Page 32 of An Honorable Arrangement
"If that is true, Mother, I am sorry for it. However, Lady Evelin and I have no arrangement. On the few occasions you have brought her in front of me, I found her charming but saw no indication of any particular regard. I doubt she will be heartbroken."
Father rounded the desk and stopped halfway to Monty. "I do not know anything about this woman. At least give your mother and me a chance to know her before you make such a drastic announcement."
Alarm bells went off inside Monty's head. He knew his father was up to some kind of trickery, but it wouldn't matter. "I will wait to announce our betrothal, Father, but that will not make my promise less binding. It would be very nice if you would take some time this week to get to know Sarah."
Mother's shoulders relaxed. "There, now you're being reasonable. That is all we ask."
Trepidation sizzled inside Monty. He knew his parents would try to make trouble, but he would have to trust that his love for Sarah, and hers for him, would prevail. "I'm going to marry her."
"Of course." His mother gave him an indulgent smile like she’d used when he was a child.
Shaking his head, he said, "I shall see you at dinner."
In the hallway outside his parents’ rooms, he leaned against the wall and gathered his wits. Manipulation was a sport that both his mother and father excelled at. He would need to be on the top of his own game.
ChapterTen
Sarah did as she was told, and as soon as she had time to wash up from the road and change, she went to find her new guardians.
A footman directed her to their office, and she found the door open. Standing on the threshold, she admired what looked like a very fine library and knocked.
Lady Stapleton smiled warmly. "Come in, my dear girl. Sit."
Lord Stapleton was more reserved, but he looked pleasant as he stood until she crossed the room and sat on the divan. "Thank you for inviting me to your home, my lord and lady."
"I wish I had been contacted years ago, Miss Sommers." Lady Stapleton shook her head. "Your mother was a very great friend of mine. If I had known you had not had a permanent home, I would have stepped in sooner."
Sarah knew she should keep quiet, but curiosity won out. "If I might be so bold, my lady. How did you and his lordship come to be my guardians?"
His lordship cleared his throat. "Your former guardian, Ashton, was a friend of mine, and we had some dealings together. I don't approve of certain business practices and had heard he was moving to Antigua. I wrote him about his new venture, and subsequently, we dissolved our business association. In the course of exchanging letters, he mentioned that you had decided you didn't wish to make the move with his family. Your name was familiar to me, and when I told my good wife of your situation, she explained how I knew your name."
Without so much as a gap in the tale, her ladyship took over. "We then did some investigating and learned you have had many homes since your good mother's passing. I am very sorry, my dear. I lost track of you after you went to live with your aunt, and it is unforgivable."
A knot clogged Sarah's throat. What might her life have been like if she'd spent the last ten years of it with the Earl and Countess of Stapleton? "It is not your fault, my lady. I survived well enough."
His lordship walked to where his wife sat and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We are very glad to have you here. My nephew tells us you not only survived but have become an extraordinary young lady."
Sarah blushed. "He may be biased, my lord."
A wide grin spread across the earl's face. "Indeed. Monty also asked for permission to marry you. Is this something you wish for as well?"
Never had she expected Montgomery would speak to them as soon as they arrived. Part of her believed he would wait days or maybe even go back on his word once he was back with his own people. "I would be honored to marry Mr. Witmore."
"You were surprised he asked us?" Her ladyship was much more astute than most people if she'd noted Sarah's surprise.
Sarah would have to do a better job of concealing her emotions and thoughts. "He asked me to marry him, but I admit I didn't expect him to come to you so quickly with his request."
"My nephew would not have asked you if he were not in earnest, Miss Sommers." His lordship's voice was soft but laced with concern.
There was nothing she could say that wouldn’t further offend her guardian.
Her ladyship solved the problem. "We have given our blessing, Sarah. However, if this is not what you truly want, we shall reverse that decision, and you may marry where you wish."
"You mistake me, my lady. I very much want to marry Montgomery Witmore. He is all things good and kind." If Sarah wasn't careful, she’d burst into tears from the love building up inside her. After a lifetime of indifference, she was finally important to someone. From the concerned looks on the faces of Lord and Lady Stapleton, perhaps her fate mattered to more than one person.
"Have we upset you, dear?" Lady Stapleton asked.
Sarah shook her head. "I have not had many people care for my wellbeing in my life. I am a bit overwhelmed."
