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S he’d woken to find Patrick gone and was told by Jenny, who brought her a breakfast tray, that he was out riding. Also, that she had an appointment to meet with Mrs. Pitt and Mrs. Gumbrill.

“Those two are right mean-spirited,” Jenny said as she helped Sophie dress after her meal. “Rude and domineering, or so Mr. Ribble, the butler, said.”

Sophie chose a simple cream muslin day dress embroidered with lavender flowers to visit with the staff.

“Remember,” Jenny said when she prepared to leave, “you are the lady of the house. Do not let them intimidate you.”

“Don’t let them intimidate me. Right,” Sophie said, feeling ill.

She’d had Letty before, but now, she was on her own. I’m not ready for this.

“You need to show me where I am to meet the housekeeper, Jenny.”

They left the room and turned right, and Sophie got her first look at her new home.

The walls were teal green with a stripe that ran along the middle in gold.

The lower half of the wall was rosewood paneling.

Paintings hung in a neat line, and a narrow white marble table with delicate legs held a clock, vase, and candelabra.

“It’s stunning,” Sophie whispered.

“Look up,” Jenny said.

She did and swallowed to ease the tightness in her throat. How can this be my home? How can I be mistress of all this?

The ceiling was a darker teal with delicate gold patterns around the edges.

“Good morning, my lady,” Ribble said, appearing before them.

“Good morning, Ribble. I am to meet with Mrs. Pitt.”

Something flickered briefly across his eyes and was gone before Sophie could identify it.

“I will take you to a parlor and bring her to you, my lady.”

“Just take me to her office, please, Ribble,” Sophie said.

He didn’t look happy with her request but nodded just the same and led her down some stairs.

“The Countess of Coulter,” he said, entering a small room. “Mrs. Pitt and Mrs. Gumbrill,” he added, pointing to each woman. He then bowed out of the room quickly.

“My lady,” Mrs. Pitt said. “It is not right for you to be here.”

“I have no problem with being belowstairs, Mrs. Pitt,” Sophie said, smiling at the housekeeper.

She was a small, slender woman dressed in pale gray with a neat white lace collar.

In fact, neat described Patrick’s housekeeper very well.

Her hair was pulled back in a neat bun, her nails were neatly filed, she wore neat, nicely polished black shoes, and the only thing that was at odds to her neat appearance was the huge bunch of keys around her neck.

Mrs. Gumbrill was her exact opposite. Large of girth and height, she had a bullish expression on her face and wore an apron smeared with food, which was completely understandable, as she was the cook.

“Well, it is lovely to meet you both, and of course I have no wish to interfere with the running of this wonderful household. My husband assures me that without both of you, Garland Hall would not be the place it is today.”

Mrs. Pitt’s expression eased slightly. Mrs. Gumbrill remained stone-faced.

“I will be guided by you ladies as to what changes are needed going forward.”

“We don’t need changes,” Mrs. Gumbrill added.

Stay calm, Sophie.

After several more suggestions that had been squashed by both women, Sophie felt her anger rise. They weren’t rude but not polite either.

“Do you both enjoy your positions?” Sophie said suddenly, which had both women nodding.

“We have been here since the earl was a boy,” Mrs. Gumbrill added, raising her chin, as if Sophie doubted her.

“And I understand that change is not easy after so many years, but I am the new mistress here at Garland Hall. I suggest you take today to think about that and what you wish to discuss with me tomorrow. I shall inform you of the time and location of that meeting.”

“Of course, my lady,” Mrs. Pitt said quickly.

Sophie looked at Mrs. Gumbrill. The woman bobbed a curtsy but did not speak.

“That went well,” Sophie muttered, leaving the room.

“Can I assist you, my lady?” Ribble reappeared.

“You left me with those two, Ribble. I’m not sure I can forgive you for that.” Sophie followed these words with a smile.

“They are good women, if a little stern and unused to having anyone question them, including me,” he said. “Now, I believe Lord Coulter is awaiting you to take tea, if you will follow me, my lady.”

Patrick was seated in a parlor with ivory silk walls and elegant furniture. He smiled as she arrived.

“Did you have fun meeting Pitt, the pillar of Garland?” Patrick asked, rising as she moved to take the seat beside him.

Sophie felt her cheeks heat as she remembered last night and how she had slept in his arms.

“She seems… nice,” Sophie said.

“Nice? She used to snap at me at any given opportunity.” Patrick grinned, which made him look less like an earl and more like a rogue.

“I bet you deserved it,” Sophie said, reaching for the teapot.

He took it from her and poured the tea.

“I can pour my own tea.”

“So can I,” he said. “And you have a sore shoulder. Now, what, my sweet wife, has put those roses in your cheeks?”

“Nothing at all, my lord. I merely grew flustered hurrying to meet with you.” Sophie busied herself stirring in milk.

“Liar. I think you were remembering last night.”

“Patrick!” Sophie hissed. At least Ribble had gone.

“Sophie,” Patrick mimicked her.

“I also met Mrs. Gumbrill.”

“Grouchy Gumbrill,” Patrick said.

“Do you have names for all of your staff?” Sophie questioned, lifting one eyebrow.

Patrick shrugged. “We had to find some ways to amuse ourselves.”

“I am looking forward to meeting your sisters and their families, Patrick.”

“As they are looking forward to meeting you, my sweet wife.”

He seemed different here, more relaxed.

“When you are ready and your arm is healed, we will go riding.”

“No, thank you. I cannot ride and have no wish to learn,” Sophie said.

“And yet, I want you to learn, wife, so we can ride together,” Patrick added.

“No.”

“Yes.”

Sophie glared at him. “I do not like horses. They are large angry beasts always stomping their feet?—”

“Hooves,” Patrick supplied helpfully.

“—and slobbering and biting and arching their backs so their seats?—”

“Saddles,” Patrick said, laughing at her now.

“—come free and their riders are hurled through the air so they can break several bones.” Sophie shuddered.

“Still, I will teach you, and no harm will befall you. We have hundreds of acres here at Garland, and I want to ride them all with you,” Patrick said.

“Can I not go by buggy or carriage?” Sophie said, looking hopeful.

“No.”

“Can I walk?” she added desperately.

“Now you’re being silly.”

She would leave it for now, but in this, Sophie would win. No way would she ever learn to ride a horse.

“Two carriages have arrived, Lord Coulter,” Ribble said from the doorway.

Sophie was up and running seconds later.

“Sophie, your arm!” Patrick caught her, taking her hand in his. “If you fall, you will take even longer to heal.” He turned her round. “Besides, it’s this way.”