Page 17 of An Honorable Arrangement
Mrs. Pratt was pale and wide-eyed. "What happened?"
"Mr. Sommers was not the doting father Miss Sommers had hoped for," Monty explained.
She nodded. "I had heard from one of her relatives that he drinks too much."
"You knew?" Monty's voice rose, and it took an effort to reel in his surprise. "Did you ever tell Miss Sommers?"
Shrugging, Mrs. Pratt nodded. "Once, but she didn't believe me. She thought her cousin was after her fortune and would say anything to get it, which might well have been true."
"She certainly learned the truth of it today. Even if her cousin wanted to increase his coffers in some way, he didn't lie about Bertram Sommers. The man is vicious." Monty's temper remained barely under control when he thought of the horrible things Sarah's father had said.
With a sigh and a shake of her head, Mrs. Pratt said, "At least I'll gain one night's sleep in a bed before we are back in the carriage. The last two days have not been comfortable, my lord, despite your very fine carriage."
"I'm sorry to disappoint, madam, but Miss Sommers wishes to try to help her father. And despite my belief, she will fail, I'm inclined to let her make the attempt."
"If you think she cannot help, why allow her to continue with her headstrong ways?" Mrs. Pratt asked.
The conversation stalled while a young girl delivered dinner for Mrs. Pratt. Warm spices of a good stew filled the air. Even after having eaten, Monty’s stomach rumbled greedily.
"Because if she does not try, she will have regrets. She is far too young to live with such things on her conscience." Sarah’s tears stayed with him, haunting and making him wonder if he could have done more to shield her from her father.
Color returned to Mrs. Pratt's cheeks, and she cocked her head. "And that is important to you, my lord?"
"I find that it is. We have confirmed that Mr. Sommers has enough money to be cared for in a sanitarium if he were willing to admit himself for help. We shall ride out to Fallcrest tomorrow and see what can be done. Perhaps he will be less abhorrent with a new day. However, I think I shall call upon Captain Phillips for help. I would not wish to put either Miss Sommers or yourself in danger."
Mrs. Pratt blinked several times. "Who is Captain Phillips?"
"Part of the local encampment. He's a good fellow, and I think him smitten with Miss Sommers. I'm certain he will wish to help." Monty had to clench his jaw to refrain his thoughts about the captain’s feelings from spewing forth.
Her head cocked the other way. "A captain is not necessarily a bad match for Miss Sommers if she likes him too. Perhaps this unscheduled trip will turn out to be a blessing in disguise."
The rage that welled up inside Monty's gut was paramount to volcanoes erupting. Still, he held his temper. "You might wish to meet the man before you marry her off too quickly."
Mrs. Pratt smiled as if all were right with the world. She got up and brushed out her skirts.
Monty stood.
She placed her plate on the tray with the food ordered for Sarah. "Miss Sommers must be hungry by now. I will take this dinner up and share it with her. I will see you in the morning, my lord. Thank you for finding her and for all your kindness."
Tray in hand, she went upstairs.
Returning to his seat, Monty thought perhaps he'd missed something in their conversation. Why had Mrs. Pratt looked so pleased? How could she advocate for Sarah to marry a man she'd never met? Besides, Sarah was kind and thoughtful and needed a man who would understand her and enjoy her quick mind. He wasn't at all sure Captain Phillips was suited. Not at all.
ChapterSix
Sarah was happier to see Mary than she might ever have expected. After a quiet dinner with her chaperon, she finally found peace and fell asleep.
In the morning, they broke their fasts above stairs, and Sarah was glad to have the extra time to compose herself. If it wasn't bad enough to have met her father in such an unpleasant scene, she couldn't seem to control her desire concerning Montgomery and his unexpected kindness.
Once they were dressed to meet with her father, Sarah stood waiting for Mary to finish putting her hair up. "I don't know why he didn't just force me into a carriage and meet you on the road somewhere."
"Don't you?" Mary pulled her cap in place and tied the ribbon beneath her chin.
Sarah wrapped her overcoat tightly around herself. "He has been very kind. Perhaps it is just his nature. That must be it. I shouldn't have judged him so harshly. It is a good lesson for me to not assume all men of wealth and title are spoiled and selfish."
Rising, Mary joined her near the door. "My dear Sarah, could it not be that Mr. Witman has developed some feelings for you, and that is why he has gone out of his way to help with your father?"
"No," she answered too quickly. "Why? Did he say something to you last night to make you think so?" Her stomach did a flip that wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
