Page 67 of When She Was a Governess
Sophia’s stomach dropped as she realized who they were. Henry’s parents. They had to be.
Sophia heard Grimshaw’s voice in the entrance hall, surprise evident even through his professional composure. “Lord Montrose, Lady Montrose. We were not expecting you. Please, allow me to inform Lady Montrose of your arrival.”
“That won’t be necessary.” The woman’s voice was cool, cultured, cutting. “Where is my son?”
Sophia set down her pen. She couldn’t let Grimshaw handle this alone. She stepped into the entrance hall to find the woman yanking off her gloves as if they’d harmed her in some way.
Grimshaw turned, relief flickering across his face. “My lady, may I present Lord and Lady Montrose.”
“Where is my son?” Lady Montrose asked.
“Lord Montrose is attending to estate business,” Sophia said, dropping a curtsy. “He’ll return this evening. I’m Sophia, Lady Montrose. Henry’s wife. Welcome to Montrose Manor.”
Her dark, sharp and intelligent eyes fixed upon Sophia with an intensity that made her want to step back. For a long moment, she said nothing, just studied Sophia from head to toe with an expression that was impossible to read. “When will he return?”
“He’ll return this evening. We had no idea you would visit today,” Sophia said.
“We had no choice but to come at once. After receiving news of his marriage,” Lady Montrose said. “As if we had no right to know of his plans. It’s an unconscionably cruel act to do to your mother.”
“Constance.” The man spoke for the first time, his voice carrying a warning.
“Don’t ‘Constance’ me, Arthur.” She swept farther into the hall, her eyes taking in every detail with a proprietary air. “How shabby everything looks. When my mother ran this house, it was always impeccable.”
“It is impeccable now,” Sophia said, unable to keep the shock out of her voice. How could the woman think this glorious house looked shabby? She was insulted for Mrs. Bromley more so than for herself. “Mrs. Bromley and Grimshaw are tireless in their efforts to make it so.”
“They must need more rest then,” Lady Montrose said. “If this is the effort that tires them. Then again, it should be the lady of the house’s responsibility, not her staff. They only do as instructed.” She moved closer, circling Sophia like a predator assessing prey. “But dare I say, it’s not surprising. A governesswho managed to catch my son has no business running a household such as this one.”
Sophia kept her expression neutral. “Whether I have business running the household or not, I am here. I’m Henry’s wife.”
“How did you entrap him exactly? Was it a matter of seduction? You’re quite pretty. I suppose that could explain it.”
“Explain what?” Sophia said, a shake creeping into her voice.
“How a governess gets a marriage proposal out of a gentleman. Or was it a master move in manipulation? Preying on my son, knowing he needed a wife and mother for Amelia?”
“I am not a manipulative person,” Sophia said.
“Someone in your position must be, my dear.”
“I beg to disagree,” Sophia said tightly. “But it is of no consequence. Henry and I are married now. There is nothing you or anyone can do to pull us apart.”
“Think of how cruel my own son was to his mother, who sacrificed everything for him. I received a letter yesterday morning announcing that our son had married the former governess. No warning. No request for blessing. Not even the courtesy of an invitation.”
“The engagement was brief. We saw no reason to delay.”
“How romantic.” The word dripped with sarcasm. “Or perhaps how calculated? Tell me, Miss—forgive me, Lady Montrose—how long have you been planning this coup?”
“Constance, that’s enough.” Lord Montrose finally stepped forward, though his expression suggested he agreed with his wife. “The marriage is done. There’s no point in antagonizing the girl.”
“The girl is now mistress of this fine house.” Constance’s eyes never left Sophia’s face. “Or so she believes. We’ll see how long that lasts. This is my house. It should belong to me. Did you know that, girl?”
“I’m not sure what you mean. It was left to Henry by his uncle.” Sophia’s hands clenched at her sides, but she kept her voice level.
“My brother, you mean? Yes, he did it to spite his own sister. The two of them, always conspiring against me.”
“Would you like tea?” Sophia asked. “You must be tired from your journey. I will have Mrs. Bromley prepare rooms for you in the meanwhile.”
“If I may, my lady,” Grimshaw interjected smoothly, “shall I have tea brought to the drawing room? It will be more comfortable there.”
