An Unexpected Love (4 page)

“I trust you won’t mind if I join you, also,” Paul said.

Sophie’s heart plummeted. For a moment she considered denying his request, but before she could speak, Amanda agreed he should join them. Sophie had planned to use their stroll to advantage; she viewed it as an opportunity to meet any interesting men who might be on board. Undoubtedly having Paul along would thwart her efforts. At least dear Fanny wouldn’t be required to spend the time alone with Daniel.

Sophie raised her parasol and held it to one side, partly to deflect the sun but also to keep Paul at arm’s length. She didn’t want others to assume he was her escort—let them believe he was keeping company with Amanda. After all, she was the one who had agreed he could join them.

They’d traversed one side of the deck when Sophie spied several young fellows who appeared to be traveling together. One in particular caught her fancy, and nearing his side, she coyly dropped her handkerchief. When the fellow rushed to retrieve it, she batted her lashes, smiled demurely, and thanked him profusely.

“You are most welcome. May I be so bold as to introduce myself?”

Sophie nodded.

“Claymore Fuller of New York City. And you are?”

“Sophie Broadmoor.
Miss
Sophie Broadmoor. I do hope we’ll have an opportunity to become further acquainted, Mr. Fuller.” Tucking the handkerchief into her pocket, Sophie glanced over her shoulder. Where in the world was Fanny? She silently chastised herself for not keeping a closer watch. Daniel would bear watching. He was obviously more cunning than Sophie had imagined. After a hasty farewell to Mr. Fuller, Sophie hurried to Amanda’s side. “We must turn around! Daniel and Fanny are nowhere in sight.”

“There’s no need for panic. I’m certain they are fine.” Paul patted Sophie’s arm as though consoling a small child. She jerked away, and he arched his brows. “They have likely stopped in one of the salons for refreshments, Sophie. I truly don’t believe there’s any need for alarm.”

Sophie ignored his remarks and directed a stern look at Amanda. She hoped the look would propel her cousin into action. Fortunately, Amanda didn’t hesitate. While the two of them hurriedly retraced their steps, Paul followed behind. “Let’s check the main salon; then we’ll go to the upper deck,” Amanda suggested.

Sophie glanced over her shoulder. “Why don’t you go inspect the upper decks, Paul, while we look in the main salon? We’ll accomplish more in less time, don’t you agree?”

He hesitated, obviously displeased with the plan, but finally turned toward the steps leading to the upper decks.

Sophie sighed. “At least we’ve managed to free ourselves of him for a while. Now let’s locate Fanny. I can’t believe Daniel has already lured her away from us.”

“Had you not been preoccupied with Mr. Fuller, you likely would have noticed.”

Sophie heard the ring of condemnation in Amanda’s words. “If that be the case, then why didn’t you notice Fanny’s absence? Perhaps because you were distracted by Paul Medford’s attentions?”

Amanda’s lips tightened into a thin seam, and her eyes shone with anger. “Paul is nothing more than a social acquaintance. You very well know I have no interest in him, but we have no time to argue that. We must find Fanny.”

“I agree, but you’re the one who made the first accusation, Amanda. Let’s put aside our differences and—” She grasped Amanda’s hand. “There they are in the salon, and it appears Daniel has literally cornered her. She couldn’t escape if her life depended upon it.”

Amanda peered around Sophie’s shoulder. “Dear me! We must rescue her. We should approach from the far side. That way Fanny will see us coming, and Daniel will be none the wiser.”

“Excellent plan.” Both of them realized Fanny was in no mortal danger. She was, after all, in a large room surrounded by dozens of other passengers. However, Daniel had chosen a small corner table that had been pushed against the wall and blocked Fanny on one side while his chair blocked the other. The arrangement was perfect—for Daniel. Sophie didn’t doubt for a minute that he’d been attempting to woo Fanny. Why wouldn’t Paul and Daniel content themselves with some other unattached female passengers and permit the Broadmoor women time to enjoy themselves?

Sophie pointed Amanda to the left, and she stepped to the right. They would flank Daniel and, if necessary, push him out of the way. “Fanny! Where have you been? Do move aside, Daniel. Fanny must join us in our cabin immediately. A matter of great importance must be settled.” When he didn’t move quickly enough, Sophie poked him with her parasol. “Did you not hear me? Move your chair!”

