CHAPTER 5
Sophie frowned at her youngest sister across the breakfast table from her. “Then Charlotte and I will go without you, if you’re so weak in constitution, Cassie.”
Cassie, predictably, sulked. “I’m not weak in constitution. I just don’t see why we have to go there. Grandfather could be there.”
“Weak in constitution,” Sophie replied. “As I said.”
“I simply mean,” Cassie pitched her voice slightly higher, “that we should invite Priscilla to call on us. here, instead. Grandfather won’t be here.”
“We’ve never called on her,” Charlotte explained more calmly. “We’ve never been any sort of support to her. It wouldn’t be right asking her to call on us, especially now. She’s the one who’s lost both her father and brother in the matter of a few days. She shouldn’t have to call on anyone.”
Cassie leaned forward in her seat and her light brown curls bobbed against her shoulders as she turned her full attention on Charlotte, next to Sophie. “But what if Grandfather sees us? What if seeing us makes him think one of us would make an excellent match for Hellsburg?” She shivered slightly. “It’s much safer to stay here, don’t you think? Besides, I’m sure Priscilla would rather be out of that house than in it. I know I would if I was her.”
“Weak in—”
“Honestly, Sophie!” Cassie nearly wailed. “If you call me weak in constitution one more time…”
“Calling on our cousin who is in need is the decent thing to do, Cassandra. If you aren’t willing to do the decent thing, then Charlotte and I will go without you. No one is forcing you to do anything. Going or staying is entirely your decision.”
Cassie sunk back against her chair, her bottom lip thrust out in a fairly characteristic pout. “There are days that I hate you, Sophie.”
“Cassandra!” Mama gasped from the threshold. “What an awful thing to say to your sister.”
“She called me weak in constitution. You just didn’t hear her.”
When their mother cast her gaze upon Sophie, she shrugged in response to the accusation. “She was being weak in constitution.”
“Well, I’m certain there was no reason to point it out, Sophia.”
On that, they would have to agree to differ. If no one ever pointed out Cassie’s tendency to be spineless, then she’d never try to improve herself.
“Mama,” Charlotte began, her voice as serenely sweet as always. “Sophie and I are heading to Chatham House this morning to visit Priscilla, if you would like to come with us.”
Their mother blanched slightly. “Chatham House? What would inspire you to go there all of a sudden?” And then she apparently reached the most logical explanation in her own mind as she said, “You girls weren’t by chance listening outside your father’s study last night, were you?”
Sophie was not weak in constitution, so she tipped her chin up a bit stubbornly. “Sometimes it is the only way to learn what is really happening in the world.”
“Sophia.” Mama sagged a bit as she stepped into the breakfast room. “You do exhaust me.”
She probably did. Mama, after all, was very similar in temperament to Cassie. “Yes, well, Charlotte and I are worried about Priscilla, being stuck in that house with only Grandfather and…him.”
Mama dropped into a chair beside Cassie and heaved a sigh. “The girl needs more than a visit, Sophia. She needs a way out of that house.”
That was probably true, but…
“Mama! That’s it!” Charlotte began, beaming from ear to ear. “What if we offered to let her stay here with us?”
“Here?” Mama frowned at that. “I’m not sure your grandfather…”
But Charlotte was right. “It’s all in the way it’s presented,” Sophie said. “We could tell Grandfather that we wish to lift the burden placed upon him after Uncle Aylesford’s death.”
“That would only make him more stubborn in keeping her,” Charlotte said. “As though we don’t think he can handle everything on his own.” She shook her head. “He thinks everyone else is weak, so we should present it that way. Mama should tell him how in awe she is of how dignified and refined Lady Priscilla is and hint that if Priscilla were to stay at Beckbury House for a time that her poise and sophistication might be a good example for the three of us.”
Cassie gasped at the suggestion. “That makes us sound like undignified ape leaders.”
“Who cares what Grandfather thinks?” Sophie asked, warming to Charlotte’s plan. It was, after all, a brilliant idea. “As long as we’re able to free our poor cousin from his grasp, he can believe we each have three heads and forked tongues for all I care.”
“Honestly, Sophia,” Mama said aghast. “The things you say.”
“You grew up with him, Mama,” Charlotte said softly. “Certainly, you can’t want the same for her? Not now that everyone who loved her is gone.”
