Kathryn Smith - [Friends 03] Read Free Page A

sort of thing one discussed with a gently bred young woman.
    "I fell in love with him." At her friend's shocked gaze, she continued, "And the sentiment was not returned, no matter how much I tried to force it." And when it wasn't returned, she lashed out in the most public and grandiose way she could.
    "Oh." Letitia's expression was one of genuine discomfort and Sophia regretted having said anything at all.
    There was no need to tell Letitia that Sophia had believed her feelings to have been returned at the time. It was all in the past and Julian was Letitia's brother. Sophia had no desire to paint him as a villain in his sister's eyes.
    "I disgraced myself over him." Saying the words cut her to the very bone, but it was almost a relief to let the truth out. "And my behavior is the reason he will come for you. He will not risk my influencing you in any way."
    Letitia's expression was one of disgust. "Your influence is not the one I need protection from. You are not the one trying to force me into marriage. You are not the one trying to make me something I am not. You have always encouraged me to be what I want."
    Sophia smiled. "You see, I am a bad influence. From a male perspective at any rate."
    Laughing, Letitia reached out and took one of Sophia's hands in hers. The younger woman's fingers were warm and firm. "You are the best friend I have ever had. I only wish it had not been necessary to hide our relationship all these years."
    "We can thank Lady Wickford for her assistance," Sophia replied, withdrawing her hand so she could lean back in her chair. "Were it not for her we would scarce see each other."
    It had happened quite innocently several years ago, when Edmund was still alive. Letitia had been in the area visiting Lady Wickford, and the two had happened upon Sophia one day while shopping in the village. Lady Wickford had always been friendly to Sophia, despite the older woman's close connection to the Rexley family. She introduced Letitia and invited Sophia to dine with them that night. Sophia had taken an instant liking to Julian's sister, and whenever Letitia came to visit Lady Wickford, Sophia spent as much time with them as possible.
    But this recent visit was different. Letitia hadn't come to Lady Wickford first. She had come straight to Sophia, hoping to hide from her brother and his plans to marry her off to the gentleman who made the best offer.
    "What does your Mr. Wesley have to say about all of this?"
    Letitia brightened at the mention of the man she loved. Sophia both envied and feared her reaction. She knew what it was like to believe the sun rose and set on one person, knew the sweetness of such unswerving devotion. She also knew the bitterness of discovering that devotion was undeserved and unreturned. She would spare her friend that pain at any cost.
    That was why she had agreed to help Letitia, so she could ascertain for herself what Mr. Wesley's intentions were and either encourage or dissuade Letitia accordingly.
    "He says he wants to talk to my brother," the young woman replied with more than a touch of awe in her tone. "He believes he can persuade Julian to consent to our marriage."
    Sophia liked this Mr. Wesley already. Convincing a man like Julian Rexley of anything would not be an easy task, especially when the earl already had his mind made up. But the fact that Letitia's beau would rather be open and honest about his intentions than underhanded said much for his character. After all, Mr. Wesley was not titled— not yet, though he was heir to a lord. Someday he would make a splendid match for a young woman, but right now he would hardly be able to keep Letitia in gowns, let alone the style she was accustomed to living.
    "Why are you opposed to such a meeting?" Sophia queried, pouring herself a cup of tea from the pot on the tray before her. It wasn't hot, but it was warm enough, hopefully, to chase away the chill in her bones.
    Letitia gazed at her as though the answer should be obvious.