In the study at the palais, Sophie signed the last paper required to hand over most of her fortune to her father. Enough to save his factory, people’s livelihoods, and her sister from an awful nightmare. Jonathan would make sure everything was in order.
While the rest of the family headed home, Jonathan and Henry planned to stay in Vienna for another two weeks to deal with any repercussions Sophie’s actions could possibly have. But by the way every-thing had been handled so far, Sophie highly doubted there would be any issues.
Emma was finding her place within the family, and though Adele was still keeping her distance from Emma, Sophie thought she was slowly warming up to her.
Sophie was deliriously in love with Eleanor, and she looked forward to having a life full of joy and meaning with the love of her life.
Jonathan shuffled all the contracts and paperwork together and placed them in a leather valise. “I’m glad that’s done,” he said. “I’ll take care of the rest on your behalf, and you and Emma will still be well provided for.”
Sophie could no longer contain her curiosity. “May I ask why Count von Bernthal has never graced us with his presence even though it was made clear that his wedding to my sister wouldn’t take place?”
Jonathan’s smile was grim. “Let’s just say the good count is less influential than he believed he was. He’s also less careful in his questionable and disgusting endeavours than would be prudent., and this is catching up to him.”
“Dare I ask what that means? Or is it better for my own peace of mind if I don’t know exactly what you’re talking about?”
“The latter, I suppose,” Jonathan said ruefully. “Emma is a very lucky young woman to have you as her sister. But you can rest assured that the count is heading for a most-deserved fall. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?”
“All right,” Sophie conceded. “Thank you, Jonathan, for your help and for everything you’ve done to make this entire process as painless as possible.”
“You’re welcome. Her Grace seldom asks for anything, and when she does, I’m honoured to provide my help in any way possible.”
“She holds you in remarkably high esteem. I hope you know that?” Sophie asked the humble man who preferred to be the quiet but reliable anchor for his Lordship as well as for everybody else.
“I do know. But it’s good to hear it anyway.”
With a squeeze of his arm Sophie left the study to join Eleanor in the hall where she was patiently waiting for her so they could travel to the train station.
The servants had left for the station already, and so had everybody else. Most of their luggage had been sent on its way two days earlier, and the last remaining trunks, suitcases and bags were also on the way to the station. Henry would say his goodbyes at the station while Jonathan had done so yesterday. Jonathan was a mush ball for a lack of a better word. They would go back to London in a fortnight, but saying goodbye to his family always led to him coming just a little undone, which amused Eleanor to no end.
“Any regrets, my love?” Eleanor asked once their carriage was underway.
“None at all,” Sophie said, but after a moment’s thought, she retracted that. “Maybe one regret. I won’t see my brother as often as I want to.”
“Anton promised to visit us for Christmas,” Eleanor reminded her gently.
“Yes, I know. But I’ll still miss him.”
The hustle and bustle at the station was tiresome, and when they finally boarded the train Sophie sighed with relief.
Eleanor said, “Would you prefer to change seats, darling? So, you can take a last view of Vienna?”
“No, I’d rather not look back, but at my future.”
“Which is?”
“You.”