Perfectly Mismatched by Karen Sommers

Author:Karen Sommers [Sommers, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Roses were the primary decor of the night. Robert had instructed Alistair to select three dozen roses, twelve red, twelve white and twelve pink, and adorn them appropriately across the dining room table and throughout the dining room in general. He had also asked that the kitchen staff prepare a three-course meal worthy of an anniversary or birthday celebration. Tonight needed to be perfect.

The sun was setting as Robert arrived home. As he entered the dining room, he was delighted to see that everything was in place. Roses were hung from the walls and strewn across the table. The best candleware had been used, as had the finest cutlery and crockery. The smell coming from the kitchen was mouth-watering. The only thing missing from the setting was his wife.

He had organized the dinner as a surprise, and for very good reason. After meeting with Hugh, and taking another day to think, he decided it was time he and his wife had a talk. He was going to admit to her what had been going on, how he felt about the marriage and what the two could do to remedy it. He knew he had been a very subpar husband and wanted a chance to change that. If what Hugh said were true, soon he would grow into married life and would even learn to love it.

Unfortunately, his wife was nowhere to be found. Alistair informed him that she had taken a carriage earlier in the day, but to where was a mystery. She hadn’t yet returned.

As the sun disappeared over the horizon and Sophia had still not returned, Robert felt himself becoming angry. As he ate alone, he became incensed. When Sophia eventually returned home, well into the night, he was irate.

“Sophia!” he called to her from the living room. He was sitting in his favorite chair, trying to read but unable to concentrate. “Can you come in here, please?”

Sophia wasn’t dressed as she usually was. She wore what he could only describe as working clothes, a plain grey blouse and skirt with leather boots. Her hair was pulled back in a simple bun and although she had clearly tried to clean herself up, there were smudges of dirt and grime on her neck and face.

“Robert? You’re home?” Sophia said with surprise as she entered the living space.

“Shouldn’t I be?”

“No, it’s just... I haven’t seen you home this early all week. Work is going well?”

“Where have you been?” he tried his best to keep his temper, knowing it would do no good to yell. He still had no idea where she had been and for all he knew, she had a perfectly valid excuse for being late.

“With Emma. We went riding today.” She was clearly lying.

“With Emma?”

“Yes. All day. She invited me to stay for dinner. I would have sent word ahead, but I didn’t think you would be home. I am sorry. Truly.”

Robert had seen Emma earlier in the day. He had seen her because he’d gone to Hugh’s manor to speak with him and Emma was there.

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