Page 63 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
Sophia simply sighed and accepted this as her lot in life.
She also heard news that the Earl of Bastion had been spotted with his new wife back in London. Having believed that enough time had passed for him to be able to reenter society, he was parading himself about with no concern to show that he was proud of his new bride.
For Sophia, this news was simply another piece of the long list of things that had proven her poor luck. She could not escape the pity of others and she had little opportunity for joy in light of this news.
Whatever was to come of her future, she hoped that it would come quickly. While everyone around her tried to bring her some sort of comfort, Sophia felt as though the world had become a long, grey tunnel that took her in circles without any relief.
Chapter 24
Thomas was on his way to another meeting with Lady Cranford. He straightened his coattails and walked out of the room and out of the inn with confidence in his step.
He had been to dinner with Lord and Lady Albers twice at their townhouse, enjoying the opportunity to get to know them as well as spending more time with their daughter. The letters had continued as well. Still simple and with very little effort, and certainly no real depth, they were precisely what he knew they ought to be.
On this day, he had planned to take her for a walk in Covent Gardens, enjoying the scenery and the company of others. Of course, it meant being followed by a chaperone on behalf of Lady Cranford, but at least they could enjoy themselves and the day before them.
By the time Thomas reached the townhouse of Lord and Lady Albers, he was beginning to wonder if he ought to just declare his intentions and formalise the courtship. There was a great deal of pressure to do so and he knew that it was expected of him.
But he thought it might be a good idea to wait just a little bit longer. After all, he could probably afford to take his time as they understood that he was also trying to get his new career in London worked through.
He had been rather busy as he worked to get himself established in his father’s business. Although he was far from the best of his father’s employees, Thomas was naturally gifted in the practice and was able to put himself together in a presentable way. Nevertheless, there was still a significant amount for him to prove.
And proving himself while courting a new woman was rather a difficult task to accomplish.
Thomas arrived at Lady Cranford’s home and greeted her mother and father politely before he said hello to the chaperone, Miss Winston.
“She shall be down in just a moment,” Miss Winston told him with a grin.
Soon, Lady Cranford descended the stairs and Thomas was able to see that she looked absolutely stunning in a peach gown that brought out the gentle pink of her cheeks and the natural redness of her lips. She was exquisite as always and for a moment he wished that he could be satisfied with only her beauty.
But Thomas continually reminded himself that there was more to Lady Cranford than her appearance. She was a kind woman with a great many talents. There were so many reasons to enjoy her company and Thomas did not wish to forget that or lose sight of it.
Truly, she was accomplished in every way.
And although there was still no love between them, he hoped that it would come soon enough and he would feel for her what he had long wanted to feel for the right woman.
“Good morning, Officer Gregory,” she smiled, curtseying for him.
“Good morning, Lady Cranford,” he replied with a bow.
“I am looking forward to our walk. It is a beautiful day to be outside,” Lady Cranford said.
“Indeed. I think that we shall have a very nice time. And I hope that there is good company,” Thomas said.
For a moment, awkwardness lingered as Lord and Lady Albers observed the couple. But Thomas was ready for them to be on their way.
“Shall we?” he suggested, offering his arm.
Lady Cranford took it and they departed from the home, ready for the day ahead. With Miss Winston following behind, they climbed into the coach and headed for Covent Gardens.
Once they arrived, there were already a great number of people, primarily other young couples, making their way around the beautiful place.
Thomas wished that they had arrived sooner in the day, before they would be seen by everyone. But alas, they would be seen after all and everybody would know that they had become a potential match.
“The weather is quite lovely, don’t you think?” Lady Cranford asked.
“Certainly,” Thomas replied. Polite conversation was all they really had to come up with. There was not much more that could be said when they were with one another in public. After all, it was difficult to discuss anything of meaning when they were surrounded by others.
“How is your work going? Have you managed to get yourself settled into the new position?” Lady Cranford asked.
