Love Begins In Winter

Sophia laughed as she ran through the snow, trying to get home in time for dinner. She turned a corner in the garden and ran right into someone.

"Oh sorry, Thomas!" She laughed, assuming it was her brother but when she looked up she saw a different man. "I'm sorry Mr..."

"MacAvoy." The gentleman smiled. He looked to be about her brother's age but was a bit taller. His accent was slightly different from hers, possibly Scottish. "I hope I did not startle you. I have come to visit your brother, we went to Oxford together."

"Hello.." Sophia smiled, "I'm Sophia."

"James." He nodded.

Just then her brother, sister, and another man she had not seen before opened the door they were standing in front of.

"Come in you two, you'll caught your death!" Her sister smiled, with a handsome young man standing beside her.

"This is Mr. Macfayden." Emma said with a smile at her sister. She smoothed a ruffle in her pink dress. Thomas looked at both of his sister's with a smile. They looked amazing, like the ladies they would hopefully be.

"Nice to meet you." Sophia smiled and they all walked into the dining hall.

"Sophia!" Their mother explained, "You're drenched from the snow! We have guests!"

"I think she looks rather lovely.." James smiled slightly.

Sophia couldn't help but smile. She couldn't help but notice Emma kept looking at her pointedly, "But, I will go change. Emma, please assist me."

Sophia shivered slightly and decided on a new gown when they entered their room. "Is something the matter?" She asked her sister.

"They are both rich. Our brother has brought them here for us to marry." Emma said. She was slightly on edge. She was not ready for marriage.

"We don't know that." Sophia shrugged. "I would not worry too much yet. Mama will want to know a bit of their character first. And no one can force you to accept an offer!" She smiled.

Emma bit her lip, "I suppose you are right. They're both handsome at least."

They walked back downstairs, "A bit arrogant though. Perhaps we wouldn't even like them." Sophia muttered as they were half way down. She gasped quietly when she realized James was at the bottom of the stairs and heard her.

Both girls blushed and quickly made their way to the dinner table.

The dinner conversation flowed smoothly, with their mother leading it.

"How long will you be staying in Hammersmeath?" Sophia asked.

"For the winter months." James said, "If her ladyship hasn't tired of us by then." He smirked.

"Of course. You men are hardly an imposition. It is grand to have visitors." Said their mother.

Emma rolled her eyes and motioned for a servant to pour her more wine. She wasn't aware of Matthew's eyes on her.

"Emma, dear, why don't you play for us?" Their mother asked. Emma sighed but obeyed. One of her few passions was the piano.

They sat in the sitting room while Emma played. Thomas, James, and Matthew played a hand of poker. Though Matthew seemed distracted, keeping his gaze fixated on Emma often. Sophia watched them play and listened to her sister. She wanted to play cards but knew her mother would have a fit about the gambling, so she'd wait a few minutes more until her mother went off to bed.

"Beat you again." James winked as he collected his winnings.

Emma decided to retire, leaving her sister there.

Her mother followed her as well.

"I'm playing now!" Sophia smiled and pulled up a chair.

"What would mother say?" Thomas jokingly scolded her.

"Hush up. She's not there." She laughed.

Emma put a sleeping gown on and sat by the window.

She noticed that Matthew had wondered outside for a bit of air.

*&*

Sophia stole a sip from her brother's scotch.

"Do you always drink scotch?" James raised an eyebrow.

"No. Are you always so uptight?" She countered.

She bit her lip in thought and then stood up. She grabbed a heavy cloak and pulled it on. She and her sister had been sneaking out of the house for ages so she knew exactly how to sneak past everyone who was still up.

)()

He laughed, "No I am not."

Matthew eyes widened slightly when he say the beautiful figure walking towards him.

*&*

Thomas laughed, "I know I really should be chaperoning Sophia but I am exhausted. James, I can trust you will mind yourself with my sister?" He rose from his seat.

"Course." James nodded.

"Excellent. Then I am off to sleep." Thomas said his good nights and walked upstairs.

"Why are you out in the cold, all alone?" She asked him as soon as she reached him. Matthew shrugged.

"Clearing my head." He said honestly. He couldn't think clearly around her.

&*&

James smiled, "He's a good man."

"And you?" He asked her.

*&*

"That he is." Sophia smiled, "And you James? Why ever did you leave London for the countryside?"

He chuckled a little, "Didn't have much of a choice. My uncle was quite mad at my behavior, banished me out here for the winter."

"I saw you." She replied honestly, "Are you not freezing?" He shrugged and she smiled slightly.

*&*

"What behavior would that be?" Sophie inquired.

"Are you?" He asked, beginning to take off his coat to give her.

*&*

"I fear you will think less of me." He winked. She gave him a look, "Just typical young man outlandish behavior. Too much drinking and gambling."

Sophia laughed slightly, "So now you're trapped in the middle of nowhere, where you can presumably do no harm."

She giggled, "I'm fine. Come, let's go to the kitchen. We won't be bothered there and it is warm."

*&*

"Exactly. I'm sure I can do plenty of damage though."

Matthew happily followed her. "Here.." She smiled. She handed him a warm cup of tea.

*&*

Sophia laughed, "Oh you can't be too awful."

"Why do you say that?" James smiled.

"My brother left me alone with you." She pointed out.