Betraying the Duke, page 1
Betraying the Duke
©2016 by Sophia Wilson
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, events or locales is completely coincidental.
Chapter One
Not all women have to have the same dreams; some have bigger dreams than the miniscule ones revolving around house matters and a shackled married life. Sophia’s mother, however, believed otherwise.
Born and raised in a family led by a man who took pride in his work as a physician, Sophia was bound to be both inspired and motivated, regardless of her gender; little did she know how much a problem this would prove to be; her mother was often her biggest enemy.
William Hatcher was well known as a hardworking and able man that had built his entire life from the bottom up all with his very own hands, and thus the community respected him immensely and the family was thought of nothing less than noble. His theories and hypotheses had led to various great findings and people from far and wide would visit him, just for a consult, hoping he would have some free time for themselves. Sophia’s mother however, Lilly Hatcher, was quite the opposite. Having been raised the traditional way, living in a household heavily influenced by the code of conduct and discipline resembling the military, she had all the attributes of a stern and domineering woman and mother.
Sophia’s grandfather had served his entire life in the Royal Navy and had chosen Sophia’s dad for her mother himself as he didn’t believe in love. Although with all the time spent alongside William, Lilly Hatcher did love her husband. She considered herself lucky to find a man she had learnt to love especially in her circumstance where love was never the priority; a strict father could birth such beliefs, and living with such irrational thoughts rooting ancestrally from her maternal family line was the main reason Sophia and her mother didn’t get along. Arguments and tantrums were a daily event in the Hatcher household and Sophia had grown tired of them the minute they had begun.
“Sophia, I am not having this argument again, not now! I do not have the energy for it and I’ve got many things to do!” her mother said, almost yelling before she stormed off out of her room, disappointed with Sophia once again.
All I asked was whether or not I could at least apply for medical schooling; she didn’t have to get so distraught about it! I do not understand! She can love and marry a man that is a physician but she finds it absolutely ridiculous if her daughter simply proposes to be one! It is so unfair!
Frustrated, she locked her door and fell on her bed flat, burying her face in her pillow attempting to scream and crying hot raging tears.
I will never understand her, and she will never understand me. We just cannot get along! All I’ve ever seen growing up is my father working as a physician and being celebrated for it. He’s helped cure people and taken care of them. I too, want to be a physician like him! What is the point of this life if I cannot do anything to help others? It is a humble and noble vision, who cares if it doesn’t interest eligible men when they end up at our house in search of a wife. I do not plan to be a mere housewife anyhow; I’ve seen what it has done to my mother!
The tears streamed down her face faster now, as the rage slowly turned into another close form; utter sadness. It could never take getting used to, these fights with her mother, not with both of them sharing the same genetic and familial stubbornness, she had noticed it more after these outbursts they would share, neither of them willing to surrender. Sophia believed wholeheartedly that she was right about her passion and her dreams and her mother believed she was right with hers, trying to make sure that Sophia would be wed and be settled instead of bargaining her life with an unpredictable medical profession; she didn’t want Sophia to end up all alone.
A fragile little knock came from the other side of the door. Sophia knew who it was.
“Come in,” she replied allowing her little sister to come in.
Mary opened the door, peeking with her head first to check if Sophia was alone before taking any further steps forward. She walked in carefully after seeing her sister lying in her bed gloomy and unhappy.
“Are you okay, Sophia?” asked Mary caringly, hating her sister crying despite how much they fought and argued.
“Yes, I am alright Mary,” Sophia said lying, not wanting to worry her little sister.
“I heard you two fighting again. What was it about this time? Being a physician or not wanting to marry?” asked Mary who knew much more for her age and was only four years younger than Sophia.
Sophia didn’t respond and looked coldly out the window right next to her bed. Mary understood, she had seen this all before way too many times to find it all new and strange.
“Maybe she’ll come around. I still think you should talk to Father about this, I am sure he’ll have something supportive to say. You cannot be doing this alone,” Mary advised her confidently.
“You and I both know how well it turned out last time. He didn’t say anything of the topic and Mother kept interrupting,” Sophia reminded her sadly.
“Yes, but that was so long ago! You cannot be such a coward about something you really want Sophia! You should speak with him again, there is no harm in trying. Can it possibly get any worse than this?” asked Mary skeptically.
Sophia shrugged at the suggestion, but she was desperate. Admissions would close off soon and she had very little time to convince her parents and make all the needed preparations for medical school.
Her little sister hugged her comfortingly, making sure she knew that she was supporting her no matter what, and left the room to leave Sophia alone with her thoughts.
Sophia thought little and cried much.