“I’m sure I could convince Papa to agree,” Sophie said. For all that Papa was full of bluster, he wasn’t the mean-spirited sort. At least not where she was concerned. “I’m sure he’d say yes if I asked him.”
“He always says yes to you,” Mama agreed with a sigh. “Your father isn’t the issue, Sophie, my father is.”
“Show Cassie that you are not weak in constitution, Mama,” Sophie said. “Show her that a little bravery can go a long way.”
“She could share my chambers,” Charlotte offered.
Mama looked from Sophie to Charlotte and back. “You’ll have to get your father to agree first.”
Sophie pushed to her feet. “Consider it done, Mama.”
But just as she was about to start for the corridor, Ames, their butler, appeared in the threshold. “Miss Hampton, Mr. Greywood is here to see you.”
“He’s here?” she nearly squeaked.
Blast it all!
Every bit of bravado that had been swirling around Sophie evaporated into the air. Mr. Greywood! She hadn’t thought at all about what she’d say to him when she saw him next. What if he said something to Papa about last night? What if he said something to anyone?
Charlotte winced slightly while Mama and Cassie looked immediately concerned.
“Is something wrong with Mr. Greywood?” Mama asked. “I thought you liked him.”
Sophie quickly shook her head. “No, no. He’s quite wonderful. He’s just stopping me from talking to Papa is all.”
“I’ll do my best with Papa,” Charlotte offered, and the expression she sent Sophie was one of complete sisterly support. What would she ever do without Charlotte?
N ausea washed over Sophie as she stepped into the yellow parlor. Mr. Greywood was staring out the window to Park Street below, his hands clasped behind his back. Goodness, he had the power to destroy her, at least socially.
Sophie gulped before saying, “Good morning, Mr. Greywood.”
He spun on his heel and smiled at her. “Forgive me for calling so early, Miss Hampton, I needed to assure myself that you were perfectly well.”
“How attentive you are.” She sent him her sweetest smile as guilt swamped her, but she didn’t feel guilty enough to admit the truth about the previous evening. No, no, it was much better to play innocent than to admit anything even slightly scandalous.
“Did you have a pleasant evening?” he asked, his brown eyes narrowing slightly.
Honestly, he should realize she wasn’t going to admit to anything, be the gentleman she knew him to be, and stop asking such pointed questions. Sophie breezed her way toward the settee. “Indeed, we had a grand time at the Hemington musicale. I always love spending time with Lady Chloe.”
“And after that?”
Well, after that, she and her sisters had overheard that awful conversation between their parents in her father’s study, which was the last thing she’d tell him. “After that?” she echoed as she dropped onto the settee.
“How was your evening after that?”
Sophie had three choices – continue feigning innocence, go on the offensive and put him in his place, or own up to her actions the night before. The last option was not…well, not an option she was going to consider. So which of the first two would most quickly gain her the result she was looking for? If she wanted him to continue courting her, the first option would have to do. “To be completely honest,” she lied, “all of my evenings the last sennight have been much the same. Mama has been quite upset over her brother’s death, and my sisters and I have tried to be a strength for her, keeping her entertained and her mind off such unpleasantness.”
Mr. Greywood’s face fell slightly. “I am terribly sorry,” he said as he assumed the spot beside her. “I hadn’t realized Lady Beckbury was close with Lord Aylesford.” And then he shook his head. “I’m sorry. That didn’t come out as I meant it to.”
And the truth was, Mama had not been close to her brother, but Mr. Greywood did not need to know that. Sophie shook her head in response. “No, no, there’s nothing for you to apologize for. I am sorry if I’ve not seemed myself of late.”
He smiled at her then, a warm smile that matched the kindness of his eyes. “As long as all is well with you and you’re not in any sort of trouble.”
The only trouble she’d be in was if he told anyone he’d seen her at the Albany in trousers the night before.
“Sophie!” Cassie burst into the parlor. “Charlotte did poorly with Papa. She doesn’t have the same power of persuasion over him that you do.”
Mr. Greywood’s brow lifted at that. “Do you have a power of persuasion over all men, Miss Hampton?”
