by Lucy Langton
“I’m not leaving, Sophia,” Philip said.
“But it’s making you unhappy.”
“It makes me happy to be near you.”
“You just said it makes you frustrated and angry.”
“Not being able to please you makes me frustrated and angry. Not having control.”
“We cannot control one another.”
“And that simple fact makes me frustrated, yes. But it’s not enough to make me leave.”
Silence followed as Sophia considered his words. She felt intense relief hearing that Philip did not wish to depart. She reasoned that if he could stay with her through this then he could stay with her through anything.
“Does it please you to hear that I’m now the Duke of Clumber?” Philip asked.
Sophia’s jaw dropped. It was inevitable that he should become so, but Sophia had never really considered the reality of it.
“It’s official?” Sophia asked.
“I received word this morning. The title is mine.”
“I am no longer the Duchess of Clumber,” Sophia assured him.
“You shall be again.”
“If the prince regent allows it. How can we know what his verdict will be? I am stripped of my title already and may be sent away. The prince may very well deem that I can never have that title reinstated.”
“I’ll convince him.”
“You’ll convince the prince regent?” Sophia asked in disbelief.
“I can convince anyone of anything,” Philip replied with a boyish grin.
“We merely must wait, for now. There’s nothing we can do but wait. And I apologise that during this period my capacity for joy has been squandered.”
“And your capacity for love?” Philip asked, expectation in his eyes.
“I still love deeply,” Sophia assured him, and watched as relief flooded Philip’s face.
So, Philip was just as afraid of losing her as she was of losing him? It warmed her heart past description. Yes, should she be allowed to remain in England and have her title reinstated, Sophia would devote herself to Philip completely. Even if her title was gone forever, she would still devote herself to him. And what a strange predicament it would be should the Duke of Clumber not be able to marry the woman that he loves. Would Philip have to take a wife in order to fulfil his duty? Could he possibly endure a life with someone he could never marry? No matter what the outcome, Sophia and Philip were sure to be shunned by society. If he was all right with that, Sophia would endure it as well. She didn’t need a title or even an official marriage contract. Sophia merely needed Philip. If their union created a scandal, then so be it.
“Enough with all this serious talk,” Philip said, returning to the table and seating himself beside her again. He placed a gentle hand upon her knee and Sophia felt a warmth flood her body. Such a suggestive gesture in plain sight was something she was not accustomed to.
Sophia picked up a scone from her plate and offered it to Philip. He shook his head playfully and picked up her fork, taking a bite of her omelette.
“Are you excited for your title?” Sophia asked.
“Yes and no,” Philip replied casually.
“How can you not be excited? You never expected to be the duke.”
“Part of me did.”
“In what way?”
“I knew that my brother was going to muck it up in some way or another.”
“And that’s why you remained nearby?”
“No,” Philip replied. “In all honesty, I had plans to leave not too long ago. To get away. Father always wanted me to do so and Timothy surely did not wish for me to remain. I was going to travel, perhaps find employment in a foreign nation and never return to British soil again.”
“And what prevented you?”
“I fell in love,” Philip replied.
Sophia felt confused for a moment. Did Philip have a love that he never spoke of? She knew so little about his previous dealings with women and curiosity overcame her.
“With a married woman?” Sophia asked playfully, thinking of Lady Helena White.
“Yes.”
Sophia froze, thinking the situation far more dire than she had assumed.
“Who?”
“You,” Philip replied plainly. “From the moment I laid eyes on you. I assumed that you could not be mine, of course. But I didn’t want my brother to destroy you.”
“But I thought that you only remained at Willow Grange for your father.”
“For him, yes,” Philip replied. “But mostly for you.”
Chapter 23
Philip was determined to solve the problem through action. It pained him to see Sophia so low and distraught, and Philip considered it his duty to make amends with the prince regent and the British government. He had already taken great pains to secure the Clumber title. Philip had written numerous letters to the prince, and most went unanswered until, finally, he received word that he had been greatly anticipating.
