Sophia woke earlier than usual the next morning.
For a while she lay still beneath the covers, staring up at the pale winter light filtering through the curtains. Outside, the estate rested under a thin blanket of snow that had fallen during the night. The hedgerows and lawns looked softer, quieter, as though the cold had hushed the world.
Her thoughts, however, were anything but quiet.
Today she would go into town.
And Laurence would be with her.
Sophia rolled onto her side and exhaled slowly.
How was she supposed to manage this?
The plan had seemed so simple when she thought of it the night before: a pleasant trip into town, gifts for everyone, and most importantly something thoughtful for Florian.
But that had been before Laurence offered to accompany her.
Laurence noticed everything.
He always had.
Even when they were children he could detect Arthur's mischief from the smallest twitch of his eyebrow or catch Fredrick exaggerating a story before the sentence was even finished.
Nothing escaped him.
Sophia pushed herself out of bed and began pacing her room.
"If he sees it…" she murmured quietly.
If Laurence saw the gift or heard Florian's name mentioned by a shopkeeper, the questions would begin.
And Laurence's questions were rarely casual.
She stopped near the window and folded her arms.
Perhaps she could distract him.
Yes.
That would be the solution.
She would simply find a moment when he was occupied elsewhere!
Simple.
In theory.
Except Laurence was not easily distracted either.
Sophia groaned softly and pressed her hands to her temples.
"Why must he be so perceptive?"
Eventually she dressed for breakfast and forced herself downstairs.
Breakfast passed quietly enough.
Laurence appeared refreshed after his journey, dressed neatly in a dark waistcoat and winter jacket made of wool, a white cravat peaking out from his neck. His hair still slightly wet from his bath, brushed back in a casual manner. Arthur and Fredrick had resumed their usual bickering, Maxim listened with calm indifference, and the Duchess observed them all with quiet amusement.
Sophia barely tasted her food.
Her mind kept drifting back to the same problem.
How to distract Laurence.
How to find the perfect gift for Florian.
Her expression shifted constantly — thoughtful one moment, concerned the next.
Laurence noticed immediately.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked calmly.
Sophia looked up.
"Nothing."
"That seems unlikely." He raised an eyebrow, showing concern.
She forced a small smile, "I was thinking about gifts."
Laurence studied her a moment longer thinking how could gifts for family make her look so listless.
After breakfast Sophia hurried upstairs to prepare for the outing.
Her maid helped her into the new winter coat the Duchess had given her.
The coat was beautiful.
White wool lined with rabbit fur and trimmed with pale fox fur along the collar and cuffs. It felt luxuriously warm and soft to the touch.
Sophia studied herself in the mirror.
The coat made her feel older somehow.
More elegant.
She tilted her head slightly.
Would Florian think so?
The thought warmed her cheeks.
But he's not here. He's miles away, up north with his angelic face and gentle laugh.
She let out a sigh and quickly dismissed thoughts of him to go downstairs.
Laurence was already waiting in the entrance hall, gloved and ready to leave.
He turned as she descended the staircase.
For a moment he simply looked at her.
Then he said quietly,
"That coat suits you very well."
Sophia brightened.
"You think so?"
"I do."
His gaze lingered briefly.
She does look well in it, he thought.
She looks well in everything.
Immediately another thought followed.
She needs proper winter gloves to match it.
And perhaps a hat.
He would see to that today.
Spoiling Sophia came naturally to him.
His brothers required far less thought.
Maxim would be satisfied with something practical — perhaps a German zweihander.
Fredrick would prefer a book on physics or mechanics.
Arthur would enjoy anything related to travel — maps, instruments, perhaps binoculars.
But Sophia…
Sophia deserved finer things.
Laurence offered his hand as she stepped into the carriage.
The ride into town took nearly an hour.
Snow-covered fields passed slowly outside the carriage windows.
Sophia sat opposite Laurence, her gloved hands folded neatly in her lap as she stared outside.
Her thoughts drifted constantly.
Laurence.
Florian.
Laurence noticed her changing expressions with quiet amusement.
Hopeful.
Thoughtful.
Concerned.
All within moments.
"What are you thinking about now?" he asked.
