Page 34 of An Honorable Arrangement
Lady Thornbury leaned to the window and peered down her nose at Sarah. "I am not accustomed to anyone defying me. I advise you to tell Monty you will not marry him."
The rest of the threat was lost as the driver snapped the reins, and the carriage pulled away, tossing her ladyship against the cushion.
Sarah held her hand over her mouth. Had the driver heard enough and saved her from whatever threat was coming? She supposed that was the only explanation. She sent up a thank you to the driver and wished she had better boots as she trudged forward on the muddy road toward Willoughby Castle.
It would likely take her the better part of an hour to make her way back. Perhaps she should have thought through her getting out of the carriage more thoroughly and kept her desire to be far away from Lady Thornbury to herself for a few miles.
A mile farther, and she was still berating herself for her foolishness. Sarah began to pray another carriage might pick her up and carry her the rest of the way. Her feet were cold and wet, and the wind had picked up.
Hooves sounded on the road, and her hope soared until she saw it was just one rider headed away from the castle rather than toward it.
A moment later, the horseman stopped and regarded her from several yards away. His coat was pulled up to his chin and his hat was low, but she had never been happier to recognize Montgomery Witmore. "Sarah, are you mad?"
"How did you know?" She rushed over and was scooped up in his arms and seated sidesaddle before him on the tall gray horse.
He kissed her cheek and hugged her close. "Jacob, my parents’ driver, came and found me as soon as he returned."
"That was good of him." Sarah snuggled against his warmth as they rode back at a slow walk.
"What did my mother say that would make you get out and try to walk so many miles all alone?" There was an edge to his voice that she'd not heard since his initial annoyance with her for running away.
"I do not wish to speak badly of your mother. Can we just say she is not in favor of our marriage?" Not only did she not wish to disparage his mother, but she also shuddered to repeat the things she'd said and inferred.
"I don't care what my parents want, Sarah. I want you. That is if you'll still have me after Mother's bad behavior." He sounded more desperate than she would have expected.
Turning enough to look at him directly, she said, "I love you, Montgomery, but do you not think it will be very hard on both of us if we do not have your parents’ approval? Your mother used less than the truth to lure me away and warn me off. What other things will we be pushing her to?"
"I have enough of my own money to keep a roof over our heads for many years, Sarah. I can take care of you. I have a house in London and several investments that have nothing to do with my father. Should he cut us off, I will still be solvent." Desperation cut through his usually warm voice.
Perhaps she hadn't truly believed he loved her until that moment. "It is not financing or comforts I worry about. I do not wish to put a rift between you and your parents."
"Sarah, yesterday my mother and father looked me in the eye and told me they would get to know you, and today my mother said something so offensive you were willing to slog through miles of muddy road to avoid her company. I don't think the rift will be your fault." He took a breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, the soulful calm had returned to their depths. "However, I think they will come around eventually."
Conflicted by all that had happened and her feelings for him, she said, "I just don't know. It seems a lot of people to hurt so that we can be together, including you. I never wish to hurt you, Montgomery."
The castle came into view and loomed enormous before them. Monty stopped the horse and kissed her cheek. "Please do not do anything we will both regret, my love."
At the front doors, Sarah slid to the ground, and Monty took her hand, letting a groom care for the horse. They entered the foyer and shouts sounded from the office.
"My uncle never raises his voice." Still holding Sarah’s hand, Monty walked quickly to the open door.
Inside the cozy office, her guardians and Lord and Lady Thornbury looked as if they might come to blows.
"She'll be fine," Lady Thornbury said, rolling her eyes. "Those sturdy types can manage just fine on their own."
Lord Stapleton's face was as red as a ripe cherry. "You left a young girl of gentle birth alone on the road, Melinda. She could meet with any number of disasters."
"Then go and get her if you're so worried." Lord Thornbury crossed his arms over his chest.
"I have already sent for the carriage."
Sarah cleared her throat. "There is no need to fetch me. I am safe, my lord."
Lady Stapleton rushed over far quicker than one would expect a lady of her age to move and pulled Sarah into her arms. "My dear girl, we have only just found you, and we thought we'd lost you."
"Mr. Witmore fetched me from the road." Sarah patted her guardian's back lightly. She'd never had one of her keepers hug her. It was strange and also very comforting to have been missed.
"When Lady Thornbury returned without you, I was sure you would never come back. Forgive me for not being more careful with whom I entrust your care." Lady Stapleton released her and cupped both cheeks, searching Sarah’s face for some sign of harm.
