Free Lily George by Healing the Soldier's Heart Page A

hoping you were back.” Sophie bounded into the room, plunking herself down on the settee. “I’ve some news. I think I shall be headed for Brightgate soon.”
    “Really?” Lucy’s heart lurched a bit. With no more lessons, and Sophie gone, ’twould be a dreary existence indeed. It was good for her to go and all—but when Sophie left, Lucy had only her charges to talk to.
    “Yes, if Charlie can arrange matters. You see, his mother is determined that I should come to Brightgate for a proper introduction to the family. I don’t know how we shall manage it, but Charlie feels that perhaps Aunt Katherine could help.” Sophie toyed with a loose thread on the upholstery fabric, her face turning a lovely shade of pink.
    “But...your engagement isn’t real, is it? I thought this was merely a ruse to keep Cantrill’s mother from hounding him about marriage.” Honestly, this farce of Sophie’s grew stranger by the moment. Why wouldn’t she just admit her love for Lieutenant Cantrill and be done?
    “It was, but now our plan has taken on a life of its own.” Sophie kept her face downcast, her brilliant blue eyes turned toward the Aubusson rug. “How did you fare?” she asked after a moment’s pause. “Did you see your ensign today?”
    “Yes, I did. But not at the veterans’ group.” She cleared her throat. How much of this should she tell Sophie? Sometimes, Sophie only appeared interested in her own problems. Would she even listen if Lucy spilled the whole truth? Still, Sophie was her only confidante, and she would be leaving soon for Brightgate. It wouldn’t hurt to tell her everything. In truth, it would be a relief to unburden herself.
    Lucy confided the whole of her morning to Sophie, whose eyebrows shot up in surprise as Lucy finished her tale. “Goodness,” she breathed, patting Lucy’s hand.
    “So, you see, I had to run home and just give myself a moment to mull things over. I don’t know what to do, Sophie. I—I have no purpose in life now. The girls are growing up and won’t need me soon. Helping the ensign was going to be so interesting, and now that’s gone, too. And soon you will be leaving me for Brightgate...” Hot tears welled in her eyes, and she broke off with a sniffle.
    “Oh, sweet Lucy. If it makes you feel any better, have a good howl.” Sophie enfolded her in a warm, violet-scented embrace, breaking down the last of Lucy’s reserve. She cried until the bitter disappointment flowed from her being, washed away by her salty tears. Then, hiccupping a bit, she pulled away from Sophie and fumbled for her handkerchief.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I am so upset.” She blew her nose and gave a deep, shuddering sigh.
    “Well, I imagine it’s for many reasons, though I am not certain you are ready to admit them to yourself just yet,” Sophie replied in a gentle tone.
    Lucy glanced up, her defenses bubbling to the surface. “I don’t love the ensign if that’s what you are implying. He is—he was—a good friend to me. Someone of my own age, whom I could speak to. It’s nice, after years of being alone, to have friends.”
    “Why are you so stubborn, Lucy? Why not admit that you can—and should—fall in love?”
    Lucy leaned back against the comforting arm of the settee. How to explain her feelings to someone like Sophie? After all, though Sophie had never suffered poverty, she’d never been truly alone. Truly independent. She’d always had her sister and no end of swains. There was always someone there to love her, to want to take care of her. She hadn’t had to learn—as Lucy had, while still quite young—that there was no one for her to depend on but herself.
    “Not all of us are beautiful,” she snapped, regretting her tone as soon as she’d bitten the words out. Sophie drew back a little in surprise. “Oh, I’m sorry, Sophie. It’s just that I realized at a very early age that I was truly alone in this world. I cannot hope for someone to come along and