Perfectly Mismatched Read online

  “I’d like to see your home. If you’d like to show me?”

  “I would.”

  Following tea, Robert took Sophia for a walk through East London. The experience was thrilling to say the least. Cobblestone streets, sewage lining the gutters and an array of people from all walks of life. She could feel their eyes on her and Robert as they strolled through the narrow alleys and rows of town houses. She heard them whispering and pointing, but she didn’t mind. On Robert’s arm she felt completely safe and protected.

  Robert showed her the house where he’d been born. It was a simple construction, more an apartment building than a house. The building was made from grey stone and bricks, with stone tiles and wooden beams for a roof. It had a precarious feel to it, as though a strong gust of wind would blow it over. He told her there were five rooms inside, and most likely twice as many families.

  They made their way back to the city center, strolling along Regent Street. Robert smiled as Sophia peered into shop windows and pointed out the fine dresses and other enticing goods that the retailers had on offer. He even suggested that she try a few on, but she refused. Today was about her and Robert being together. She could shop any time.

  It was just reaching mid-afternoon when the day took a turn for the worse. Up until that point, everything had been going perfectly. Sophia and Robert were getting along as though there had never been a hitch in their relationship. He hadn’t mentioned her working at the docks, and she hadn’t felt a need to bring up where he had been spending his time. She could feel herself falling in love with her husband all over again and was sure that he felt the same.

  After lunch, Robert suggested they go for a stroll through Berkeley Square Gardens. Sophia delighted in the idea, having never been there before. As they reached the entry, a wide dirt path that snaked its way along an archway of tall trees, a shrill voice yelled out to her husband from across the way.

  “Robert!”

  They turned simultaneously. Sophia squinted her eyes, not sure who she should be looking for. Robert’s face dropped.

  “Robert!” the shrill voice yelled out again. It was a woman’s voice, and a moment later Sophia saw exactly who it belonged to.

  She was middle class, maybe. Her ankles were showing, as was the top of her chest. She wore far too much make-up, aimed at drawing attention to her lips, and her red hair, obviously not a natural color, although luscious and full, was messy and looked as if it hadn’t been combed in days.

  “I thought it was you!” the red-head screeched again as she hurried toward Sophia and Robert. “What? Too good to say hello to Missy?”

  “I’m so sorry,” Robert whispered in Sophia’s ear as Missy hurried toward them. He kept a very fake smile on his face, offering it to Missy as she reached them. “Missy, how have you been?”

  “What, no kiss either?” Missy let out a cackle and then leaned in and kissed Robert on the cheek. For a moment, Sophia thought the woman was angling for his lips, but was relieved when Robert didn’t allow for it.

  “I’m sorry, Missy. I didn’t recognize you.” Sophia, her arm still linked in his, could feel him stiffen.

  “Pox to that! I know you wouldn’t forget this.” Missy stepped back, indicating to herself in general, as if she were the most desirable sight in the world. Her body was voluptuous, and a little worn for wear.

  “Well it has been a while.”

  “Too long. Where have you been? Madam Woo has missed your patronage.”

  Sophia realized in that moment who Missy was, and why Robert was so trepidatious about greeting the loud red-head. Evidently, she worked at a bordello that Robert used to frequent. Suddenly, Sophia felt very sick. Embarrassment swooped in like a dark shadow on her perfect day and she became aware of the people walking past, all turning their heads and glancing at the scene.

  “I’ve been busy.” Robert could not have looked more uncomfortable. His eyes darted around the park, noting the people watching him.

  “Too busy to come see an old favorite?” Again, Missy indicated her voluptuous body, cackling as she did.

  “Well, Missy. It was lovely seeing you again, but I’m afraid I have to get —”

  “Alright, alright!” Missy waved him off. “I can tell when I’m not wanted.” For the first time her eyes passed over Sophia, and Sophia felt a sort of sickness forming in her gut. She didn’t hate this woman, but she wanted very much to attack her.

