Victorian Love Series Book Three: Philia and Storgi

Chapter One

Sophia

It had been over two years since Victoria's wedding and now a new Season had begun in London. I had had a little boy whom we named Joseph, after my father. Victoria spent the last year trying to get pregnant while Adelia had spent the year coming into her own as a Duchess. I was very proud of both of them for doing so well and not giving up on their dreams.

While Victoria was trying to get pregnant, Adelia was six months along.

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Victoria

Morning came and I rolled over, seeing William's handsome face gave my heart joy until I felt the usual wetness between my legs. I jumped up and pulled my covers down to find blood on the sheets. I started to cry, and it woke William.

He rolled over and noticed my crying before getting out of bed and wrapping me in his arms. Seeing the blood, he started to soothe me. "I knew it, I knew I would never bear a child." I told him.

"It may take some time, My Love." He rubbed my back.

"I have waited for years. How much longer must I wait?"

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Adelia

I had spent the morning organizing our trip to London. It was expected as a Duke and Duchess to be there for the Season. We were even required to host another ball this year. The expectations did not only come from our titles but the fact that Teddy had been named to the Queen's council and now needed to be in London for political reasons.

I was more excited to attend the Season this year. Though I had felt miserable during our last trip to London, I looked forward to seeing my Papa with my children again. Those moments brought joy to my heart, and I wanted as many of them as I could have.

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Sophia

I awoke early one morning and noticed Nicholas still in my bed after a night of relations. It brought me peace to see him so early in the morning, but I knew it was not because of romantic feelings. He was my closest friend, and it meant the world to me that he would stay. If only he was not in love with me, then everything would be perfect.

We left for London the next day and it warmed my heart to see my children so excited to see their grandpapa.

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Adelia

When we arrived in London, the children raced from the carriage for the house with Nanny trying to keep up. Mrs. Jones greeted us.

She curtsied low. "It is lovely to have you with us again this year, Your Graces."

"Thank you." Teddy said. "Is the house ready?"

"Yes, Your Grace." She motioned for us to enter. "We have prepared everything in advance for the duration of your stay. The house is open."

"Thank you so very much, Mrs. Jones." I said to her. As we went in, our butler took Teddy's coat and my cape. "First things first, my Papa will be arriving for tea this afternoon. Please have the drawing room set for it."

"Of course, Your Grace."

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That afternoon I waited in the drawing room as Papa was led in by a footman.

He bowed to me. "No need for proper courtesies here." I told him as I came over to kiss his cheek. "You are my Papa. You need not bow to me."

He smiled brightly. "Ah, but you, My Daughter, are a Duchess and thus you are offered the respect of a bow. It would not do for me to be rude."

"If we are in private it is not rude." I pointed out. "Please, allow me this."

"Very well. Whatever you wish, if it is in my power, I will always give to you. Now, about that tea."

I led him over to the table and we sat down. I poured two cups of tea and passed him the cream. "How have you been Papa? I have not seen you since last Season."

He poured in the cream before answering. "Well, thank you. How have you been? Are the children running you ragged?"

"Oh, yes, they always are." I chuckled. "Their spirit comes from their grandpapa."

He winked. "A trait I am happy I passed on."

I took a sip of my tea. "Though to be honest, my real stresses come from all my duties as a Duchess. They never seem to end." I rubbed my swollen belly. "It makes me tired now, with the pregnancy."

"While I do not understand the struggles of pregnancy, I do understand the struggles of nobility." He dipped a biscuit in his tea and took a bite. "It can be hard on the mind and spirit. You need only to rest more. That will help your constitution and I daresay, it will not harm the babe in the least."

"Are you excited for another grandchild?"

"Very much so." He replied. "I have a feeling it will be a girl again."

"You always get it right." I said with a smile. "You have a talent." I took another sip of my tea.

"Adelia, while I am here, I want to tell you a story."

"A story? About what exactly?" I wondered.

"About your mother and me." He answered. "It is not a true love story, but it is a story of Philia love."

"The great Greek love between friends?" I asked. "I knew you were close, but I never imagined you were that close. Why tell me now?"

"I am telling you now because I want you and your sisters to know your mother was not always...difficult. She had her good points as well."

I sighed. "Very well. I will hear your story, though I doubt it will change Sophia's mind when she hears it."

"I hope it does." He took a sip of tea before beginning. "I knew your mother from the time I was twelve years old. My father had been acquainted with her family for some time, but it was our first meeting. Her family came to stay with us one summer and we became close. I loved that she was educated in languages and cultures that I found interesting."

"She was? I did not know I got that from her."

"Yes, you did. Meanwhile, Victoria received her beauty and Sophia received her intelligence. For she was very intelligent, far more than me. We developed a close bond that year as she stayed with us. Over the next five years, we corresponded through letter and our bond grew.

I could have found love with someone else, but I wanted that connection in my marriage, I wanted to marry my best friend, even if that meant I would never find true love. Your mother felt the same. So, in her first Season, we married. The next year Victoria was born.

We were very close, and our relationship grew as the years went on. Our bond became stronger. Your mother may not have been the greatest person to live but she loved fiercely, in all ways."

By the end I was in silent tears. "Thank you for sharing that story, Papa. I do see her in a different light."