Read Online An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller - Free Book Online
Authors: Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller
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time.” She smiled and raised a brow as if to suggest Sophie ponder all the possibilities.
Lady Illiff greeted them in the entry hall and bid the servants deliver the baggage to their rooms. “I am delighted you’ve arrived. We’re going to have a wonderful visit, Victoria.” She turned toward Daniel and the girls. “I trust you young people will enjoy yourselves here in the country. Though the gardens aren’t quite as lovely as in the springtime, I still believe you’ll find them to your liking.” She seemed to hardly draw breath.
Sophie thought her reminiscent of a chattering parrot and just as colorful. The woman wore a wide sweeping gown of lavender with shades of blue and green running in a rather disorderly pattern throughout the weave of material. Thick gatherings of yellow and pink lace trimmed the sleeves. It was a riot of color, to be sure.
Lady Illiff turned toward the wide staircase. “I’m certain you’d like to rest before you dress for supper. The servants will show you to your rooms.”
Sophie gazed heavenward. It was just as she’d thought: they’d be relegated to sitting in the garden with their needlework. If she was going to spend her time in England visiting gardens, she’d prefer a stroll along the pathways of Kew Gardens near the River Thames. At least she might encounter an eligible man or two along the way.
Lady Illiff’s personal maid escorted Aunt Victoria to her bedchamber while another servant led Sophie and her cousins to a connecting suite at the end of the hall. The butler had been charged with escorting Daniel to his room. For Fanny’s sake, Sophie hoped his room would be in a different wing of the house. Surely with eighty rooms they could arrange at least a good dozen or more between the two.
However boring, it was evident that Illiff Manor clearly spoke of a wealth and elegance that brought to mind kings and queens. The ceilings were at least thirty feet high. The structure bore intricate plaster work and wood carvings on the banisters, railings, and crown molding, suggesting hundreds of years of labor. Sophie was not blind to the riches displayed for all to see. Nor was she ignorant of the money it would cost to maintain such an estate. She bit her lower lip and tried to remember if the Illiffs had any unmarried sons.
The maid ushered the girls into their room and stood stiffly at the door. “Madam will expect you to dine this evening in formal attire.” She said nothing more before turning to go.
The moment the servant took her leave, Sophie plopped into one of the overstuffed chairs in a most unladylike fashion. The rooms were lovely, with a small balcony overlooking Lady Illiff’s beloved gardens, yet Sophie longed to be in the city. “I hope madam won’t expect us to play a game of charades or whist after the meal.”
“Perhaps if she does, you can pretend to be overcome by the closeness of the room,” Amanda said with a grin. “After all, it worked on the ship.”
“But Paul won’t be available to escort you from the room,” Fannie added.
“Speaking of which, I don’t understand why your mother informed Paul of our traveling plans. I daresay he knows more about where we’ll be traveling than the three of us.” Sophie barely managed to stifle a yawn. Perhaps a brief rest wasn’t such a bad idea.
Amanda sat in front of the dressing table and rearranged several locks of hair. “Do cease your complaints, Sophie. It’s quite unbecoming. Mother is doing her best. From what Mother has told me, Paul’s grandmother is critically ill. I doubt you need give him further thought.”
“I suppose you’re right, but it doesn’t change the fact that I was required to abide his constant attention on the ship. I would now like the opportunity to enjoy myself.”
“You worry overmuch about your own pleasure,” Amanda said.
“That’s easy enough for you to say, dear cousin. You weren’t forced to spend the entire voyage with Paul hovering over your
Lady Illiff greeted them in the entry hall and bid the servants deliver the baggage to their rooms. “I am delighted you’ve arrived. We’re going to have a wonderful visit, Victoria.” She turned toward Daniel and the girls. “I trust you young people will enjoy yourselves here in the country. Though the gardens aren’t quite as lovely as in the springtime, I still believe you’ll find them to your liking.” She seemed to hardly draw breath.
Sophie thought her reminiscent of a chattering parrot and just as colorful. The woman wore a wide sweeping gown of lavender with shades of blue and green running in a rather disorderly pattern throughout the weave of material. Thick gatherings of yellow and pink lace trimmed the sleeves. It was a riot of color, to be sure.
Lady Illiff turned toward the wide staircase. “I’m certain you’d like to rest before you dress for supper. The servants will show you to your rooms.”
Sophie gazed heavenward. It was just as she’d thought: they’d be relegated to sitting in the garden with their needlework. If she was going to spend her time in England visiting gardens, she’d prefer a stroll along the pathways of Kew Gardens near the River Thames. At least she might encounter an eligible man or two along the way.
Lady Illiff’s personal maid escorted Aunt Victoria to her bedchamber while another servant led Sophie and her cousins to a connecting suite at the end of the hall. The butler had been charged with escorting Daniel to his room. For Fanny’s sake, Sophie hoped his room would be in a different wing of the house. Surely with eighty rooms they could arrange at least a good dozen or more between the two.
However boring, it was evident that Illiff Manor clearly spoke of a wealth and elegance that brought to mind kings and queens. The ceilings were at least thirty feet high. The structure bore intricate plaster work and wood carvings on the banisters, railings, and crown molding, suggesting hundreds of years of labor. Sophie was not blind to the riches displayed for all to see. Nor was she ignorant of the money it would cost to maintain such an estate. She bit her lower lip and tried to remember if the Illiffs had any unmarried sons.
The maid ushered the girls into their room and stood stiffly at the door. “Madam will expect you to dine this evening in formal attire.” She said nothing more before turning to go.
The moment the servant took her leave, Sophie plopped into one of the overstuffed chairs in a most unladylike fashion. The rooms were lovely, with a small balcony overlooking Lady Illiff’s beloved gardens, yet Sophie longed to be in the city. “I hope madam won’t expect us to play a game of charades or whist after the meal.”
“Perhaps if she does, you can pretend to be overcome by the closeness of the room,” Amanda said with a grin. “After all, it worked on the ship.”
“But Paul won’t be available to escort you from the room,” Fannie added.
“Speaking of which, I don’t understand why your mother informed Paul of our traveling plans. I daresay he knows more about where we’ll be traveling than the three of us.” Sophie barely managed to stifle a yawn. Perhaps a brief rest wasn’t such a bad idea.
Amanda sat in front of the dressing table and rearranged several locks of hair. “Do cease your complaints, Sophie. It’s quite unbecoming. Mother is doing her best. From what Mother has told me, Paul’s grandmother is critically ill. I doubt you need give him further thought.”
“I suppose you’re right, but it doesn’t change the fact that I was required to abide his constant attention on the ship. I would now like the opportunity to enjoy myself.”
“You worry overmuch about your own pleasure,” Amanda said.
“That’s easy enough for you to say, dear cousin. You weren’t forced to spend the entire voyage with Paul hovering over your
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