FRANK SLEPT ONLY IN FITS after seeing Sophie. Such midnight forays were dangerous. Not only were they far too tempting, but there was a very real danger of getting caught. However, he didn’t know how he was to survive this engagement without her.
Lord Kent was to have the banns read in church this Sunday. His throat constricted at the thought. Only a month to get out of this tangle. How could he waste time sleeping? He must think!
Nevertheless, he slipped into a light slumber at some time before dawn. He was awakened by his valet, who informed him that the Duke of Ruisdell had called and was awaiting him downstairs. Groaning, he pulled himself out of bed and prepared to receive a dressing down.
The duke was pacing the morning room. “Trowbridge, what is this nonsense I read in the paper? I never took you for such a dashed loose screw! Did you not just ask me for the hand of my sister-in-law in marriage?”
“Your grace, believe me, it is your sister-in-law I want to marry, not Lady Melissa. There has been a frightful coil. Lady Melissa was feeling faint at the Fitzwilliams’ ball and I took her out in the garden for a breath of air. Her parents found us there and declared her to be compromised, demanding that I marry her. Neither she nor I wish to be married to one another.”
The duke sat. “And Sophie?”
“Lady Melissa and I have pledged to her that we will undo this bit of mischief on her father’s part. Lady Melissa claims her father had settled on me to be her husband even before the situation in the garden occurred.” Frank sat down and drew a hand over his eyes. “I thought of paying a visit to my wilder days to make myself an undesirable groom, but Sophie made me realize that would not do any good under the circumstances. Melissa will be ruined in any case.”
The duke seemed sunk in thought. “It might work. Kent is very fastidious where his family is concerned. If you were to take up with the Manwaring woman again, it would be particularly effective, if very hard on poor Sophie. I do not know if she could forgive you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I know she would not. No, I will have to think of something else.”
“I will put my mind to it also. But I am taking Sophie out of town for a few days, out of this scandal. As you know, she has been ill, and this business has been very hard on her.”
“That is probably for the best. You know how dearly I love Sophie. The idea that we might not be permitted to marry is abhorrent to me.”
“There is a reason I am still a Tory, Frank. Kent is known for his unscrupulous ways in the Whig Party. While I agree with his politics, I do not like him.”
~~*
Frank sat down to write yet another letter to Sophie.
Dear One,
Your brother-in-law, the duke, has been to see me. He was, of course, infuriated at the news that I was engaged to Lady Melissa when I had only that day asked for your hand. When I informed him that I had compromised her “by taking her to the garden for a breath of air,” he told me that Kent was unscrupulous. He does not like the man and promises to put his mind also to the problem.
I want to tell you that I will never marry Lady Melissa even if it blackens my name. It is you that I love, wholly and completely. The duke tells me he is taking you out of town for a few days. I think that is an excellent idea.
If you will send me the revised date for your musicale, I will be there. I would not miss it for the world.
As a token of faith in our future, I will advise my estate manager to refurbish your intended rooms at Hanford House. I will send you some patterns to pick from. Would you do me the favor of telling me what colors would suit you best? That would be a happy chore for me.
“And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below
A heart whose love is innocent!”
—Byron
Let the great poet speak for me. I love cheek, brow, smiles, goodness, and innocence of my dear love, Sophie, my angel.
Yours from forever through forever,
Frank.
Next, he wrote a note to Lady Melissa, telling her that he wished to take her to the park in his curricle at five o’clock. He sent both letters with his footman for quick delivery.
~~*
Frank’s design in taking Lady Melissa up in his curricle was to have private conversation with her which would have been impossible in her house. As she sat next to him, he headed his team through the crowd at Hyde Park and finally halted them by the Serpentine.
“Lady Melissa, we must put our heads together. I am going to ask you a personal question. I apologize, but it is truly necessary. Is there no one you have a partiality for that would be delighted to take my place as your groom?”
His companion bit her lip and threw him a glance. In her look, he was surprised to read guilt. Was Sophie right? Did she have a tendre for him? In spite of the fact that Sophie was her best friend, was she secretly hoping no solution would be found and they would have to marry? What a facer!