SOPHIE STAYED CLOTHED in the evening gown she had worn to dinner, hoping that Frank would visit her again. Packed and ready to go on the morrow, she stared out her bedroom window, but clouds covered the moon and she could see very little.
After an interminable wait, she heard midnight strike on the clock in the hall. Sophie struggled out of her gown, hung it up, and plaited her hair. Possibly Lila was importuning him again. Or maybe Frank was at a card party at the Kents,’ partnering Melissa. He did not even know she was leaving in the morning.
Sitting down at her desk, Sophie dismissed any unworthy thoughts, choosing instead to show a little faith and write him a letter of farewell.
My Dear Frank,
I am leaving town for a few days to help Peter and Lord Shrewsbury try to locate a property for the Girls’ Orphanage. Elise and Fanny feel that country air is the prescription that is needed to complete my recovery. It is difficult to breathe in this sooty London air. I keep coughing.
I have been reluctant to discuss it, but I believe Melissa to have a bit of a tendre for you. Try to be kind to Melissa.
I shall miss you.
Faithfully,
S.
~~*
When the carriage arrived to take up Sophie, Lord Shrewsbury helped her climb up the steps and take her seat. Fortunately, she was seated next to Elise. There was a tension in Shrewsbury that reminded her of a large cat, possibly a tiger, ready to spring.
After greetings were exchanged, Sophie asked, “How far are we going today?”
“Actually, we have a surprise in store for you, Sophie,” Peter said. “We are going to spend the night at Hanford House, Frank’s property in Charlbury, which is close to Oxford. You will be able to see the house and grounds, and then tomorrow we will start the day with a tour of the University.”
“How interesting,” Sophie said, her heart leaping at the mention of Hanford House. Maybe she would even be able to have a look at the suite of rooms Frank was having redecorated for her. This was an unlooked-for pleasure. “I will enjoy both those things very much. Frank’s college was Balliol. Did you attend Oxford, Lord Shrewsbury?”
“New College,” he said. “But Frank and I saw a great deal of one another. We roomed together for several years at Eton. My parents were abroad much of the time, so I spent holidays at Hanford House many times.”
Sophie wished there were some way she could ask the man how he thought he could court her when Frank was trying so desperately to free himself from his engagement.
Peter continued, “Tomorrow, we will stay the night at Chipping Norton, which is in the heart of wool country. The chipping name means it’s a market town. We will look there to see if it might be a possibility for the orphanage. Two days from London is better than three.” The duke slapped his knees. “Now, Shrewsbury, cards or chess?”
Shrewsbury chose chess, and Sophie was glad that she would be spared his conversation for a bit. She was thrilled that soon she would see Hanford House.
“Elise, I am finally going to read your latest book.”
“Oh?” her sister queried. “Lady Corbett’s House Party? I hope you will enjoy it. It’s my latest attempt at satire. If you were more acquainted with the ton, you would recognize some of the people in it.”
~~*
Sophie had always heard how beautiful the Cotswolds were. As they neared Charlbury after their day in the carriage, she spied brilliant rose gardens in front of delightful golden Cotswold stone cottages. “The stone here is so beautiful! It’s like honey,” she said.
“Wait until you see Hanford House!” Shrewsbury said. “It is not overlarge, but it is truly charming. The rose gardens are famous hereabouts.”
Sophie was thrilled with her first glimpse of what she hoped would be her future home. Set at the bottom of a grassy, wooded hill, she could tell that one of the wings was very old, indeed.
“The original part of the house dates from medieval times. It has very low ceilings,” the baron said.
Elise asked, “When was the rest of it built?”
“The right hand wing was originally a buttery, but sometime in the fourteenth century, a second story was added. Then the two wings were connected by a Gothic architect. It’s a bit of a jumble, but it sits together nicely.”
“We are expected,” the duke said. “We will have the housekeeper give us a tour.”