  “Good day.” Robert was quick in directing Sophia away from Missy. He put his hand on the small of her back and pushed her down the path. “I’m so sorry,” Robert said as they walked. “I never would have thought... I can’t believe...”

  “Not to worry, it’s fine” Although Sophia said the words, and tried her best to mean them, she wasn’t sure if they were true or not. That was without a doubt the most embarrassing moment of her life. She could still feel the eyes of the passersby on her, judging her and her husband both. She knew that Robert had a past, she just never thought to be confronted by it in such a manner.

  “No, it’s not,” he insisted. “I —”

  “Lady Tamway! Lady Tamway!” Sophia froze, her blood going cold as she recognized the voice that called to her. “Over here!” Slowly she turned around, knowing who it was that was calling before seeing his face.

  When Sophia first came of age several years ago, her father had gone through every means he could to try and see her wed. This included organizing several encounters with well to do men from London, in the hopes that they would be able to see past her sordid history and marry her for what she was... rich. One of these men was an Earl by the name of Roger. Roger was much older than Sophia, in his sixties. He was overweight to the point of obesity, had a bushy white mustache that bordered on ludicrous and always dressed in a manner that made him impossible to miss in a crowd.

  Sure enough, as he waddled toward her, his chin bobbling up and down, he wore a black suit with yellow cuffs and lapels and an orange kerchief tucked into the front pocket. “I thought it was you!” he smiled broadly as he reached her.

  Now it was Sophia’s turn to stiffen. “Hello, Roger. How are you?” She could feel Robert tense beside her.

  “Doing well!” he beamed. “But aren’t I always!” It was then that he noted Robert, standing beside her. “Hello, sir. And who might you be?”

  Robert looked the man up and down with disdain. “I’m Viscount Robert of Tamway. And you are?”

  “I’m first servings!” he chuckled at the joke, patting his large belly. Robert’s face turned beet red. But whether it was from anger or embarrassment, Sophia had not a clue. “Just kidding. I’m Roger of —”

  “Sorry, Roger,” Sophia interrupted. “But we really have to get going.” She pulled on Robert’s arm, trying to lead him away, but he wouldn’t move.

  “I’m sorry, but how do you know my wife?” he asked.

  “Her father tried to match the two of us – what was it? Two years ago, now? I dipped my toes in but wasn’t willing to commit. You know... on account of – well that’s not really a matter now. The two of you look happy as clams!”

  Sophia was sure that if they stayed there any longer, Robert would have hit the overweight Earl. She somehow managed to nod their goodbyes to Roger and drag Robert away.

  They didn’t talk much after that. Not at all, actually. They left the park and made their way back to where the carriage waited. They climbed in, sitting across from one another as Robert directed it back to Tamway manor. Without a goodbye, Robert dropped Sophia off in front of the estate, directing the carriage to take him to... well she wasn’t sure where. Based on the look on his face, one of both disappointment and anger, she guessed it to be a locale that served alcohol and plenty of it.

  She stood there, watching the carriage disappear down the road. The sun was just beginning to set, and Sophia was certain that any chance she had of repairing things with her husband was utterly and irrevocably gone.

  Chapter 20

  There you are!�
�� Hugh exclaimed as he made his way through the tavern. “I was about to send out a search party.”

  Robert looked up from his drink as his friend made his way toward him. It was early in the morning, probably only an hour or so past sunrise, and the place was fairly empty. This early in the day, the only souls that occupied these types of places were the truly lonely and desperate. Two categories that Robert fit into perfectly.

  He had come here the previous afternoon after dropping Sophia off at home. The moment he’d arrived, he made his way into the very back corner, content to hide amongst the thick smoke that hung in the air, and the dozens of bodies that populated the room. Now that the smoke was gone, and the bodies had systematically slunk away, he was all that remained. No longer hiding, simply drowning his sorrows.

