Page 11 of Sophia’s Letter (Ladies of Munro #1)

H ow was it possible—Sophia pondered, as the carriage rattled along the country road—that in the short space of a month, she had completely shrugged off her morbid apprehension of Mondays? Even with Papa back home, she had recovered quickly from his restrictive presence, shoving aside the influence he would normally exert over her mood. After all, come each Monday, he would be away, and the day would be filled with promise.

She glanced at Tobias beside her, his warm hand holding hers. He was peering through the window at the meadow, which was awakening to its first flowers. Sophia knew if he should turn to her, the buds of spring would be forgotten. His gaze would consume her. Just the thought of it made the heat rise to her breast. She scarcely felt the April chill.

She had missed this—seeing nature stir from its sleep. She felt as if she were doing the same, drifting into consciousness after a long absence from the world. Father had forbidden her to leave the house, except in high summer, when he believed the risk to her health was minimal. In some ways, however, summer was too rich for her blood. Its sumptuous beauty and lushness contrasted too starkly with her own existence. The sudden opulence overloaded her senses.

Spring was shy and quieter. Not all birds had returned from their annual journey, and their song was less overwhelming. Green tips hinted at new growth. It was, as seasons go, more subtle. This was something a poet could appreciate.

Like the spring, Sophia felt a new vitality. Her heart was sending its roots deep into fertile soil. Her mind explored new possibilities. Even her limbs grew a little stronger, as if they were inspired to keep up with the rest of her. The more she threw off the shackles of her past, the easier it was to reach for her dreams.

She curled her fingers tighter around Tobias’s. His head swung toward her. And there it was…that look. Her toes wriggled with pleasure inside her soft, leather boots. She no longer blushed. Well, not much, anyway. She was becoming used to the consistency of Tobias’s affection. He never wavered in his devotion to her. Gradually, she was allowing herself to simply enjoy it.

He drew her hand to his lips, pressing their soft warmth against the inside of her wrist. The rush of heat surged up her arm. She leaned more tightly against his powerful chest. His embrace enveloped her, his breath in her ear. Exhilaration thrilled through Sophia, a tremor of delight. She felt both safe and reckless.

Tobias uttered a low groan and pulled back.

“You are almost home,” he said, his voice husky with restrained desire.

The carriage wheels made a familiar grinding sound as their muddy rims picked up bits of gravel from the drive leading up to the house. Sophia tucked her curls in place. Assuming a prim posture, she waited for the steps to be lowered, casting her gaze across the drive.

Adriana was standing at the top of the entrance stairs, wearing her warmest coat. She was likely waiting to take the carriage into town.

A movement just inside the doorway caught Sophia’s eye. She recognized Freddy Wynn at once. No doubt he was also taking advantage of Papa’s absence. But a moment later, her sister hurriedly shooed him back into the shadowy recess of the entrance.

That was odd.

Adriana smiled and waved as the carriage approached, but her eyes flicked back to Freddy with nervous energy. She clutched her skirts, even though no wind tugged at them. As the carriage drew closer, Sophia could just make out a large, dark object jutting out from behind one of the stout pillars.

It was Mama’s travel chest.

Sophia’s stomach lurched. Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs as the footman fumbled with the folding steps. The moment he stepped back, she threw herself out of the carriage and took the stairs two at a time, stumbling into Adriana’s arms when her legs gave out.

“What is happening?” Sophia managed to say between ragged breaths.

“It is time, Fee.”

“Time? For what?”

But she knew the answer.

“I’m leaving, Fee. Freddy and I are getting married.”

Sophia fought against the suffocating pressure on her chest. “You’re abandoning me?”

“No! I’m leaving you in the capable hands of Mr. Mannerly here.” Adriana offered Tobias a warm smile. “You will take care of her for me, won’t you?”

“You can’t go!” Sophia gasped. “Not like this. Papa will never forgive you!”

Adriana’s mouth tightened. “Papa offers me no alternative.”

“He will banish you from the house! I will never see you again!”

“We will write each other. Katie will make sure you get my letters.”

Sophia’s voice shrunk to a whisper. “Please don’t do this. Please.”

“I’m sorry, Fee. You know I would do almost anything for you. That’s why Freddy and I have waited this long. I wanted to make sure you had a future of your own. Now that you have found happiness, you must surely understand why I cannot give Freddy up.”