Sir,
I have read your letters and I apologise for my late response. There have been a great many matters of state to attend to; balls and teas and whatnot. Some days, I consider it tiring to be a royal. You know how much myself and the nation are grateful for your service to Crown and country, and for this reason alone I think it fitting that you should retain the title of Duke of Clumber.
Your name is entirely free from blame, as the general has reminded me. In terms of your entreaties for the former Duke of Clumber’s wife, this is an issue that I do not wish to solve through correspondence alone. You are instructed to come to the palace at your earliest convenience in order to discuss the matter. Please be informed that tea shall be served.
George P R
Reading the letter over and over again brought a smile to Philip’s face. He kept it in his pocket and would take it out from time to time, giving it another read. Although the news that he could be the duke was pleasing in the sense that it ensured a new future for Philip, there was still no security when it came to Sophia’s plight.
Philip waited for exactly two days before going to the prince regent’s palace. He took great pains to wear his finest uniform, decorated with so many admirable awards and insignias. Presenting his name to the palace guard, Philip waited whilst a ledger was perused until he was finally granted entrance.
Philip had been to the palace before and so was well acquainted with the opulence of it. No structure in Britain was so dripping with finery and age-old, timeless relics. It was an edifice that stood unaffected by time. Philip imagined that, had he the inhuman power to return to that palace a hundred years from hence, it would appear the exact same as it did on that sunny day.
He was instructed to wait in the foyer, situating himself in an over-stuffed, tapestry-laden chair, lined with fringe. Offered a cup of tea, Philip turned it down, thinking it best to wait until he was in the prince’s company. He had to wait for some time, and it was no wonder. The prince truly was as busy as he claimed to be. And what’s more, Philip knew the prince to be a notorious participant in the opulent nightlife of London. He was a royal figure who was truly burning the candle at both ends, in the strictest sense of the proverb.
Finally, a very official sort of man in a black coat and tails informed Philip that it was time to enter the prince regent’s meeting room. Philip stood, straightened his uniform, and was led to the royal room.
Upon entering, Philip noted that the room was rather dim and there was a fire burning in the corner. Odd for such a sunny day, but Philip assumed that whatever the prince wanted, he could have.
“I’m always cold,” the prince protested from behind his oak desk, carved with fantastical figures throughout.
“Is it any wonder, sir,” Philip replied. “The palace is airy.”
“Indeed,” the prince replied. “Be seated.”
Philip seated himself yet again and crossed his legs, placing his hands upon his knees.
“It is a great boon to this nation that the Clumber
name is now yours,” the prince went on. “The very fact of the matter is that it went to your ghastly brother merely out of tradition.”
“He did his best, sir.”
“It was not good enough. In fact, it was a disgrace.”
“Yes, sir.”
“So, tell me. What will you do with the dukedom?”
“I plan to cherish it, sir. To make the Clumber name one that all of Britain can be proud of.”
“Very good.”
“I also plan to spend a great deal of time at Willow Grange, sir – the Clumber country estate.”
“Not in town?” the prince asked with a frown.
“No, sir.”
“Hm,” the prince replied, scratching his chin. “The general will not be pleased.”
“It is part of the reason why I have joined you here today, sir. I wish to be relieved of my military duties.”
“And why the devil is that?”
“I wish to devote myself to the dukedom and my family, sir.”
“You have not taken a wife.”
“I plan to shortly, sir.”
“Any prospects?”
“Indeed, sir.”
“I see what’s going on,” the prince said, a twinkle in his eye. “You wish to finally domesticate yourself. You’re asking for my permission to do so.”
“If there’s anyone that can grant me that freedom, it is you, sir,” Philip said graciously.
“You are aware that I have not yet formed an opinion about Willow Grange. It is one thing to allow you the title and quite another to allow you all the Clumber property.”
“And for that reason, I’ve come here to beg Your Highness’s good graces, sir,” Philip said with a bow of the head.
The prince regarded Philip for a moment, his eyes narrowed. Finally, he rang a bell and several attendants entered the meeting room.
