And If You Wrong Us

Part 4: The Lady Doth Protest Too Much

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for coming to read my story! If you end up enjoying this section, please vote and leave a comment! While you read this chapter, here are some things to think about : 1. Do you think Sophie is right to not trust her husband, Mr. Raven? 2. Is Mr. Raven's behavior towards Sarah acceptable, or is he flirting with infidelity? 

Mr. Raven wandered into the parlor, sweeping hair away from his tired eyes. Sophie sat on the sofa, face buried in a book. He stopped in front of her briefly, lips parting as though to speak, then continued past her towards the window. He could feel her eyes boring into the back of his skull.

"Where are the children?"

"They're still sleeping."

Mr. Raven turned just enough to glance at the grandfather clock in the corner. "It's a bit late."

"Well, if they had gotten to bed when I had said they should..." She trailed off.

Mr. Raven sighed. "Yes. Of course." He turned away from the window. "Would you like to go out this evening?"

Sophie's eyes drifted up from the pages of her book, landing on his hopeful face. "I don't think that's a good idea." Her gaze wandered back down.

"And why is that?"

Sophie exhaled and snapped the book shut. "It's bad enough when I go into town alone, the way they whisper and stare. I can only imagine how much worse it would be if I went with you."

"Whispering and staring?" Mr. Raven's brow furrowed. "Why?"

Sophie tossed the book to the side and stood up. "Your fake ignorance only makes it worse, Cirius." She left the room, him trailing behind her.

"Sophie — it isn't fake." He caught up to her and turned her around to face him. "Please, tell me what this is all about."

She crossed her arms. "I don't know how you could be ignorant to it, since all the rumors are about you. You and your pet at the orphanage."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Sarah Pemberly!"

Mr. Raven hesitated just a moment too long.

"I knew it! I knew there was something to it!" Sophie swept away again.

"Sophie!" Mr. Raven started after her. "Sophie, dearest — you just surprised me. Stop running away! Let's talk."

"Oh, now you want to talk?" She whipped around so fast he crashed into her. She pushed him away in annoyance. "Where was this desire during the last four years of marriage? What about when I wanted to talk? What about all the nights of silence, of leaving me crying in bed, alone and unsure? What about all the times the children wanted to talk to their father? Now you want to talk!"

Mr. Raven stumbled backwards as she advanced on him. "Sophie..."

"Fine then. Talk. Explain yourself. Explain four years of silence followed by rumors of infidelity. I'm curious to know how you'll worm your way out of this."

"Listen to me. You are my wife. You are the woman I made a commitment to — no one else. When I made those vows, I meant them. For better or worse. These last four years...well, this is the 'worse'. But the rumors, Sophie? You believe the rumors of wealthy widows with nothing better to do than gossip at the expense of others?"

"What should I believe? Who should I believe?"

"Certainly not those who would gossip so freely and without regard for the privacy or feelings of others. My love..." Seeing her anger subside, he reached out and grasped her shoulders. "Nothing has happened between myself and Miss Pemberly. I can promise you that."