A Surrendered Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

giggle and talk late into the night about all their hopes and dreams. Funny how life had taken so many unexpected turns. This was not anything like the dream Sophie once had for herself. Amanda and Fanny had always advised her to marry a wealthy man—for only a man of great resources could keep Sophie in the style she craved. Paul was anything but financially well off.
    Elizabeth wriggled in her arms and burst forth with a lusty cry as Marvin returned to the foyer. “Seems your little girl doesn’t enjoy waiting. Must take after her mother,” he said with a grin. “Your aunt and uncle will see you in the library.” He leaned a bit closer. “They were preparing to depart on some business.”
    “So they’re not particularly happy that we’ve arrived,”
    Sophie replied while Elizabeth continued to cry.
    “I believe that would be correct.”
    Sophie lifted the baby to her shoulder and hoped she could quiet the child while they delivered the news. She glanced at Paul when they arrived at the library door. “I can’t seem to quiet her. Perhaps you should go in and deliver the news while I wait out here with the baby.”
    “No.” He shook his head and clasped her elbow. “They’ll receive this better if you’re along.”
    Sophie arched her brows. She didn’t think her presence would soften the blow, but she didn’t argue. Elizabeth released a high-pitched wail as they crossed the threshold and entered the library. Her uncle furrowed his brow and scowled in their direction.
    “She has just now awakened from her nap and is a bit fussy,” Sophie explained.
    “Well, do something to pacify her.” Jonas pulled on his earlobe. “I can’t tolerate that squealing. It’s enough to shatter a mirror.”
    Sophie edged closer to Paul. “I think I should take Elizabeth to the other room.”
    “We won’t take but a few minutes of your time, sir.” Paul grasped Sophie’s sleeve when she attempted to move toward the door. “Sophie and I have the task of bringing you a piece of disheartening news.”
    Before he could say anything more, the baby screeched, and Jonas jumped up from his chair. “Do something to make that child happy, Sophie. You are her mother—I would think you’d know how to stop that incessant crying.”
    “I’m trying,” she apologized, swaying back and forth and patting the baby’s back.
    “Jonas! The baby is likely suffering from colic. Your angry temperament is not going to do a jot of good. You’ve likely frightened the child even further.” Victoria extended her arms. “Let me try, Sophie.”
    Sophie willingly handed over the baby, though she doubted her aunt would have success. Elizabeth was like the little girl in Longfellow’s poem: When she was good, she was very good indeed, but when she was bad, she was horrid. Though Elizabeth lacked the curl in the middle of her forehead, Sophie thought that, too, would appear over time.
    Jonas massaged his forehead. “The three of you continue your visit. I have matters that require my attention.”
    Before her uncle could reach the door, Paul stepped in front of him. “You can’t leave, sir.”
    Jonas straightened his shoulders and extended his chest forward. “What do you mean, I can’t leave? How dare you tell me what I can or can’t do in my own home! Step out of the way before I am forced to have you removed, young man.”
    Paul directed a beseeching look at Sophie.
    Stepping to her husband’s side, Sophie said, “Listen to him, Uncle Jonas. This is very important, or we wouldn’t have come here.”
    The baby silenced her wailing, and the room became eerily quiet. Sophie sat down beside her aunt and peeked at Elizabeth. Perhaps she should take the child before Paul announced Amanda’s illness. Her aunt could faint and drop the baby. “Let me take her, Aunt Victoria.”
    Jonas turned on his heel. “Don’t touch that child. She’ll likely begin to squall if you move her.” He shifted around toward Paul. “Now, what is it