Star Sapphire: Love and wild adventure in Regency England by Janet Louise Roberts & Rebecca Danton

Author:Janet Louise Roberts & Rebecca Danton [Roberts, Janet Louise]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2021-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Sonia did not go again to any big party. At Alastair’s anxious urgings, she did attend a few smaller dinners, and, of course, she was hostess in their home. But she refused with one excuse or another to attend any large gathering.

She tossed her head proudly, her lips hard, when she thought of the slights and mockery, the malice in their whispers. They were jealous of her wealth, she thought. They were not too proud to go to her uncle for huge loans, but socially — no, they would not want to meet her socially! Well, she did not wish to meet them, either. She had enough to do — she had much work to keep her busy.

Soon, another event had her anxious and preoccupied. Her cousin’s wife, Beryl, was expecting her baby. It was giving her much pain and illness. Sonia went daily to her; finally, when Beryl gave birth one night, Sonia was with her. Leah, too, was there, for she had much experience in these matters. It was a long painful experience for Beryl. When her baby son finally arrived, she was extremely weak and exhausted.

Sonia remained with her another day, until she was sure Beryl was out of danger, then returned home. She said little of it, knowing the others cared not at all for her relatives. She said, briefly, “My cousin’s wife has had her child, and all is now well,” and that was all she told them.

Alastair gazed at her thoughtfully, a slight frown on his face. “And you have been with her constantly? You must be weary,” he said without expression.

“Very tired, thank you. I shall sleep for a while,” and she went up to her room. She was glad to be in her own bed, retiring early to sleep into the next day until noon.

The season was almost over. She wondered what they would do this summer. Many in Society had already left London, retiring to country homes.

She was dressed, with Leah brushing her hair, when Alastair entered her bedroom. He came over to the dressing table, looked at her in the mirror.

“You slept late today, Sonia.”

She smiled faintly, not meeting his eyes. Edwina and Henrietta often slept until afternoon when they had been out at balls. Was Sonia now expected to get up early and work hard, as she normally did? She felt tired all over again, her temper only partially under control.

“Yes, and I have much work to do at the townhouse. I will go there presently.”

His mouth had hardened. “I wish to speak to you about that,” he said, picking up her small powder box and examining it idly, turning it about in his long fingers. She had made it of alabaster, with a small gold button on the top.

Leah, her face impassive, continued to brush Sonia’s hair, then to braid it into its usual coronet about her head.

“Yes?” asked Sonia.

“The season is about over. The girls are weary. I should like for us to retire to the country before long.

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