Free My Dear Sophy by Kimberly Truesdale Page B

wanted. I preferred to walk. It is a beautiful morning, though the sun is growing a little hot now, I think.” Connie felt his own uncovered brow growing damp with perspiration. In his continued observation of Miss Wentworth, he had also noticed that damp strands of her hair were clinging to her temples. This drew his attention for the first time to the fact that her hair was loose down her back in soft brown waves. For the first time, it registered in Connie's mind how hastily she had clearly dressed. With the information about the other search parties, and the angry but fearful lecture she had read him before he'd even dismounted, Connie could now see the level of distress young Frederick had clearly caused. Miss Wentworth didn't even have a bonnet to cover her fair skin.
    “ It seems that your young brother has caused some trouble this morning, Miss Wentworth.” Sophy rolled her eyes and sighed. Connie felt oddly happy that she already felt such intimacy was acceptable in his company. “I suggest that we allay any further distress by heading back to Milverton.”
    “ That sounds like a fine plan, captain. My father will be expecting news,” she paused, “and an apology.” Miss Wentworth looked directly at Frederick, clearly giving the boy his orders. With Connie's help, he mounted the horse again and set off down the road. His subdued pace – much different to the exuberant gallop of a few moments ago – bespoke his reluctance to face the apologies he knew awaited him in town. Connie started off after him.
    Now that she was no longer rushing and worried about her brother, Miss Wentworth seemed to relax into her surroundings. Connie observed her as closely as he could while they walked. She moved with a confident but leisurely stride. And unlike other women he had known, she seemed not to feel the pressure to talk. For a few strides, she simply closed her eyes and breathed deeply. When she exhaled, she began to speak.
    “ Captain Conrad Croft. And heading into Milverton,” Miss Wentworth mused. “You wouldn't happen to be one of the sons of our dear and beloved Reverend Croft, would you?”
    “ The prodigal returns!” Connie exclaimed, laughing as Miss Wentworth's own giggle bubbled up. “Not quite prodigal, perhaps. I don't believe I've been wicked enough to deserve that label, though I do believe that my dear mother would be willing to slay a fatted calf when I appear on her doorstep.”
    “ She has not made mention of your return,” Miss Wentworth's brow furrowed, clearly trying to recall something. “Surely she would have mentioned such a momentous event.”
    “ Miss Wentworth, I must confess a secret to you.” He leaned conspiratorially toward her. “She does not know.”
    “ A surprise! How wonderful! She will be overwhelmed in quite the best way.”
    “ Indeed!” Connie had to agree with this. His mother had mentioned Miss Wentworth in her letters over the years, but he now realized that the young woman must be on even more intimate terms than he knew. “Shall we place a wager on her reaction when she espies her third child walking up the lane?”
    “ I can already envision the scene. She will quite forget that she is a pillar of our society and run in a most unladylike way to your arms.”
    “ Just so,” Connie laughed. It was the same picture he had seen in his mind. His mother had always been quite improperly effusive with her children. But they loved her for it. Indeed, the whole of Milverton loved her for it. Mrs. Maria Croft tried her best to maintain “society” manners, but her good nature always got the better of her. She had always been a happy woman with the great fortune to be able to influence the mood around her. The Reverend sometimes referred to her as his “rainbow” – God's happy promise to man after whatever storm he had endured.
    Connie had witnessed this love between his parents as he grew up. As a youth, he'd been greatly embarrassed by it. But now he recognized