Page 23 of The Gentlewoman Farmer

“As well as with Philip?” Agnes looked Mary straight in the eyes and waited for her friend to yield.

“Agnes, why are you doing this? Sophia’s engagement should be nothing but a relief to you. I’ve had a letter from Sophia. Why is Philip at Worthington Farm, and why are we sitting in this inn together?”

Agnes allowed her shoulders to fall a fraction but kept any emotion from leaking into her voice. “I will lose my child. I may have already.” Agnes drew her shoulders back into place and pinched the bridge of her nose. Her chin quivered. Agnes simply didn’t behave this way, and Mary knew it. She glanced up to gauge Mary’s reaction.

Mary’s rapid blinking indicated that it had worked. Mary would help. Inside, Agnes wilted but would outwardly show none of her relief. After the death of Lord Allen, Agnes had helped Mary through a hard time. She’d been prepared to remind her friend of this but was pleased that stooping to such manipulation was not necessary.

“What is your plan?” Mary asked.

“We go to Worthington Farm and investigate. When we find evidence against Mr. Burns, Sophia will be saved.”

Mary scoffed. “Do you mean you will be saved?”

Agnes lifted her sharp brows in a look that should cower poor Mary.

“Never mind, your plan sounds simple, but what makes you think it will be so? Your claims of piracy are ludicrous, and Sophia is busy. She’s just become engaged, Philip showed up after a three-year absence, and according to her recent letters to me, her uncle is trying to control her farm. An unannounced visit from you will not endear you to her.”

“True.” Agnes looked out the window to think. However distasteful, she must make her future daughter-in-law like her. “Do you have another connection with whom we could stay?”

“My brother, Stephen. But he is a crotchety fellow. Sophia may not be thrilled with our visit, but the squire might not allow us into his house.”

“Well, then, there is nothing for it. We must rely on Sophia’s hospitality. It is for her own good, after all. She’ll thank us later.”

“I’m not surprised you see it that way.”

“Is there another way to view the situation? Sophia is engaged to the wrong man. We will help her remedy the situation.”

Mary ran her hand over her skirts. “Perhaps you are right. I will write Sophia and let her know of our arrival. We will give her a few days to prepare.”

“There is no time.” Agnes tapped her finger on the table to emphasize each word. “We must go immediately.”

“There will be no room for your army of servants.” Mary shook her head. “Sophia’s home is little more than a cottage. Indeed, your lady’s maid may have to sleep on a cot on the floor of your room.”

“Posh. You underestimate me.”

Mary bit her lip, but a tiny smile emerged.

Satisfied, Agnes led Mary toward her carriage. Soon, all would be set to rights, including a renewal of her friendship with Mary.

On her way home for lunch, Sophia observed a carriage in front of her house. It didn’t look like Uncle Thorpe’s carriage, but Sophia couldn’t imagine who else it might be. She and her mother entertained infrequently. She handed Clarissa off to a stable hand and made her way toward the house. As she approached, Sophia recognized Aunt Mary directing a servant to unload trunks from the carriage. Their backs were to Sophia, so it took a moment before she realized it was Mrs. Eliot next to her aunt. This was strange. The last Sophia had heard, the two women hadn’t spoken since their argument over the growing attachment between herself and Philip.

A half dozen traveling trunks were piling up at Sophia’s front door. It seemed they were staying with her. Unbelievable. Worthington Farm was becoming a boarding house for unwanted guests.

“Aunt, is that you?” Sophia called out as she approached the unlikely pair of women.

Mary turned around quickly, a nervous smile rising and then falling from her face.

“Mrs. Eliot?” Sophia bowed her head stiffly at Philip’s mother, then threw a piercing glance at her aunt. Mary smiled an apology.

“Welcome.” Sophia said. “What an interesting surprise. How unexpected and lovely to see you both. Betsy dusted the top floor just yesterday. It seems it was done in anticipation of your arrival.” The three women stepped into the house, followed by two lady’s maids. Sophia tried to manage her irritation. If she wasn’t careful, she may say something rude.

“Mrs. Eliot, are you here to fetch your son? I don’t know where he is at present, but he should be here for the evening meal.” Sophia appraised Mrs. Eliot, who had always been a foreboding presence at Bramblefields. Now she was a skinny woman too old for her age, wearing an ever-proud expression. Sophia was no longer intimidated by the woman. She even found herself smiling at the situation. Mrs. Eliot had come to rescue Philip from her unworthy clutches.

“Not at all, Miss Worthington. Mary and I thought Philip’s idea to visit you a capital one. We came to join the party. It has been too long.”

Mrs. Eliot placed her bony hand on Sophia’s arm as she spoke. Sophia stepped away.

“Fascinating.” That was all Sophia could think to say. “Now, let me call Betsy. She will see that you are settled. Please, have a seat in the drawing room. I will see that your things are put in your rooms and let my mother know you have arrived.”