A tear slipped down Sophia’s cheek. Tobias leaned in and gently wiped it away with his handkerchief. His face was clouded with concern, the usual ease replaced with drawn brows and lips pressed firmly together.

Freddy stepped forward and put his arm around Adriana, who offered him a weak smile. Only then did Sophia allow herself to see the pain in her sister’s eyes.

“We are family,” Sophia murmured. “A wedding should be a day of celebration. Our neighbors should be there.” She stopped. “I suppose you didn’t call the banns.”

“No. We didn’t dare. Even though Father was away, someone would have told him. But that’s all right.” She tilted a smile at Freddy. “I am of age. We will simply marry under common license. Freddy has arranged everything. His parents have permitted us the use of the cottage at their summer home. They are waiting there to receive us with a modest celebration. It is barely an hour away and Freddy will have a position with a friend of his father’s. We will have an income and the support of the Wynns. You will see. All will be well.”

“But who will be the witnesses at your ceremony?”

“I suppose the vicar will have a neighbor he can call upon,” Adriana replied with a shrug.

Sophia shook her head adamantly. “It’s all wrong. Bess would want to come. And our brothers.”

Adriana bit her lip. “It’s better if they don’t know. That way, Papa cannot take out his anger on them.”

Sophia had no quick reply. No comfort to offer her sister. No lie she could tell herself. The future with her father would be even bleaker now.

Freddy and Adriana stood with hands clasped tightly together, hope and apprehension displayed in equal measure upon their features. Sophia did not know what to do.

What would Tobias do?

The answer was easy. He would ignore all the negative voices—hers, society’s—and seize the day. After all, Adriana was only going to marry once.

Sophia squared her shoulders.

“What about me?” she asked. “I could go. I know about the wedding already. If Papa does discover this, he will withhold the greatest measure of his wrath for the sake of my health.” She thought wryly of the irony. Never before had her weakened condition offered her an advantage. “I should be there,” she continued. “ Someone from our family should be there for you, Deedee. You deserve at least that much!”

“I wish that with all my heart!” Adriana cried. “But the journey would be too strenuous for you. And then walking up the path into the church… It would be too much. I feel enough guilt as it is. Let’s not make it worse.”

“A footman could carry me. Goodness knows they do it often enough. And my carriage ride with Tobias did me no end of good. I am not tired at all.”

“I don’t think racing up the stairs helped,” Adriana said with a frown. “You’ve had a shock. You should rest.”

“Fine.” Sophia crossed her arms. “Bring me a chair. And a cup of tea. I’ll rest for twenty minutes and then we’ll leave.”

“Oh, you are impossible!” Adriana laughed. She wagged her finger at Tobias. “This is your doing. Beware the monster you have created. As a child, she was a force to be reckoned with. I see her old self is rapidly returning under your influence.”

Tobias had not said a word during the entire exchange between the sisters. Even now, he asked no questions and offered no judgment. But he did have an opinion, and he voiced it now.

“I will not pretend to understand why you feel it necessary to elope, Miss Grant. And I do not feel this is the time to ask for explanations. But Sophia is quite right, of course. She should be in attendance at your nuptials.” He cleared his throat. “If it will give you any measure of relief, I would like to offer myself as her companion. I will escort her home again after the service and make certain she is delivered safely to Katie’s care.” He cast a loving glance toward Sophia. “I do this, not only for the memories you will make together today, but also so that she may have someone with whom to recall them in the future. Such joy must be shared again and again to experience its full measure. I cannot imagine greater frustration than having a cherished recollection of your wedding day and being unable to reminisce about it with anyone.”

Adriana touched Tobias softly on his sleeve. “You are a wise man, Mr. Mannerly, and a generous soul. You have no idea how grateful I am that Sophia will have you to turn to in my absence.”

“Does that mean you will permit me to be your guest today?”

“Permit? Freddy and I would be delighted!”

Freddy nodded in agreement, but his face was serious. “I am sorry your family will be hurt by this, Sophia. Believe me, it is not what we wanted.”

“You are not to blame,” Sophia replied. “And you are part of this family now, whether Papa accepts it or not.”

Adriana threw her arms around Sophia. “It is good to see your confidence return,” she whispered in her ear. “May it give you the courage to claim what is yours.”

Long after the warmth of that embrace had faded, and the travel chest was loaded, and the church bells rang out the newlywed bliss of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Wynn, Sophia would remember her sister’s words, hugging them to herself as if Adriana herself were hidden in each syllable.

She had yet to realize how much she would need them.