Courage Requires: A Pride and Prejudice Continuation (The Courage Series Book 2) by Melanie Rachel

Author:Melanie Rachel [Rachel, Melanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-19T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

It was late. Sophia and Evelyn were sitting in the latter’s bedchamber as Evie changed into her nightclothes. It had been a difficult discussion, and while much had been revealed about Sophia’s relationship with Lord Matlock, she had not explained her whereabouts for the past three years, nor the circumstances of her return. Evie was impatient to hear the rest of the story, but schooled herself to be patient. Sophia would tell her in time, she thought, and she tried not to feel slighted.

Sophia had not been introduced to the Matlocks as a friend of the family, as Evie had long supposed. While their father had met the earl, they were no closer than might be expected of neighbors thirty miles apart, particularly as the earl was so often in London. Instead, Sophia had approached the man after leaving their uncle’s house and had essentially worked for him, though no money had changed hands. At first, she had helped the earl thwart their uncle, who was a corrupt and ruthless man. Then, as her uncle’s power waned, she had been asked to perform other, less dangerous tasks, using the same skills Uncle Archibald had taught his eldest niece. She gathered information and ran private messages, and in return, the earl helped keep her hidden and had been of material use in preserving their fortune.

Still difficult to believe, she sighed, though she had slowly come to trust her sister. Remembering her uncle’s behavior, not only from the past summer but her entire life, the little moments of pique and anger, the disparagement of a father and mother she barely remembered, and especially his tirades about her sister, should have made his intentions clear long ago. Compared to her sister’s diligence and occasionally blunt honesty, it was clear now who deserved her loyalty. Evie was abashed to hear that part of the deal Sophia had made with Lord Matlock was to send in a servant to check on her. There had nearly always been at least one on staff being paid to assure her physical welfare. Always someone watching for her safety, and she had never known.

During their long conversation, they had heard angry voices from below stairs. Evelyn had winced, for once concerned about the servants hearing, but Sophia’s face was a mask of calm. Evelyn was certain that she would have been furious if she were in Sophia’s place. How could the earl decide for his grown son who he was to marry? How could he, of all people, have objections to Sophia? Had he not found her exceptionally capable? If not, why would he have asked for her help for so many years?

She almost smiled when she realized that her impulse now was to defend her stubborn, inscrutable sister. It felt good. Perhaps, she thought, analyzing her new emotions, she wanted the pleasure of criticizing her sister saved only for herself. No, she thought, that is no longer the case. He has some nerve to treat my sister this way after all she has done for him.

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