  “You look awful.” Hugh pulled a seat up beside him, a look of concern on his face.

  Robert simply nodded his head, going back to the mug of ale he held in his hand. To his disappointment, when he tilted it back he found it empty. No matter, he held it in the air, giving it a wave. A moment later and the barkeep appeared by his side with a fresh brew.

  “You smell terrible too.” Hugh grinned at Robert, doing his best to lighten the mood. Robert didn’t return the optimism. He was far too depressed.

  The reason for his current state was a simple one. He loved his wife. When he had first met her, he thought her interesting. After their first day together, he knew that with time he would learn to love her like a husband should. Now that he realized he truly loved her, he knew that his marriage was over.

  As they’d spent the day together in London, Robert felt inexplicably inspired to open up to his wife, let her see a side of him he rarely showed to anyone. He had no idea what insanity had prompted him to do so, but his heart had told him to take the chance. To his surprise, Sophia hadn’t judged him, she even appeared to appreciate his candor. Robert couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so free, able to speak without fear of implication. As the day wore on he found himself falling for her, finding it hard to believe that it had taken him so long to see her innate selflessness and purity. By the time they reached the park he was all but ready to swear off his old life and start afresh with the woman he had married. Then Missy appeared.

  Missy he could have handled. Yes, he was mortified, he couldn’t have imagined a worse time for his old life to come back into view, but he was willing to move past it. He was sure he could have sat Sophia down and explained, the day was not yet lost.

  The final straw was Roger, the Earl of who-knows-where. Robert didn’t hold Sophia’s past against her, in terms of indecency she couldn’t hold a candle anywhere near Robert’s behavior. Seeing Roger, hearing the way he spoke of Sophia, made Robert realize something. He and his wife were broken. They were dropped vases, trying desperately to piece one another together, despite the impossibility of the task. They both carried the weight of events that society would never let them live down. There was no hope for a future. It would be a life of embarrassment, awkwardness and pain.

  Ironically, Robert loved Sophia too much to subject her to that. After a long night and morning of drinking, he now knew what he had to do. He had to divorce her. It was as simple, and as hard, as that.

  “And those clothes,” Hugh continued, seemingly oblivious to the state Robert was in. “I don’t know who your tailor is, but I suggest you fire him without delay and —”

  “What are you doing here?” Robert cut in. No doubt his friend was here with the best of intentions, but that didn’t answer what exactly it was that he was doing here in the first place. There was no way he could know about what had happened to Robert and Sophia yesterday, and the odds of him being here solely for the purpose of poking fun at Robert were slim.

  “What? I can’t stop by my friend’s favorite tavern at eight in the morning for a drink and a laugh?”

  “No, you can’t.” Maybe if it were six months ago, Hugh’s presence wouldn’t be so odd. But ever since his marriage to Emma he had stopped drinking... at least excessively.

  “I heard about what happened to you and Sophia — my wife and Sophia are good friends, remember?” he cut in, before Robert was able to ask how he had heard. “But that’s not why I’m here.”

  Robert raised an eyebrow at Hugh, urging him to explain.

  “It’s your business. Obviously, you weren’t home last night so you didn’t receive the message. Your man Liam didn’t know how else to reach you. I’m sure he knew that a tavern of some kind was the best option, but as to which... well there are a hundred between here and the center of London alone. So, he came to me.”

  “And?”

  “I don’t know. He told me there was a problem with the orders, something to do with that old cock Trenworth pulling his shipments from your slate. Now it’s anarchy and you’re needed.”

  Robert let out a groan. Of course it was to do with Trenworth. He’d known that Aldway wasn’t kidding when he said he would cease their working relationship, he just hadn’t expected it so soon. He also had no idea as to how significant this would be.

  “Thank you,” Robert began as he slowly pushed himself to his feet. It was a struggle to do so, he hadn’t stood for the better part of twelve hours. “When I sort this out, the drinks are on me.”