"Not much." she exhaled eyes still glued to the scenery.
"You are thinking very hard about nothing."
Sophia turned to look at him and smiled gently, "There are some things ladies think about which they should never share with a gentleman. I think go you as the greatest gentleman, Laurence."
Laurence smiled faintly. Sophia has started to have a way with word. At times too good at deflecting things. But he would let it go since she was right, a gentleman should never pressure a lady into anything.
The town was lively despite the cold.
Carriages rolled steadily through the main street while shop windows glowed warmly behind glass panes decorated with evergreen garlands and red ribbons. The scent of roasted chestnuts drifted faintly through the air from a nearby vendor, mixing with the sharper smell of horse leather and cold iron.
Sophia stepped carefully down from the carriage, Laurence offering his hand.
The street felt almost festive.
People moved quickly between shops, wrapped in thick coats and scarves, their breath visible in the cold air.
Rows of gloves lined the walls — riding gloves, dueling gloves, winter gloves — displayed neatly in drawers and glass cases.
A grey-haired shopkeeper approached them, "How may I assist you?"
"My brother requires gloves suitable for training," Sophia explained, "Ones that can also keep his hands warm."
The man nodded approvingly and led her to a display of thick leather gloves reinforced along the fingers.
Sophia picked up a pair, testing the flexibility.
"These would be excellent for cold weather," the shopkeeper said. "Many nobles favour them."
Laurence examined them briefly.
"Maxim will destroy these within a week," he said.
Sophia raised an eyebrow, "Then I shall buy another pair next year."
The shopkeeper chuckled before wrapping the gloves in a burgundy box, tying a gold ribbon in a bow and handing it to the servant to be placed into the carriage.
Sophia planned the shop visits strategically, next was a bookshop which was quieter.
Warm lamplight illuminated tall shelves packed with volumes that smelled faintly of ink and dust. A small iron stove crackled gently near the back of the room.
Sophia wandered slowly along the shelves while Laurence waited patiently nearby glancing at a shelf which was labelled politics and economics.
Sophia ran her gloved finger across the spines.
Fredrick's gift came easily.
A newly printed book on the electric telegraph — its cover embossed with delicate gold lettering.
Fredrick would likely spend weeks studying it.
Arthur's gift took slightly longer.
Eventually she found an illustrated travel volume filled with maps and accounts of Southeast Asia and the "Land of the Rising Sun."
She flipped through several pages.
Arthur will adore this.
"He may attempt to travel there immediately," Laurence said dryly, looking at the opened book over her shoulder.
Sophia laughed, "That would not surprise me."
She bought both the books to the front desk and asked for each to be wrapped separately, a green bow and paper for Fredrick and a red bow and paper for Arthur.
The jeweler's shop was next and it felt entirely different.
Quiet.
Elegant.
Glass cases glittered with delicate pieces that reflected the warm lamplight in tiny flashes.
Sophia leaned closer to one display, studying the pieces carefully. The gems looked mesmerising and the craftsmanship was one of the best she'd seen.
She eventually found a brooch.
It was delicate but striking — small stones arranged so that the piece could also be attached to a necklace as its centerpiece.
The colour matched the Duchess's eyes perfectly.
"Mama will love it," Sophia murmured as she asked the jewellery to have it packed in a burgundy velvet box, Sophia still looking at other pieces in awe.
While the jeweller wrapped the brooch, Laurence noticed something else nearby.
A pair of earrings resting on dark velvet.
The studs formed a six-pointed star, from which three small blue stones fell like droplets.
The colour reminded him of his own eyes.
He quietly signaled the shop assistant to come forward.
"These." He pointed, "Wrap them discreetly."
He looked around to see Sophia was still preoccupied. Once the earrings were placed into a velvet box of their own, Laurence slipped them into his inside breast pocket, making sure no-one would notice his purchase.
When they stepped outside Sophia turned to him.
"I must choose something for you."
Laurence raised an eyebrow, "That seems unnecessary."
"I insist." She looked up meekly at him, as if to stop him from questioning her further.
He considered briefly, "In that case I will wait elsewhere. The bookshop on the corner. Find me when you are finished. Then we shall have tea."
