Tam gestured for her to leave first and then he followed her out, closing the door behind him.
Already Sophie felt her spirits sag, knowing Tam would not be at Silver Meadows. Her father’s reaction to Tam’s proposal was concerning. He had often criticized matches he’d seen in the paper based upon what he perceived as uneven wealth. Maybe if Sophie wrote to her mother how much she looked forward to wedding Tam, she could help.
Immediately, she left the bed and donned her dressing gown. Then she pulled a piece of paper from a drawer and sat at her dressing table to write a letter to her mother. She’d just sharpened the quill when the door flew open.
“You’re getting married!”
She turned in her chair just in time to catch Rose’s hug.
When Rose released her, she grinned. “If Father allows it, yes.”
“You are so good at keeping secrets. How long have you and Chris been courting? He seems the opposite of you, always the center of attention.”
She ignored the question, as she’d rather not answer it. “Yes, and I like to watch everyone else. I find him fascinating. He’s full of life and so very kind.”
Rose sat on the bed across from her. “But you didn’t know him before Ellie’s, right?”
“I didn’t. But I learned much about him there, and later here. He has consulted with me, asking my advice with his readings.”
Rose’s eyes widened. “Now that’s interesting. Are you absolutely sure? It has not been that long. I’ve known Chris my whole life and I wouldn’t marry him.”
Sophie laughed. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“I guess he wasn’t serious about waiting until after he was thirty to marry.”
“Oh, but he was, even after we met. But he said when I went through the ice, he couldn’t stand the thought of losing me.”
Rose’s demeanor crumbled. “Sophie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize the ice had weakened out in the deeper water. When I poured it, I thought the cold would keep it in the shallows. You must know, I never meant to hurt you.”
The tears in her friend’s eyes were too much for Sophie. She rose from the desk and pulled Rose into a hug. “I know you didn’t. It was just a prank that never should have been.” She set Rose back from her. “And if I hadn’t fallen in, I’m quite sure Lord Tamworth would have waited the two more years to marry me.”
Rose sniffed and gave a watery smile. “I know you’re patient, but I honestly don’t think he would have waited so long. He’s rather impetuous.”
Sophie didn’t think investing for years until Tam could buy an estate to be impetuous, but she held her tongue. “It’s of no matter now. What matters is that my father approve, and I get to be Lady Tamworth.”
“I don’t know that I’ll ever marry. There is just so much to learn about making people better.”
“Yes, and now that I’m better and confined to my room, you need to go to your room and rest, like you promised.”
“I didn’t actually promise.”
“Rose.” Sophie used her best stern voice.
Rose threw her hands up and slid off the bed. “Fine, I’ll go rest. But I’ll come back to look in on you later.”
“That would be lovely. I don’t want anyone to know about the betrothal until Father gives his consent, so you’re the only person I can talk to about it.”
Rose grinned as she strode to the door. “That’s right. Who knew the rumor about Lord Tamworth being betrothed would actually become true?”
Sophie silently agreed as her friend exited the room. Then she turned back to the desk and began her letter to her mother. Since her mother had always wanted her to wed a reserved and studious man, she would focus on those traits of Tam. What could be more studious than a scholar from Oxford?
Writing the letter was far easier than she’d thought it would be. She was able to write about her feelings for Tam and her hope that her father would approve, along with a request that her mother help persuade Lord Dowling. After sealing it, she rang for her maid, ordered her ice cream, and sent off the letter.
Back in her bed, she’d just taken the first bite of ice cream when there was a knock on her door before it opened and Georgie strode in.
“You must be feeling so much better. If I fell through the ice, I don’t think I could eat anything cold for a year.” She pulled the chair from the dressing table to the bed.
“Not even if it was your favorite food?”
