Sophie raised her head in disbelief. Every rough, weathered hand beat for her, and every deep, gravelly voice called her name in praise.
“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Yer a man’s man, miss!”
“Mock ya? Ya kiddin’ me? I’ll beat up anyone who does!”
“Go to hell, Duncer! Ms. Sophie, yer a gem, but go to hell, Duncer!”
“Not a day my momma lived without regrettin’ her burned face! If only she met you before she died!”
“Screw you, Duncer!”
“My wife could use your help, miss!”
“She just said she can’t fix ugly, you idiot!”
“Duncer!!!”
Duncer, still in one piece somehow, picked up Sophie’s fallen veil and approached her sheepishly “’M sorry, miss. I was just a little surprised, that’s all.”
Sophie took the veil and smiled. Never before had she seen a full-grown man act so much like a scolded puppy. “It’s all right.”
Duncer glanced up, his eyes quietly studying her face. “You really are pretty, miss.”
Sophie giggled. “Thank you.”
Then, with a final polite bow to the crowd, she turned and left the room, shutting the door just in time to muffle the wave of hostility that erupted against Duncer.
“Martha,” she said, trotting up to the old maid waiting outside, “do you think I did all right in there?”
Martha’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I think you did admirably, milady.” Sophie’s eyes prickled as she noticed.
“Oh, how you’ve grown,” Martha murmured.
Sophie smiled. “Have you always been such a crybaby, Martha?”
“It’s my age, milady. Now, come along. Tea is ready.”
Raymond had baked a fresh batch of his delicious treats. Hearing this, Sophie leapt with both feet off the ground in a little hop. That earned a stern glare of disapproval from Martha, but all Sophie could do was giggle.
“Surely, you’re not planning to abandon me just yet?” Sophie teased playfully.
“I shall live for as long as milady wills,” Martha replied.
“Will you now? Then, sixty more years?”
“Of course. As long as you wish.”
With light hearts, they strolled down the corridor to their destination, following the aroma of freshly baked goods in the air.