Page 76 of The Chaperone

‘Very pretty, my lord, but inaccurate.’

‘Not totally. It certainly distracts me from it, so the best thing you can do is stay nice and close to me.’

This she did until the arrival of the local surgeon, who declared the wound clean, and declined to stitch it, saying that in his opinion it would heal better if left open but dressed. He recommended that his lordship rest for several days before returning to London, and keep the sling just so that he did not use the arm and move the muscles of the upper part.

‘You were very fortunate, my lord. It is but a flesh wound. Two inches to the left and it would have shattered the bone.’

‘Two inches to the right, and it would have missed me entirely.’

The surgeon laughed at this, though Lord Rothley afterwards told his intended that he had been completely serious.

‘What a good job I asked for your father’s approbation this morning. What man would wish to receive an offer for his daughter from a mangled wreck.’

‘You look … brave. Besides, you rescued his niece from ruination, and his eldest daughter holds you in the highest possible esteem, my lord.’ She became serious again. ‘Papa is delighted. He said that he liked you, and I said I liked you too.’

This comment necessitated him indicating that the liking was mutual, in a physical form. It was several minutes before Sophy had the breath to continue.

‘You know he told me at the beginning of the Season that I should see what happened if I left matters to fate. If this is fate, I am mightily contented with it, and you may quote me upon that.’

‘I shall.’ He leant back, and held her at arm’s length, admiringly. ‘My Sophy.’

Sophy’s smile broadened.

‘You cannot know just how pleased I am to be at last escaping my cursed name.’

‘That does not sound very polite, my love. Hadlow is—’

‘No, you know full well what I mean. Once I have declared that ‘I, Sophronia Annabelle, take thee …’

‘Hugh Alexander,’ he supplied, helpfully.

‘Hugh Alexander. Ooh, I like those. The dreaded Sophronia need not be declared in public again. I can rejoice in being announced as Lady Rothley.’

‘Who is not married to a rake.’

‘Correct.’

‘Lady Rothley sounds very good. I will rejoice in it also, and I promise never to call you Sophronia, even if you provoke me.’

‘What more could I want?’

He pulled her close again.

‘Oh, there is much more, my darling, but let us content ourselves with that for today.’