“Oh no, Lord Robert,” Sonia said. “If I did that it would be like playing the lottery, don’t you think? And if I have the bad luck of getting a bad husband. I would not be able to get out of that terrible situation, for we are hopelessly united until death do us part.”
Robert could not help laughing at her drama even though he saw her point of view. “What do you plan to do, Sonia? I understand that your brother will not return to New York until you have married and I must add, married very well.”
Sonia looked at him in surprise. “How did you hear about that?”
“You know what people are like. They say one thing over here and another over there.”
“Yes, I see that the gossip is not exclusive to where I come from.”
“Believe me, Miss Hearst, it is one of the greatest sources of entertainment in English society.”
“I see ...” Sonia was thoughtful for a moment. “It is a little worrisome.”
“The last thing I wanted to do was worry you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not worried. In fact, I’m accustomed to people talking about me, for better or for worse.” Sonia leaned down to serve him a cup of tea. “Cream?”
“Just a little, please.”
Sonia handed him the cup of tea. “Regarding what I am going to do with my brother and father. Well, I’m still thinking about it.” Sonia looked at him, full of hope. “Do you have an idea?”
Robert could not believe that he had arrived with the intention of wooing the heiress and they were talking as if they were two good friends. “The truth is I cannot think of anything, but if something comes up, I’ll tell you.”
“You don’t know how much I appreciate your understanding.” Sonia looked up at him with bright eyes.
The door opened and Sonia’s brother arrived. Robert stood up to greet him. “Mr. Hearst is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Likewise, Lord Wilmington.”
“Please call me Robert,” he asked.
“Robert, please sit. I see that you’ve already had tea,” Edward said, looking at Sonia.
“I’ll ask the maid to bring some more,” Sonia said and rang the bell.
“Lord Wilmington, you are well known in London. People speak very well of you and say that you are a war hero.”
“Well, I would not say that. I am just one more who served my country.”
“Your modesty speaks well of you.” Robert settled into the chair. “Now that you’re out of the violent world of military life, what do you want to do?” he asked without preamble.
“I would like to conduct some business. I have one in mind.”
“Dear God! A nobleman working? Won’t it scandalize more than one person?”
“I am not a man that places great importance on what others say. Times change and today you cannot live only from tenants.”
“It’s true. You can’t live solely on old money, as we call money coming from past generations.”
“I do not deny that it helps a lot, but it is time to change the customs.”
Edward gave him a piercing glare. It didn’t make Robert uncomfortable because he knew that as Sonia’s brother he was concerned about the men who courted his sister. But what he did not like was talking about things as vulgar as money in front of a lady. Fortunately, a footman entered with a maid holding a tray of tea and almost immediately after they walked in the room Horatia entered apologizing for being late. That lightened the mood, but from Edward’s demeanor, Robert knew that the subject was only suspended until they saw each other again. The rest of the visit, they only talked about unimportant things and later he said goodbye, but not without first inviting Sonia to a theatrical representation in Ranelagh Gardens.
“I’d love to. I don’t know it and I’ve been told it’s beautiful.”
“It is, Miss Hearst. I am sure we will have a pleasant time. Obviously, Lady Essex is invited to join us as well.”
“It will be a pleasure, Lord Wilmington.”
“Well, there’s nothing more to talk about. I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
A few days after Robert’s visit, Sonia was able to have some time to herself in the library of the house.
She was focused on reading when Edward arrived and Sonia assumed that he would ask her questions about Robert or try to pressure her on the subject of marriage.
“My dear little sister. I see you’re occupied.”
“I was, but now that you’ve arrived ...”
“Yes, I’m interrupting you, but I just wanted to ask you what you thought of the gentlemen who have come to visit you. There are several who have insisted on courting you.”
“You know I’m not interested in any of them.”
“Well, you’ll have to little sister because you know our father is waiting for news.”
“Well, then you’ll have to give me more time.”
“You’re running out of time, sister. You must decide soon. I don’t know why you have to think about it. Just choose the most important man. Or the one that you like the most.” Edward stood up. “One more week, Sonia.” He left the library.
Sonia didn’t answer him, but she wanted to strangle him. Who did he think he was to tell her how long she had to choose the man that she would have to live with for the rest of her life? None of these men seemed to be right or good ... perhaps the marquess who was a very handsome, elegant man. She enjoyed going out and talking with him much more than with the others. Who just spent the time talking and boring her with conversations about things she didn’t understand, nor wanted to understand, but the problem was that even if she liked the marquess, she couldn’t see herself attached to him for life. Sonia had an idea that had long been spinning in her head and since her brother had given her an ultimatum Sonia would have to put it into practice with the marquess.
Sonia would have to see what he thought about it