“We’re going for a walk,” the prince said to his head footman.
“Yes, sir,” the footman replied with a deep bow.
“Come along,” the prince said to Philip as his chair was pulled out. Philip followed as the regent made his way out of the room and through the palace hall.
It seemed like rather a long walk before the prince made his way to the doors to the veranda, looking out of the stately palatial gardens. His long cape was removed by an attendant and the door was opened, allowing the prince to step out into the sunshine.
“Nice and warm,” he said, looking up at the sun.
“A stunning day, sir,” Philip agreed.
“And after so much rain.”
The two men walked along, an attendant following their every step with a rather large umbrella to shield them from the bright rays. The garden was like nothing Philip had ever seen before. The opulent statues and grand fountains made him think of Sophia. It would be the treat of a lifetime for her to behold those same gardens. Philip was determined to one day have her gain entrance so that she could be inspired for her garden at Willow Grange. That was, if Philip could secure Willow Grange . . .
“So, you want your title and your lands,” the prince began to say. “You also require exit from the British military and the freedom to devote yourself to a life of domestication, marrying your brother’s former wife.”
Philip’s face sunk. How was it that the prince interpreted such a thing correctly?
“Your Highness,” Philip began to protest.
“No, no,” the prince replied, putting up his gloved hand. “You don’t need to explain yourself. She is a lady of great beauty and you are a soldier. These things happen naturally.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Such pressure they put upon me to take a wife,” the prince bemoaned. “But I must say, I’m having far too much fun tooting to my own horn, as they say. Alas, someday I will comply.”
“I’m sure that you can make the decision in good time, sir,” Philip replied.
“Our existence upon this hallowed land is but short. One must do as one pleases.”
Philip smiled to himself. The prince regent was an honest man, to say the least. He was a bon vivant of the highest order, and it pleased Philip immensely to be in his company. Still, there were important matters that needed to be resolved that very afternoon.
“Here we are,” the prince said, pointing towards a little table situated under a finely manicured tree.
Upon the table was one of the most remarkable tea services that Philip had ever seen. There were numerous dishes presented with expert care, and upon a side table there were even more dishes surrounding what looked like an entire roast pheasant. Several attendants stood at either side of the table, ready to be of assistance.
The prince’s chair was pulled out for him, and his cape was reapplied. Philip’s seat was pulled out as well, and he sat once the prince was situated.
“This is my favourite place to dine,” the prince said, taking a deep breath of air.
“I can see why, sir.”
Silence followed as a parade of dishes were presented to both men, each filling their plates with some of Britain’s most delectable delights. To Philip’s surprise, there were also a great many French items on offer. Philip thought of Rudolph as well as Sophia in that moment. Both of them would be in utter heaven should they be seated where he was in that very moment.
“Now, then,” the prince said, having had a satisfactory amount of preliminary food. Philip was quite convinced that the tea would last until sunset. He had been told that the prince favoured such affairs. “To business.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You wish to retain Willow Grange.”
“That is true, sir.”
“And how do you plan its betterment for posterity?”
“Well, I plan to finally make Willow Grange a home, sir.. To raise a family with many boys who can look after it for generations to come.”
“And what of your father’s legacy?” the prince went on, taking the final bite of his quiche.
“I will celebrate it, sir. My father was a fine man, devoted to his country. I choose to highlight that legacy, instead of the legacy of my brother.”
“That is a fine idea,” the prince replied, picking up his tea and cupping it in his hands. “I heard good things of your father.”
“He was a fine and devoted man, sir.”
“I am of the opinion that Willow Grange must be yours,” the prince finally replied. “You have given me cause to believe that you will treat it well, and that future generations might see it as a symbol of British prosperity.”
“That’s exactly what I intend to do, sir. Thank you.”
“But the matter of your leaving the military is another one entirely.”
“Is it?” Philip asked, his face collapsing.
“Indeed. I do not like to see retirement at a young age. You’re a fine officer, and what with so many wars that I’m forced to engage in – and pay for! – I don’t think it meet that you should relinquish your uniform.”