  “Hey,” Hugh put his hand on Robert’s chest, steadying him as he stood. “Is everything alright? Not work... with you and Sophia? Is there anything I can do?”

  Robert smiled begrudgingly at Hugh but didn’t respond. He didn’t relish the task that lay before him, and it wasn’t because he was tired, sore and more than a little drunk. The last thing he felt like dealing with was work. Sophia occupied every corner of his mind, and despite how much he wished it, he couldn’t stop thinking of her.

  Was everything alright? Not even remotely, and in all likelihood, it never would be again.

  Chapter 21

  If Robert had known how much his business relied on that of Lord Trenworth, he might have checked himself before speaking as he had to the man. At the very least he might have slept on it and possibly spoken to Liam first... verified that they could afford to lose his business. But he hadn’t. He’d acted impulsively, told Trenworth off and would now have to reap what he had sown. He couldn’t bring himself to regret it though, not when he remembered the look on Sophia’s face as she stood atop the stairs looking down at him.

  In short, the business was a mess. There were five ships docked across three piers when Robert arrived that morning. They were all in the process of either being unloaded of Trenworth’s commerce or restocked with new wares. That was how it had looked on first inspection. When Robert finally found Liam, running from pier to pier, he learned that the situation was far graver.

  “I don’t think you understand!” Liam had yelled when Robert suggested that they simply send the ships off, without added cargo to make up for lost stocks.

  “I understand perfectly,” Robert shot back. He really didn’t. Although this was his company, and there was once a time when he was across it in all manner of speaking, that was a long time ago. He had organized the business so that he wouldn’t need to be across everything anymore. So that Liam could run it. Now he had no idea what to do.

  “Right. Tell me then. What do I do? Huh?” Liam stopped and crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow as he waited for a response.

  “I told you. Send the ships off half full. We’ll make up what’s lost next month.”

  “And I told ya it ain’t that simple.”

  “And why not?!”

  Liam let out a long sigh, as if wondering where to begin. “Cause Lord Aldway has his finger in every pie we own, so to speak. We got The Tamway half full. It’s meant to be going to Cape Town, via Lisbon. But it’s Lisbon stock is now gone. So, we was gonna send it just to Cape Town, but someone decided it to fill it with wool. The wool is meant for Sydney. And The Piercer is goin’ there. But The Piercer is full. So, we tried to move some of its contents to The Ecuador bu
t The Ecuador has a busted rudder and won’t be good to leave for two days. So, we thought the best thing to do was...”

  By that point, Robert had stopped listening. His head was spinning as he slowly became very aware of how little he still knew about his own business. Were it a few years ago he was sure he’d have been able to solve the dilemma. But now...

  And to top it all off, he couldn’t think straight. No matter how hard he tried, his mind inevitably went back to Sophia. Where was she? How was she doing? Was she alright after yesterday? He wanted to go home and hold her, to make sure that she was. He had to deal with her, most likely through divorce and that was a task he wasn’t looking forward to. Being here, dealing with a mess that he wasn’t equipped to handle, was the last place he wanted to be.

  “Fine, fine. Stop. Just... just tell me. Do you have a plan? Do you know what you’re doing?”

  “That’s what I been sayin’. We’re trying but the rate we’re going, we’re going to lose some shipments, no doubt. Some will be late, other’s might go to the wrong places. That happens, and ships won’t return on time next month for their next load. Losing Trenworth was just the beginning. This goes on we could lose three or four other suppliers. We might go under.”

  “What do you suggest? Please. There must be something?”

  “There is, sir. But you ain’t gonna like it.”

  Chapter 22

  Her marriage was over. Sophia couldn’t see any other possibility. When Missy appeared, the lovely day she’d been enjoying with Robert took a small stumble. It was slight, and although it was embarrassing for both she and Robert, it wasn’t insurmountable. In fact, the way Robert dealt with it suggested he was all but ready to move on from that part of his past, but then Roger materialized.