Chapter 14 ~ Hearts Desire

Sophia furrowed her brow in concern as she patiently awaited Ava’s arrival. Her heart aching for her brother who was soon to open his heart to Ava, the woman whom, despite Sophia’s own fondness for, she had found she lacked confidence in. In truth Sophia feared that her dear friend would not accept him, a puzzling and heartbreaking cogitation.

The longer she sat in the quiet room with the warmth of the fire gently caressing the air the more her thoughts turned towards that morning, when she had come upon her brother as he entered the Duke’s office.

Although she had known it to be wrong, her curiosity had gotten the best of her, guiding Sophia to press her ear to the door and listen to the low rumbling voices, most prominently her brothers.

Ava gazed lovingly upon Sophia, a pang shooting through her as the young woman turned her melancholy gaze in her direction. Instantly Ava ran towards her friend, scooping the girl into her arms and motherly embracing her, cradling Sophia as the young woman’s tears began to fall.

“Dearest Sophia, what ails you?” Ava murmured in an attempt to comfort despite her own apprehensions, gently brushing the wispy strands of hair from the delicate face and gazing kindly upon her as she had always done with Catherine. A smile spreading gently over Ava’s face as it occurred to her that she did in fact find solace in Sophia’s companionship, a bond that she had thought would only ever be shared with her own beloved sister, while she gently swayed to and fro, whispering soothingly until Sophia’s tears ended.

Sophia felt so comforted in Ava’s kind and warm embrace, yet she knew what must be done for she herself had found that she had given her heart to the woman. Turning her serious gaze upon her friend Sophia swallowed, silently praying that the words she stated would not in turn frighten Ava away. “I dearly love you Ava,” she sighed, “yet my allegiance lies with my brother. A brother who is far more, for he is the only father I have ever truly known.” She continued, keeping her intense and serious gaze focused upon Ava.

Ava did could not quite comprehend what Sophia was saying, a startling thought rising to the forefront of her mind as she gazed upon the young woman, “Sophia have I done something to upset you?” She barely breathed out, Ava’s heart nearly shattering as she feared as such.

Sophia pulled in a long deep breath and closed her eyes, “no…” she whispered, “Although I fear that you soon will.” Her true desperation resounded within every word as she continued, fighting at the stinging tears that burned her eyes and choked her thoughts. “I have never had a mother, nor had any love me as my brother until now.” The tears began flowing freely again, yet this time Sophia rebuked Ava’s attempts to console her. “You have taken my heart as well Ava,” she whimpered dropping her watery gaze to her hands that desperately shook.

Ava stood there in complete shock, her heart swelling with love for the young woman, fear at what her next statement was to be and heartache for she had brought upon the child grief. “I am truly honored that you believe me to be so kind,” she whispered sadly, achingly.

“I do not believe you to be so kind as to not destroy my brother,” Sophia stammered out suddenly her tone serious. “I believe that you are fighting a losing battle with your own heart one in which will cause him grief.” The ferocity in her tone snapped Ava’s bewildered gaze upon her, prompting her to continue.

“My brother has fallen in love with you and comes soon to make his attentions known. I find it most befitting to inform you my dear friend that I cannot and will not stand idly by while you crush his soul, for he is all I have.” Sophia’s tone dropped changed with her emotions, going from demanding, angry to pleading all at once, tentatively she stepped forward taking Ava’s quivering hands within her own. “Ava I plead with you, do not hurt him, I beg of thee with everything within my heart,” she dropped her gaze to the ground as she said the words she feared would frighten Ava away.

“Allow your heart to accept the joys you fight so hard against, accept his love, and give yours freely.”

Sophia’s words were so strong, emotional and powerful, leaving Ava speechless as the young woman hurriedly dropped her grip and ran from the room, her legs unable to hold her weight any longer as she gratefully collapsed onto the lounge. She knew Alexander cared for her, yet would never in her wildest dreams believe that she held within her grasp the ability to crush him. Yet how could she deny Sophia’s judgments when the young woman had always read herself so aptly and this in just the short course of three weeks.

“In truth I don’t know what my heart wants dearest Sophia,” she mournfully sighed, the notion arising to her once more that she was never as happy as during her company with Alexander and Sophia, a warm comfort of family bond she had not experienced since childhood.

Roberto stared at the familiar script upon the letter he had received, a piece of him relieved while the rest worried at its contents. With a heavy sigh, he broke past the seal, and turned his eyes down towards it, a faint smile playing across his lips as he began to read Alexander’s neat hand.

Dearest Uncle,
Sophia and I have made it safely to our destination and I must whole heartedly concur with thee, the Wilshire Gardens are beautiful, yet not nearly so, as the enchanting yet infuriating Lady Ava Carmichael.

The comment brought a hearty smile to Roberto’s face, as he remembered just how stubborn Annette had herself been, the thought evoking a small memory at his first meeting with her.