Sophia nodded eagerly with a smile.
The moment he disappeared down the street she exhaled in relief.
Finally.
The plant shop stood slightly apart from the others.
Its windows were fogged faintly with condensation from the warmth inside, and through the glass Sophia could see rows of greenery — leaves of unfamiliar shapes, small potted plants, delicate vines trailing along wooden shelves.
When she pushed the door open a small bell chimed.
Warm air carrying the scent of damp soil, herbs, and wood filled the space.
The shop felt almost like a small greenhouse, plants filling every surface — shelves, tables, even hanging baskets. Some tall and leafy, others small and strange, their roots twisting through dark soil.
Sophia walked slowly between them.
Florian would love this place.
A clerk approached.
"How may I assist you, miss?"
"I am searching for something rare," she said carefully, "Perhaps medicinal."
The man studied her thoughtfully, "A gift?"
"Yes." Her cheeks flushed slightly at the thought of a plant she chose standing in Florian's study or even bedroom. How she wished she was the plant instead so she could spend every waking moment looking over Florian, hearing his laughter and the sound of his voice.
"For someone knowledgeable about plants." She added, quickly snapping out of her fantasy.
He nodded slowly, "I may have something." Before disappearing briefly behind a shelf.
Sophia wandered slowly while she waited.
Some plants she recognised — lavender, rosemary, small citrus trees.
Others were completely unfamiliar.
One plant had thick curling leaves like ribbons.
Another had small red berries.
Florian would know the name of every single one, she thought.
The clerk returned with a small potted plant.
"This," he said, placing it carefully on the counter, "A plant called 'Ginseng'."
Sophia leaned closer.
"This plant comes from the East," the clerk explained. "Highly valued for its medicinal properties."
He opened a nearby book and showed her an illustration.
The page described ginseng among several oriental herbs used for strengthening the body.
Sophia listened intently.
Florian would find this fascinating.
"How much?" she asked.
The clerk hesitated slightly.
"Well…" He looked to the plant, "It is rather expensive."
"How expensive?"
"Twenty-five gold." He watched her carefully.
Perhaps expecting her to recoil.
She did not.
Still, he added cautiously,
"The book itself would be far cheaper."
He held it up. "Only one gold."
Sophia understood the implication immediately.
He thinks I cannot afford it.
For a moment she considered the number in her mind.
Twenty-five gold for the plant and an extra gold for the book. Twenty-six gold all together.
She had saved part of her monthly allowance for months.
Carefully.
Quietly.
It is a tad expensive.
But worth it.
This is meaningful.
Florian would appreciate it.
More than anyone.
She smiled politely.
"I will take both."
The clerk blinked in surprise, "Both?"
"Yes." She said politely.
"Bill it to Sophia at the De Montfort estate but please send it to Erskine County Manor addressed to Florian Erskine."
She also handed him a sealed letter, "This should accompany the gift."
The clerk nodded enthusiastically, "I will ensure it is sent immediately."
Sophia smiled as she left the shop, glowing with quiet satisfaction.
Her plan had worked perfectly.
Laurence would never know.
She quickly purchased Laurence's gift, cigars and a humidor before finding him at the corner bookshop.
Laurence stood reading a book on politics but with every passing minute, instead of focusing on the contents of the book he thought how much longer could Sophia take. Ladies had started to gather in the bookshop, standing mere feet away from him, pretending to read books while stealing glances and giggled whenever he looked up and met their gaze.
It was nothing new for him. He never asked for such attention but whenever he was alone such instances happened often. he learned to pay it no mind and did not entertain them with smiles.
He looked up at the bookshop window and saw Sophia approaching, cheeks red from the cold winds.
Laurence book the book back as Sophia entered the shop, "You're finished?" He asked as she approached him.
"Yes," She smiled up at him before noticing how far too many eyes were on them.
They all darted back to their books, not wanting to seem impolite.
"Let us head to the teahouse then." Laurence gestured to the door.
Snow drifted softly outside as they took their spot in a private room overlooking the streets.
Laurence spoke about university, Sophia smiled through the entire afternoon as they both sipped tea.
Inside she felt triumphant.
Her mission had succeeded.