Work Text:
The knock at the door rattles Sophie to standing, moving instinctively to smooth down the dent in the coverlet where she had been sitting.
She assumes Lady Bridgerton would be the face she'd see, rather hoping with all her being for Benedict. When Hazel enters the room balancing a tray she feels equal parts relief and disappointment.
“I thought you might be sleeping,” says Hazel. Sophie steps forward to take the tray from Hazel but is shooed away.
“I did try,” replies Sophie forlornly.
Hazel looks at the bed in the last grey glow of the winter afternoon. With eyebrows raised sceptically she asks, “are you sure, because the bed looks untouched?” She walks forward steering Sophie towards the small table where the food tray was laid out. “You should rest—no you must rest, but after you have something to eat. Lady Bridgerton does not expect you down for tea this evening.”
“That is very kind of her.”
Hazel notices Sophie's quick glance towards the door. “Mrs. Wilson has told me Mr. Bridgerton is resting.” Sophie returns her attention to Hazel. “He was down at the docks all last night, looking for you. Hadn't slept a wink according to John.”
A crushing feeling of guilt grips Sophie. She looks towards the ceiling willing the tears ready to spill out to cease, not wishing to cry before Hazel.
“Sophie, please do not be vexed with me, but I simply had to tell Mr. Bridgerton. He returned early from Lady Kilmartin's event. A handful of the staff were in the kitchen closing up our chores when he came rushing down the staff stairs yelling your name and asking if you had already departed for Penwood house. Celia told him you had just gone.” Hazel paused letting Sophie take in the rush of words. “Then I told him the truth, that you were going to the America's but that I did not know the family you were travelling with.”
Sophie let out a deep breath, then smiled at Hazel. “I am not vexed with you.”
“I know you asked me not to tell anyone your true plans, but he looked distraught. I couldn't send him somewhere he would not find you. He departed to the docks the moment I told him you were to leave for the America's in the morning, John went with him.”
Sophie nodded her head slowly, “did John tell you anything?”
Hazel shook her head, “Mr. Bridgerton did not speak much, only requesting John to look for you. Apparently there were two ships setting sail and they were at different locations searching for you...John said on the ride home he'd never seen anyone look so heartbroken. That's when John realised your attachment.”
Sophie felt comforted knowing Benedict did not discuss with John any specifics, especially realising she was the Lady in silver he'd spent months trying to locate. The memory of him returning the necklace was the reason why she struggled to sleep since returning to Bridgerton House. The guilt sat rigid in her stomach and her throat felt constricted as if everything she wanted to tell him was lodged like a rock. Each time she closed her eyes, there his face was with a wounded look in his eyes.
“John told me Mr. Bridgerton was about to purchase a ticket there and then. He had to convince him to at least speak to his mother.”
“Do many of the staff know?”
Hazel shook her head. “Only Ceila, John and Mrs. Wilson. Some became aware something was amiss upstairs but Mrs. Wilson snuffed whispers quickly, as she does so well. I have not heard any of the staff mention your name either”
Sophie offered a small smile of relief. “John must be tired.”
“Mrs. Wilson put him to sleep when we found out where you truly were.”
“How did they know to look for me at the goal.”
“A woman called Mrs. Farley visited me this morning along with a footman from Penwood House. Once they told me the Dowager Lady Penwood had you arrested I rushed upstairs with Mrs. Wilson to tell Mrs. Bridgerton. Luckily Mr. Bridgerton had only returned moments prior.”
Sophie pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. When Hazel wrapped her arm around Sophie it was unable to hold back. “Sophie, do not cry. All will be well”
“He loves me and I hurt him,” she sobbed into Hazel's shoulder.
Hazel smooths the hair around Sophie's face. “Why did someone at the goal not let you ask for help?”
“They did..but I...I didn't want to cause any more trouble.”
“Oh Sophie, you are a silly goose.” Hazel chuckled as she brought Sophie into another hug. “You need to speak to Mr. Bridgerton. He deserves to hear why you felt you had to runaway to the America's without telling him and a whole lot more I wager.” After a pause Hazel pulls back to look at Sophie, “and perhaps when you are ready, you'll feel you can tell me too.”
“I will...soon. You are a good friend Hazel. Thank you for looking out for me.”
“As are you.” she replies in her sweet sing song voice. “Now, I want you to listen at the door near quarter past six. I'll distract John long enough for you to sneak in to speak with Mr. Bridgerton.”
“He might not want to listen to me.”
“Sophie, he was planning to charter a boat to the Americas, then went with haste to the prison for you. He wants to talk to you.”
"But what about Lady Bri..."
"Of all the guest rooms in this house and she put you here, across from his room?" Hazel said with a laugh. "Go, speak with him."
Sophie's hand went to her amethyst necklace as she often did when feeling nervous. How was she ever going to explain everything to him? Would he believe her? If he doubts her love, he may doubt her as well.
“Now it's time for you to eat and rest. Mrs. Wilson will be wondering where I am. Remember quarter past six.” Sophie smiled genuinely at Hazel as she took her seat at the table. “I feel like I'm a character from an epic love story, helping a secret princess find her prince.” With a giggle Hazel departed the room, leaving Sophie with renewed hope.