Page 14 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
“You’re quite right. There is no reason to delay. I should like to meet with her as soon as possible. I think if tomorrow is available, it would be wise to go then,” she said.
Adrianna gave her a knowing grin, as if she understood how difficult the decision was for Sophia.
“I am proud of you,” she remarked.
Sophia laughed. “Proud of me? Why? I have done nothing worth your pride,” she commented.
“But you have. You have done so much already. Even agreeing to come here has been a great victory for you, Sophia. You know as well as I do that it was not what you wished for. But you have chosen to do it anyway, because you agree that it is right for you.
“I have every reason to be proud of you and you must bear that in mind. Others shall be delighted when they see the change that has come over you. Despite the sadness that still lingers in your eyes, you have managed to enjoy yourself for a part of this day and that is a great feat,” she said.
Sophia looked away, feeling as though she would be silly to accept such praise over so small a thing. She had not done much. But Adrianna was right that she had proceeded in her decision to move forward and try something that was uncomfortable for her.
“Anyway, we had best go down to lunch. I shall ensure that one of the footmen sends a note to Miss Wainwright and checks that we are able to meet with her tomorrow. Once she tells us what time to be there, we can plan other activities,” Adrianna suggested.
“Oh? What sort of activities?” Sophia asked as the girls stood and made their way out of the room and down the hall.
“Shopping in London, dining in bistros, perhaps even the opera,” Adrianna listed.
Sophia was astonished. “You mean we might be able to do all of those things?” she asked.
“Perhaps. We shall have to wait and see what is on these days, and what we have time for. Remember, the priority is not our entertainment. The priority is finding you a match,” Adrianna reminded her.
“And what of you?” Sophia asked.
“Me? What about me?” she replied.
“Have you no intention of finding a match? Can you not also be arranged by this woman, if she is as wonderful as you say?” she continued.
Adrianna waved a hand. “I have no desire to yet. If I cannot find a husband in the next season or two, perhaps my parents and I shall come to an agreement. But I do not mind so much having another year or more without a husband. I quite enjoy the freedom of my life.”
Sophia was astounded by that thought. She had never considered singleness to be anything noble or desirable. It was uncommon to hear from a young woman that she was not seeking a husband as soon as she was able to find one.
In many ways, Sophia found it admirable. But as much as she wished she had some of Adrianna’s characteristics, she was quite content to be a romantic. She did not mind at all if she preferred companionship over independence.
They reached the dining room and joined Lord and Lady Faversham for a wonderful meal. Everything was enjoyable and comforting, and it eased Sophia’s nerves to have these distractions and to spend time with such lovely people.
During the lunch, the footman was sent out to arrange for an appointment with the Matchmaker. He returned just after lunch with a card from the woman.
To Lady Sophia Hastings,
I wish to meet with you tomorrow afternoon for tea. Four o’clock sharp, mind you. I do not wait around for my clients to show up, so please arrive promptly. Dress accordingly.
Thank you,
Miss Georgiana Wainwright
“She has agreed to meet me tomorrow,” Sophia announced to Adrianna and her aunt when they retired to the drawing room.
“Oh, this is so exciting!” Adrianna exclaimed, clasping her hands together.
“My dear, I am very happy for you. I trust that this shall be a very grand thing that is about to come in your life. You have no reason to be concerned, I assure you. Miss Wainwright is simply the best at what she does. Every match is a success,” Lady Faversham added.
And yet nothing could shake her nerves. While she felt a sense of excitement, finally, about meeting with the Matchmaker, there was still apprehension in her heart. Just because Miss Wainwright had previously been successful in every effort, it did not mean that she would be successful in this one.
And if Sophia, having been publicly humiliated already, proved to be the first failure of the famed matchmaker, what would that mean for her? All the concerns she had already felt would be even greater. She would prove herself even more worthless and that would be a terrible shame. Something she could never recover from. This was her last chance.
There was now more pressure than ever and she felt she had to prove herself.