Chapter Two
In the evening, Sophia’s father arrived home as he usually did just as the sky darkened. The table was set with plates and cutlery, ready for dinner. Sophia had been much too upset to give a helping hand in the kitchen and so, she had stayed in her room all day. She had finally decided to speak about the matter once more with her father; her little sister’s words had inspired her, she also had no other choice.
William Hatcher kissed his wife, who was busy garnishing her freshly roast chicken hot from the range, on the cheek as he entered the kitchen still clothed in his work clothes. He lovingly petted Mary’s hair.
“Dinner is ready, Will,” Sophia’s mother said to her husband as she finished garnishing.
“I will be right there, love. Just need to get cleaned up, you know how these clothes for work make me feel!” he said, as he left immediately to change his clothes, hungry and exhausted.
“Go call your sister for dinner, Mary. She’s been so moody and angry lately and she hasn’t left her room all day!” her mother said, fed up. Mary nodded and proceeded to go upstairs, obediently.
“Come for dinner, Sophia! Father’s home!” Mary yelled from outside her room.
Just as she was about to knock thinking that Sophia had ignored her calling, the door opened. Sophia stood there, dressed and washed up for dinner, smiling.
“I am coming…before you knock and make much noise on my door,” Sophia said, walking past her. Mary was a little confused; she was expecting her sister to be in the same state in which she had left her earlier. She hurriedly ran after Sophia, trying to get past her and into the kitchen first.
“Good evening, Sophia! And where have you been?” her father asked her, cheerily.
“Good evening, Father. Oh nowhere, just busy,” she answered him, looking at her mother.
“Well come then, sit down. Your mother has made a wonderful dinner for us, it will get cold,” he ushered her to sit down.
Sophia sat herself next to him, making sure she was close enough for conversation.
The dinner went on mostly quietly with her father talking briefly about work and asking everyone how their days were. Sophia was trying to find the perfect time to say what she had prepared for in her room. Mary was eyeing her, catching on to what Sophia was about to do, so she spoke.
“So Father, would you agree that your profession is one that is both honorable and very important in today’s day?” Mary asked abruptly.
“Well, um… yes. I mean of course, I do…” her father replied, a little baffled with the sudden impulsive question.
“So this means you would advise people to become a physician if they were able, would you not?” asked Sophia, jumping into the conversation.
“Well yes, I would,” her father responded, hesitantly trying to figure out what they were coming unto.
Sophia’s mother, quicker than her father, had caught on.
“Sophia, dear, why do you not let your father have a nice hot meal without bombarding him with such questions?” her mother said, glaring at her.
“I would, but then again Father is oh-so busy saving people, I do not want to take up any more of his time, besides, family dinners are a wonderful time to discuss such things,” Sophia said boldly, ignoring her mother’s vague warning.
“Another word, Sophia and you can have your dinner alone in your room!” her mother said angrily, not approving the way Sophia had answered her.
“Sent to my room for what? For asking a question? For talking to my father? I am one and twent
“You and I both know where this is leading, Sophia!” said her mother, her tone rising.
Sophia’s father firmly smacked his palm on the table.
“Enough!” he said, and as he did so, everybody went quiet. It was unusual for her father to get angry.
“Can someone please explain to me what is going on? Why are you two arguing? What did I miss?” he demanded, looking at the both of them.
Just before the two of them could speak, he raised his hand to silence them.
“No, not you two. I do not need to hear long tales,” said her father, growing impatient.
“Mary, you tell me what is going on, so we can settle this right here,” he said in a calmer voice.
Mary looked at everyone, nervously.
“Um, well, Sophia asked Mother if she could apply to a medical school to become like you and Mother said no because she wants to marry Sophia off,” Mary said hesitantly, all in one go.
“What? You are interested in attending medical school, Sophia? I thought it was just a passing fancy or that maybe you were not serious about it,” her father said, perplexed as though it had never occurred to him before.
“Yes, I am serious! I’ve dreamt of being a physician just like you! I want to help people too and do something amazing in the world. I thought you would understand that, since you already are one,” Sophia began explaining herself.
“That is a good vision, but there are a lot of factors that come into play, Sophia. This job is a lifetime dedication and it isn’t easy for women. You have to get married one day and have your own family, enrolling in medical school will not allow you those things,” her father spoke, almost like her mother.
“What do you mean? You are saying that not getting married is the end of the world? That getting married is the equivalent to saving so many lives? How could you even say that?” Sophia said, trying not to feel too hurt and disappointed with what he was indicating.
“Watch the way you speak with me Sophia Grace Hatcher! I didn’t say any such thing, what I said was that there are different priorities for women and right now getting married to an able and eligible man is the top most priority! There will be no further argument on this matter, what I’ve said is final.” Her father’s words had cut her like a knife.
