no, ma’am, I could never do such a horrid thing as that. Miss Victoria wouldn’t approve.” She glanced at Amanda. “Would she, Miss Amanda?”

  “Go and finish unpacking our trunks, Veda. Miss Sophie is teasing,” Amanda said.

  The maid peered at Sophie, who nodded her agreement. Once Veda was out of earshot, Sophie folded her arms across her waist. “I still think the plan has merit. I’d wager there is some sort of structure where the gardeners store their tools.” She walked to the French doors leading onto the balcony and stared down at the perfectly sculpted hedges and terraced lawns. “Of course, the gardeners would likely discover Daniel before we left.”

  “I certainly want to rid myself of his company, but I’m not convinced we should do anything to cause him bodily harm,” Fanny said. “And I doubt Aunt Victoria would leave for London if Daniel turned up missing.”

  Sophie shrugged. “We’d simply devise some story and say that he’d become bored with the journey and decided to visit London on his own. Aunt Victoria would believe us if the two of you didn’t act suspicious. You must be careful to speak with authority and keep your story straight. My father believes whatever I tell him.”

  “I’m not at all sure you should be particularly proud of that,” Amanda replied. “And I, for one, do not intend to participate in any plan to abduct Daniel.”

  “Fine!” With her palms on her hips, Sophie turned and was met by Amanda’s admonishing look. “I was merely attempting to help Fanny with a solution to her dilemma. Perhaps you should be the one to keep Daniel occupied, Amanda, since you’re concerned about his welfare.”

  “Instead of worrying over Daniel, I think we should be more concerned with what we plan to wear to dinner this evening. In less than a half hour Minnie will go to Mother’s room to assist her, so if you prefer to have Minnie style your hair, you’d best inform her immediately.”

  “I thought we were going to have a rest,” Sophie muttered.

  “And I thought you longed for the excitement and invigorating pace of London,” Amanda countered. “Make up your mind. You cannot have it both ways.”

  Sophie gazed heavenward. Amanda was beginning to act like the grumpy matrons who’d sat on their deck chairs aboard the ship with striped woolen blankets across their legs, books open and frowns tugging at their lips. Occasionally one would look up long enough to issue a curt reprimand to a noisy passerby. Sophie dearly loved her older cousin, but Amanda was growing old far before her time. She needed a beau. Not that Sophie would say so again, for Amanda would simply point out her desire to make a distinctive contribution to mankind. Sophie certainly didn’t want to hear such talk—she had listened to enough of that nonsense from both her father and Paul.

  While Veda assisted Sophie and Fanny with their dresses, Minnie styled Amanda’s hair and then hurried down the hall to assist Aunt Victoria. Veda fashioned Fanny’s hair and then Sophie’s while Amanda donned her emerald green silk gown.

  After Veda had completed styling Sophie’s hair, she nodded with approval. “When the three of you stand side by side, you look like an arrangement of autumn flowers.”

  Sophie laughed, but Veda’s assessment was correct. Fanny’s gown of rich claret and Sophie’s golden topaz resembled the chrysanthemums bordering the garden walkways, while Amanda’s deep green matched the foliage that surrounded the blooms.

  Fanny stepped to one side of Amanda. “There. We make a perfect bouquet, don’t you think, Veda?”

  “Indeed you do. You shall make the mistress most proud, ladies,” Veda said.

  The clock chimed. After a hasty farewell to the maid, the three of them departed their room. Sophie linked arms with her cousins. “We must stay together this evening. Otherwise, I fear we will be bored to tears. I do hope we can escape the old folks soon after supper.”

  “You mustn’t be rude, Sophie. If we’re asked to remain downstairs with Lord and Lady Illiff, please don’t refuse or feign a headache. Mother will immediately realize what you’re up to, and you’ll only make matters worse,” Amanda warned.

  Descending the stairs, Sophie looked into the receiving hall and could barely believe her eyes. There were several other guests. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as dull as she’d expected.

  Like a hound to the foxes, Daniel besieged Fanny the moment they entered the room. Sophie considered tromping on his foot, but that would only draw unwanted attention from the other guests. While contemplating other possibilities, she surveyed the room, finally locking gazes with a strikingly handsome man. His lips curved in a roguish grin, and then—he winked! At least she thought his wink had been intended for her. She peeked over her shoulder to see if there might be someone else who had captured the attention of the delicious-looking man.

  Her heart fluttered a quickstep when she saw him walk toward her with Lady Illiff clinging to his arm, and his dark eyes held her captive as Lady Illiff introduced him. Wesley Hedrick. She turned the name over in her mind, enjoying the rhythm.

  “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Sophie Broadmoor,” he said, surprising her with an American accent. He repeated her name as if committing it to memory.

  His memorization would prove unnecessary, for Sophie had already determined Mr. Hedrick would never forget her. Though he was obviously older than her by more than a few years, she thought the combination of his age and good looks enchanting.

