A Regency Match Read Online Free PDF Page B

of the incident when it occurred. The matter can be of no moment to Lord Wynwood—certainly not after all this time. With a marriage in the offing, you may be sure he has more important matters on his mind. I shouldn’t wonder if his lordship doesn’t remember you at all.”
    â€œYou would have been right, if this were yesterday,” Sophy said glumly.
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Lady Alicia asked, her complacent expression fading.
    â€œHe’ll remember me now . I made an indelible impression on him today.”
    â€œToday?” her grandmother asked apprehensively. “What happened today ?”
    â€œI … never mind. It was of no importance. But you may as well understand, Grandmama, that I have no intention of going to Sussex if he’s to be there.”
    â€œBut … why not? You’re expected !”
    â€œExpected or not, I shan’t go. I couldn’t face that man again.”
    The old woman stared at her granddaughter for a moment and then closed her eyes as if to shut out a horrifying image. “Sophia, what have you done now?”
    â€œI don’t want to talk about it, Grandmama, please.”
    Lady Alicia opened her eyes and fixed them on her granddaughter lugubriously. “As bad as that, eh? Well, if you don’t want to talk about it, I’m sure I don’t want to hear about it. I’m much too old to subject my nerves to the shock of dealing with another of your hairbrained misdeeds. So don’t tell me. I will merely say that you will accompany me to Sussex whether you like it or not.”
    â€œNever!” Sophia said roundly. “You can go in the company of Aunt Isabel and Uncle Walter. You don’t need me.”
    â€œOf course I don’t need you, you little ninny. But I can’t leave you here alone. So, will-you, nill-you, you will go.”
    Sophia drew herself up to her full height and faced her grandmother dramatically. “You don’t understand,” she declared tremulously. “I can not go. You can leave me here alone, send me back to Papa, or do whatever else you will with me. But, Grandmama, there’s nothing on earth which could prevail upon me to go to Wynwood Hall. I won’t face that man for anyone or anything in the world!” She ran to the door, throwing her grandmother a backward glance. “And that,” she said with her most histrionic tremor, “is my final word on the subject!”

Chapter Three
    A LL THE EDGERTONS but Sophy were eagerly anticipating their visit to Wynwood Hall. Each had his own specific reason for desiring the fortnight in Sussex. Isabel knew that an invitation to Wynwood was a rare prize and put one high in the esteem of the ton . In addition, she looked forward to a respite from the active social whirl of London. Her husband, Sir Walter, merely yearned for the smell of country air. Since his return from India he had done nothing but complain about the offensive stench of the London streets. Bertie had learned that Wynwood possessed a superb stable and that the hunting was excellent. And Lady Alicia, of course, was eager for a reunion with her dear old friend Charlotte. As the time for departure drew near, the prospect of the sojourn in Sussex grew more and more inviting, and it increasingly became the subject of conversation when the family came together.
    Not one of the family, however, was able to persuade Sophy to change her mind and make one of the party. Lady Alicia harangued her repeatedly on the problems her stubbornness was causing. The old lady could not permit her granddaughter to remain in London with no one but the servants. She finally agreed, with great reluctance, to send the girl back to her Wiltshire home for a fortnight’s stay. The fact that Sophy agreed to this unpleasant expedient was ample proof to her grandmother that, to Sophy’s mind at least, anything (even the prospect of living with her stepmother) was preferable to