Chapter Ten #2
“Thank you, my lady. I do pride myself on my skills.” Mrs. Shaw went to the wardrobe, taking a look at the dresses hanging there. “I see we have much to do. This is by no means adequate for a lady.”
“A dressmaker came the other day. She’s promised to have the wedding dress done by late afternoon.
I shudder to think how hard she’s had to work to have it ready.
She has a long list of other items as well.
Mrs. Bromley was there to guide me, thank goodness.
” Sophia cocked her head, watching as her new maid pulled out one of her few dresses.
“What did Mrs. Bromley tell you of my current situation?”
“That you are marrying Lord Montrose after falling in love with him while taking care of his niece? Yes, so she did. It is remarkably romantic, if you don’t mind my saying.”
If only it were true. Or was it?
“It is for the child. The marriage, that is,” Sophia said. “The world, including my family, will believe we are in love, but it is not true. I could not bear to lose Amelia. He needs a wife. It is all very practical.”
Mrs. Shaw’s eyes were far too knowing. “Practical. There are worse things from which to start a marriage. But you care for him, do you not?”
“Yes, unfortunately, my sensitive heart appears to be falling for him.”
Mrs. Shaw moved to the dressing table, examining the few items laid out there. “And why is this unfortunate?”
“Because he does not believe he can love again.” Sophia told her briefly about Eleanor and Henry’s mother’s evil interference. “He says he is unsure if he give his heart to anyone again.”
“And yet, you have found yourself falling for him?”
“Yes. There have been moments though, where it seems he might return my affection.”
“Perhaps he will find his heart more open than he thought it to be,” Mrs. Shaw said. “I find it hard to believe that he could be married to you and not fall madly in love with you.”
Sophia’s composure crumbled as she found herself telling Mrs. Shaw the truth. “I want him to. God help me. I didn’t expect it to happen, but here it is.”
“Often, life requires us to have two things—faith and patience. You will see, my lady, that all will turn out as it should.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“I cannot say exactly, other than my gut tells me this will be a happy marriage, blessed with more children and many years of wonderful companionship between you and Lord Montrose.”
“How I hope you are correct.”
“Come now, let us get you dressed. You will want to look perfect for your brothers and their wives.”
Sophia smiled, nodding her head. “I am yours to mold as you wish.”
*
Sophia and Henry waited together in the library, ready to greet their guests.
She clasped her hands tightly to keep them from trembling.
Despite her excitement at seeing her brothers and their wives, she was nervous too.
Sebastian had given his blessing, but James might prove to be difficult.
Her second brother was protective, skeptical by nature, and would not easily accept this sudden engagement.
“You look ravishing,” Henry said, turning to look at her.
“Thank you. Mrs. Fletcher brought a new dress just this afternoon. She is a wonder.” Sophia wore the deep sapphire silk evening gown, her hair arranged elegantly by Mrs. Shaw with small pearl pins catching the light.
Henry had taken one look at her when she’d descended the stairs and gone very still, his dark eyes widening.
“And Mrs. Shaw is proving helpful?” Henry asked.
“Yes, she is excellent.” She hesitated, wondering how much to tell Henry about Mrs. Shaw’s connection to her past. But she needn’t have worried. Mrs. Bromley had already told him.
“Is it all right that she worked for your family previously?” Henry asked. “Does it bring up too many sad memories?”
“Not at all. She knew my mother. She’s already told me several stories I had not previously heard.”
They heard the sound of the carriages.
“Shall we?” Henry asked, offering his arm.
“I am worried James will see through us,” Sophia said quietly.
“We must be convincing. Shall we practice our adoring look once more?” Henry made a face.
She laughed as they walked out to the front steps and into the driveway to greet their guests.
The staff had already assembled in two neat lines flanking the front steps—footmen on one side, maids on the other, with Mrs. Bromley and Grimshaw at the fore. All stood at attention, awaiting the arrival of their important guests.
Two elegant traveling carriages rolled up the drive, their polished black lacquer gleaming even in the gray light.
Each was drawn by a matched pair of horses—Sebastian’s bays, James’s chestnuts—their breath steaming in the cold air.
The Ashford coat of arms was emblazoned on the doors in gold and crimson, and despite the long journey from London, the carriages looked immaculate.
Behind them came a third, more practical coach, carrying the valets and lady’s maids.
The first carriage came to a halt directly in front of the manor. A footman rushed forward to open the door and let down the steps.
