An Unexpected Love (2 page)

“Correct or not, I’m disappointed that you have broken your promise to me. I’ve already explained that I don’t believe it’s wise for me to travel alone with all three of the girls.”

“Once my business is concluded here in Rochester, I’ll join you in England. As I attempted to tell you a few moments ago, I have arranged for an escort to take my place,” Jonas said.

Sophie could barely contain herself. Whom had Uncle Jonas convinced to make the journey? She waited for Aunt Victoria to inquire, but her aunt remained silent, her lips pressed together in a tight seam. And Uncle Jonas suddenly appeared more concerned with chasing a piece of duck around his plate than divulging the information.

When she could bear the suspense no longer, Sophie blurted, “Well, who is it you’ve convinced to escort us?”

“Yes, who?” Amanda asked.

Instead of speaking out with his usual pomp and ceremony, Jonas stared at his plate. “Daniel.”

Fanny clutched her bodice. “Daniel?
Daniel Irwin?
” She tipped her head to the side until her hair nearly touched her dinner plate. Obviously Fanny was intent upon making eye contact with Uncle Jonas.

Uncle Jonas raised his head and glanced around the table. He appeared to have regained his air of authority. “Do you ladies know any other Daniel?”

Sophie extended her index finger. “I do, but I doubt he’s the one.”

Her uncle’s jaw tightened. “Not if he’s one of those men you meet at Brown Square.”

Sophie giggled, pleased she’d been able to annoy her uncle yet somewhat surprised by this change in circumstances. Had she been forced to speculate upon whom her uncle had chosen as their escort, Daniel wouldn’t have made the list of possibilities. And from all appearances he wouldn’t have made Aunt Victoria’s list, either. Poor Fanny looked as though she’d suffered a striking blow to the midsection. Only Amanda remained poised and unruffled by the announcement.

“Why in the world would you ask Daniel Irwin?” Fanny croaked the question and immediately took a sip of water. “He’s not a member of the family. In fact, he’s rather a nuisance, isn’t he, Amanda?”

Amanda glanced at Fanny and then her father. Sophie poked her in the ribs, hoping that Amanda would find the courage to take a stand. “ ’Tis true he’s wearisome, Father. I do think you could have made a better choice.”

“Since when do you think you’re the one making family decisions, young woman?” He glared down the table, and Amanda visibly shrunk before Sophie’s eyes.

“She’s merely speaking her opinion, Uncle, and all of us concur. We are permitted an opinion in this family, are we not?”

Jonas shook his head. “Your manners leave much to be improved upon, Sophie. I did not seek any opinions on this decision. Daniel’s passage is booked, and I have every confidence he will prove to be a perfect escort.”

Sophie planned to argue the point, but before she could wage battle, one of the servants escorted her father into the room, with Paul Medford following close on his heels.

“My apologies, Victoria. I truly lost all track of time.” He gestured toward the table. “Please, go on with your supper. Paul and I can wait in the library.”

Clearly annoyed, Jonas pointed to one of the empty chairs. “Oh, do sit down, Quincy. You were invited for supper and supper you’ll eat.” When Paul remained in the doorway, Jonas waved him forward. “You, too, Paul. Sit down and eat.”

All concern over Daniel Irwin fled Sophie’s mind. Why had her father appeared with Paul Medford in tow? It seemed her father couldn’t make an appearance at any family function without his favorite seminary graduate tagging along like a stray mongrel.

Her father offered his profuse apologies until Aunt Victoria finally begged him to cease. “All is forgiven, Quincy. As you can see, we didn’t wait for your arrival. Sophie suggested we begin without you.”

Her father cast a fleeting smile in Sophie’s direction. “I fear she knows me well.”

The servants returned with the serving bowls and platters and silently waited while the two men filled their plates. Quincy took several bites of the vegetables and duck. He nodded his approval. “Excellent as usual, Victoria.” He downed a gulp of water from his goblet. “I need a favor, Jonas.”

Jonas peered over the rim of his coffee cup.

“Paul received word today that his grandmother is quite ill— not expected to live much longer. He believes he should accompany his mother back to England,” Quincy said. “I told him it might be possible for you to book passage for the two of them to travel with you and Victoria and the girls. I explained they would be departing on the twenty-third.”