The sharp command caused Daniel to jump to his feet. The chair toppled backwards, and he tripped in his attempt to grab it before it hit the floor. While he struggled to set the chair aright, Sophie waved for Fanny to escape from her position along the wall. The three young women scurried toward the exit, but not quickly enough to elude Daniel. At the sound of his footfalls, Sophie stopped short and turned. Had she been several inches taller, the two of them would have been nose to nose.

“Paul went to the upper decks looking for you and Fanny. Go tell him that all is well and we’ve gone to our cabin.” She spoke with such authority he neither objected nor questioned her instructions.

Sophie waited long enough to be certain Daniel was heading for the upper deck. “Do tell us what happened. One minute you were behind us but the next you had disappeared from sight. Why didn’t you call to us?”

The girls hurried to the stairway leading to their cabin. “Daniel intentionally stopped to permit a family with small children to pass in front of us as we neared the main salon. Even if I had called out, you wouldn’t have heard me. You were far ahead of us by then, and the music and noise of the passengers would have drowned out my voice. He said we would cross through the salon and meet you on the other side of the ship, but once we were inside, he insisted he didn’t feel well and needed to rest.”

“Ha! I don’t believe that for one minute,” Sophie said.

“And you are correct,” Fanny said as she opened the cabin door.

After making certain they were alone, Sophie plopped down on the divan. “What happened next?” She could barely wait to hear the rest of Fanny’s tale.

“He said he is in love with me and is determined to have me as his wife.”

Amanda clasped a hand to her bodice. “Truly? I can’t even imagine such a thing. What did you say?”

“I told him that I am betrothed to Michael and he is the man I love.” Fanny opened her fan and flicked it back and forth. “I told him he should refrain from making any further advances, but he said my declaration would not deter him. He believes that by journey’s end I will return his feelings.”

Amanda wagged her head. “He is certainly bold.”

“And much too self-assured for my liking,” Fanny replied. “He said I am not yet married and he plans to convince me that he is a better match for me.”

Sophie leaned back against the cushioned seat and considered Daniel’s remark. “He is far too full of himself. I believe he needs a good comeuppance.” She giggled. “And no one can do that any better than the three of us. It is, after all, our duty to teach Daniel there are consequences for improper social behavior.”

Paul scouted the upper deck looking for Fanny and Daniel. He thought it rather strange that Amanda and Sophie should have worried so much about the couple slipping off for a walk. After all, he had the impression they were intended for each other, and it seemed only natural.

He slipped in and out of the crowd but saw no sign of anyone he recognized. With a sigh he turned back. His thoughts went to Sophie and the way she had flirted with a complete stranger only moments ago. She seemed destined to put herself in harm’s way.

It was easy for Paul to see the need in Sophie. His own father had never been all that attentive, and he knew what it was to try desperately hard to gain favor with someone who didn’t seem to even remember you existed. His father had always been consumed with work, just as Sophie’s father was. Paul had tried to talk to Quincy Broadmoor about his inattention to Sophie on more than one occasion, but his employer’s attitude had been that Sophie knew he loved and cared about her, whereas the destitute at his Home for the Friendless had no one else.

“I’m not at all sure that she knows he loves her,” Paul muttered. He supposed it was for this reason he held a spot in his heart for the selfish girl. For all the times his mother had assured him of his own father’s love, Paul had never been convinced. He couldn’t imagine that Sophie was convinced of Quincy’s affections, either. Sophie was the kind of woman impressed by actions, not words. Unfortunately, given her current state of affairs and flirtations, the actions she brought upon herself might not be at all beneficial.

3

Aunt Victoria fluttered into the room late that afternoon. Excitement shone in her eyes, and a faint blush colored her prominent cheekbones. “We’ve been invited to sit at the captain’s table for the evening meal.” She sat down beside Amanda, fanned herself, and looked at the three girls with an air of expectancy. “Well? Are you not pleased? This is quite the fait accompli. I don’t believe we’ve ever been invited to sit at the captain’s table on our very first night at sea.”

