Page 13 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
Sophia gave her a playful glare.
“Oh, perhaps not that look, however. I imagine very few men in London society seek wives who give them such an expression as that,” Adrianna laughed.
No matter how unhappy she was, Sophia was glad for the gentle banter and for how it made her cheer up even for the briefest of moments. Better yet, she was able to look out of her window and see the streets of London as they were led by the clomping horse into the fashionable part of town, where all the wealthy families had their homes.
No matter how depressed she still felt, she was glad to be able to enjoy the journey and to know that they were soon going to be entertaining themselves amongst such grand people. Adrianna was evidently overjoyed to see her aunt and uncle again, but for Sophia this was a new experience altogether. Something she never would have expected for herself.
Before long, they stopped on a street before a quaint townhouse and Sophia gazed out of the window, waiting for the coachman to open her door. The excitement was finally beginning to hit her, despite her hesitancy.
Rushing out from the door of the home to greet them the housekeeper and Lady Faversham appeared, greeting Adrianna with a great hug. It was clear to Sophia that this was a home in which they would be welcomed and loved.
Soon Lord Faversham appeared, seeming equally kind and charming.
He was a slightly large man, but one of a sweet face, and his wife was beautiful with the same red hair that Adrianna had.
“Come in, come in! You must both be starved. Lunch shall be served very soon, but the staff shall bring in your things if you wish to change first,” Lady Faversham said.
“Thank you, Aunt Josephine,” Adrianna said. “I shall just show Lady Sophia to our rooms first and then we can change and return for lunch.”
“Excellent idea, my dear. We shall see you both soon,” she replied.
With that, Adrianna led Sophia up the stairs and down a hall to where there were three doors.
“I typically stay in this room, but you are welcome to either of the others. They have no other guests and there is also one other floor with a room, but I thought it best that we stay near one another,” she said.
“Certainly, I shall have a look and decide,” Sophia grinned, opening the doors to the two rooms and choosing one to stay in.
The room she chose was simple but lovely. It excited her to know that she was able to stay so near her closest friend.
The townhouse was exquisite. Sophia found it deeply charming. While it was not one of the grand estates that she knew nobility to live in in the countryside, she felt deeply fashionable for being able to be there, in this London townhome.
In many ways, Sophia felt that it compensated for the reason of her presence. Being able to share this new experience was deeply exciting for her.
Adrianna knocked on her door as she was finishing getting dressed into more presentable attire for the meal. Sophia let her in and they sat for a few moments, resting and simply enjoying the fact that they were able to be there.
“What do you think? Does London life suit you just fine?” Adrianna asked.
“Most definitely. I cannot understand why my father detests the city so much. It is splendid in every way. From street to street, I can only imagine what wonders await us. It is as if every corner has something new to offer,” she observed.
Adrianna laughed.
“Oh, dear, do not go gallivanting down corners. There are hidden parts of London, you know. Some of them are not as grand as all of this,” she continued to giggle.
Sophia hated feeling that she knew nothing about the city, but it was time that she could finally learn. It would be a great opportunity to be with her friend, to grow as a young woman, and to potentially meet a match that was arranged for her.
Whatever was about to pass, Sophia felt that she could let go of some of the grief she had been feeling. While it still came over her in waves, it was nice to have a bit of relief amidst the enjoyment of her time with Adrianna.
It was grand to have a break from her bedroom, although she wouldn’t have wished to tell anyone that.
“Everything is going to be splendid, of that I can assure you. Tell me, do you think you are ready to meet with the Matchmaker tomorrow?” Adrianna asked.
“So soon?” Sophia asked in reply, anxious to know what it was going to be like but equally frightened about the moment finally coming when she had to impress Miss Wainwright.
“Is there a reason to put it off?” Adrianna pushed.
Sophia remembered herself. She remembered the bravery that she wished to show, the ways she had chosen to control her emotions. There was no reason to put this off. There was no reason to delay when she knew that this was the very reason she had come to London.
She had the support of her mother and father. She was not going to listen to the voice of society. So this was the day when she would make stronger decisions and be better than her romantic passions. They would not sway her, she would steer them.
