Read A Most Inconvenient Wish Online
Authors: Eileen Richards
A Most Inconvenient Wish (24 page)
Chapter 23
“T
heo, please quit pacing; you are making me daft,” Sophia said as she glanced once more at the clock. Theo had left tea with a headache but come to her room to wait until the gong sounded. Then they would be on their way.
heo, please quit pacing; you are making me daft,” Sophia said as she glanced once more at the clock. Theo had left tea with a headache but come to her room to wait until the gong sounded. Then they would be on their way.
“What if we are seen leaving the house?”
This was the tenth time she had asked that question. Sophia was already sick of the intrigue game. “We will not be seen. It will be fine. Mr. McDonald has taken every contingency into consideration. Now try to rest. You have an arduous journey ahead of you.”
Theo nodded and finally went to stretch out on the bed. Sophia sat in the chair by the fire, staring at the clock. It did no good to watch it, but she had to anyway. Part of her would be glad when Theo and her captain were on their way. Bateman and his sister would leave soon after and the house would be quiet again.
Ian would leave too. That thought hurt. She picked up the note he had sent earlier to let her know the plan was underway and things were going well. It included final instructions on where they were to meet the captain and what would happen afterward. If things went smoothly, they should be home in time for dinner. Sophia ran her finger over his signature. It was as bold as he.
She tossed it back down on the small table by the chair. The note was also a terse list of instructions. There was nothing personal there. Had she expected any? Well, she'd hoped for something more personal, but then, she'd ruined that as well.
When this was over she was going to sit him down and have a long chat with him about proper proposals and how to court a woman. She would also beg his forgiveness for making him feel less than he was.
If this elopement went horribly wrong, what would they do? Theo would have to confess that she was carrying another man's child. Bateman would have no choice but to release her from any agreement.
The outcome would be no different, it occurred to her. Theo's parents would still disown her. She'd still marry her captain. Bateman would still need a rich wife. Theo's reputation would still be ruined. Then why go to all this trouble?
Oh yes, this was about belittling another person. She'd be sure to let Ian know how stupid he was to dream this up. She might know all the details of why Ian felt he had to do this to Lord Bateman, but they would have a firm discussion on not doing it again. If she was going to have to give up her time in London for the backwoods of Scotland, he was going to have to make some concessions as well.
The gong sounded below. Theo's head popped up. “Is it time?”
“Let's give everyone a few minutes to get to their rooms,” Sophia said.
They sat still as church mice watching a cat, listening to the stairs creak as the others went up to their rooms. Doors closed and servants shuffled along the hallway. Finally it was quiet. Sophia looked out; no one was in the hall. Sophia silently closed the door. “Come. We can go now.”
Theo rose and tied on her bonnet. She gathered her reticule and a book. Sophia pulled on her pelisse and a bonnet. “We are taking the servant's stairs and going out through the kitchens. The fourth step creaks, so have a care.”
“What if one of the maids see us?”
“They'll keep quiet.” Sophia was more worried about Lady Catherine. The woman was smart. She had to know something was up. Thankfully, Sophia's little tumble off the horse had given her a good excuse for being in her room. Now, if only Theo hadn't raised suspicions. She opened the door and peered out again. “Come.”
Theo followed her out and they walked silently down the corridor to the backstairs. There was no carpet on these steps. “Be as quiet as possible.”
Sophia gently placed one foot on the wood step, then another. Theo did the same. They reached the dark, narrow landing with almost no noise. Sophia pushed Theo ahead of her.
“What are you doing?”
Lady Catherine stood at the top of the steps. Sophia's heart sank. She thought quickly. “Go now. Wait in the kitchen for me,” she whispered to Theo. Then, in a louder voice, “Lady Catherine, I thought you'd be changing.”
“Obviously. Where are you and Theo going?”
“A quick trip to the village for ribbons. Theo left the ribbons for this gown in London. Do you want to come along?” Sophia kept her voice as sweet as possible, though it killed her to do so. This woman was a witch of the first order.
“Ribbons? The gong has just sounded. Why would you go now?”
Sophia searched her brain for a quick answer. “Theo's headache was so much better and she knew you were all leaving soon.”