Jonas grunted. “Exactly right. I had originally planned the departure for the eighteenth of the month, but Victoria was quick to remind me that most of the luxury liners sail on Saturdays. My wife tends to suffer from motion sickness when she travels on the smaller ships.” He patted his wife’s hand. “Is that date acceptable for you and your mother, Paul?”

Paul leaned forward on his chair. “Yes, most acceptable. It would help Mother keep her mind off Grandmother’s illness if she had someone to visit with other than me. I fear my presence on the ship will serve as a constant reminder of the reason we’re crossing the ocean. Your wife and the young ladies could provide a diversion.”

Jonas nodded his agreement. “I’ll take care of it first thing in the morning.” He beamed at his wife. “You see, my dear, this has worked out quite well after all. You’ll have someone to keep you company throughout the voyage.”

Confusion clouded her father’s eyes, and Sophie hastened to relay the news that Uncle Jonas would not accompany them on the voyage.

“What business is it that ties you to Rochester, Jonas? If it’s something I could help with, I’d be pleased to lend my assistance. You could then continue with your plan to accompany Victoria.”

Jonas vigorously shook his head. “No, nothing you’d be able to assist with, but I do appreciate the offer, Quincy. However, having Paul and his mother along will prove most beneficial, don’t you ladies agree?”

Aunt Victoria didn’t appear persuaded, and nothing her father or Uncle Jonas said or did would convince Sophie, either. Paul Medford’s presence on board the ship would spoil all of her fun!

The three girls escaped the confines of the house the moment they were excused from the dinner table. With a promise to remain on the grounds, they donned their cloaks and strolled to the terrace garden, where privacy awaited them. Even as young girls, they’d enjoyed sitting in the loggia with its towering Greek columns that permitted a view of anyone approaching yet afforded a feeling of privacy—thanks in large part to the grapevines that provided an overhead blanket of leaves and luscious treats when in season.

“I don’t know which of our fathers has become the more devious, Amanda.” Sophie stood on one of the ornate benches and yanked a withered leaf from one of the sagging vines. “I cannot believe I’ll be forced to endure Paul Medford throughout the voyage. You can be certain he’ll attempt to quash all our fun. And I can only imagine his mother—a stern and prudish old woman with a constant frown.” Sophie shuddered.

The breeze tugged at the corner of Amanda’s cape, and she pulled it close to her body. “I believe Paul’s circumstances are purely coincidental. Besides, I’ve never known you to permit anyone to ruin your good time. I predict you’ll find some way to avoid him.”

“And let’s don’t forget that Paul’s mother will provide company for Aunt Victoria,” Fanny added. “However, I do think Daniel Irwin’s presence can be attributed to Uncle Jonas and his devious scheming.” Fanny squeezed Amanda’s arm. “I’m sorry if you find my words harsh, Amanda.”

“No need for apologies, Fanny. I’ve heard much worse. I doubt there’s any member of the family who hasn’t criticized Father at some point—including me. And, unfortunately, I believe you’re correct about Daniel. He is an odd choice. Father barely knows him, and he’s not so much older than the three of us. If he merely wanted a young male escort, he could have easily ordered Jefferson or George to come along.”

Sophie clapped her hands. “Oh, I do wish he would have done that! The boys are such fun!”

Amanda grinned. “They may still act like boys, but I don’t think they’d appreciate your referring to them as such.”

“And their youthful behavior is exactly why your father wouldn’t choose for them to accompany us.” Fanny brushed an auburn curl from her forehead. “We all three know why he chose Daniel Irwin. Uncle Jonas continues to hold out hope that I’ll forget Michael and fall madly in love with Daniel. He hasn’t fooled me in the least, but his plan will fail. My love for Michael is steadfast. Daniel will never be the recipient of my affections.”

Amanda gently tapped her index finger across her pursed lips. “But what if this is Daniel’s plan rather than my father’s? Have you considered that Daniel may have approached my father and avowed his affection for you?”

“And being Fanny’s ever-adoring guardian who wants only the very best for his niece, Uncle Jonas suggested Daniel accompany us on this voyage,” Sophie quipped. “Do you truly believe he merely wants to give Fanny an opportunity to discover her one true love?”

“I know you’re correct, Sophie, but I thought we should at least give him the benefit of the doubt. He is my father, after all, and I’d not want to misjudge him.”

