An Unexpected Love (11 page)

The three Broadmoor girls thought Daniel’s injury would give Fanny the peace and solitude she desired. He would, after all, be unable to keep pace with her until his leg completely healed. Unfortunately, Lord Illiff declared the best remedy for the soreness was exercise—particularly walking. Lady Illiff had suggested the gardens as a perfect place for the young man’s recuperation and Fanny the perfect person to escort him. And Victoria had concurred.

Sophie glanced up as Fanny rushed into the bedroom and came to a halt in front of Amanda. “Your mother is insisting I go walk with Daniel yet again this afternoon. Do say one of you will come with me. I cannot abide another afternoon of listening to him speak of my lovely tresses or beautiful eyes. He’s even begun reading poetry to me—very poorly, I might add.”

Sophie rocked back on the bed and collapsed in a fit of giggles. “Daniel reading poetry? I daresay that is something I would truly like to hear.”

“Then come with me,” Fanny urged.

Sophie shook her head. “I doubt Daniel would recite poetry to you if Amanda or I came along. However, I’m sure I can devise a plan that will prove quite enjoyable for all of us.” While rubbing her palms together, Sophie instructed Fanny on what path she should walk with Daniel. “Don’t deviate, or we shall never find you among all the twists and turns, and I don’t want to miss hearing him.”

“You needn’t worry. We’ll be on the bench by two o’clock. I do hope this works.”

Sophie clucked her tongue. “Trust me. After this, Daniel will never again recite a poem to you! And should he fail to bring along his book of verse, you must encourage him to recite from memory.”

Once Fanny departed, the two of them secured their bonnets and walked toward the gardens. Amanda admitted she thought the plan fun, but as they descended the stairs, she hastened to remind Sophie she would take no blame for the idea. “If Daniel speaks to Mother, you must confess that you devised this scheme. I doubt she will be pleased to hear we’ve made him the brunt of a joke.”

Sophie was more than willing to take full responsibility for their afternoon of diversion. Other than needlework or reading, there was little else to occupy her time. Wesley had accompanied Lord Illiff to a distant farm to purchase another horse, and they weren’t expected to return until evening. Indeed, the opportunity to hear Daniel’s poetic reading would be worth any reprimand her aunt could mete out.

Winding around the far end of the garden, Sophie pointed to an opening where they could cut through the hedge. Amanda pursed her lips. “You seem to know your way around these hedges better than Lady Illiff.”

Sophie grinned. “It isn’t difficult once you understand the design. Wesley made a drawing for me. The arrangement of the flower gardens and hedges is quite easy to navigate once you’ve seen it mapped on paper.”

“It’s good to know we need not worry about losing you,” Amanda remarked. Though she barely knew him, Amanda had made it abundantly clear she didn’t approve of Wesley. However, Sophie remained confident that once Amanda became better acquainted with Wesley, she, too, would think him the perfect match for her.

“This way,” Sophie whispered. “Keep your voice low, or he may hear us. We’re getting close.”

Sophie had chosen the perfect spot. There was a bench on each side of the hedgerow that provided both seating and the ability to hear Fanny and Daniel as they conversed. The two girls tucked their skirts tight to prevent any rustling when they sat down. Amanda leaned close to Sophie’s ear. “I don’t hear anything,” she whispered.

Sophie touched her finger to her lips and leaned against the back of the bench, straining to hear. Perhaps Fanny had misunderstood her instructions. She’d nearly given up when she finally heard Fanny speak to Daniel. “Do come along, Daniel. You’re walking much too slow. At this rate you’ll never regain strength in your leg.”

Daniel loudly complained of his pain and the need to rest.

“I suppose if you can go no farther, we can rest on this bench for a time,” Fanny said. “Did you bring your book of poetry?”

Sophie poked Amanda’s arm and grinned.

“Not today.”

Sophie curled her lip and Amanda shrugged. Unless Fanny could persuade him to recite something from memory, this wouldn’t prove to be much fun. Sophie truly doubted Daniel had committed much poetry to memory.

