Read Online An Unexpected Love by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller
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nonsense from both her father and Paul.
While Veda assisted Sophie and Fanny with their dresses, Minnie styled Amanda’s hair and then hurried down the hall to assist Aunt Victoria. Veda fashioned Fanny’s hair and then Sophie’s while Amanda donned her emerald green silk gown.
After Veda had completed styling Sophie’s hair, she nodded with approval. “When the three of you stand side by side, you look like an arrangement of autumn flowers.”
Sophie laughed, but Veda’s assessment was correct. Fanny’s gown of rich claret and Sophie’s golden topaz resembled the chrysanthemums bordering the garden walkways, while Amanda’s deep green matched the foliage that surrounded the blooms.
Fanny stepped to one side of Amanda. “There. We make a perfect bouquet, don’t you think, Veda?”
“Indeed you do. You shall make the mistress most proud, ladies,” Veda said.
The clock chimed. After a hasty farewell to the maid, the three of them departed their room. Sophie linked arms with her cousins. “We must stay together this evening. Otherwise, I fear we will be bored to tears. I do hope we can escape the old folks soon after supper.”
“You mustn’t be rude, Sophie. If we’re asked to remain downstairs with Lord and Lady Illiff, please don’t refuse or feign a headache. Mother will immediately realize what you’re up to, and you’ll only make matters worse,” Amanda warned.
Descending the stairs, Sophie looked into the receiving hall and could barely believe her eyes. There were several other guests. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as dull as she’d expected.
Like a hound to the foxes, Daniel besieged Fanny the moment they entered the room. Sophie considered tromping on his foot, but that would only draw unwanted attention from the other guests. While contemplating other possibilities, she surveyed the room, finally locking gazes with a strikingly handsome man. His lips curved in a roguish grin, and then—he winked! At least she thought his wink had been intended for her. She peeked over her shoulder to see if there might be someone else who had captured the attention of the delicious-looking man.
Her heart fluttered a quickstep when she saw him walk toward her with Lady Illiff clinging to his arm, and his dark eyes held her captive as Lady Illiff introduced him. Wesley Hedrick. She turned the name over in her mind, enjoying the rhythm.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Sophie Broadmoor,” he said, surprising her with an American accent. He repeated her name as if committing it to memory.
His memorization would prove unnecessary, for Sophie had already determined Mr. Hedrick would never forget her. Though he was obviously older than her by more than a few years, she thought the combination of his age and good looks enchanting.
“I hope you won’t think me forward, but I have asked Lady Illiff to seat me next to you at supper.” He hesitated only briefly, his eyes sparkling. “She graciously agreed.”
Sophie looked to Lady Illiff and noted her disapproving stare. Though Mr. Hedrick had requested the change, the older woman obviously placed the blame upon Sophie. For a brief moment, Sophie considered saying as much, but then decided she cared little. The evening would be more pleasurable than she had anticipated.
Hours later Sophie decided to ask Wesley to take a walk with her. It was a bold and brazen thing to do, but Sophie figured there was no time like the present to get to know this man better.
“I know,” she whispered as the men were adjourning to the library for talk of politics and snifters of brandy, “that you are expected to join the other gentlemen, but I would very much enjoy it if you would accompany me on a stroll around the gardens.”
Mr. Hedrick looked rather surprised but then offered her a smile. “I say, such a pastime sounds quite enjoyable. I shall wait for you just outside the front door.”
Sophie nodded. She was grateful to find Aunt Victoria and Lady Illiff
While Veda assisted Sophie and Fanny with their dresses, Minnie styled Amanda’s hair and then hurried down the hall to assist Aunt Victoria. Veda fashioned Fanny’s hair and then Sophie’s while Amanda donned her emerald green silk gown.
After Veda had completed styling Sophie’s hair, she nodded with approval. “When the three of you stand side by side, you look like an arrangement of autumn flowers.”
Sophie laughed, but Veda’s assessment was correct. Fanny’s gown of rich claret and Sophie’s golden topaz resembled the chrysanthemums bordering the garden walkways, while Amanda’s deep green matched the foliage that surrounded the blooms.
Fanny stepped to one side of Amanda. “There. We make a perfect bouquet, don’t you think, Veda?”
“Indeed you do. You shall make the mistress most proud, ladies,” Veda said.
The clock chimed. After a hasty farewell to the maid, the three of them departed their room. Sophie linked arms with her cousins. “We must stay together this evening. Otherwise, I fear we will be bored to tears. I do hope we can escape the old folks soon after supper.”
“You mustn’t be rude, Sophie. If we’re asked to remain downstairs with Lord and Lady Illiff, please don’t refuse or feign a headache. Mother will immediately realize what you’re up to, and you’ll only make matters worse,” Amanda warned.
Descending the stairs, Sophie looked into the receiving hall and could barely believe her eyes. There were several other guests. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as dull as she’d expected.
Like a hound to the foxes, Daniel besieged Fanny the moment they entered the room. Sophie considered tromping on his foot, but that would only draw unwanted attention from the other guests. While contemplating other possibilities, she surveyed the room, finally locking gazes with a strikingly handsome man. His lips curved in a roguish grin, and then—he winked! At least she thought his wink had been intended for her. She peeked over her shoulder to see if there might be someone else who had captured the attention of the delicious-looking man.
Her heart fluttered a quickstep when she saw him walk toward her with Lady Illiff clinging to his arm, and his dark eyes held her captive as Lady Illiff introduced him. Wesley Hedrick. She turned the name over in her mind, enjoying the rhythm.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Sophie Broadmoor,” he said, surprising her with an American accent. He repeated her name as if committing it to memory.
His memorization would prove unnecessary, for Sophie had already determined Mr. Hedrick would never forget her. Though he was obviously older than her by more than a few years, she thought the combination of his age and good looks enchanting.
“I hope you won’t think me forward, but I have asked Lady Illiff to seat me next to you at supper.” He hesitated only briefly, his eyes sparkling. “She graciously agreed.”
Sophie looked to Lady Illiff and noted her disapproving stare. Though Mr. Hedrick had requested the change, the older woman obviously placed the blame upon Sophie. For a brief moment, Sophie considered saying as much, but then decided she cared little. The evening would be more pleasurable than she had anticipated.
Hours later Sophie decided to ask Wesley to take a walk with her. It was a bold and brazen thing to do, but Sophie figured there was no time like the present to get to know this man better.
“I know,” she whispered as the men were adjourning to the library for talk of politics and snifters of brandy, “that you are expected to join the other gentlemen, but I would very much enjoy it if you would accompany me on a stroll around the gardens.”
Mr. Hedrick looked rather surprised but then offered her a smile. “I say, such a pastime sounds quite enjoyable. I shall wait for you just outside the front door.”
Sophie nodded. She was grateful to find Aunt Victoria and Lady Illiff
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