An Unexpected Love (32 page)

“I don’t think you can blame yourself entirely, Quincy. And blame and guilt won’t accomplish anything. Sophie needs a husband, and I have offered to marry her.”

Quincy’s coffee cup hit the saucer with a clatter.
“What?
”

“And she has accepted. Before you say anything more, let me explain. I have loved Sophie from afar. When I first arrived in Rochester, I thought she was the most stunning young lady I’d ever seen. Of course, she didn’t have any interest in me other than when she didn’t know my identity at the masquerade ball.”

“Ah yes. She was quite surprised to discover who you were, wasn’t she? Fell into the river, as I recall.”

Paul nodded. “I’m aware Sophie doesn’t love me—she’s still in love with Wesley. But we have agreed that we will tell no one except you that I am not the father of the child. There is no need for others to know.”

“She’ll tell her cousins,” Quincy replied.

“Yes, but she says she can trust them to keep a confidence. I left that to her discretion. Otherwise, I’d prefer—”

“Are you sure this is what you want to do? You’re a young man, and living out your years in a loveless marriage can be a difficult cross to bear. I’ve heard those who have done so express profound regret.”

“Our marriage won’t be loveless. I love Sophie, and I’ll love her child. I have no doubt the child will love me in return. In time I pray Sophie will come to love me, also. Who can tell what the future will hold? I’m content with my decision.”

They’d downed the remains of their coffee and pushed away from the table as Mr. Atwell entered the café.

“Ah, perfect timing, I see. I’ve loaded the goods on the boat, so if you gentlemen are ready, we can be on our way.”

Sophie checked the time before heading down the path to the boathouse. Paul and her father should be returning soon. The smell of the river mingled with the scent of wild flowers that poked through the rocky outcroppings along the water’s edge. Sunlight pierced the water in coruscating shafts that created a beauty unlike any other. Little wonder fishermen enjoyed sitting on the quiet banks of the river. Each day they were offered a new panorama of God’s handiwork.

Using her cupped palm to shade her eyes, she watched the
DaisyBee
make her approach. Her heart beat more rapidly when she caught sight of her father. If she hadn’t been such a coward, she would have accompanied Paul to Clayton and confessed her sordid behavior on her own. But Paul had insisted she think of her health as well as the welfare of the baby she carried. Turmoil couldn’t possibly be a good thing for either of them, he’d said. And she had quickly agreed. She hadn’t wanted to observe her father’s initial disappointment. This way he could absorb the news before seeing her.

She could see the tears in her father’s eyes the moment he stepped out of the boat. Her stomach tightened into a hard knot. What must he think of her? Would he even speak her name? She took a backward step, uncertain, but her heart took wing as he spread open his arms. She raced into the comfort of his embrace, her tears flowing like a summer rain.

She buried her face in the shoulder of his jacket. “I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?”

He leaned back and tilted her chin. “Of course I forgive you, Sophie. I realize that I am to blame for much of what has happened since your mother’s death. You needed me, but I was so absorbed in my own pain and loss that I ignored you. In some respects, you lost both of your parents when your mother died, a fact that fills me with great remorse.”

“We can’t change the past, Father. I know I surely would if I could, but . . .”

“You’re right. But we can make the future better. No matter what happens, I’ll do my best to be at your side, Sophie. I can’t promise I’ll always meet your expectations, but I will support your marriage with Paul and welcome your child into the family.”

“Thank you, Father. I know my behavior reflects on the entire family. I made a terrible decision.”

“We’ve all made bad decisions, Sophie. It’s what we learn and how we react once we’re faced with the consequences of those decisions that becomes very important. It pleases me that you didn’t do anything foolish when Hedrick took off.”

Sophie glanced over her shoulder at Paul. One look told her that Paul hadn’t revealed that she’d nearly plunged to her death. His compassion continued to amaze her. Why Paul should love her was beyond her comprehension. She truly didn’t deserve someone so kind.