Lady Catherine frowned. She didn't believe her.
“You are most welcome to come with us,” Sophia said.
“I've no desire to visit the village again.”
“Well, then, we shall see you at dinner.” Sophia turned to go down the backstairs.
“There is something going on. Don't think I don't know it, Sophia Townsend.”
Sophia laughed. “I never took you for the type to see intrigues were none existed.”
Lady Catherine huffed and stomped off. Sophia wasted no time going down the stairs. If Lady Catherine told her brother, the game would be up. She rounded the corner and went into the kitchen. The staff looked up in surprise. Sophia grabbed Theo's hand. “We must hurry.”
They left the house from the kitchens and took the long way around to the stables. The stable boy had the cart ready for them. He assisted them both and handed Sophia the reins. “Anything else, ma'am?”
“No, thank you,” Sophia said absently. “Wait!”
The boy paused at the open door of the stables. “Ma'am?”
“Please do not tell anyone in which direction we are going.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma'am.”
Sophia guided the cart out of the park and onto the lane toward the village. If Lady Catherine was watching them, she would not suspect. She urged the horse to go faster.
“My goodness, Miss Townsend, that was a close one,” Theo said, her hands gripping her book tightly. “How ever did you come up with that story about ribbons?”
“Many years of dealing with sisters,” Sophia said. She kept glancing behind her, expecting to be followed. Lord, she was nervous. It had been a close thing.
“How far to the inn?”
“Several miles. We must go through town to get to it,” Sophia said anxiously.
Theo glanced behind them. “Do you think anyone will follow us?”
“I don't know. I'm hoping Catherine believed the story I told her.” Sophia guided the cart onto the main road into town. It was late afternoon, so there was little traffic. She could see the village up ahead. “The Wheat Chaff Inn is at the other end of Beetham. The captain and Mr. McDonald should be there waiting for us.”
“What if they are not? We can't just go into an inn unaccompanied.”
Theo was a dear girl, but she was grating on Sophia's nerves. “They will be there.” If they weren't, there would be hell to pay from her. “Not long now.”
Never again would Sophia involve herself in someone else's business. She had learned her lesson well.
They traveled through the village, Sophia waving at a few of their acquaintances. Then she saw her. Damn. It was the vicar's wife, Mrs. Dellwood.
“Miss Townsend, what are you doing in the village at this late hour?” Mrs. Dellwood's high-pitched voice carried through the street.
Sophia slowed the cart.
“We can't stop!” Theo whispered frantically.
“We have no choice.” Sophia turned to Mrs. Dellwood. “Good afternoon. I thought I would give my friend, Miss Hamilton, one last look at Beetham before she leaves on the morrow. She was quite taken with the village when we were here last.”
“Indeed, I wanted to see it once more,” Theo said inanely.
Sophia fought the urge to groan. If Mrs. Dellwood believed this lie, she was more beetleheaded than anyone thought.
“How lovely. I will let you go on your way. Please give my regards to your family, Miss Townsend.”
“Thank you, I will. Good day, Mrs. Dellwood.” Sophia urged the horse forward.
“That was close.”
“We aren't out of the woods yet, Theo. She is the biggest gossip in the village, though with any luck you will be long gone and never have to worry about it.”
“She's not too bright, is she?”
Sophia laughed. “No, she isn't, but she means well, I suppose.”
There were no other incidents; soon Sophia pulled the cart around the side of the old inn, so that it couldn't be seen from the road. The inn was a rambling stone house. There were several horses and carriages in the side yard. She looked around for Ian, uncertainty curdling her stomach. Now what?
Sophia had expected Captain Smith-Williams and Ian to be there waiting for them. She wished now she had some sort of timepiece. She had no idea if they were early or late. She had not expected to run into Lady Catherine or Mrs. Dellwood.
“What if he doesn't come?”
Theo pressed her hand to her stomach. She'd been doing that a great deal of late.
“He'll be here.” Sophia kept scanning the few people milling about in hopes of spotting them. Finally, Ian stepped outside of the inn and came forward. “See, they are here.”
