“As a matter of fact, I am. The change of pace from London might do my disposition a world of good. I’m looking forward to my stay.”
Sophia chirped up, “When your grandfather was alive, he permitted me to visit his library once or twice a week to borrow books. He has a magnificent library.”
“Well, I hope you will continue the practice and when you’re over, come and join me for afternoon tea.”
“You are too kind, sir,” said Lady Buckingham. “I’m holding a ball in two weeks’ time. Why don’t you join us? It will give you an opportunity to meet all of your neighbours.”
“Consider it done.”
Nicholas spent the entire afternoon in the Buckingham company and was pleasantly surprised at how well-versed they were in the goings-on in London and the rest of the world. After Nicholas left, Sophia went to her room and brooded. She was completely smitten by Nicholas, and felt she had found the man she wanted to marry. She sat down at her desk and bared her soul.
To the everlasting love of my life:
Dear Sir, I thoroughly enjoyed your company this afternoon, but alas, it was like a summer’s date, all too short.
I write this discourse to reveal the heart of a young maiden who at the tender age of twenty has had the good fortune
to meet the love of her life.
Should you be of like disposition to want to journey through life with me at your side, I’ll be your willing companion.
For my age, I consider myself a very accomplished young lady, well-versed in the literature of the times. My
knowledge of the arts is second to none and I have been to the theatres in London without number.
I’ve all the social graces of my nobility, having had the good fortune to be born of noble stock, given an excellent education and sent to a finishing school in London. I can boost the social graces of my sex.
I knew after thirty minutes in your company where my heart lay and have not known peace since. I can only hope God in his benevolence has made you of like mind.
I wait with bated breath for your reply and hope my efforts have not been in vain. Merci.
Au revoir, Monsieur,
Sophia.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sophia walked downstairs looking for her young servant, found her busy feeding Rover the Irish Great Dane, and called, “Gloria, come here, please. Would you deliver this letter to our new neighbour next door, Duke Nicholas Montaque? You don’t have to wait for a reply.”
‘Yes, ma’am I’d love to,” and off she went.
After walking for some thirty minutes she knocked on the door and a servant opened. “Yes?”
“My lady next door asked me to deliver this letter to Duke Nicholas Montaque. No reply is necessary.”
“I’ll see that my lordship gets the message.” With that she closed the door.
The servant walked to the study, knocked, and a voice answered, “Yes, come in.”
She walked over to Nicholas curtsied, and said, “My lord, a servant from next door delivered this message and asked it be delivered to you personally.”
