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“There’s a lot of pressure on women to behave in a certain way. It does seep into your being after a while.” Barclay winked. “Trust me, when it’s just the two of us, it’s not cold at all.”
Sophia gasped.
“Barclay, should you be talking to me like that?”
“Nobody pays attention to you, so nobody’s going to be shocked.”
“Katherine will be. I’m sure she’s watching.”
“She’s talking to your father. He always demands complete attention.” Barclay gestured towards the children, who were playing quietly in the corner of the room. “I have to admit that I’m pleased we all took up your suggestion to let the children go out for a while today. They’ve been very quiet since they came back.”
Sophia smiled.
“That’s because they wore themselves out. Providing you don’t push them too much, they’re happy to sit down and do nothing except read or play quietly. You’ve wanted Olivia to improve her reading for a while, haven’t you? Now she’s reading.”
“I’ll remember that for next time.”
Sophia looked out the window again and then looked at the clock. It was a few minutes before four. If it got to the stroke of four, and they still weren’t there, Sophia knew she would get uncomfortable. She shifted on her cushion.
“Why do I feel like I’m the one meeting this Mister Ford for the first time? It’s really annoying that I’m getting antsy.”
“Don’t fuss so much.” Barclay chuckled and gave her arm a slight nudge. “Just sit in a corner and smile. That’s all you need to do.”
“I do hope you’re not all going to sit in the room when I meet a prospective husband for the first time.”
“But don’t be surprised if that does happen.” Barclay looked across the room at Westbury, who was still talking to Katherine and looking like a peacock spreading its tail. “So, remind me how your father and Viscount Hawksworth know each other? He lives in another part of the country.”
“Father and Viscount Hawksworth went to Harrow together. They attended most of the same classes and were in the same dormitory. They kept in touch afterwards, although I haven’t seen Viscount Hawksworth himself since I was about seven when it was your wedding to Katherine.”
“So, you know this Thomas Ford, then?”
“No, I don’t.” Sophia frowned. “Although I’m sure I met a little boy then. He was about my age, and we spent time together playing outside during the wedding. But I don’t think that was Mister Ford. I’ve heard that Mister Ford is nearer thirty, so he would be older than me.”
“You didn’t get the name of the little boy?”
“He was always addressed as Ford. He never gave up his real name. Just came up to me, asked if we could play chase, and we did. I don’t really remember what we talked about, though.”
That was more than likely Mister Ford’s younger brother. Sophia had heard a little bit about the family and how there were two sons, Thomas and Edwin. There was a big gap in age between them, but they were incredibly close. Sophia wished she had that back with Aimee; it was nice to have a co-conspirator at times. She was used to being alone, but she didn’t necessarily like it.
It was precisely four now, and the viscount still hadn’t shown up. Sophia could feel her annoyance building, and she hated the sensation. She was just glad she was merely a witness, but she shouldn’t let it upset her so much.
Getting to her feet, Sophia smoothed down her skirts and gave Barclay a small curtsy.
“If you don’t mind, Lord Barclay, I’m going to see how Mrs Ripley is getting on in the kitchen.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Barclay started to get up. “Standing around doing very little isn’t that exciting.”
“No, you stay. Father is going to be upset that his eldest son-in-law isn’t present. He won’t care that I’m not around.”
Barclay frowned.
“Much as I respect your father, I don’t like how he seems to ignore you all the time. That’s not fair on you.”
“I can’t really do anything about it now.” Sophia shrugged. “Maybe if one of us had been born a boy, things might have been different. But it’s what I’m used to.”
“Nobody should be used to being ignored by their own family.”
Sophia didn’t know what to say to that. She turned and headed towards the door, only to hear Aimee’s voice behind her.
