Sophia had just finished tying ribbons to hold each bundle together when Kendall knocked and opened the library door.
“The Ebringtons have requested that you join them in the drawing room, Miss.”
Mrs.Digby gave her a reassuring smile.Taking a fortifying breath, Sophia took off her spectacles and left them on the desk, and walked to the drawing room with carefully measured steps, her stomach fluttering.
“Miss Walden, how good to see you again,” Mrs.Ebrington called, crossing to meet her and grasp her hands, a smile lighting her face.
“Unexpected, that is for certain,” Mr.Ebrington said.After a stern look from his wife, he cleared his throat.“Thank you for keeping my gel safe,” he said gruffly.“I know it ain’t an easy task.”
Sophia dipped her head in acknowledgement as Mrs.Ebrington led her to the sofa.
The other instructors at the Academy had often despaired of teaching Mildred how to restrain her adventurous impulses and fit into Society’s expectations without killing the girl’s joie de vivre.Music, they finally realized, was the safest outlet to express Mildred’s passionate side.
Mildred had risen upon Sophia’s entrance and tugged her down beside her, her mother sitting on her other side.
Sophia noted the redness around her eyes that indicated Mildred had recently cried, but she had on her polite face.Only her white-knuckled grip on Sophia’s hand belied her nerves.
Mr.Ebrington sat in the armchair, his bulk almost overflowing Mrs.Digby’s favorite chair.He had the same fair hair and blue eyes as his daughter, just as Sophia remembered from the last time they’d collected Mildred from school, when it was closing.When she thought she’d never see them or Mildred again.
“What can you tell me of this man Huntley who Mildred claims is going to marry her, even after she scampered all over the countryside unchaperoned?”
Sophia had forgotten how bracingly direct he could be.Mr.Ebrington was descended from a baron but had made his fortune in shipping.
“You selected him, sir.”Sophia bit down on a smile at seeing him taken aback.“That is, you selected his cousin.The marriage agreement you signed only named the title, not the man.Fortunately the new Lord Wingfield is still willing to honor that contract.”
An avaricious gleam lit Mr.Ebrington’s eyes at the news he’d still get the title in the family that he’d originally coveted.
“But what is he like?”Mrs.Ebrington said, turning a pleading gaze upon Sophia.“To what manner of man are we shackling my little girl?”She squeezed her daughter’s hand.“There has to be more to him than his title and fortune—” she tipped her head toward her husband “—a handsome face, or a full head of hair.”The last was directed at her daughter.
Sophia considered how to answer.Mr.Huntley had always paled in comparison to Fairfax for her, but she knew how much Mildred adored him, and had seen the affection in Huntley’s eyes for the girl.“Our hostess, Mrs.Digby, has known him at least since he attended university with her nephew, and likes him well enough that she insists he call her Aunt.”
“And who is her nephew?”Mr.Ebrington demanded.
“Lord Fairfax and Lord Wingfield,” Kendall announced at the doorway.
Mr.Ebrington stood.
Sophia could not have stood if the Prince himself entered, so shocked was she to see Fairfax.
Relieved, thrilled, but mostly shocked.
The two gentlemen swept into the room, bringing with them the scent of fresh sea air, their cheeks flushed from being outdoors.They must have come directly from dismounting their horses.
Several minutes were spent on introductions.Alerted to the men’s return, Mrs.Royston and Mrs.Digby arrived, as did Henry, who trotted around, demanding to be petted even as he sniffed everyone.Xavier and Wallace also strolled in and were introduced to Mildred’s parents.
“You seem surprised,cara mia,” Fairfax said when he managed to get through the crowd to Sophia.He took her hand and kissed it as he helped her rise from the sofa.
Her knees wobbly, her insides melting at hearing his rumbling bass voice wash over her again, she struggled to form a coherent sentence.“I- I thought you’d be halfway across France by now.”
“France?”His brows rose in confusion.
“On your way to Italy.”
His expression cleared.“Ah.I can’t go.Not quite yet.”
Sophia saw Mildred and Huntley holding hands as they spoke with her parents.“Of course.You’re going to stay long enough to stand up with your friend at his wedding.”He had come back to support his friend.Not because of anybody else at Hobart Grange.
Certainly not her.