Roberto stood gazing upon her, the lovely angel in her white gown with a sad expression upon her face, an expression that hurriedly changed to concern as she realized she was not alone. “My lady…” he barely breathed, his full attention drawn to her ethereal beauty, his heart seemingly stopping its beat as it struck him he had indeed come upon his future.

“Your Grace,” Annette sighed lowering her eyes to the grass and moss covered earth below her, the gentle lapping of the water against the shore the only reminder this was in truth a reality, while her mother’s words echoed through her mind…

“Annette today Prince Roberto arrives, I pray that you be receptive for our families wish a unity…”

“Do you not find it inappropriate to be staring in such a fashion upon I?” Annette snapped turning her attention away from him, fighting at the urge to run as fast and far as she could from him.

Roberto could not help the faint blush that arose as he realized his gaze let on more than he had intended, “I apologize for making you nervous Lady Annette,” he sighed utterly engulfed in enrapture. Everything from the chirp of the birds to the low buzz of a nearby bee hive adding to his personal opinion of the young women.

Turning blazing eyes upon him, Annette swayed, her will and force retreating as it occurred to her that she was acting quite out of sorts. “I will never be able to accept you,” she murmured almost mournfully, her thoughts retreating towards Charles in both guilt and love. “You could never make me happy,” she mumbled, turning away from him before the tears fell, anguish written across her face…

Hurriedly Roberto shook the vision away, as a small pang shot through him turning once more to the letter before him. Laughing aloud at what he read next…

When I first came upon this enticing young woman, I had not known it to be the one in whom I was intended to meet, nor did she find it fitting to inform me. My dearest uncle I fear I have made an utter fool of myself, in an attempt to gain a better vision of this loveliest of angels I startled her causing her to run directly into my path. I do not know how to say this without any thinking ill yet I shall, the moment my arms encircled her in a gentlemanly steady, I felt as if nothing in the world could ever compare.

Roberto paused his heart stammering at his nephews words, his knowledge of the matter rather unnerving his thoughts returning to that one brief embrace he had been compelled to give in the garden, where he himself had felt the same elation until he had noticed the other, the piece in which she had shied away from.

As I gazed upon her and she upon me, I could not bring myself to release her and when she, oh please dearest uncle do not be angry, when she asked for a kiss I obliged. A kiss that I shall never forget in all my years, for it was then she stole my heart.

Roberto’s hands shook violently at the personal revelation, his heart soaring with elation for he understood his nephew had indeed found the one of his future, grateful for such. For in truth he and the duke had already agreed to the match. A long ago made plan when they had written that they had received permission to take the child, the daughter of his friend and betrothed, an arrangement and agreement made to continue her protection from society, maintain the family name.

Although as with the fragile sensibilities of a lady she did grow rather furious, yet I dare say her spirited obscenities though intriguing to hear from such a creature did infuriate me. I literally had to drag her back to the Wilshire manor, where we were properly introduced, an introduction I must say that nearly decided me against her. A decision quickly rescinded as I realized her plight, in anger I have forced my will forced a courtship of no less duration than six months.

Roberto could not help but to laugh, envisioning his stubborn and spirited nephew doing just such a thing.

I believe in my heart you would adore Lady Ava, she is such the spirited angel yet so kind I can nary keep this to my own, for her kindness and attentiveness to our dear Sophia is unprecedented. A friendship that Sophia adores, a kinship I have never before witnessed between my sister and the one in which I fully intend to make my bride, despite my concerns she will not take me for apparently her heart has been broken by an unknown gentleman. I in truth do fear I shall never compare, nor could I live happily knowing that she did not desire me.

Roberto’s smile faded at the words, his heart ripping open again as it pulled towards his nephew a resurgence of emotion at his own learning. Silently he fell into prayer, so much rested upon this union. For he knew what it felt to have your heart torn to shreds, to find that all you had been hopeful towards had all been for naught. This daughter of Annette seemed far more wild than she herself had been, his eyes growing wide as a thought crossed his mind…

Sir Gabriel Edwards sat patiently in the receiving parlor of the Talley manor, his mind calm despite his reasons for being here this day. When the scent of cucumber and rose oil reached his senses announcing his dear friends arrival. “Gabriel,” Francis coolly murmured her velvety smooth caressing his ears, “I am so glad you have come.”

Standing to his full height, Gabriel turned his silvery blue gaze upon the much matured form of Francis, looking lovely as ever with her silken blond locks tied neatly alongside of her neck in a youthful style.

Briefly he took the time to skim his gaze over her body, a flash of heat shooting through his body as his memories fell to the night she’d given him her innocence, “how could I refuse?” he purred a slick smile spreading over his face.

Speculatively Francis gazed upon Gabriel licking her lips seductively as she took a confident step forward, “dearest Gabe,” she began using her pet name for him, “I know you entirely too well, thus said I must insist upon a few provisions.” Francis smiled, a cold, calculating grin that matched the woman herself…