Page 25 of The Gentlewoman Farmer

“Indeed?” Mrs. Eliot said.

“Indeed.” Since her guest was so interested, she expounded. “We rotate each field between planting and grazing so the animals can do their part to fertilize the crops. Animal droppings create wonderfully rich soil. In fact, the vegetables in your soup benefitted from dung.”

“Fascinating.” Mrs. Eliot set aside her spoon.

Sophia’s serious expression was in jeopardy because to her left, Philip’s laughter boomed in her ears. But Sophia refused even to purse her lips against a smile and instead swallowed her laughter. With a tight jaw, Sophia turned her gaze toward Philip.

“Is something funny, Philip? Do share.”

“Mother, I believe you have found your match,” was all Philip could manage.

Soon after dinner, Mr. Burns arrived, followed by Mr. Vincent and the Spencers. Sophia looked forward to the arrival of additional guests, hoping they would dissipate some of the pressure of sitting between Philip and his mother.

The party sat down to play whist. Since Sophia knew that Mrs. Worthington and Mrs. Spencer would enjoy a comfortable chat while the others played, it didn’t matter that there were not enough people to make three card tables. Sophia put herself at a table with Mr. Burns, Mr. Spencer, and Mrs. Eliot. At the other table were Katherine, her brother Jonathan Spencer, Mr. Vincent, and Philip.

When the final card was dealt, Mrs. Eliot stood and announced, “I am very warm next to the fire! Philip, be a dear and trade places with me.”

Philip complied, and Sophia found herself partnered with Philip, who sat across from her, while Mr. Burns was on her left. Philip smiled and nodded at Mr. Burns and received a curt nod in return.

The game progressed, and Sophia forgot about the tension between Philip and Malcolm and began to enjoy herself.

“Well done, Sophia! Another play like that, and we will have the game,” Philip told her as she took another trick.

“What’s going on?” Mr. Spencer demanded. “It feels like the two of you are cheating, though I cannot make out how. You play like Katherine and Jonathan.”

“Like brother and sister.” Philip winked at Sophia, who ignored him as well as the thrill his wink sent down her spine.

“You seem to be communicating. It is against the rules,” said Mr. Spencer.

They played another round, and Philip looked at Sophia before choosing his card. Philip won the trick.

As Philip gathered the cards he’d won, Mr. Spencer exclaimed, “See, there! You have done it again. Support me here, Mr. Burns. Did you not mark that look between them?"

Mr. Burns had remained pointedly silent throughout the game, but he now stared daggers at Philip.

“They are looking at each other,” Malcolm grumbled. “But Miss Worthington doesn’t cheat.”

Sophia squeezed Malcolm’s arm, and his eyes brightened at her attention.

“Stop looking at each other,” Mr. Spencer said.

“I do not believe that looking at one’s partner is against the rules. Shall we pull out the playbook to check?” Philip asked.

“Come, Mr. Spencer, I don’t cheat,” Sophia reassured him, trying to speak soothingly. “I have a very lucky hand.”

“Hah, see there! You may not comment on your hand!” Mr. Spencer said.

“You are correct, my apologies. Perhaps we should deal again,” Sophia said.

“That would be too bad. But we can beat them again, Miss Worthington,” Philip said.

Sophia was tempted to respond, but Malcolm’s countenance darkened whenever she spoke to Philip. It did not help that she and Philip had won eight tricks in a row. They’d always had a way of anticipating the end of the other’s sentences or laughing before a joke was fully delivered. Sophia simply understood Philip, and he understood her. She was happy when he was around. And there was no shame in that.

As the night wore on, Sophia’s mood shifted under Mr. Burns’ unspoken reproach. He grew increasingly sullen, while she became irritated. She and Philip won hand after hand, and Philip’s lightness of spirit contrasted Mr. Burns’ ever-darkening mood.

“Are you always so damnably cheerful?” Mr. Burns asked Mr. Eliot after another win.

“Only when I am playing with Miss Worthington or winning against her. It has been too long since we have had the pleasure of playing alongside one another other.” Philip was unflappable.