Page 61 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
“Why is that?” Sophia asked, never having imagined a woman wanting to marry at an older age.
“I had more time to understand who I truly am. There is nothing at all wrong with marrying young and there is nothing at all wrong with taking your time. You must understand that you are worth more than a rush into a union with someone who will not appreciate you, and that is what our society forgets,” she said.
“But that is how it is done. Always,” Sophia said.
“That does not mean it has to be done so. Just look at Adrianna. Yes, she found the man that she wishes to spend her life with, but at first she had no desire to marry at all. And you have told me often how you wish you had her independence and confidence,” Lady Silsby addressed.
Sophia nodded.
“Although I have said it before and shall say it again that I don’t entirely mind you not being like her,” Lady Silsby laughed.
Sophia chuckled with her mother, knowing that Adrianna had a reputation because of her brazen manner. But her mother was right. It was the fact that Adrianna had not desperately sought out a marriage that had enabled her to be so free.
“What are we to tell everyone?” Sophia asked, suddenly nervous again, recognising that she would have to come up with something to explain the fact that she was not matched and had even caused Miss Wainwright to fail.
“Why must we say anything to anyone?” Lady Silsby asked in reply.
“There are many who know why I went to London. The staff, father, many of your friends…” Sophia noted.
“Yes, you are right. Many of them do know. But I care not what they think. We can simply tell them that Miss Wainwright has not yet found you a match, but it is not ended. And truly, I believe that. She may come back to you having found another option,” her mother said.
Sophia was glad for that, thinking that her mother was possibly right. Just because she had not yet found a match didn’t mean that she never would. There was always a future ahead and there were many possibilities.
Still, as they went about their time, Sophia was asked by a few of the maids that she was closer to.
“What happened?” Cecile inquired. “Did you dance with anyone very handsome? Have you got betrothed yet?”
Sophia explained to them as the questions came, saying that she was not yet matched, but that Miss Wainwright might still come back to her at a later date with a potential husband.
And with each explanation, each time she told one of the women that she was still waiting, she found her spirits plummeting all over again.
A few days after the return, Adrianna came to see her. Sophia was lying in her bed, not in the mood for company by any means. Nevertheless, she got up and made herself ready so that the two of them could go for a walk around the estate and enjoy the fresh air.
Once outside, Adrianna began to comment on the beauty of the day and all of the exciting things that life held for them.
“You sound like a woman who is ready to be wed,” Sophia laughed.
“Oh, it is not only that. I also very much hope that you shall come to see the goodness that surrounds you. I should like for you to know well that you do not require a husband in order to live a good life,” Adrianna said.
“Why does everyone keep telling me that?” Sophia asked, somewhat irritated.
“Because you do not yet believe it and it is time that you do. We all understand that it has been difficult for you. At least, your mother and I do. I know you’ve not spoken to many people about it, but we are well aware and all we want is that you should feel hope again,” Adrianna said.
“And I am trying very hard to have just that. But Miss Wainwright has not yet got back to me. We keep telling people that it is only a matter of time, but there has never been such a guarantee. Not from Miss Wainwright herself, even,” Sophia acknowledged.
“I know, but it only stands to reason. You have used her service; surely she is going to come back to you with a match. You simply have to remain patient. It is going to come in time. The right man is out there, even if he has not yet shown himself,” Adrianna said.
Sophia nodded, trying to bear in mind that perhaps the right man was not even going to be a client of Miss Wainwright’s. Perhaps she would meet him during the next season or maybe through a friend of her father’s someday. There were a number of possibilities.
“I suppose so,” Sophia replied.
“Then why don’t we get out of this dour state and enjoy the world around us? There is so much to be done and enjoyed - we must focus on those things. For instance, we can spend our energies mourning men or we can improve ourselves,” Adrianna said.
“And as you are now distracted by your love affair, how do you suggest I go about bettering myself?” Sophia asked.
“What should you like to do? Improve your piano playing? Become more well-read? Spend more time on horseback?” Adrianna asked.
Sophia thought about all of those things and the fact that she ought to have considered them sooner. It was foolish of her to not have been more focused on her own improvement. After all, would these things not make her more appealing to a future spouse?
