Predestined Hearts

“Sophia, please look at me.”

Turning, I looked in Daniel’s eyes. Leaning down he kissed my tear soaked cheeks. “I want nothing from you but your love. I promise to always provide a good life for you and our children.”

A small sob escaped my lips. “I’ll love you forever, Daniel Stowe.”

Pressing his lips to mine, Daniel kissed me passionately. Moments later, he filled my body as he slowly made love to me, whispering repeatedly how much he loved me.

“Stop ringing your hands together, Sophia.”

Glancing over to Daniel, I let out a sigh. “How can you remain so calm? I’ve just spent an entire evening and morning alone with you. What will our parents think?”

Danny smiled and winked at me as the carriage came to a stop. The door opened and I waited for Danny to get out first. He reached back in for my hand to guide me out of the carriage. Placing my hand in his, I stepped out. Looking around quickly for my mother or father, I was confused by where we were.

“Danny, where are we?” I asked as he placed his hand on my lower back. Tingles moved along my spine as he guided me to a door. He threw open the door and Nelly and Richard were sitting at a table. I stopped walking. “Nelly?”

Standing, Nelly’s smile spread wider across her face. She quickly looked at Daniel and nodded her head. “Come along, Sophia, you best not be up and about when you feel so ill.”

Pulling my arm from Nelly’s hand, I looked at her. “Don’t be daft, I feel amazing.”

Turning back to Danny, I smiled. He walked up to me and placed his hand on my neck. Pulling me toward him, he leaned down and kissed me. “I love you, Sophia. Go with Nelly now and I’ll call on you once we are back in Savannah.” Turning, he nodded to Richard. “Shall we?”

Standing, Richard placed a kiss upon Nelly’s cheek, turned and followed Danny out the door. I spun around and looked at Nelly. “What is going on?”

Giggling, she threaded her arm in mine. “Daniel had it all planned. He was going to sneak you out of the dance and to his family’s beach house. I was to tell your mother and father you fell ill and adjourned to your room. Your mother came to check on you once. Once she was satisfied that you were sleeping well, she left you for the rest of the evening.”

I stopped walking. “If I was with Daniel, who was in my room?”

Smiling a wicked smile, Nelly whispered, “Richard.”

My hand moved over my mouth to contain my laughter. “No!”

Nodding her head, Nelly said, “Yes.”

Giggling, the entire way back to my room, Nelly asked about my time with Danny. I told her everything. I opened the door to my room and came to an abrupt halt as Nelly let out a gasp.

“Mother, what are you doing in my room?” I asked as I tried to stay calm. Standing, my mother smoothed out her dress before glancing toward Nelly.

“Nelly, you are excused. I need a moment alone with my daughter.”

I grabbed Nelly’s hand. “Nelly is my friend. You have no right to excuse her from my room and—”

My mother gave me a dirty look. “You. Are. To. Leave. Nelly. Now!”

Dropping Nelly’s hand, I glared at my mother. Nelly quickly left the room, quietly shutting the door behind her. My mother slowly walked up to me. “Where were you last night?”

“Here. In bed feeling ill.”

“Sophia, where were you last night?”

Smiling, I looked away.

My mother grabbed my shoulders and shook me as she yelled out. “Look at me!”

Turning slowly, I looked into her eyes. They were filled with nothing but hate. “I was with Daniel.”

My mother dropped her hands from me and took a step back. “You have disgraced this family.”

Laughing, I motioned for Lucy to help me with my dress. “Please, Mother. I would guess no one knew I was gone.”