The Indebted Earl by Erica Vetsch (love letters to the dead TXT) 📕

his scrutiny and aware that everyone was listening on, Sophie changed the subject. “Marcus, may I introduce Captain Charles Wyvern, late of the ship HMS Dogged. He was a friend of Rich’s, and they were hospitalized together in Oporto. Captain Wyvern, my brother, the Duke of Haverly.”

The two men shook hands, sizing one another up.

“My wife tells me we are in your debt for providing assistance to Lady Sophia and Lady Richardson. I thank you for seeing them safely to Haverly.”

“I was happy to provide aid, little as it was.”

“With Lord Richardson stationed aboard the Dogged, I naturally kept up on her exploits. You’ve made quite a name for yourself. Well done. I should like to hear of some of your tales firsthand.”

Mother rose. “Let’s go in to dinner, shall we? It’s been a long time since we were all together.”

The captain held Sophie’s chair for her and took the seat next to her at the table. Mamie sat across from her, looking lost and weary. Mother held court through the first two courses before Marcus asserted himself.

“Captain Wyvern, now that you’ve recovered from your wounds, what are your plans? When I was in London last, the Admiralty was full to the rafters with naval officers. Will you join those ranks, or have you other endeavors?”

“I confess, I have put my name in for a command, should one arise. Until then I will need to find lodgings and weigh my options.”

Marcus leaned back as the footman took one plate and set another before him. “Will you be journeying to your family estate to visit your uncle?”

The captain lowered his fork, a crease forming between his brows. “I was not planning to.”

He cast a wary glance at Marcus, which sparked Sophie’s curiosity. She wasn’t surprised Marcus knew of the captain’s family. Her brother seemed to know most things about most people. He always had.

“I miss Devon.” Mamie spoke for the first time. “I was born and raised there, on the coast. I miss the sounds of the sea, the wind, the waves, the seabirds. I never thought I would leave there, but then I met my late husband, and he whisked me away to Oxfordshire. When he passed, I thought I might like to retire to a cottage by the sea in Devon.”

Such longing infused her voice that Sophie wanted to hug her. She’d never mentioned missing the sea before or wanting to retire to a cottage on the coast.

“I understand your homesickness for the sea, madam. I find it difficult to get to sleep here on land without the sound of the waves, or the creak of the rigging, or the piping of the watches.” Captain Wyvern smiled ruefully. “I confess, sleeping in a bed that doesn’t rock is a bit difficult to accustom myself to, and I have more than once considered hanging up a hammock so I could get some rest.”

After dinner, Mamie took Sophie’s elbow, pulling her into a corner of the drawing room, away from the conversation.

“How long are we going to stay here?”

Sophie searched Mamie’s eyes, trying to discern how aware she was and seeing only clarity there. “I don’t know. Our options are few, I should think. It’s either stay here at Haverly, which wouldn’t be my first choice but is awfully convenient, or do as the new baron suggested and find a cottage in the village.”

“There is something else we might do. Somewhere else we might go.” Mamie twisted the ribbon on her lorgnette, a wistful cast to her features.

“Where? Is there some other property the Richardsons own?” Sophie’s heart lifted.

Mamie shook her head. “No, not to my knowledge. It’s just … speaking of it at dinner brought it all back.”

“Brought what back, dear?” Sophie intercepted a pointed glance from her mother, indicating they were being rude whispering in corners.

“I miss the sea. What if we were to take a journey to the coast? I would like to spend some time by the open water before I depart this world.” Mamie shrugged. “And if we happen to find a nice cottage with an ocean view that might be to let or to purchase …” She let her voice trail off, but the longing was unmistakable.

Sophie’s mind bobbed and tossed like daisies in the breeze. A trip? To the ocean? Away from Primrose and not having to endure watching the new tenants remake it to suit themselves? Away from the hovering, smothering, albeit caring attentions of her family?

An escape held great appeal.

“That’s an interesting idea, Mamie. Let me give it some thought.” Though even as she said it, she knew she wanted to go. After so many years of waiting for Rich to come home, fearing he wouldn’t, of waiting for her life to really start, this call to adventure, however small, appealed to her nature like nothing had in a long while.

Of course, she would have to convince her overprotective brother and bossy mother that a trip was just the thing.

C

HAPTER

4

SOPHIE AWOKE THE next morning, and for the first time since receiving word of Rich’s passing, felt a stirring of interest in what the day might hold. Mamie’s notion of taking a trip had occupied her mind into the wee hours, and it wasn’t until she’d committed fully to the idea that she’d been able to sleep.

Thanks to her brother’s well-trained staff, Sophie’s clothing had been unpacked and put away. She had wondered how her brother and sister-inlaw’s venture of training former prostitutes to be domestic servants would work, but seeing the gently steaming can of water by the hearth told her things were progressing well. With only Mrs. Chapman on staff in the house at Primrose, Sophie had taken to doing many household chores herself, an occurrence that would have her mother reaching for her smelling salts, no doubt. The daughter of a duke didn’t wait upon herself.

Rich’s sea chest and box of personal treasures remained unopened at her request.

A tap on the door had Sophie shrugging into