Page 70 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
“It is very good to see you,” he greeted once Officer Kingsley was seated.
“And you as well. Are you enjoying being back in your mother and father’s home?” he asked.
“Certainly. I am wondering if I ought to leave the inn and be here again with all of the benefits that it would bring,” he said.
“I imagine that would be wise. It suits you to be here,” he said.
“And how is your family? Is your father feeling better?” Thomas asked.
“Yes, indeed, thank you,” Officer Kingsley replied.
Thomas knew that a terrible fever had spread throughout multiple members of his friend’s family, but one by one, they had all regained their health. With that in mind, Thomas wondered when Officer Kingsley would be returning to the camp and living the life of a soldier once more.
“I am glad to hear it,” Thomas said.
“I am quite relieved as well. It is difficult to see my father, brother, mother, and a few cousins all grow ill like that. One after the other. But the doctor has it well in hand. He said that it was not merely our family, but a number of families in the area who had grown ill,” he explained.
Thomas nodded, sad that things were that bad. But at least everyone was finally recovering.
“And how is Lady Alcott? Have you proposed yet?” Thomas asked.
Officer Kingsley laughed.
“Not yet, but I intend to very soon. She is a most genial young woman. I was actually there just yesterday morning for a visit. And Lady Hastings was present as well,” he said.
Thomas looked up at him when that statement was made. His friend had spent the morning with Sophia. He might know how she was doing and if things were working out for her.
Oh, Thomas had a great many questions.
“You went to the country yesterday?” he began.
“Yes, I wanted to get out of the city for a brief period,” he replied.
“To see Lady Alcott, of course,” Thomas said.
“Certainly. I do not like to be apart from her. It was a wonderful time to be able to spend with her and be in her company. What a wonderful young woman she is. And I can understand why you cared so deeply for Lady Hastings as well. She is a good woman. A lovely young lady to be sure,” Officer Kingsley remarked.
Thomas felt agitated. He wanted to shout that of course she was a good woman. But he knew that he had to maintain himself. It was not appropriate to go on and on about the woman he had once loved while he was courting a new one.
“And what other impressions did you have of her?” Thomas asked.
“Of Lady Hastings?” he replied, appearing as though he didn’t even expect such a question, although Thomas suspected this whole conversation was set up for him.
“Yes, of Lady Hastings. Is she well? Has Miss Wainwright found her a new match?” he asked.
“Oh, no. Not at all. She has only continued to mourn the ending of your courtship together. But she has chosen to be happy for you, regardless of her own feelings,” Officer Kingsley said in a nonchalant manner.
Once more, Thomas was annoyed. He couldn’t imagine why his friend was being so flippant about all of this. Had he not expressed the depth of his feelings for Sophia? Did his friend not see how this was hurting him just to hear that she was still pining for him?
Thomas couldn’t help but wonder what it all meant. If Sophia was still anxious and upset about the end of their romance, then why on earth had she been so ready to let it go?
She had not written him any sort of reply to tell him she was sorry. She had not given any indication at the ball that she felt remorseful or sad that he had begun a new courtship.
Sophia could have done any number of things to end this madness. Of course, Thomas remembered that she had felt the same about him. Where did the blame lie? He couldn’t say. After all, the two appeared to have very differing views on that matter.
Thomas always believed that Sophia was moving on from him and was being stubborn. Meanwhile, she appeared to believe that he was abandoning her and no longer interested.
It was always a mess between them. That ought to have been further evidence that they didn’t belong together. Thomas wanted to have wisdom and understand that, but it was challenging to believe when he knew that he loved her deeply and it appeared that she loved him in return.
