Page 16 of An Honorable Arrangement
"Is something wrong, sir?" Sarah asked.
Knox shook his head. "My apologies, miss. I'm quite surprised a lady such as yourself could be related to Mr. Sommers. Of course, I knew of your existence. I sent funds to your guardians annually for your upkeep, but you are not what I expected." He blushed dark red and ran his hand over his bald head. He put on a pair of spectacles and looked at her again.
Monty refrained from rolling his eyes at the ridiculous man. "Mr. Knox, we are going to attempt to reason with Mr. Sommers and send him to a sanitarium or arrange for help in his home. Does he have the kind of funds to afford such an effort?"
The scoff that belched forth from Mr. Knox said a great deal about what he thought of their chances of success. Reining in his doubts, Mr. Knox nodded. "He has funds enough, as he spends very little other than his libations bill. He doesn't entertain, and I have to force any care of the estate. I've done my best, but he refuses to keep the place up beyond a new roof last year after I insisted. He keeps only one servant, and when I've hired more, he runs them off within a week. Sometimes even less. Funds are not a problem, as he has good tenants who have been with the land for generations. I collect the rents and pay his bills. I’m sorry to say, I doubt you can convince him of anything reasonable."
Sad but clear-eyed, Sarah nodded. "Thank you for your opinion, Mr. Knox. I must try."
"So that you know, miss. I have attempted to get him help before. He only wants whatever he finds at the bottom of the next bottle." Knox's words were harsh but his tone was kind.
Monty stood and shook the solicitor's hand. "Thank you for your help. We will see Mr. Sommers tomorrow and then must leave for Sussex."
"If you wouldn’t mind, my lord, how are you involved in this?" Knox asked.
"My uncle, the Earl of Stapleton, is her new guardian. I am her escort until she reaches Sussex. I'm certain either my uncle or myself will be in touch, and should something occur where you deem it necessary to reach Miss Sommers, you may contact my uncle at Willoughby Castle." It was often helpful to throw around a title or two.
"Very good, my lord. Miss Sommers, I wish you the best of luck with your father." Though he sounded doubtful, it was a nice thing to say.
"Thank you, Mr. Knox." Sarah walked out and Monty followed.
They walked back to the Wayfarer in silence. At the bottom of the steps, she asked, “When will Mrs. Pratt arrive?"
"I thought she'd be here this evening, but certainly by morning."
Sarah looked toward the ocean, a few miles away. "I think a storm is coming."
It couldn’t be as great as the one battling inside Monty over a slip of a girl. "She'll be here soon. Ian will see to her safety, and I hired a footman for added security."
A long sigh and her shoulders slumped. "I'm going up to bed."
"Are you unwell?" He wanted to drag her into his arms and chase away all her troubles.
"Just tired. Thank you for all your help, my lord. I'm very sorry to have put you through all of this." She clomped up the steps.
He followed until they reached her room. "Sarah?"
She looked at him, exhausted while holding back fear, doubt, sorrow, and years of dashed hopes.
"I'm sorry all of this weighs so heavily on you. If I could fix this for you, I would."
Palming his cheek, she almost smiled. "You are much kinder than I would have expected."
The touch was innocent but sent a rush of desire through him. He leaned into her hand. "I find I want to help you more than I've ever wanted anything, Sarah."
"Montgomery, you are a good man," she whispered. The roughness in her voice spoke of a sorrow so deep it shot his heart full of her pain. No tears fell, and it was incredible the way she held herself in check. She turned and left him standing in the hall outside her room.
How this magnificent woman had come from the man they'd met earlier, Monty couldn't fathom. The only thing he knew for sure was that he wanted to protect Sarah, and he would do so with every ounce of his strength.
As he went back to the common room, his stomach growled. Once he'd eaten, he penned another note to his uncle explaining they would be further delayed, and that there was nothing to worry about. If Sarah wanted to disclose her business to her new guardians, she should have the opportunity. He kept the information in his letter vague.
It was nearly seven when his carriage carrying Mrs. Pratt finally arrived. She entered with much commotion and rushed over to him. "Did you find her?"
Monty stood and bowed. "Yes. She is fine."
The air drained out of Mrs. Pratt, and she sank into a seat at his table. "Where is she?"
"She went to her bedroom hours ago. It was a very trying day." Monty called the server over and ordered a light meal for Mrs. Pratt and enough to take a tray up to Sarah.
