Meant To Be (Pendleton Manor 1)

“I can find work as a companion,” Sophy said stubbornly. “A governess.”

It was her grandmother’s turn to resort to sarcasm. “Oh yes, I can see you as an old dowager’s slave or a family drudge, wasting away in some dreadful room, worked to death for a pittance. No, Sophy, I will not have it. Your heart is broken, I understand that, but it will not be broken forever. The heart is a remarkably resilient organ.”

“My father died in prison,” Sophy reminded her. “Why would anyone overlook such disgrace?”

“You expected Harry to.”

“He loved me. Or at least … I thought he did.” For a moment she felt completely bewildered.

Susan reached to take her hand and give it a squeeze. “I know you think you will live an independent life, but such dreams are just that. The world is a cruel place for someone in your position. I have seen it for myself, and sometimes it is necessary to make choices you never thought you would have to make, Sophy. My hope is that you will find another man to love you. Your father may have died in disgrace but he came from a good family. As good as the Baillieus. And with Sir Geoffrey as your sponsor, these matters will be overlooked, I assure you.”

“Grandma, I don’t—”

“You are well versed in the ways of polite society—your father did a good job there. You would grace any table, and your husband would be proud of you. Marriage will give you a degree of independence a single woman can never achieve. We just need to find the right man, one who is respectable and with a reasonable amount of money to indulge you, and who will offer marriage to you and not a carte blanche.”

“A—?” Sophy began, although she knew what it was. Harry had told her once when she asked him and she had been suitably shocked while he had laughed at her innocence.

Her grandmother glared at her as if Sophy was somehow at fault. “Marriage! We will not settle for anything less.”

“You did.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them. Susan gave her a considering look. “I did, you are quite right. I was a kept woman and it is not always a comfortable position to be in. In my case, once I had made my choice of protector, there was no alternative. Sir Geoffrey’s circumstances meant he was unable to marry me.”

“I’m sorry. I did not know.”

“He had a wife already. A marriage of convenience, and he was too principled to cause her embarrassment, although not principled enough to give me up.” She shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

Sophy didn’t know what to say.

“There is a man out there who is the one for you,” her grandmother went on. “We simply have to find him.”

Sophy stared at the pattern on the old Turkish rug that she knew covered a stain on the floor. “I thought I had found him.”

“Well, Harry was clearly not worthy of you.” At that moment there was a ring of the bell, and she looked up with a smile. “Sir Geoffrey,” she pronounced. “Exactly who we need right now.”

As she watched her grandmother hurry from the parlour, Sophy wondered wearily if the woman was enjoying all of this drama a little bit more than she should.

Sophy sat at the luncheon table, pushing a slice of cold beef back and forth with her fork, barely listening to the conversation. The voices of her two companions washed over her, leaving her to drown in her own misery.

“Sophy?” her grandmother was frowning. “Are you paying attention, dear? You really must listen, my love. Sir Geoffrey and I have formulated our plan. Do you want to hear it?”

She wanted to stand up and run from the room, but they meant well, and they had been so kind to her. In fact they were wearing her down with kindness. So she nodded, although at this moment their plan was the last thing Sophy wanted any part of.

Sir Geoffrey cleared his throat. “My sister is happy for you to continue attending functions with her and my nieces.”

Sophy doubted this was true, but she let it pass. After she had left the ball, Sir Geoffrey’s sister had been told she’d returned home due to a headache, although Mrs Harding must know by now that was a lie. Although the atmosphere between them had not been particularly easy, Sophy had enjoyed Lucy and Charlotte’s company. She’d forgotten how pleasant it was being with girls around her own age.

As if he had read her mind, Sir Geoffrey said, “My sister was disappointed to hear what happened at the ball, but you can be sure she is looking forward to helping you find your match, Sophy.”

“She is very generous,” she said automatically, still not believing it.

“Well, as to that …” Sir Geoffrey winked. “I am greasing the way for my nieces in Society, so she has to be happy to oblige me, Sophy.”

She had suspected something of the sort. Sophy stared at him, not quite sure what to say. She could refuse outright and stay in her room, but—a glance at her grandmother—she didn’t think she’d be allowed to do that again. Besides, her grandmother’s advice had struck a chord in her, try though she might to ignore it.

“Your grandmother believes you are a jewel, Sophy, and I think so too. We want you to show yourself, attract attention, and the suitors will soon be flocking around you like bees to honey.”

“Sir Geoffrey,” Sophy said, “I am very grateful for your help. You and Grandma.” I hope you won’t be too disappointed when I fail to attract any suitors, and my heart never heals.