Page 20 of When She Was a Governess
“What part of the gardens does she enjoy most?” Lord Montrose asked.
“She loves the apple orchard in the fall. We make a game of collecting any fallen apples that can be rescued for Mrs. Mills. I have taught her to count to ten that way.”
“How clever of you.” His gaze stayed upon her for a moment.
Had she seen admiration there in his eyes? If so, it pleased her immensely. She gave so much thought to how best to guide Amelia. Feeling acknowledged for her work felt good.
“Thank you, my lord.”
“And this time of year?” Lord Montrose asked. “It is rather damp and dreary, is it not?”
Sophia smiled, thinking of their adventure that afternoon. “She’s fond of the kitchen garden. She likes to see what’s growing under the glass cloches. And she has a fascination with puddles. She loves the snowdrops. We search for them every day, counting how many new ones have appeared. And shecollects stones from the paths, storing them in her pockets like treasures.”
“How adorable.”
“Oh, she really is.” She smiled, remembering how delighted the child had been over a winter-blooming honeysuckle near the kitchen garden that was quite fragrant. “Amelia insists on smelling the honeysuckle whenever we pass by.”
“Your eyes light up when you speak of her,” Lord Montrose said. “I have never witnessed anything similar in the eyes of my own mother. It warms my heart to see it.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
Robert removed their soup bowls and served roasted chicken with vegetables as the next course.
Lord Montrose set down his fork and looked at Robert. “That will be all. You may leave us. We’ll serve ourselves for the remainder of the meal.”
Robert’s eyebrows rose slightly, but he bowed and retreated, closing the door softly behind him. The sudden privacy felt both relieving and frightening.
Lord Montrose turned to her fully, and Sophia forced herself to meet his gaze. In the firelight, his eyes were darker but warmer. She’d always thought them brown, but now she could see flecks of gold near the pupils. A woman could get lost in them. She caught herself. This was a business arrangement. She had no right to notice whether his eyes were beautiful.
“I have been thinking about something I wish to discuss with you,” Lord Montrose said.
“Yes, my lord?”
“If we are to convince your family we’re in love, we must do the same with the servants. I’m sure you’re aware of how they gossip.”
“As a former servant, I am well aware, yes.” It was true. The household staff knew everything that went on in a house such asthis. “Are you suggesting we pretend in front of the staff too? To ensure our ruse is successful?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I am suggesting. Which means, we will have to pretend to share a bed from time to time. At the very least, the wedding night.”
She blushed at the thought of sharing anything with him, especially a bed. What would it be like to feel his solid form next to her? To wrap herself around him. Goodness, she must get control of herself. “I had not thought of it, but yes, I believe you’re right. Mrs. Bromley knows the truth already. What about Davies?”
“He also knows the details of our arrangement. However, we can trust them both with our secret.”
“I certainly hope so. If Davies shares what he knows, it will get back to my brothers. The valets and maids talk to one another. And lady’s maids are notorious for telling their mistresses details about the staff.”
“You are correct.” He ran a hand through his hair, disheveling it slightly. The gesture made him look younger, less world-weary. “We’re meant to convince your brothers and the staff that we’re madly in love within the week. Which means we must talk about something other than the gardens and Amelia.”
Despite her nerves, Sophia felt her lips twitch. “I agree. However, I have little else to discuss. My life has been singularly focused on Amelia.”
“As it should have been. But now? We must learn more about each other if we’re to play our roles well.” Something that might have been a smile lifted the sides of his mouth. “If Sebastian is as clever as his sister, he will take one look at us and know immediately that we are strangers.”
“He is immensely clever, but it’s James who will be the bigger problem. There is not much he does not see. In addition, he has a suspicious mind.”
“I see, yes. As an aside, I am looking forward to getting to know him better, but we must stay with the task at hand. What do we know about each other that we can build upon?”
Sophia thought back over two years. “One time Amelia had a fever and you sent for the doctor.”
“Riveting discourse.”
