Page 28 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
“The soldier?” she asked.
“That wasn’t entirely how I knew him. But that is what he has since become, yes. And a wonderful man at that. A man that I lost,” she lamented.
“But you have told me that he drifted away from you. That was his foolishness. You see? Once more, it was not your fault,” Adrianna said.
“But wasn’t it? Perhaps he drifted because the Earl was giving me so much attention. I did not even wish for it. But I know that Mr. Gregory saw it. I know that he must have believed I was alright with it,” she said.
“It was the right thing for you to do. No one can deny an Earl. It simply is not done. And you did tell me once that Mr. Gregory never formally declared his intent to court you,” Adrianna said.
“No, he did not,” she said, sadly.
“So I do not mean to suggest that his affections were untrue, but do you not think that if he had loved you a great deal, he might have tried to step in and make his intentions known? You cannot continue to take on all of the responsibility,” she said again.
Sophia nodded. But now she was plagued by wondering if Mr. Gregory had never loved her. Had she made it all up? Had he been toying with her emotions?
She couldn’t help but question it all, but it was not important for now. She had a ball to prepare for.
“Forgive me for being so dour. I know that we have an exciting evening ahead,” Sophia apologised.
“That we do! It shall be entirely grand. And I shall have my pick of men to flirt with, although I’ve no intention of being courted yet,” Adrianna remarked.
Sophia laughed, thinking how her friend would probably be the one to fall in love that night.
“Here, allow me to help you with this,” Adrianna said, closing the back of the gown that Sophia was trying to slip into.
“Thank you. Does it look alright?” she asked.
“It looks ideal,” Adrianna answered.
They continued readying themselves, and the air in the room was a blend of tension and giddiness. Sophia felt her thoughts continuing to bounce, but the infectious joy of Adrianna was helping a great deal.
Before long, they knew that they had to finish up and make their way down the stairs. The coach would be waiting for them and they understood that Miss Wainwright would not take kindly to tardiness, even for a dance.
Sophia looked at herself in the mirror. She knew that she was ready. But she didn’t feel it.
Would she be beautiful enough for the sort of men she desired?
“You are beautiful enough to be a queen,” Adrianna reassured her. “Now come! My aunt and uncle shall only wait so long for us.”
When they met Lord and Lady Faversham in the entryway of the home, Sophia was astounded by how grand the pair appeared.
Lady Faversham was bedecked with feathers in her hair, the crepe gown hugging her perfectly. It was quite a display and Sophia hoped that one day she might look so grand.
For now, she was content to be as she was. Whatever was to come in the evening ahead, she would do her very best to remain strong.
“Girls, you both look simply gorgeous,” Lady Faversham commented.
“Especially Sophia,” Adrianna stressed.
“Well, it must be said that Miss Hastings is able to carry herself quite well. I imagine that there shall be all manner of young men wondering about her,” she replied.
“I think they may already know all there is to know about me,” Sophia replied with an awkward smile.
“You mean because one of their peers was a fool and ran off with another woman? Because he brought shame to himself and his family?” Lady Faversham asked.
Sophia nodded.
“Oh, dear. Please tell me that you are not still concerned over him. He made such a dire mistake. I am a dear friend of his mother’s and she was overwhelmed by the embarrassment. There is even talk of stripping him of his title and giving it to her second son. But as you know, that poses a great deal of difficulty and I cannot say what they shall do,” Lady Faversham gossiped.
