Page 60 of When She Was a Governess
The door opened. Henry stepped down first, then turned to help Sophia. As she took his hand and stepped down from the carriage, sunlight caught the pearls in her hair, the sapphires at her wrist and the book of sonnets in one hand.
The staff broke into applause.
Mrs. Bromley stepped forward, a tremulous smile on her face. “My lady, congratulations.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Bromley,” Sophia said.
“If I may say so, my lady, you look absolutely beautiful,” Mrs. Mills said, shyly. “And the ceremony was lovely.”
“Mrs. Mills, thank you. We are looking forward to the breakfast you’ve prepared for us.”
“It’s my pleasure, my lady. Nothing but the best for you and his lordship.”
The other carriages were arriving now—Sebastian and Rose, James and Georgiana, Thomas and Charlotte. The last carriage door opened and Lucy stepped out, holding Amelia’s hand. The little girl wore a pale yellow dress with white ribbons, and clutched a small posy of violets.
“Mama! Papa!” She pulled free from Lucy and ran to them, her yellow dress bouncing.
“Hello, darling.” Sophia crouched down despite her delicate silk gown, gathering Amelia into her arms.
“It was very long. My legs got tired from sitting.” Amelia patted Sophia’s face with one small hand. “But I was good. Lucy said I was the goodest.”
“I’m sure you were,” Henry said, smiling at Lucy over Amelia’s head. “Thank you for keeping her during the service.”
“My pleasure, my lord. She was perfect.”
“You look pretty, Mama,” Amelia said, touching the pearls in Sophia’s hair. “So shiny.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“What’s that?” Amelia pointed at the book in Sophia’s hand.
“It is a book that Papa gave me as a wedding gift.”
“Will you read it to me?” Amelia asked.
“Perhaps when you are older,” Henry said.
“Can we have cake now?” Amelia asked.
“In a bit. But first, go inside with Lucy and have your breakfast,” Sophia said. “Lucy, she will need a nap so that she might join us for part of the afternoon.”
“Yes, my lady,” Lucy said, bobbing her head. “Come along, little one.”
Amelia looked slightly disappointed but didn’t make a fuss, simply took Lucy’s hand and headed up the steps.
Grimshaw cleared his throat gently. “My lord, my lady, if you’re ready, the wedding breakfast is prepared in the dining room.”
Henry offered Sophia his arm. She took it, and together they walked through the entrance of Montrose Manor—not as lord and governess, not as employer and employee, but as husband and wife.
As they crossed the threshold, Henry leaned down and whispered, “Welcome home, Lady Montrose.”
Sophia looked up at him, her eyes shining. “Thank you, Lord Montrose. I am happy to be home at long last.”
*
Laughter and thesoft clatter of silver drifted through the dining room. The table was laid with the finest linens and silver, laden with roasted ham studded with cloves, crown roast of lamb, poached salmon with dill sauce, game pies, fresh breads, and an array of preserves and jellies. On the sideboard stood fruit tarts and syllabubs, and Mrs. Mills had surprised the newlyweds with a magnificent wedding cake adorned with marzipan and delicate sugar work.
Henry offered Sophia his arm and led her to the head table. Sebastian and Rose sat to their right, James and Georgiana to their left. Charlotte and Thomas, Amelia between them, occupied the next table with the vicar and his wife.