She stared at him, feeling shattered from the inside and rose to her feet. She threw her napkin on her seat and marched out of the kitchen, without a word.
My Father is my mother, I am done for.
Chapter Three
No one had disturbed her, or knocked at her door or even asked how she was after the incident in the kitchen at dinner, thereafter and through the remaining day. Sophia hadn’t expected it either; she had done the unimaginable; walked out without being excused from the dinner table after a heated argument with her father. He has probably banned everyone from coming to see me, or check on me. Very well, I am better off alone rather than being with parents who cannot understand me and appreciate my dreams.
The next morning was also unusually quiet, Sophia had predicted at least her mother to barge into her room angrily, but she hadn’t. Things were rather calm and the serene environment was making her very uncomfortable. She opened her door and looked straight into Mary’s room across the hallway.
“Mary. Mary!” Sophia whispered just loud enough for Mary to hear.
Mary looked around the room at first, trying to figure out where the noise was coming from until she saw Sophia peeking through the little open doorway, beckoning her to come in. Mary got up from her bed and went tiptoeing to Sophia’s room, careful so that the floorboards would not creak and her parents would not hear it.
“What is happening, Mary? Why is everyone so quiet?” asked Sophia as soon as Mary stepped in.
“I cannot tell you right now, Father told me not to,” Mary said, knowing her sister would find a way for her to reveal what was going on, one way or another.
“Mary! You have to tell me! I am your sister! You saw how unfair they were with me yesterday; I need to be prepared for whatever is coming up!” Sophia said frustrated.
Mary thought for a few seconds.
“There is a proposal for you…” Mary began saying.
“A proposal? That is nothing special or important! I’ve dealt with many. I thought it was something much more serious,” Sophia said laughing slightly, relieved upon hearing so.
“No you do not understand Sophia, this is the one. Father came back home with that news, that some friend’s son has asked for your hand in marriage and he’s perfect for you. Father already approves of him and the only thing left to do was tell you after dinner. That is why things got a little quieter than usual, it is because Father had come with news,” Mary explained, feeling nervous herself.
“What? So what you are saying is he’s chosen a husband for me without even telling me?” Sophia asked, shocked.
“He just needs you to say yes, and he knows you will after he tells you to,” Mary said.
“Never! They cannot do this to me! They’re doing so more because I want to go to medical school and they want to get that idea out of my head from its very roots!” Sophia said as tears welled up in her eyes.
As they both stood there, in the middle of Sophia’s room, Sophia crying and Mary trying to comfort her, they both heard footsteps coming up the staircase. None of them budged knowing that before Mary could try going back to her room, they would have seen her, and so she stood her ground and stayed alongside her heartbroken sister.
As predicted within a few seconds, her father knocked on the door and asked to come in. Neither of them answered the door and so he came in anyway. He spotted Mary and a look of disapproval came across his face.
“Mary! I asked you not to,” he said, even though he knew this would happen; they were inseparable when one of them was going through tragic times.
“I am sorry Father but I am not really sorry, she had the right to know!” Mary said facing her father.
“That is enough from you Mary, you may leave to your room now, thank you!” her father said as her mother followed in behind him. Mary stomped her way to her room, leaving them to talk but making sure they knew how much she was against this.
Sophia sat on her bed knowing this could be a while and also because she was not the least bit interested in what either of them were about to say.
“Sophia, I am sure you already know thanks to Mary…” he began saying.
“That you have found a husband for me so that I will not want to study anymore?” Sophia cut in saying.
“Sophia, you need to understand, we are doing this because it is better for you. You are too young to understand the consequences, we love you and we want you to be happy, but you may not necessarily know what happiness is at this moment, and so we have to decide for you,” her father responded to her in a much calmer manner, trying to make her see things from his point of view.
“That makes absolutely no sense, I have a noble passion, one that you are honored for every day, footsteps I wanted to follow but no, instead you are just like Mother and we’re no different are we? There is nothing unique about us, nothing that should be admired,” Sophia said with a sinking feeling in her chest as she realized all these powerful words would be in vain as the look on her father’s face didn’t show change.
“Sophia…please…,” her father began saying.
“No, that is alright. I know you cannot do anything; this is definitely where my happiness will lie. These tears streaming down my face are mere tears of joy. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go for a walk, thank you,” she said, without allowing her father to speak.
He gently nodded his head as her mother stood idly behind him not having to do anything herself as her father was doing an excellent job.
She walked out of her room, knowing that this was going to be the way it was; her world crashing down on her. Everything she had dreamt or hoped, she would now have to burn before her very eyes. Could being a woman really be such a curse?
Chapter Four
