Page 35 of An Honorable Arrangement
"You were not at fault, my lady, and I am unharmed. There is nothing to forgive."
Monty's father huffed. "You see, the girl is fine. All this fuss over nothing."
Stepping fully inside the room, Monty faced his father. "I am very disappointed in both you and mother. Sarah will not tell me what was said, but I have a fairly good idea. Do not interfere again. If any harm should come to her, I will never speak to either of you again."
Sarah gasped. "No. That is not what I want." She looked from his mother to his father. "I'm sorry I got out of the carriage and created all of this. I do not mean this as absolution for the things you said and implied, my lady, but neither do I want the love between Monty and me to create a rift between your family."
Lady Thornbury narrowed her glare. "Your willful dismissal of our feelings and plans for our son is testament to your low breeding and affirms your unsuitability for him."
"Be careful, Mother. You draw very close to the line I have drawn."
Unsure of how to continue, Sarah decided retreat might be the best option. "I have dismissed nothing. I am fully aware of what you think of me. If I do as you wish, I hurt myself and Montgomery very deeply, and we might neither ever recover. If I do as I wish, there could forever be a rift between the man I love and his family."
She made to leave the room, but at the door, she turned. "But I did not create this, my lady. You have that honor."
Not looking back, Sarah ran down the hall and up the steps without stopping until she was safely behind the door of her new room.
Mary stood, dropping her sewing. "I take it things did not go well."
She ran into her friend's arms. "Oh, Mary, what I have I gotten myself into?"
ChapterEleven
Monty spent the rest of the day avoiding his parents and trying to see Sarah. She didn't wish to see him, sending Mrs. Pratt to the door to send her regrets. He searched for her at dinner, but his aunt informed him that Sarah had decided to take her meal in her room.
Days went by without so much as a note from her. It was maddening to be in the same house but not see or hear from her.
The entire party attended church services on Sunday, and he did catch a glimpse of Sarah sitting with his aunt and uncle, but it seemed she was determined to stay away from him.
Mother leaned in, looking far too pleased with herself. "Now, she's being a sensible girl and weaning you off. You'll see. This is for the best."
If he replied, he would regret the things he might say to his mother. Keeping silent, he couldn't help wonder if that was what Sarah was doing. Did she think his feelings so pale they would wane after a few days without her attention? If that was the case, he'd not expressed the depth of his ardor properly.
He tried to catch her after the service and only succeeded in seeing her enter the house amongst the crowd of house party attendees.
Ever since they’d arrived at Willoughby Castle, things had gone downhill. His parents had turned the best time of his life into a disaster.
He was supposed to leave Sussex after the ball, only four days hence, but there was no possibility of his leaving without knowing Sarah's heart. He would have to get more determined in his pursuit.
He felt like he was on his own personal hunting expedition, though rather than a fox, he was after one bright-eyed, brilliant, young woman. Lost in thoughts of Sarah, he was startled when his aunt took his arm. "Hello, Aunt Constance." Leaning down, he kissed her soft cheek.
"You looked unhappy during services this morning. What troubles you?" She kept her arm looped through his elbow, and she gave him a squeeze.
"I'm not unhappy, just confused and concerned. Miss Sommers is avoiding me and doing a very fine job of it. I can't decide if she has changed her mind about marrying me, or if she was so distraught over my parents’ bad behavior that she is in hiding." Lying to his aunt never worked out well. Constance Barrow had a nose for misinformation and would call a person out. It was best to just tell her everything and get her input, which was generally sound advice.
"What does your mother say?"
Monty tried not to frown, but the mention of his mother, made him cross. "That Miss Sommers is weaning me off like I was some whelp with a child's attachment."
Aunt Constance chuckled. "Your mother does have a way with words that rarely fails to offend."
"Do you think she has changed her mind?" Heart pounding, he needed to hear but feared the answer.
"I don't know. I have only just met Miss Sommers, but from what you've told me about the events at Bristol, she hardly seems the type who is weak of heart or mind. You might give her the time she needs to do whatever she is attempting, and then when she is ready, you can ask her. I think a bit of patience may be required on your part, Monty."
Despite his attempt to show no reaction, he groaned. "Thank you, Aunt. I am not pleased with your advice, but I can see where I may be cornering her at a time when she needs to be independent of my problems."
Grinning, Aunt Constance patted his arm. "One of the things I have always admired about you, Monty, is your ability to listen to reason. You do not get that from either of your parents. I like to think it comes from your uncle."