Sophie’s rippling laughter echoed through their stone hideaway. “Believe me, dear cousin, you need not worry on that account.” A light breeze rippled through the grapevines, and Sophie huddled closer to her cousins. “However, I have decided that we shall have a grand time in spite of the two troublesome fellows who have been foisted upon us.” She joined hands with her cousins. “Let’s make a pact.”

2

Saturday, October 23, 1897
On board the SS
City of New York

The driver maneuvered their carriage onto the pier at breakneck speed and then brought the horses to an abrupt halt that sent members of the Broadmoor family careening inside the conveyance. The driver would likely receive an upbraiding from Uncle Jonas, but Sophie thought the experience quite exciting. An exhilarating beginning to their journey. Granted, Aunt Victoria’s hat no longer sat at the same jaunty angle, but the driver had managed to deliver them without any genuine mishap, no small feat for even the most adept of drivers on sailing days in New York City.

Like the Broadmoors, other passengers had arrived more than an hour prior to sailing time, and many were already directing the destination of their trunks and bags while others were ascending the gangway. Livery carriages and private turnouts continued to arrive, dropping off additional travelers on the crowded pier.

Once they’d stepped out of the carriage, Uncle Jonas instructed them to keep a watch for Daniel while he spoke to the driver. Sophie grinned at her cousins. “Perhaps we should hide behind the baggage so Daniel won’t see us.”

“I doubt that will work. Uncle Jonas would likely discover some method to delay the ship’s sailing until Daniel arrives. Unless I can depend upon you two to help me keep Daniel at bay, I fear I’m doomed to spend the entire voyage in his company,” Fanny lamented.

“You know I will do my very best,” Sophie promised. “The three of us will develop some delicious plans that will bewilder poor Daniel. All we must do is reenact a few of the pranks we’ve previously used on Jefferson and George.”

Amanda didn’t appear totally convinced. “We’ll do our best to keep him at arm’s length whenever possible. But no outrageous pranks.”

“That was certainly halfhearted,” Sophie whispered. “You could be more supportive.”

Aunt Victoria walked toward them just then, waving her handkerchief high in the air. “Wave, girls! There’s Daniel, and he doesn’t appear to see us.” The three of them turned their backs and fumbled in their reticules. Finally Victoria tapped Amanda on the shoulder. “What are you girls doing? I asked you to wave to Daniel.”

Amanda nudged Sophie. “We’re looking for our handkerchiefs, so he’ll more easily see us. However, it appears I’ve forgotten mine. They must all be packed in my trunk.” Sophie batted her lashes and held open her handbag for her aunt’s inspection.

Victoria pointed to the piece of lace protruding from the pocket of Sophie’s fur-trimmed traveling cloak. “Could that possibly be what you’ve been searching for?”

Sophie could feel the heat rise up her neck and into her cheeks. “Why, I do believe it is. Thank you, Aunt Victoria.” She pulled the lace-edged hankie from her pocket and barely raised her arm. The white square drooped from her hand like a flag at half-mast without a breeze in the offing.

Pushing Sophie’s arm upward, Aunt Victoria instructed Amanda and Fanny to make haste. “You girls are not deceiving me in the least. Now, find those handkerchiefs and wave them overhead.” She jutted her chin forward in a manner that implied she would not be denied. Had the white linen squares not been produced forthwith, Sophie believed her aunt would have dived right into each of their reticules and retrieved them. The other two girls lifted their handkerchiefs and waved them overhead with little enthusiasm. Unfortunately, their waving provided enough activity to attract Daniel’s attention.

“He’s seen us,” Fanny muttered. “And look! There’s Paul.” She grasped Sophie’s hand. “That must be his mother.”

Sophie frowned and shook her head. “No. That woman looks much different than Paul’s mother.”

“You’ve never met Paul’s mother,” Fanny said.

“True,” Sophie said. “But I’ve pictured her in my mind, and that woman looks nothing like her.”

“Oh, forevermore, Sophie. You’re not making any sense,” Amanda said. “She’s the only person with him. The woman most certainly must be his mother—she’s lovely, don’t you think?”

Daniel raced toward them and immediately hastened to Fanny’s side while Sophie contemplated the older woman grasping Paul’s arm. Very stylish, with an air of dignity and an inviting smile—in truth, quite a lovely woman. Not at all like her son. For in spite of what others said, Sophie thought Paul rather plain. When they’d drawn closer, Sophie noted the similar chestnut brown eyes. Otherwise, there was little resemblance between mother and son.