Page 22 of Sophia’s Letter (Ladies of Munro #1)

T obias was pacing again. Lord Carthige had quite given up on his reading. He sat, fingers steepled, waiting for his nephew to subside a little.

“How will I see her again?” Tobias demanded of the universe in general and his uncle in particular. “If Mr. Grant has discarded a predictable schedule, Sophia and I cannot meet. How am I supposed to convince her to marry me if I cannot speak to her face to face?”

“I did warn you it would not be easy,” his uncle reminded him.

“You did not say why!”

“I was unfamiliar with the full extent of the situation. I knew the death of his wife cast a lasting shadow over that house. I knew they kept largely to themselves. But I had no idea the extreme consequences Grant would enforce should his children choose to marry. I would not have encouraged you to pursue the matter if I had known.”

“But I did pursue it. And my heart is fully invested in Miss Grant. I cannot give up now. She has overcome so many challenges. What sort of man would I be if I just left her to fend for herself? She needs to know I will stand by her, no matter what.”

“And will you?”

“Yes! I just don’t know how.”

“You will have to make up your mind sooner rather than later, I’m afraid.”

Tobias swiveled to face his uncle. “What do you mean?”

“Come autumn, I will be traveling to Italy.”

“Italy? That is very sudden.”

“Not at all. I have been giving it some thought for a while now. We would have spoken of it sooner. But you have been…distracted.”

“How long will you be away?”

“At least six months. I had intended for you to join me. I will be frequenting the museums and art galleries and studying ancient manuscripts. It is the sort of experience you would be well suited to.” Uncle Edmund chewed his lip ponderously. “I had thought, if Miss Grant were to become Mrs. Mannerly, she would benefit from visiting there also. The winters in southern Italy are milder than ours, which would be kind to her health. And she would no doubt cross paths with some of the great literary artists who are drawn there as we are.”

“It is a very generous offer, Uncle. I wish I could be sure Sophia would come. As things stand, though, I can be sure of nothing.”

“I think you should make preparations to join me, regardless of the outcome with Miss Grant.”

“That is a cold summons, sir. You know I cannot just abandon Sophia.”

“I am sorry to say, you may not have a choice. If she rejects the idea of marriage, it would be wise to have something else to occupy your mind. Better to mend a broken heart in Italy than here, where you are constantly reminded of her.”

“There is no place in all the world where I could escape my feelings for her.”

Lord Carthige looked pointedly at him. “Yes, I imagine that is probably true.”

“Besides,” Tobias reminded him, “there is still the possibility of things ending well for us. I cannot see the path before me clearly, but I am determined to discover it.”

“All the more reason to plan for Italy. If Miss Grant chooses to elope, she will need that distance from her father. Allow the dust to settle, so to speak. I would not normally speak so flippantly of such a serious infraction against societal norms, but I see how these circumstances warrant the consideration of less-than-ideal solutions.”

Tobias did not like either scenario. There was pain, no matter what. All he wanted was to hold his darling Sophia and never have to leave her again. The price for love should not be this high. Why could they not be like other couples who met, fell in love, married—a thrilling spectacle enjoyed by all who observed? Why should her father withhold his blessing?

Tobias straightened suddenly.

Why, indeed?

“Uncle, would you excuse me awhile? I have a…”

“Letter to write? Of course you do. You are aware, I suppose, that the library will never be fully catalogued in my lifetime if I am the only one working at it?”

Tobias had the good grace to look ashamed.

“You have been more than patient with me. If you are willing to humor me a little longer, I will not only return to my task but may soon have the assistance of my wife to help us in our endeavor.”

“There is no need to sweeten the pot, Tobias. Just write to Miss Grant and let us get back to the work at hand.”

“Oh, it is not Miss Grant I am writing to. No, there is someone else who owes me a written invitation.”

Uncle Edmund raised an eyebrow. He shook his head and rolled his eyes heavenward. “I am reminded once again that I am not a young man. In many ways, I never have been. You have more energy and optimism than I have ever laid claim to, Nephew. I can only hope they serve you well.”

“They have not failed me yet,” Tobias called over his shoulder with a grin. Then he fairly skipped from the room.

Mr. Grant loved his children. Of that Tobias was certain. He just needed to remind the man of what love was supposed to do .