Jonas had attempted to gain Quincy’s attention ever since he’d arrived earlier in the day, but Quincy seemed uncharacteristically preoccupied with Sophie. Jonas had thought to interrupt at one point but then decided against such action. Perhaps his brother would discover exactly why Wesley had taken his leave. After all, one would think a guest of Mr. Hedrick’s social standing would at least offer a word of thanks and a farewell to his host. There was something amiss, and Jonas wanted full details. He had been looking forward to eliciting investment ideas from his departed guest.

Now that dinner was over and most of the family had retreated outdoors to enjoy the evening breeze, Jonas motioned his brother into the library. “We need to talk.”

“I was going to suggest that very thing,” Quincy agreed.

His brother’s immediate consent surprised him. Perhaps there wasn’t anything clandestine going on after all. He certainly hoped not, for although Hedrick’s departure had breached all rules of etiquette, Jonas would willingly forgive that in exchange for the man’s sound investment advice.

Surrounded by shelves of leather-bound books their mother and father had collected for years, the brothers settled in two large upholstered chairs facing the window that overlooked the side yard. Jonas removed a cigar from the humidor. “Exactly what is going on, Quincy? Mr. Hedrick’s unexpected departure, your surprising arrival, the girls’ twittering among themselves, my wife’s avowal that she knows nothing of the circumstances—all of this leaves me utterly confused. Can you enlighten me?”

Quincy nodded. “We are planning a wedding, a very quiet ceremony between Paul and Sophie.”

The cigar tumbled from Jonas’s fingers and landed on the Axminster carpet. Surely his brother had misspoken. “
Paul?
What of her betrothal to Wesley? That was what I heard you announce at the charity ball, was it not?”

“You heard correctly, but Sophie’s engagement to Wesley has been irrevocably broken. She will marry Paul on the fourteenth— with my blessing.”

Jonas eyed his brother. There was more to this than he was telling. “And you gave your blessing to Wesley and Sophie, as I recall. What happened?”

“Wesley broke their engagement when he discovered Sophie is expecting a child.”

Jonas choked on his cigar smoke. A man of the cloth had taken liberties with his niece? “Why, that fellow should be thrown out of the ministry. I am appalled by such behavior. Are you simply going to let him act as though his behavior is acceptable? He’s ruined Sophie’s life. She was going to marry a man with a fine career and social standing and now . . . now . . .” he stammered.

“Frankly, this matter is none of your concern, Jonas.”

“Of course it is. She’s a Broadmoor, and her behavior reflects on the entire family. She’s been acting like a trollop ever since Marie’s death. Surely you realize Sophie’s behavior has been a topic of ongoing gossip among the Rochester dowagers. Her inappropriate conduct is discussed as habitually as they devour their fruited tea cakes. Victoria and I have attempted to speak to you on more than one occasion, but you’ve turned a deaf ear. Now
this
!”

“I care little about the gossipmongers. Their time would be better spent helping the needy than defaming others. People make mistakes—all of us do. I daresay your life has not been a model of perfection. I seem to recall Father having paid quite a handsome sum to a father in Syracuse when his daughter came into the family way.”

“That’s entirely different! Nobody knew about that incident, and that girl knew I had no intention of ever marrying her. Besides, she miscarried shortly after Father paid her father off. If he had waited a few more weeks . . .”

“Listen to yourself, Jonas. You speak out of both sides of your mouth. I will not permit any member of this family to speak ill of Paul and Sophie. As for Paul’s ministry, I decide whether he is capable of attending to the spiritual needs of the residents at the Home. I do not believe I could locate a man better suited, and I will not discharge him. If benefactors find that a reason to withdraw their support, so be it.” Quincy pushed to his feet and strode from the room without a backward glance.

“But what about the fact that Hedrick was to be your benefactor?”

Quincy turned. “Hedrick is a fraud. He hasn’t enough funds to sustain his own existence. He was after my daughter’s fortune.”

“I find that impossible to believe.”

Quincy shrugged. “Believe what you will. I really don’t care.” With that he turned and left.