“You are right on time,” Ian said softly as he took the reins and helped first Sophia down, then Theo. “Captain Smith-Williams is waiting in one of the private parlors, Miss Hamilton.”
“Thank you.”
Sophia watched as Theo rushed to the front of the inn. She glanced at Ian, feeling nervous and uneasy. She didn't quite know what to do with her hands or what to say. Would he be rude to her? He had every right to be rude after the words they had exchanged.
“Did you encounter any bad moments?”
She could tell nothing of what he was feeling from his tone or his face. Her heart gave a sad little lurch. She really had ruined things. “Lady Catherine found us sneaking down the backstairs.”
“Did she tell anyone?”
“I made up a story of coming into the village at the last minute for ribbons. I invited her to join us, but she declined.”
“Thank goodness or you'd have been in trouble.”
“I would have thought of something, rushed Theo out the back door of the shop while Catherine wasn't looking. I also ran into Mrs. Dellwood.”
“She will tell everyone she saw you.”
“It will not matter because Theo will be gone by then,” Sophia said. “Should I return to the Lodge?”
“Not yet. We shall see the couple off and travel back together. Smith-Williams and I traveled in the coach from Horneswood. I shall need a ride back.”
Sophia nodded. Given his coolness, she would not bring up her decision. He'd probably withdraw his proposal after she'd been such a shrew. Perhaps it was just as well. She would just have to become used to spinsterhood and caps.
“Come, let's say our good-byes. With any luck, they will be well out of Beetham before we get back to the Lodge.”
Sophia took his arm and allowed Ian to lead her into the inn and to the private room, where Theo and the captain waited. They broke their embrace as they entered the room.
Theo rushed to Ian and kissed his cheek. “Thank you so much for everything, Mr. McDonald.”
Captain Smith-Williams shook his hand. “I shall see you in Dumfries in two weeks' time, sir.”
“I'll have the cottage ready for you both,” Ian said with a smile. “It should be smooth sailing from here.”
Theo touched Sophia on the sleeve. “I shall never forget your kindness to me this past week. I hope we shall see each other again very soon.”
Sophia squeezed Theo's hands. “I wish you both every happiness.”
Smith-Williams cleared his voice. “Come, love, we must be away.”
The couple left the room. Silence filled the air, making Sophia uneasy. She knew Ian was watching her. She moved to the window to watch the captain help Theo into the coach. The carriage left, heading south to Lancaster as Ian had directed.
“I thought we would wait here until closer to dark before leaving, Miss Townsend.”
They were back to formality. “That should still give us time to change for dinner.”
“We'll have to come up with some sort of story as to why Theo is missing dinner.”
Sophia turned from the window and found Ian seated at the small table with a cup of tea. “Is there another cup?”
“Of course, but the pot is almost empty. Shall I ring for more?”
Sophia shook her head and accepted the tea from Ian. She sat in the chair across from him. It was all so proper. “I had thought to tell everyone that Theo had a headache, but now that Lady Catherine saw us leave, that won't wash.”
Ian stared at her pointedly and she found herself trembling. She set down the cup quickly before she spilled the tea all over herself. She smoothed her hands on her gown. “Do you have a suggestion?”
* * *
Ian watched as Sophia tried to decide what to do with her hands. She was nervous and clearly uncomfortable being alone with him. They could not return too quickly to the Lodge, but sitting in this parlor sipping tea and being polite had not been a good idea either. He didn't know what to do with the time between saying good-bye to Smith-Williams and Miss Hamilton and returning to the Lodge.
“Miss Townsend, is the tea not to your liking?”
“Please, Ian, can we dispense with formality?”
“You were the one who designated our places in Society, Miss Townsend.” He emphasized her name. “Unless you've changed your mind?”
Other books
Office of Mercy (9781101606100) by Djanikian, Ariel
Safeword by A. J. Rose
Rules of Murder by Deering, Julianna
The Two of Swords: Part 9 by K. J. Parker
Dungeon Games by Lexi Blake
The Clones of Mawcett by Thomas DePrima
How to Write Fiction by The Guardian
Key Lime Blues by Mike Jastrzebski