Lady Sophia's Lover (Bow Street Runners #2)(80)

Ross helped a great deal to ease her worries. He never belittled her fears or lost his patience with her. If Sophia wished to speak with him, he would interrupt whatever he was doing, no matter how important. On the evenings when they attended a soiree or went to the theater, Ross treated her with such attentiveness that other wives were moved to remark sourly that their own husbands should be half so solicitous of their comfort. It was the subject of much conversation, how greatly changed the Chief Magistrate was, and how such a serious-minded gentleman could have transformed into an obviously adoring husband. Sophia thought that the reason behind Ross’s devotion was quite simple: having been alone for so long, he had a hard-won appreciation for the pleasures of marriage. He did not take his happiness for granted. And perhaps in some corner of his heart he feared that it all might be taken away in the blink of an eye, just as it had with Eleanor.

Frequently Ross would take Sophia for weekend visits to Silverhill Park where they attended water parties, went on picnics, or simply walked through the countryside to enjoy the fresh air and lush green views. Catherine Cannon loved to entertain, and in the summer months the mansion was constantly filled with friends and relatives. Sophia enjoyed these visits, forming a close relationship with her mother-in-law and even with Iona, her sister-in-law. Now that they had spent some time becoming familiar, Iona had thawed out considerably, although there was an ever-present sadness in her pale blue eyes. It was obvious that her melancholy stemmed from her marriage to Matthew. She even went so far as to confide to Sophia that Matthew had seemed an entirely different man before their wedding.

“He was quite charming,” Iona said, her bitter expression somehow jarring on such an angelic countenance. She and Sophia sat on chairs that had been placed in front of a stone boundary wall covered with spilling roses that bloomed fiercely in the heat of high summer. In front of them, a small knot garden and an ivy-covered arch led to wide expanses of green lawn.

As Iona gazed absently into the distance, the sunlight brushed over her exquisite profile and turned her hair into a swirl of sparkling gold. “Of all the men who courted me, Matthew was the most impressive. I adored his wicked humor and, of course, his looks. He was so very charming.” A humorless smile twisted her perfect lips. She paused to take a long drink of lemonade, and its sour taste seemed to linger in her mouth as she continued. “Unfortunately, I discovered later that certain men are only interested in the chase. Once the object of their desire is attained, they become indifferent.”

“Yes,” Sophia said, thinking of Anthony. “I have encountered that kind of man.”

Iona’s smile was resigned. “Of course, I am hardly the only woman who has been disappointed in love. I have a comfortable and pleasant life. And Matthew is not a bad man, only a self-centered one. Perhaps if I could lure him to my bed often enough, I could have a child. That would be a great consolation to me.”

“I hope you will,” Sophia said sincerely. “And perhaps Matthew will improve. Sir Ross says that he is doing quite well with his new responsibilities.” In the past few weeks, Ross had forced his younger brother to have regular meetings with the estate agent, to learn about accounting, management, farming, taxes, and all the minutiae involved in running the Silverhill estate. Although Matthew had protested long and loud, he had had little choice but to comply with Ross’s dictates.

Iona used a long, perfectly filed fingernail to retrieve a fleck of dust that had settled inside the rim of her glass. “I suppose if you could cause Sir Ross to change so completely, there is a chance for my husband.”

“Oh, I haven’t changed him,” Sophia protested.

“You most certainly have! I never thought to see Sir Ross so besotted. Before he married you, one could barely get two words out of him. Now he seems a different man altogether. It is strange—until lately, I’ve always been a bit frightened of him. He has a way of looking right through one. I am certain that you know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do,” Sophia said with a wry smile.

“And his remarkable reserve… Sir Ross never lowers his guard for anyone but you.” Iona sighed and tucked a stray wisp of glinting hair behind her ear. “I used to think that between the two brothers, I’d gotten the better bargain. Even with Matthew’s faults, at least he was warm and human, whereas Sir Ross seemed so utterly passionless. Now it has become apparent that your husband is not the cold automaton we all thought him to be.”

Sophia colored as she replied, “No, he is definitely not.”

“I envy you for being loved by a man who does not stray from your bed.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while, each lost in her own thoughts. A bee droned lazily amid the roses, and the servants’ bell clanged faintly from inside the mansion. Sophia was amazed as she reflected on how she herself had changed in such a short time. Not long ago, she had thought that what she wanted most in the world was to marry Anthony. But if she had married him, or a man similar to him, she would be exactly like Iona—bitter and betrayed, with little expectation that the future would be any better. Thank God, she thought fervently… thank God for not granting certain wishes, and for guiding her to a far sweeter fate.

As the warmth of the day increased, the Cannons and their guests elected to nap or relax indoors. However, Ross had never napped in his life, and the very idea of sleeping in the middle of the day was inconceivable to him. “Let’s go for a walk,” he suggested to Sophia.