Slack-jawed, Jonas stared after his brother. Never before had Quincy taken such a stand against him. Of course, Jonas knew the Broadmoor name would withstand Sophie’s dalliance. His concern wasn’t for the girl or her reputation, or even the family name. His concern was the loss of Wesley Hedrick’s financial knowledge.

21

Tuesday, June 14, 1898

Sophie clasped her hand to her mouth. “I think I may be sick.”

“Don’t be silly. You are not going to be sick. There isn’t time,” Amanda said, checking Sophie’s dress. “I do wish we had time to loosen the seam around the waist a little, but it will have to do.”

Sophie stared in the mirror. Her cousin was correct. Her waistline wasn’t as small as it once had been. The satin fabric now puckered at her waist instead of lying flat. Amanda had warned her against a corset, saying Dr. Carstead didn’t recommend tight garments for expectant mothers. But without a corset, the gown wouldn’t have fastened at all. Surely for these few additional hours it would make little difference. She’d been wearing a corset up until now.

Amanda stood behind her and stared at Sophie’s reflection. “I think your gown is an excellent choice. Paul will be pleased.”

“Do you think the family will be shocked? This is far from a traditional wedding gown.” An unexpected tear slipped down her cheek. “Of course, this isn’t a traditional marriage, either.” She wiped away the droplet before it plummeted onto the pale gold silk and left a spot. The idea of a small water mark on the dress caused her to giggle. This gown had been completely saturated when she’d fallen into the river last summer, but Minnie had worked her magic on the dress and restored it to perfection. Sophie had considered discarding the gown, but now she was pleased she hadn’t.

“I’m becoming concerned about you. You move from shedding tears to giggling in the same minute. It’s rather disconcerting,” Amanda said. “Such behavior is common among expectant mothers, but I’d not noticed you having such difficulty until this afternoon.”

Sophie nodded. “It hasn’t been easy keeping my secret hidden.”

Amanda gathered her into a warm embrace. “Oh, Sophie. You should have confided in Fanny and me as soon as you knew. You know you can always rely upon us for support.”

Sophie sniffled. “I know. But I wanted Wesley to be the first to know. I had hoped he would be pl-pl-pleased,” she stammered. Once again the tears began to flow, and Amanda dabbed a handkerchief to Sophie’s cheeks.

“You’re going to be red and puffy if you don’t cease your crying. Now sit down in front of the dressing table. I have a surprise for you.” Amanda opened the doors of her wardrobe and retrieved a beautiful piece of lace. “We’ll use this for your veil. When Fanny returns with the wild flowers, I think we can weave them into your hair and the lace.”

The lace was a beautiful piece that Sophie immediately recognized. “You purchased this when we were in England. What if it’s damaged by hairpins or flower stems?”

“Then it is damaged. The lace will accent your gown to perfection. Now, if only Fanny would—”

“I’m here. I thought I would never find the exact flowers I wanted. I’ve been all over the island. Then I had to find Veda so she could come and fix your hair.” Fanny waved Veda into the room. “Hurry. We don’t have much time, and she must look perfect.”

The maid appeared confused, but she followed Amanda’s instructions while Fanny arranged the remaining flowers into a bouquet and tied them with a wide piece of ivory ribbon she’d removed from one of her dresses. “I need this ribbon back once the ceremony is over, or I’ll never be able to wear my dress again,” Fanny said with a grin.

“I promise,” Sophie replied. She tried to turn and look at the bouquet, but Veda jerked a piece of hair.

“I cannot do this if you continue to fidget, Miss Sophie.”

“I’m sorry, Veda. Would you bring the bouquet over here so I may see it, Fanny?” Her cousin appeared by her side and gently placed the bouquet on the dressing table.

“What do you think? Will it do?” Fleabane with its pristine white petals and golden centers, dainty yellow cinquefoil, pink and lavender pincushion flowers, and stems of trefoil the shade of mustard surrounded a cluster of ginger orange daylilies.