Page 68 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
They decided to do it and enjoy the time with a picnic, as long as they brought enough blankets and everything they needed.
The ride was refreshing and brought a new scene for Sophia. It was not the same as simply walking. It gave her a freedom that she truly enjoyed; the chill in her hair and the way she was able to go faster than her legs could take her.
Adrianna and Officer Kingsley rode ahead and Sophia followed just behind. The two had a conspiratorial gaze for a while and once more Sophia felt that there was something she desperately wanted to know.
Before long, they arrived in a small cove where they put down a blanket and pulled out the bread and cheese that they had brought to enjoy.
Officer Kingsley lay on his side in a most relaxed position and it seemed strange to see a man so comfortable in the company of two women.
Sophia was glad that she could be a chaperone for the two of them so that they were not subject to the scrutiny of adults who would not approve of their comfort with one another. There was no impropriety occurring, so it seemed silly that anyone might criticise them.
“Lady Sophia, are you enjoying your return to the countryside?” he asked.
“Indeed, it is nice to be away from London. I find that the air of the city is not suited to me,” she said vaguely.
“How so?” he prodded politely.
Sophia glanced away. She was not sure how much Officer Kingsley knew. He was a dear friend to Thomas, and the man courting her own good friend. All of that together meant that he likely knew the full story and was being friendly and accommodating to show that he cared.
But she did worry that he might think ill of her because of everything that had happened, and the fact that Thomas believed her to have abandoned and rejected him for the sake of a wealthier man.
More than likely, Officer Kingsley considered her a terrible woman. He was kind to her, but maybe that was only because it was in his nature to be so. He probably thought she was an awful woman who had brought low his friend and destroyed Thomas’s happiness.
Still, Sophia did not wish to be rude and she knew that it was best to answer his questions and be kind and friendly in return. Mustering all of her courage, she moved forward with answering.
“I find that the company of society can be rather cruel at times. We are placed before one another as a test and others rejoice if we fail. I have seen friends of mine without love be mocked and ridiculed. I have heard rumours of my own having been abandoned by the Earl of Bastion,” she pointed out.
Officer Kingsley gave her a quiet and sympathetic look.
“It is terrible, all that you have gone through. I am sorry that it has been so for you. I know that no one should have to go through all of that. It is terrible that you were treated thusly. I think you deserve far better,” he said.
“There are not many who believe the same,” she replied.
“I think you are wrong on that account. In fact, I have it on good authority that you are a woman deserving of much. And no matter what has led you to believe otherwise, it would do you well to remember that there are those who think highly of you,” he said.
Sophia listened to his words and felt a twitch between her brows. Was he speaking of Thomas? Or was it simply Adrianna who had spoken highly of her to him? She couldn’t help but wonder. Nevertheless, Sophia knew that Thomas was unlikely to have spoken much about her at all.
Considering the fact that they were finished and he had moved on, she felt foolish hoping for anything more. It was a pipe dream. There was no reason to even think of it.
“Well, I imagine that Adrianna has said good things on my account, but I do not think she would say anything otherwise. She is not the sort of woman who likes to speak ill of others just for entertainment. And as my dear friend, you can hardly anticipate her to be objective,” Sophia replied.
Officer Kingsley looked at her inquiringly.
“I am not speaking of my darling Lady Alcott. I think you know of whom I speak. No matter what may have occurred between the two of you, it should come as no surprise that you are spoken of rather highly and with a great deal of esteem,” he said.
Sophia’s heart raced at that thought. She could hardly believe that Thomas would have spoken well of her. She was undeserving of it and knew that he had nothing to gain from being kind.
“I had not anticipated such things being said about me by your friend,” she said softly.
“Well, it is something to think on. Despite the changes that have come, the fact of his new prospect and all of the other immediate challenges, he still thinks well of you,” he said, reiterating his point.
“I am humbled to hear that,” Sophia said.
“Do you not think well of him? Perhaps I have seen him in a false light. Truly, you can say if he is not a good man,” Officer Kingsley urged.
Sophia looked at him with horror on her face. Thomas? He was the epitome of a wonderful, ideal man. There was not a single ill word to be said about him.
“Of course I think well of him. He is the best man that I have ever known,” she declared.