  “I hope you won’t think me forward, but I have asked Lady Illiff to seat me next to you at supper.” He hesitated only briefly, his eyes sparkling. “She graciously agreed.”

  Sophie looked to Lady Illiff and noted her disapproving stare. Though Mr. Hedrick had requested the change, the older woman obviously placed the blame upon Sophie. For a brief moment, Sophie considered saying as much, but then decided she cared little. The evening would be more pleasurable than she had anticipated.

  Hours later Sophie decided to ask Wesley to take a walk with her. It was a bold and brazen thing to do, but Sophie figured there was no time like the present to get to know this man better.

  “I know,” she whispered as the men were adjourning to the library for talk of politics and snifters of brandy, “that you are expected to join the other gentlemen, but I would very muc
h enjoy it if you would accompany me on a stroll around the gardens.”

  Mr. Hedrick looked rather surprised but then offered her a smile. “I say, such a pastime sounds quite enjoyable. I shall wait for you just outside the front door.”

  Sophie nodded. She was grateful to find Aunt Victoria and Lady Illiff very much caught up in a conversation about tapestries, while Fanny and Amanda had quickly exited the room to keep Fanny from having to endure Daniel’s attention.

  Not even bothering to excuse herself, Sophie hurried for the front door. The butler, ever efficient, stood at the ready with her wrap. It appeared to Sophie that Wesley had told the man to anticipate her arrival.

  “Thank you,” she murmured.

  Outside, the air was brisk but not at all unpleasant. She spied Wesley at the bottom of the graveled drive, standing by the path that led into the front gardens.

  “I feel like a naughty schoolboy,” Wesley said with a grin. Sophie could clearly make out his features in the glow of light from the house. “I hope you don’t think ill of me for suggesting such a thing, but . . . well . . . my mother always taught me to act quickly when an opportunity presented itself.”

  “And what opportunity is this?” Wesley asked as Sophie led the way to a stone bench.

  “The opportunity to better know you, of course. You seem so different from most of the men I’ve met.”

  He chuckled and waited for her to sit before answering. “I suppose I should take that as a compliment, but perhaps it is otherwise intended.”

  “Not at all.” Sophie smiled up at him. “I find myself wanting to know everything about you.”

  He frowned. “Some of my life is not worth addressing.”

  “I know that you were once married. You needn’t speak of it if it causes you pain. I overheard Lady Illiff speak to my aunt about it.”

  Wesley’s expression seemed troubled. Sophie worried that she’d pushed too far and started to comment on the matter when he spoke.

  “My wife, Eugenia, was a delicate, fragile woman. Her health was never good, and three years ago she succumbed to a bout of pneumonia.”

  “I am sorry for your loss but glad to see you have come out of mourning.”

  “Lady Illiff insisted. She said that three years was more than ample time. She’s encouraged me to live life to its fullest, but I can’t quite decide how one should go about doing that.”

  Sophie smiled and patted the seat. With an arched brow that she knew would give her a rather alluring come-hither look, she said, “Well, perhaps I can help you to figure that out.”

  Though Victoria would have preferred to retire for the evening, she accepted Lord and Lady Illiff’s invitation to join them in their luxurious sitting room. She was surprised to see Mr. Hedrick enter the room nearly twenty minutes later. The man had certainly captured Sophie’s interest during dinner. Although he was considerably older than her niece, Mr. Hedrick had provided a positive diversion for Sophie throughout dinner. She’d been relieved, however, when the girls had retired to their rooms immediately following the meal. She had feared Sophie would make some sort of scene with Mr. Hedrick.

  “Wesley, how good of you to join us,” Lady Illiff greeted him. “I was just telling Mrs. Broadmoor how long it has been since you last visited. We are truly blessed to have your company.”

  “Too true, Wes, old man. I’ve not had a good hunt since you left,” Lord Illiff said. “You must join me on the morrow.”

  “I believe that would be quite enjoyable.”

  “We will have to find a diversion for the girls, as well,” Lady Illiff suggested, “lest they feel left out.”

  “Knowing my niece, she will no doubt strive to include herself in the hunt if we do not otherwise occupy her,” Victoria said. “In fact I’m surprised that she is not here, affixed to your side, Mr. Hedrick. She seemed to monopolize your conversation throughout dinner.”

  Mr. Hedrick smiled. “I simply explained I’d made prior arrangements to have a glass of port with Lord Illiff. She is a charming young lady.”

  “As you say, she is young. Unfortunately, her behavior sometimes reflects her youthfulness,” Victoria added.

  Mr. Hedrick laughed. “Which, I believe, adds to her charm.”

  Victoria arched her brows. “You might change your mind if you were required to spend much time in her company. I find that those beyond the age of thirty quickly tire of her puckish behavior.”

