A Bright Particular Star by Elizabeth Hanbury

Author:Elizabeth Hanbury
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Astraea Press LLC
Published: 2012-04-04T20:35:42+00:00

Chapter Ten

Two weeks later, Sophie’s situation had not improved.

Lady Verney was a woman of good nature but little common-sense. She was also in thrall to her son, always deferring to his opinion. Everything he said and everything he did was to be agreed with. Sophie, unable to concur, had said nothing. She did not want to upset her hostess who had been extremely kind.

Lady Verney had declared herself delighted to have Sophie’s company. Learning of her cloistered existence since her come-out, Lady Verney had described the treats awaiting her and promised to accompany Sophie to as many of these as her health and energy would allow.

She had taken Sophie to her own modiste and instructed that lady to dress Sophie in a manner befitting her position as their guest, and direct the bills to Brook Street. When Sophie demurred, Lady Verney had said she would not be denied the pleasure of rigging Sophie out in the most exclusive fashions when she had no daughter of her own to indulge.

Lady Verney’s understanding might not be great, but she knew the rules of society. She lost no time in launching Sophie into its midst, ensuring she was included on the steady stream of invitation cards that arrived in Brook Street, as well as taking her on morning calls and shopping expeditions. Upon being asked if she was enjoying herself, Sophie was able to reply that she was. It wasn’t a complete lie—London was diverting to someone who had seen so little of the world, and she evinced such a candid, unsophisticated appreciation of her surroundings as to make her welcomed for her own sake as well as Lady Verney’s.

Sophie wore the Star at all times, much to Lady Verney’s initial displeasure who, unaware of its true worth, had observed the pin to be a ”sweet but vulgar piece, quite unsuitable for wearing in London.”

Unwilling to divulge to James or Lady Verney that it contained the Star, Sophie said it had belonged to her mother and she wore it for sentimental reasons, which was true enough in an obscure way. This explanation was accepted since Sophie’s attachment to the piece was obvious and her Ladyship, being kind-hearted, had resolved not to tease her about it further.

Sophie was relieved that no melodramatic events had occurred since her arrival. No midnight intruders had invaded her room, no men swathed in greatcoats and mufflers had watched her from across the street. Nor, as far as she was aware, had she been followed. In fact, the social whirlwind she had been swept into left little opportunity to watch for anything unusual because each day was crammed with engagements. She felt overwhelmed at times, but did her best not to feel ungrateful, knowing Lady Verney’s efforts sprang not only from good intentions but from a pressing need to see Sophie’s future settled.

Sophie had anticipated James‘s shock at her arrival. She had not expected to find him so altered. His attitude toward her had continued to be cool, almost

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