“I’m disappointed. I thought you said you wanted to read to me,” Fanny said.

“I do. I’ve written something especially for you. Something that expresses how I feel about you.”

Sophie clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from shrieking with joy. She could barely contain herself. What pure delight— Daniel had prepared a love poem for Fanny, and they would have the pleasure of hearing him recite to her.

“I call this ‘Ode to My Love.’ ” Daniel cleared his throat. “It goes like this:

“My one true love shall always be,
A woman who daily walks with me.
Her auburn hair the breeze does billow,
And wave before me like a pussy willow.
Her eyes of brown shimmer in the light,
To present me with constant delight.
She moves with practiced grace at dawn,
Like an elegant, long-necked, gliding swan.
Her long thin fingers I long to hold;
Or should I attempt to be so bold?”

“No! You should not be so bold,” Fanny shrieked.

Sophie had doubled over and was holding her nose in a valiant attempt to remain quiet while Amanda chortled behind her gloved hand.

“Who is there?” Daniel shouted. Soon he was clubbing the hedgerow with his cane. “Come out of there, or I’ll flog you with my cane!”

“Stop, Daniel! It’s Amanda and Sophie, and you’re going to hurt them.”

Sophie moved to one side as the wooden cane sliced through the hedge. When she turned around, Daniel had stuck his head and shoulders through the opening and was peering at her as though she’d grown another head.

“What are the two of you doing eavesdropping on us? Your behavior is unconscionable.” A branch flipped back and slapped him in the face, and he withdrew. “Don’t either of you attempt to run off. I want to speak to you.”

His leg was apparently feeling much better, for he rounded the end of the hedge and hurried toward them at full speed.

“Do be careful, Daniel. We wouldn’t want you to further injure your leg,” Sophie said.

He pointed his cane at Amanda. “I can believe Sophie would do this, but I’m surprised you would condone such behavior, Amanda. I plan to discuss this conduct with your mother.”

Sophie chuckled. “And we plan to discuss
your
conduct with her, also.”

“Mine? There is nothing to tell her. I have done nothing untoward.” He looked over his shoulder, obviously hoping to receive Fanny’s affirmation. When she remained silent, he motioned her forward. “Tell them, Fanny. My behavior has always been that of a gentleman, has it not?”

“I believe it would be best if you said nothing of this incident to my aunt,” Fanny said. “I wouldn’t want my cousins to be punished for simply enjoying a few moments of laughter.”

“At
my
expense.” His eyes shone with anger.

Sophie patted his arm. “You do need to learn to control your anger, Daniel. Otherwise you would be a poor choice as a husband, don’t you think, Fanny?”

Fanny nodded her head. “No woman wants to wed a man who is easily provoked to anger. Personally, I find a sense of humor an excellent quality.”

“An attribute you appear to lack, Daniel. Our family enjoys nothing more than a good prank. You need only ask Jefferson and George the next time you see them.” Sophie hesitated a moment. “
If
you see them again.” She hoped her words bore the ominous tone she intended.

Daniel leaned on his cane, obviously sensing defeat. “I don’t suppose there’s any need to discuss this with Mrs. Broadmoor. There’s been no real harm done.”

Sophie considered telling him that his attempt at poetry had caused great harm. It was, after all, an assault upon the human ear. However, she refrained from further comment. No need to provoke Daniel at the moment, though Sophie wondered what he might think if she recited his poem after supper tonight. She stifled a giggle.

Arrangements had been made: they would leave for London the next morning. A fact that was no longer of great import to Sophie, for she wanted only to be in Wesley’s presence. Veda finished lacing a ribbon in Sophie’s hair and then gave her an approving nod. “You look quite lovely, miss. I’m certain Mr. Hedrick will approve.”

