Lord Trowbridge’s Angel by G.G. Vandagriff

Author:G.G. Vandagriff
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Orson Whitney Press
Published: 2013-07-18T07:00:00+00:00

{ 19 }

WHEN SOPHIE FINALLY STOPPED TREMBLING, she slept. Fanny had placed hot bricks at her feet, covered her head with a stocking cap, put a mustard plaster on her chest, and given her a headache powder.

When she woke, night had fallen. Her throat burned like fire, and her headache was fierce. Fanny’s maid, Betsy, was sitting with her.

“Would you care for some dinner, miss?” she asked. “I am to tell my lady as soon as you are awake.”

Sophie decided that however bad she felt, she must take nourishment. “Some soup and a bit of toast, perhaps.”

While Betsy went to fetch Fanny and relay her dinner request to the kitchens, Sophie eased herself out of bed. Her knee was much less painful, thanks to the hot bricks. Taking a key out of its hiding place in the Wedgewood egg on her nightstand, she walked to her vanity and unlocked her jewel case. There sat Frank’s letter. Looking at it for a few moments, she took it out cautiously as though it might bite, and then got back into bed. After staring at it some more, she remembered the events of the morning and Frank’s version of the Lady Manwaring incident. Perhaps whatever he said in his missive would help her to decide whether or not to believe him.

She opened the envelope and drew out the heavy pages with the Trowbridge crest emblazoned on the letterhead.

My dearest,

I do not know what it was that Shrewsbury told you to give you such a disgust of me, but he knows me well, and undoubtedly does not find me worthy of you.

Upon reflection, I must say that I think he is right. I am a careless fribble. I have been greatly blessed with means, health, and position, and I have done nothing with my good fortune, except to try to be an enlightened landlord.

I fully mean, from this day forth, to turn my life around. Whether you ever forgive me or not, your influence has been great enough to cause this change in me. You are in every way my angel, and will remain so, come what may.

This was indeed a good beginning, Sophie thought. Her heart lifted at the thought that his feelings for her had had such a beneficial effect. But with the best will in the world, could Frank change?

I will never forget the night I first heard you play your instrument. Those were moments when my body and mind stilled long enough for communication with my soul’s desires. Now, the first desire of my soul is to be married to you. Not only to forsake all others, but to forsake my present way of life. Even if you do not feel you can have mercy on me, I will still begin on this course.

Her music had had this effect on him? He could not have fashioned his statement more perfectly. It brought his image to mind as she had seen him that wondrous night she had played Mozart for him.

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