  “An interesting observation, Mrs. Broadmoor.”

  Victoria had hoped to ascertain Mr. Hedrick’s age, but he’d carefully avoided being trapped by her question. She didn’t believe for a moment that Mr. Hedrick was under the age of thirty. After all, he appeared to be a longtime acquaintance of Lord and Lady Illiff, who were near her own age. She would inquire of Lady Illiff when they were alone.

  Lord Illiff took a sip of his port. “I do wish Jonas could have traveled with you, Victoria. The man works far too hard.”

  “I did my best to convince him, but to no avail. Unless his plans change, he will join us in London, although I believe time in the country would have proved beneficial to rejuvenate him both body and soul.”

  Wesley leaned toward her, his eyes reflecting concern. “I trust your husband isn’t suffering from a medical condition, dear lady.”

  “No, but I fear that he will soon exhaust himself. Since his father’s death, poor Jonas has been forced to take on the added burden of handling the estate as well as the guardianship for his niece. Taking responsibility for the entire financial aspect of such a large estate has caused no end of difficulties.”

  “I can only imagine,” Wesley replied. “Choosing wise investments for family members is a grave responsibility. I’m sure your family is thankful for his skill.”

  Victoria brushed the folds of her skirt and shook her head. “Until one is faced with the challenge, it is difficult to cope with the conflicts that arise—especially within the family.” She sighed. “I must say, I was completely aghast when distant relatives appeared on our doorstep expecting to receive a portion of Hamilton’s estate. Their very presence was most distressing.”

  “I can only imagine,” Lady Illiff said. “ ’Tis truly sad how someone’s death can bring out the worst in people, isn’t it?”

  Wesley concurred, his eyes filled with sympathy. “Greed. Pure and simple. I can understand your need to come abroad and escape the turmoil.”

  Victoria sunk back against the cushioned chair, thankful for these friends, both new and old, who understood and willingly offered her peace and solace. If only Jonas could be present to experience the healing effects. He was the one who’d been forced to bear the brunt of hostile relatives and daunting decisions. A wave of guilt assaulted her, for instead of offering her husband the understanding he so richly deserved, she’d acted the shrew when he’d been forced to remain in New York. She silently vowed to beg his forgiveness and offer an understanding spirit in the future.

  5

  Tuesday, November 2, 1897

  Per their agreement, Sophie made her way down the long terraced back gardens the next afternoon to locate Wesley. She felt her heart skip a beat when she spied him near the fountain. Just as he said he would be. Goodness, but he was dashing. The dark blue suit hugged his well-formed frame, causing him to appear even more muscular than she’d earlier thought. He turned and smiled at her in such a way that Sophie actually felt faint. She’d never known such excitement from simply being in the presence of a man.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Broadmoor,” he said and gave a little bow. “I trust that you enjoyed your morning.”

  “It was boring, to be quite honest.”

  He chuckled at this. “I must say I appreciate such truthfulness. Whatever did Lady Illiff find to occupy your time?”

  “She took us on a carriage ride around the grounds. We visited several of her tenants and learned more about yew trees and their ill effect on livestock than I would ever care to know.”

  Wesley laughed heartily
. “I do not suppose I would have cared for such an adventure, either.”

  “And what of you? Did you enjoy your morning?”

  “I did, although I kept thinking of other things. My mind was not at all on the hunt, and I missed every one of my birds.”

  Sophie looked up rather innocently. She hoped he had been preoccupied with her but didn’t want to appear too eager and say so. “And what, if I might be so bold to ask, stole your thoughts from the hunt? I thought men very much enjoyed such pursuits.”

  “I enjoy a good hunt,” he said with a wicked grin that caused Sophie to tremble. “But it all depends on what I’m hunting.”

  Friday, November 5, 1897

  Sophie pointed to several locks of hair that had escaped their pins. “Veda, please arrange the pins so they will hold the curls in place. I can’t meet Wesley . . . ah, Mr. Hedrick with my hair falling in my eyes, now can I? Oh, I’ve so enjoyed our days here at Illiff Manor. Do you suppose we might stay longer, Amanda?”

  Amanda stepped to the dressing table and stood behind Sophie. “I’ll do Sophie’s hair, Veda. Mother sent word she needs you in her room.”

  Veda nodded, set down the hairpins, and headed out the door to help Aunt Victoria prepare for afternoon tea.

  Amanda looked at Sophie. “I thought you were miserable at the very thought of coming here.”

  “I’ve changed my mind. I find it quite appealing.”

  Their eyes met in the mirror. “He’s too old for you, Sophie. I think you should abstain from any further contact.” Amanda picked up a pin and began to fashion a curl.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Many young women my age marry men far older than Wesley. He is only twenty-eight.”

  “I wonder if he speaks the truth. He appears much older. His hair has even begun to gray along his temples. Did you not notice?”