Blast Cassie for saying something like that. She knew Sophie was meeting with Mr. Greywood. “Would that I did,” she said airily as she pushed back to her feet. “Alas, my powers only seem to work with Papa.”
He laughed at that. “My sister can say the same about our father. Go, go,” he urged. “Persuade away and then perhaps you’ll let me persuade you to take a ride in the park with me.”
Except that after Sophie was successful with Papa, she’d be heading over to Chatham House to rescue her poor cousin. Most likely. “Tomorrow?” she asked, hopefully.
Mr. Greywood sighed, but agreed with a nod. “Perhaps your powers work on more than just your father, Miss Hampton.”
He was charming, wasn’t he? Sophie smiled, wished Mr. Greywood a good day, and then followed Cassie into the corridor.
“Honestly,” she whispered once they were far enough away from the parlor to not be overheard. “Do watch what you say when a gentleman is calling on me, Cassandra Hampton.”
Cassie blinked at her. “What did I say?”
“That I have the power of persuasion.”
“You do.” Cassie’s brow creased. “No one can get Papa to do things except you.”
Sophie was generally more successful than anyone else. Actually, she couldn’t really remember a time Papa had ever told her no, but that was not the point. “Yes, well, saying something like that in front of Mr. Greywood makes it sound as though I go around manipulating people.”
“That’s not what I said.”
“That’s what it sounded like,” Sophie replied. “So, do watch your tongue. I doubt he’d be willing to be brought up to scratch if he thinks I’m manipulative.”
Cassie heaved a sigh. “I believe you think men put more thought behind the meaning of words than are actually there. That, my dear sister, is something women do, not men.”
Sophie frowned at her sister. “Are you an authority on what men think?”
“Apparently more so than you are.” And with that, Cassie tipped her hair over her shoulder in a very dramatic fashion and abandoned Sophie in front of their father’s study.
It was quite possible that Cassandra was the most frustrating sister in the world. Of course, she would seem as such in contrast to Charlotte who was always in the sweetest disposition.
Having reached her father’s study, Sophie released a sigh and then knocked on the door.
“What now?” Papa sounded in a snit.
“It’s me, Papa,” she called evenly.
“Ah, Sophia! Come in, come in, my dear.”
She pushed the door open and stepped inside her father’s study, and Papa pushed to his feet upon her entrance.
“I thought you were talking with Charlotte,” she began, walking toward her father’s desk.
His light eyes narrowed slightly. “I do hope you’re not going to pick up where she left off.”
That was exactly why Sophie was there. “Well, that depends, Papa. Where did she leave off?”
At that, a smile spread across his lips. “You are incorrigible.”
Which, she suspected, was one of the things he liked best about her. “Did Charlotte ask you if our cousin could stay with us for a time?”
Papa heaved a sigh. “I am not of a mind to do battle with Chatham, Sophie. It never ends up well for anyone who does so.”
“But Priscilla doesn’t have anyone left who can fight for her, Papa.”
“By all accounts, Chatham adores her. I’m certain she’ll be just fine where she’s at.”
Sophie’s brow lifted in surprise. “Do you honestly believe that? If it was Cassie, Charlotte or me, instead, do you believe any of us would be just fine with Grandfather and Hellsburg?”
Papa winced slightly.
“Please, Papa,” Sophie begged, feeling rather certain he was weakening. “All you have to do is agree to let her stay here if Grandfather agrees to let her leave.”
Her father’s brow lifted.
“If we’re successful in doing that, in rescuing her from their clutches, certainly you would be willing to give her refuge here.”
Papa heaved a sigh. “And who is going to talk your grandfather into such a thing, sweetheart?”
“Mama will talk to him.”
Her father laughed at that. “Well, then your success is doomed from the start.”
Not if Charlotte and Sophie convinced Mama to say the right things and…
Goodness! Was she manipulative? As she’d accused Cassie of making her sound?
Sophie shook that thought away for the moment. Second guessing herself would not help her cousin and that was her main goal in all of this, helping Priscilla. Even if she was manipulative, her motives were pure.
“Then you have nothing to lose if you promise to let her stay, do you?”
A soft snort escaped Papa. “You know I can never deny you anything, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Papa!” Sophie threw her arms around his neck. “We shall return home with Priscilla. You may mark my words.”
“I’m almost afraid you might.”