“Thank you, Veda. I do hope so.” Accompanying Lady Illiff to visit one of her friends had held little allure for Sophie until she realized Wesley would be in attendance. Last evening she’d first finagled an invitation from Lady Illiff and then convinced Aunt Victoria the outing would be properly chaperoned. In all, the feat had required a great deal of finesse and no small amount of time, but she’d finally received both Lady Illiff’s invitation and her aunt’s permission. Today, Sophie would enjoy the fruits of her labor.

She descended the stairs, pleased to see Wesley gazing up at her from the entry hall. She accepted his outstretched hand, enjoying the tingle that coursed up her arm. “You look lovely, Sophie,” he whispered.

“Thank you,” she replied softly. She adjusted her bonnet then took the cloak offered her by the butler. She frowned at the intrusion, but the man moved away quickly to tend Lady Illiff as she descended the stairs.

“I hope we might speak privately today,” Sophie told Wesley. “Time seems to be slipping by more quickly than I’d hoped.”

“But of course. I would love nothing more than a few stolen moments,” he said, smiling. “I truly cannot imagine anything more pleasurable.”

Sophie had only seconds to bask in his attention before Lady Illiff swept into the foyer and hurried them out the door to the waiting carriage. Lady Illiff’s footman helped her into the carriage then turned to assist Sophie. Lady Illiff patted the cushion beside her. “You shall sit beside me, Sophie. I must say, I am glad for your company. You seem to converse quite easily with your elders, and there is much I would know.”

“As the youngest in my family, I’ve been surrounded by elders all of my life. I have few friends my own age.” She said this, throwing a meaningful glance at Wesley. “I have always related better with those my senior rather than my junior. I suppose the only exception would be my cousins, but even then Amanda is older.”

“Youth has its merits,” Lady Illiff said as the carriage bounced against the rough road. “Enduring lengthy carriage rides for one.” She laughed at her own comment, as though feeling extremely witty.

Sophie received only an occasional smile from Wesley as the carriage traversed the winding and rutted road to the country estate of Lord and Lady Wingate. It was Lady Illiff who carried the conversation, plying her with a seemingly endless list of questions. The older woman seemed most interested in Uncle Jonas and his ability to handle her grandfather’s estate. Sophie knew little of such matters, but she did her best to respond.

“I give the family financial situation little thought,” she told the woman. “My uncle is good to oversee anything of importance. He was well trained by our grandfather.”

“It is good that Mr. Broadmoor cares so deeply for his extended family,” Lady Illiff replied. “So many men would find such tasks tiresome. But, of course, with the deaths you have suffered, it is important that there be at least one level-headed man of means to oversee the family coffers.”

“I suppose so,” Sophie said, rolling her eyes.

“What of the family estates?”

“I’m not certain what you mean.”

“The estates. The family homes. Have they endured? Have they been sold?”

Sophie nodded. “Most have endured. The house I grew up in was sold after my mother’s passing. But not for financial reasons,” she quickly added. She didn’t want Wesley to think her a pauper. “There is still the island castle. It’s truly lovely. My grandmother furnished it quite lavishly. She spared no expense to create a palace of sorts.”

“And since your grandfather passed on, who now holds possession of the property?”

Sophie was growing bored with the woman’s nosy questions. “I suppose we all do.”

“All? But who does that reference?” Lady Illiff demanded.

Unfortunately, Lady Illiff appeared to think Sophie’s answers less than acceptable, and each reply was followed by yet another question.

The old busybody
. She had probably only allowed Sophie to join them so that she could wangle information related to the Broadmoor fortune.

When they finally arrived at Wingate Manor, Sophie sighed with relief. She hoped Lady Wingate would not prove to be so inquisitive.

The Wingates were obviously as wealthy as the Illiffs. The grandeur of the four-story estate reminded Sophie of the Broadmoor Island home. She guessed there to be at least as many rooms, perhaps more.

They were ushered into a palatial sitting room where a whitehaired woman sat regally, ready to receive them. The gilded throne chair upon which she sat was some antiquated piece no doubt passed down through the generations.