Page 47 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
Addressing the letter, Thomas already felt overwhelmed. But he continued. He wrote until the page was full and then he continued onto the back, then onto a second sheet, until finally he had said all that needed to be said.
Yes, with this final letter to Sophia, he would truly be able to move forward.
Chapter 19
Sophia was on fire, enraged by everything that had happened. She could hardly believe the audacity Thomas had shown in blaming her for everything and behaving as though it had all been her own fault.
And that moment when he had grasped her wrist? Who was he to behave in such a familiar manner? What sort of man thought it was appropriate to do such a thing? Thomas had been an utter fool. He had been ridiculous to think that such a thing was alright and justified when it was so improper.
No matter how hard she had tried to let it go and enjoy the rest of the time in the garden, Sophia had simply not been able to. She had been so entirely furious that he would dare to speak to her that way that she wondered if she could ever handle seeing him again.
Thomas. Thomas Gregory, Officer of His Majesty the King. Thomas Gregory, the man who had broken her heart and left her stuck with a terrible second choice, a man she could never love or dare to hope for a union with.
If it had not been for Thomas, she would have avoided all of that heartache. And he dared to blame it on her.
The circles of thoughts ran around and around in Sophia’s mind, forcing her to accept them for what they were but nevertheless wishing that she could be in a different place altogether.
And then there was Adrianna, her dear friend who was living happily in the newness of a romance that she had never expected. Sophia was glad for her, but remained confused. Although she wanted her own love story to work out, to move forward, she was delighted that Adrianna was so filled with light.
This joy had not been one that Sophia thought she would ever see in her friend. Adrianna loved her independence. The knowledge that she was now engaging in a potential courtship was a delightful shock. And it was quite clear that Lord and Lady Faversham were equally happy about it.
Sophia had watched as they spurred on their niece and encouraged her to interact with Officer Kingsley, encouraged her to bat her eyelashes and show him what a beauty she was. And Adrianna had done so, happily.
As the walk had continued, with Thomas having vanished, Sophia and the chaperones had returned back to where Adrianna and the Officer had been walking and they all made their way together.
And now he had come for dinner, enjoying Adrianna’s company even more. It was clear that they had the full support of her family and that the Officer was delighted to be the sort of man who could woo a young woman with so much spirit.
Throughout the dinner, Sophia had been polite, but quiet. She kept a smile on her face for the sake of her dear friend, and even engaged well with Officer Kingsley, asking about his life and his military career.
He seemed to be a rather kind man, good in many ways. And although she wondered if he was necessarily the sort of man who generally chose monogamy or would want marriage, she saw that he wanted Adrianna and the affection he showed for her seemed pure and genuine.
Sophia wondered what would happen once he returned for another tour, leaving Adrianna behind. She considered whether that would, in fact, be an ideal marriage for a woman who loved her independence so greatly.
It was not the sort of life that Sophia would ever desire, but she and Adrianna were so vastly different that it hardly mattered. If her friend was happy, she would be thrilled for her regardless.
After the dinner Sophia had departed to her room, leaving Adrianna with her aunt, uncle, and Officer Kingsley. A small part of her considered that perhaps it was good to be alone when she was still upset about how the day had gone. But more than that, Sophia wanted to give her friend some time with the man she had come to adore.
Sitting in her room, Sophia grabbed a book and began to read, hoping to distract herself from other thoughts. It would have felt like torture to simply sit and think about Thomas and her own failures at romance.
But alas, even the book she had opened was simply another tale of a happy couple, something she could not quite grasp in that moment.
Setting it down and trying to decide how exactly she would go about distracting herself, Sophia was ready to give up and try to sleep—which she knew she could not do—when there was a knock upon her door.
“Come in,” she called.
Adrianna entered the room and Sophia smiled, glad that she would be able to spend some time with her friend. Officer Kingsley must have left already, so perhaps they could enjoy a bit of time together, plotting and planning for Adrianna’s future.
“Has he left?” Sophia asked.
“Sadly, he has,” Adrianna replied with an overly dramatic flair, causing them both to giggle.
“And I imagine that you are utterly heartbroken by it. But worry not. I’ve no doubt that he shall return to you soon. The man is entirely besotted by you in a way that I’ve scarcely seen from any gentleman of his ilk,” Sophia remarked.
“You think so?” Adrianna asked with hope.
“Do not pretend that you haven’t noticed it. Of course he is. It has been evident from the moment he first saw you. And I am overjoyed for you, Adrianna,” she replied.
Adrianna bit her lip with a nervous squint to her eyes.