Sebastian emerged first, broad-chested and commanding even in his traveling clothes. His dark eyes immediately found Sophia. His serious expression softened into a clear tenderness as he took in the sight of her standing beside Henry.
Rose appeared next, accepting Sebastian’s hand as she descended.
She wore a traveling dress of deep burgundy wool trimmed with black frogging, practical but elegant, with a matching pelisse and bonnet.
Her dark hair was arranged beneath the bonnet, wisps escaping to frame her fair face.
Her light green eyes lit up when she saw Sophia, and the blush that perpetually colored her cheeks deepened.
The second carriage door opened. James descended with that barely contained energy Sophia knew so well—sinewy strength evident even in the simplest movement.
His honey-colored hair curled rebelliously over his forehead despite obvious attempts to tame it.
Intense eyes swept over the scene. He wore a dark green coat that emphasized his powerful frame, and there was something almost wolfish about him—a man trying to wear the mantle of gentleman but never quite succeeding in hiding his true nature.
Georgiana followed, accepting James’s hand.
She wore a traveling dress of pale gray merino wool with delicate embroidery at the collar and cuffs, a matching spencer, and a bonnet that framed her delicate bone structure beautifully.
Her light blonde hair was arranged simply, her brilliant blue eyes warm as they landed upon Sophia.
“Your Grace, welcome to Montrose Manor,” Grimshaw intoned formally, bowing low. The staff followed suit, the maids curtsying and the footmen bowing in perfect synchronization.
Sebastian approached first, climbing the steps with Rose on his arm. “Lord Montrose,” he said, extending his hand to Henry. “Good to see you again.”
“Your Grace.” Henry shook his hand. “Thank you for making the journey on such short notice.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Sebastian turned to Sophia, and his formal bearing dissolved completely. He took both her hands in his, squeezing them warmly as he looked down at her. “Little sister,” he murmured against her hair. “I’m so glad for you.”
“Thank you for coming,” she said.
Rose came forward, kissing Sophia’s cheek. “Look at you. That dress is magnificent. And your hair looks wonderful. You’re absolutely glowing.”
“Lord Montrose.” James’s voice was cordial as he extended his hand, but his intense gaze moved from Henry to Sophia and back again with unmistakable assessment. “Congratulations on your engagement. We were certainly surprised by the news. Pleasantly, of course.”
“Your Grace.” Henry shook his hand firmly. “It is good of you to come.”
“How could we not?” James held Henry’s gaze for a beat longer than he should. Henry, for his part, looked back at James with the same directness of spirit. They were alike, Sophia realized. Gruff and untamed on the outside, but sensitive and protective on the inside.
James turned to Sophia, and his expression softened. He took both her hands in his, studying her face. “You look well, sister. Happy even.”
“I am happy,” she said.
He leaned close, speaking softly into her ear. “Truly? Because if you have any doubts—”
“I don’t,” she said. “I promise.”
He searched her eyes a moment longer before nodding. “Then I’m pleased for you.”
When he released her, Georgiana kissed Sophia’s cheek. “You look beautiful. Thank you for including us.”
“I am grateful you could come, especially with baby Emily being only months old,” Sophia said.
“She will be well taken care of while we’re gone,” Georgiana said, shooting a flirtatious look at her husband. “And James and I can pretend we are still on our honeymoon.”
“Shall we go inside?” Henry suggested, gesturing toward the open door where welcoming light spilled out.
They moved inside in a cluster, the staff dispersing to handle luggage and see to the comfort of the visiting servants.
In the entrance hall, Sebastian paused to look around, taking in the elegant proportions, the gleaming floors, the portrait gallery leading to the upper floors. “You have a fine home, Montrose.”
“Thank you. My uncle was kind enough to leave it to me,” Henry said. “It will now be a home rather than simply a dwelling. Your sister brightens every room.”
Sophia felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. She glanced at Henry, wondering if he meant it or if he was simply saying what her brothers needed to hear. But his expression was sincere, his dark eyes meeting hers for a moment.
“Sophia has brightened every room she’s ever entered,” James said. “That you see her clearly gives me hope for a happy union.”
“It is impossible not to see her as she is,” Henry said. “Even a blind man would sense her goodness, her radiant beauty.”
“Yes, I believe you are correct,” James said.
Regardless of what James said, Sophia knew he would be watching them all evening, looking for cracks in their story, searching for any sign that this marriage was not what it seemed.
She and Henry would have to be very, very convincing.
She, for one, would have no problem playing the part of a besotted fiancée.
As for Henry? She could only pray that he play his part well.
Maybe well enough that he started to believe it to be true.