Kathryn Smith - [Friends 03] Read Free Page B

"Because my brother would never allow me to marry Mr. Wesley. Until Marcus comes into his inheritance, he would be unable to support us. Secondly, my brother believes that he is better equipped than I to determine who will make me a proper husband." She made a moue of disgust. "He wants me to marry someone as stuffy and dull as he is. As if I could ever be happy with any of the gentlemen he has in mind!"
    Cup pressed against her mouth, Sophia paused, allowing the heat from the china to seep into her fingers and her lips.
    Julian, stuffy and dull? Never in a million years would she attach such a description to the passionate young man she had known. At first he had been a game to her, but it did not take long for him to become much more.
    That had been her greatest mistake, to believe that Julian Rexley was anything more than a man with a pretty face who knew how to make a young woman feel beautiful and special. She had set out to seduce him, but it was she who ended up being taken in.
    "I am certain your brother believes he is acting in your best interest."
    Letitia's Cupid's-bow lips twisted into a startlingly bitter sneer. "As he acted in yours?"
    The retort hit its mark— and undoubtedly more sharply than Letitia intended. The girl— and despite her age she was just that— was too caught up in her own suffering feelings to consider whether or not she stepped on anyone else's.
    "That was different," Sophia replied, her trembling fingers setting her cup on its saucer with a sharp clatter. "I was not his sister, and as you said yourself earlier, you possess too little of the facts to make any such assumptions."
    Something in her tone must have gotten through Letitia's self-absorption, because her expression instantly changed to one of contrition. She reached out and caught Sophia's hand again.
    "Oh, my dearest friend, what you must think of me! You are right of course. I have no right at all to pretend I know what happened between yourself and my brother. Please forgive me."
    Sophia squeezed the other woman's fingers with a slight smile. She wasn't so cold now. The fire and the tea were beginning to thaw her. "There is nothing to forgive. You are upset. Anyone in your situation would be."
    Letitia released her hand and slumped back against the chaise. "Oh, Sophia! Upset does not begin to describe my suffering! I try not to let my emotions run away with me, but it is so very difficult! Do you know what it is like to be faced with the possibility of losing that one person you love with all your heart?"
    Sophia's heart constricted so sharply she almost cried out in pain. Yes. She knew that feeling.
    "Of course you do," Letitia continued with a sympathetic countenance. "You lost your husband. Blast my foolish tongue! Would someone cut it out so it would flap no more!"
    Sophia laughed— whether it was because Letitia assumed Sophia had loved her husband, or because of her friend's outburst, she wasn't quite sure. Perhaps it was both.
    "Do not make yourself uneasy," she entreated when Letitia's mood threatened to turn as gray as the weather. "You have done me no injury, and I will not have you act as though you have. I do not allow brooding in this house."
    As quickly as the thunder clouds had appeared in the younger woman's face they disappeared again, and the sun burst through in the brightness of Letitia's laughter. The sound jarred Sophia's nerves, unused as they were to such volatile temperament. Heaven save her from passionate people, for they would surely be the end of her.
    And to think she had once been one of them. Lord, she wouldn't be that girl again for anything. Except…Except that it would be nice to laugh like that just once more. It used to feel so good.
    "I shall brood no more," Letitia promised with a smile. "But you must promise something in return."
    Something in the girl's tone made Sophia wary. "What might that be?"
    The smile faded. "You must answer a question for me, regardless of how impertinent it may