Page 9 of An Honorable Arrangement
Lifting her by the shoulders, Monty pulled her away. "Let him sleep it off. You can speak to him when he's more sober."
Even as he said it, he hoped she would come to her senses before Bertram Sommers woke. He'd recognized his daughter and hadn’t been happy to see her. Once, when Monty was just out of school, he'd raged about unfairness while drunk and then later apologized to his father. Angry, Father had told him,“A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts. Do not apologize unless you are sorry.”
Father had been right that day and was likely correct now. Monty wanted to protect Sarah. He felt compelled to keep her safe, though he had no notion why. She'd been more trouble than the carriage was worth. Yet, her startling eyes were filled with doubt, and he hated to see anything but determination there. He'd liked her steady glare when they'd met. He'd also liked her quick wit and sarcasm. Now, filled with doubts and fears, she leaned into him.
Outside, they sat on the steps. She looked up at him with pouting cherry lips that longed to be kissed. Or maybe his own desires were pushing to the forefront. Still, he resisted the urge.
"Why would my father be in such a state at this hour? What has happened here?" She looked away.
"I don't know." It was the truth, though he had a theory. "Why don't you let me take you away from here, Miss Sommers? I know you don't wish to go to my uncle's house, but you would be safe and cared for there."
As if she hadn't heard him, she said, "This is my fault. He needed someone to care for him and run his home, and I wasn't here."
"I doubt that very much."
She stood and walked to the drive. She paced along the overgrown gardens and shook her head.
Monty stood and found Captain Phillips. "How well do you know this Sommers, Captain?"
Phillips sighed. "Well enough to know he's not fit to be a father to anyone, let alone a young lady like her.
"How do I convince her of that?" he asked, mostly to himself. He didn't want to see Sarah hurt even if she was merely an acquaintance of two days. Something about her touched him, and the thought of her in pain tightened his chest.
"I have only just met her, but she seemed strong-willed." Phillips grinned and watched Sarah pace.
"I haven't known her long myself, but I tend to agree." He turned to the captain. "Thank you for serving as escort to my charge, Captain Phillips. However, I see no reason for you to be waylaid any further."
Phillips waved a hand in dismissal. "It was nothing. I wouldn't let any woman come here alone. You might take care yourself, my lord. Mr. Sommers has a rather vicious temper, especially when drunk, but not exclusively. I would be willing to remain here if you feel the need for additional protection for the lady.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Then I will retrieve my hat and be on my way." Phillips strode into the manor.
Monty had no claim on Sarah, nor any reason to feel jealous. He wished she had a warmer coat. He hated the way the captain looked at her pacing and talking to herself and had a mind to punch him in his chiseled face. That jaw could do with a good bruising. Yet the man had been more than gentlemanly and the urges were completely unwarranted.
Neither her wellbeing nor her romantic life was any of his business. His only job was to cart her to Willoughby Castle. He should toss her over his horse and ride until they met Mrs. Pratt in his carriage. Then he should not say another word to her or listen to anything she might say until they were safely in Sussex.
Monty stepped down and blocked Sarah's path. "Miss Sommers, don't you think it would be better if we left before faced with unpleasantness again?"
"Leave?" She gaped at him. "I have no intention of leaving my father. He obviously needs me. You may go and tell Lady Stapleton I am sorry to have been of any trouble. There is no need for her to worry over me as I am home with my father." She rounded him and continued pacing.
Maybe he had gone about this the wrong way. "You should at least go inside. It is freezing, and your lips are blue." Why had he mentioned her lips? They might be discolored, but they were still quite kissable.
She stopped and narrowed expressive eyes before giving him a nod and stomping up the steps and into the house.
Monty followed her, and they entered the salon where Captain Phillips was speaking to a servant. She was thin and frail with a white cap pulled low and her dress hanging on her like a sack. She started when she heard them enter and nearly dropped the tray of dirty dishes she'd gathered from the floor.
"It's all right," the captain said to the servant before turning to Sarah. "Miss Sommers, this is Mrs. Cochran. She is the only servant left here at Fallcrest."
"Why are you the only one left, madam?" Sarah stepped forward, but when Mrs. Cochran backed away, she stopped.
Without putting down her tray, she shifted her arms and headed toward the still unconscious man. "He scared the rest away. Nearly killed poor Will. He was the footman. The butler, Mr. Snow, left after that and took Will with him. I have nowhere else to go, so I cook his meals and stay out of his way. When he sleeps, as he is now, or goes to the pub, I collect the dishes."
Sarah's voice was soft and kind. "You are very good to keep feeding him. I'm sure he appreciates that so very much. Can you tell me why the house is in such disrepair?"
The scoffing sound fell angrily from Mrs. Cochran's mouth as it twisted with disgust. "He don't care for nothing but drink. Spends all his time with the bottle and none on this place. If you're his kin, you'd be best served by going as far and as fast away from him as you can. This is no place for a fine lady such as yourself."
"He is my father. If I had been here, none of this would have happened." Sarah's voice rose and the cook backed away then scurried out of the room with her tray.