Sophie sighed. She would much prefer to sit at a table surrounded by eligible young men who were interested in her. Fawning over the ship’s captain held no appeal. Personally, she thought the custom of dining with the captain silly. An invitation to dine at his table was given far too much significance. He was, after all, no more than a man performing his duties; there were men of much greater import aboard the ship. Yet those travelers invited to dine at the captain’s table were especially esteemed and envied by the other passengers.

“If it pleases you, Mother, we are delighted,” Amanda replied.

Her cousin had chosen to respond in diplomatic fashion, but Sophie cared little about the subtle art of tact. “Must we, Aunt Victoria? I believe the three of us would much prefer to dine somewhere other than the captain’s table. However, I’m certain that Daniel, as well as Paul and his mother, would be pleased to accept the captain’s invitation.”

Her aunt frowned. “I have already sent our acceptance, and I shall expect all three of you to be on your best behavior.” She glanced at Amanda and Fanny. “I know I can depend on the two of you.” Quickly shifting, she settled a stern look upon Sophie. “Please promise that
you
won’t disappoint me, Sophie. I would like to enjoy the evening knowing that you will behave appropriately.”

The pointed remark hurt for only a moment, for other than Amanda, Fanny, Jefferson, and George, Sophie knew the entire family considered her a miscreant. Not that she minded. She’d made a genuine effort to overstep the family’s boundaries of stuffy social mores. After her mother’s death the previous December, Sophie decided she would no longer be restricted by rules of etiquette or family expectations. Of course, there were those who thought she’d been a troublesome daughter prior to her mother’s death, but of late she’d given new meaning to the word, and her behavior had been the topic at several family gatherings.

“So long as the three of us have your permission to attend the dance afterward, I promise to be on my very best behavior for our supper with the captain.” Sophie was certain her condition would be met with immediate approval. Her aunt wanted to enjoy her meal, and permitting the girls to attend the dance wasn’t truly a concession. She would expect the girls to attend the dance.

“Why, of course,” Victoria replied.

“By ourselves,” Sophie added, “without Daniel or Paul acting as our escorts.”

She watched her aunt’s smile begin to fade and then quickly return. “Should either of the young men offer to act as an escort, you have my permission to refuse. However, I can’t possibly prohibit them from attending the dance. It is open to all properly attired passengers, and I’m certain Mrs. Medford will want to attend for a time. I want to make an appearance myself, especially if the captain plans to escort us into the ballroom.”

Sophie would gain nothing further by arguing with her aunt, for she knew the woman would never consider slighting the ship’s captain.

“If you girls will excuse me, I’m going to speak with Minnie and Veda. I want them to see that our gowns are in readiness, and you must remember we will need to share their services. I will arrange to have them assist me with my hair and dress, and then they can help you girls.”

The minute she left the cabin, Sophie motioned her cousins to draw close. “I have a plan to keep Daniel away from Fanny.”

Fanny scooted closer. “I knew I could count on you, Sophie. Tell me.”

“We must go to Daniel’s cabin. I’m certain he and Paul are still commiserating on the promenade deck. We will go through his belongings and remove all of his formal attire.”

Fanny lurched and looked as though she’d been struck by a bolt of lightning. “You’re not serious!” She stared at Sophie. “You
are
serious.”

“Of course I’m serious. It’s a marvelous plan. If he doesn’t have the proper attire, he will be refused entry to all of the formal functions throughout the voyage.” She brightened. “And in England, too. It will save you a great deal of heartache, dear Fanny. ’Tis a simple plan that will work if we hurry to his stateroom.” She took her cousin’s hand. “Just think of it! You won’t be required to dine or dance with Daniel. That thought alone should stir you to action.”

Amanda wagged her finger. “You would be stealing his belongings, Sophie. Such behavior is completely unbefitting a young lady—and it goes against biblical principles, I might add.”

“Do stop speaking like a prudish spinster and come guard the passageway. If Daniel approaches, get down on your hands and knees and pretend you’ve lost your earring and ask for his assistance.”

Before her cousins could further object, Sophie grasped Fanny’s hand and pulled her to her feet. “Go on,” she hissed, giving Amanda a tap on the shoulder when they neared Daniel’s door.

Amanda turned and folded her arms around her waist. “I refuse to be involved unless you promise you won’t destroy his clothing—or throw it overboard.”