Page 83 of When She Was a Governess
“Exploiting my weakness. Taking advantage of my fragile state of mind.”
Sophia absorbed this, feeling the careful architecture of lies. Each one contained just enough truth to make it believable. Yes, she’d been a governess. Yes, Henry had been at a sanatorium.Yes, their courtship had been brief. Sebastian had indeed pretended to be a gardener to prove their father’s innocence. But the malicious spin put on each fact was pure poison.
“She’s very good at this,” Sophia said.
“Yes.” Henry’s voice was hollow. “She’s had years of practice. She finds the vulnerable places and strikes there. Makes people doubt themselves, question their own reality.”
“Well, she won’t succeed with us.” Sophia took both his hands in hers. “We know the truth.”
“But society does not.”
“Society can be reminded of the truth. Charlotte will help. As will my brothers and their wives.” She squeezed his hands. “We’re not going to hide here like we’ve done something wrong. We’re going to London.” She managed a small smile. “Besides, I have experience with false accusations. My father was convicted of murder he didn’t commit. I survived that scandal. I can survive your mother’s gossip.”
Henry pulled her into his arms, holding her so tightly she could barely breathe. “I am so sorry for all this.”
“Someday we’ll look back on this and see how silly it all was.” Sophia pulled back to look at him. “Your mother wants us miserable and ashamed. So we’ll do the opposite. We will act gloriously happy.”
“We are, if it were not for this.”
“It will pass, my love. We mustn’t despair.”
“We will leave for London in the morning,” Henry said. “And begin our fight.”
“I shall miss Amelia terribly, but we must go.”
“She’ll be here when we return, hopefully triumphant.”
*
The journey toLondon took the better part of a day, and leaving Amelia behind had been harder than Sophia anticipated. However, the little girl had seemed unworried, waving cheerfully as the carriage pulled away, holding tight to Lucy’s hand. Henry, noticing her worry, had reassured her that Amelia felt secure because Sophia had always made certain the child knew how loved she was.
They arrived at Thornbridge House in Mayfair as dusk was falling. Charlotte and Thomas welcomed them warmly, showed them to their guest chambers, and insisted they rest after the long journey. After a quiet dinner, Sophia fell into bed exhausted, though she dreamed of Amelia calling for her.
The next afternoon, their carriage pulled up before the Ashford townhouse—another handsome Mayfair residence, just a few streets from Thornbridge House. Henry and Sophia stood on the steps alongside Charlotte and Thomas.
The butler opened the door with a warm smile. “Lady Montrose. Lord Montrose. Your Graces. The Duke is expecting you.” Henry and Sophia stood on the steps of the Ashford townhouse alongside Charlotte and Thomas.
“It will be good to see your family,” Charlotte said, squeezing Sophia’s hand.
“Yes, it will,” Sophia said.
They were shown to the library, where Sebastian stood by the fire. The moment he saw Sophia, he crossed the room in three strides.
“Poppet, I am glad to see you, despite the circumstances.” He pulled her into a fierce embrace. “I have not felt so murderous in years. That vile woman.”
“Yes, it’s all quite ugly,” Sophia said.
Sebastian turned to shake Henry’s hand, then greeted Charlotte and Thomas warmly. “Thank you all for coming. And Charlotte, thank you for housing them.”
“We are family,” Charlotte said simply.
Rose appeared in the doorway, then crossed the room to embrace Sophia. “Darling Sophia, this dreadful business has not broken your spirit quite yet, I see.”
“Not with my family and Henry beside me. They have done much worse to us.”
“That is sadly the truth,” Rose said. “Still, I’m proud of you for fighting back.”
The door opened again and the butler announced James and Georgiana. James’s face was set in the same hard expression Sebastian’s was.
