“I am not angry, Libby. Only embarrassed.”
“No need, ma’am. They are not bad.” She shook out an ivory muslin day dress. “This one would suit, I think. But you could use a few more. Especially if the elder Mrs. Overtree takes it into her head to invite neighbors in to meet you. Everyone will want to see the captain’s new bride.”
The neighbors might be curious, Sophie allowed, though she privately doubted Janet Overtree would be eager to show off her “inferior” new daughter-in-law.
Libby helped Sophie dress and fulfilled her promise with the hot iron, curling tight ringlets on either side of her face. Sophie hoped she did not look like one of Thomas Gainsborough’s poodles—or as silly as she felt.
A short time later, Sophie was surprised and relieved to find herself alone at breakfast. But that feeling soon seeped away, replaced by unease. Had she slept so terribly late? Had she broken some family rule?
“Excuse me, have the family all eaten?” she asked the attending footman.
“The mistress has her breakfast sent up on a tray, and the young miss is taking hers in the morning room.” He added, “Captain and Mr. Overtree are meeting with Mr. Humphries, the estate manager, but I expect them shortly. And Colonel Horton ate earlier and has gone off riding.”
“I thought his horse was unwell.”
The young man nodded and brought her a toasted muffin. “He took one of the other horses, or so I heard the groom mention. Some errand that would not wait.”
“I see.”
Sophie was just finishing her solitary breakfast when Mr. Overtree came in, his hair windblown.
“Good morning, Sophie,” he said. “I trust you slept well and the room is to your liking?”
“Yes, thank you.” She regarded his ruddy cheeks and bright eyes. “You look well, I must say.”
“Do I? It must be that I’ve gone for a brisk morning stroll. My first in weeks.”
“I am glad you felt well enough to do so.”
“Yes, I found myself equal to a short walk today.” He grinned. “Especially as my wife was not yet down to object.”
Sophie returned his smile. She remained a few minutes longer, asking about the weather and his plans for the day, and then excused herself to seek out Kate.
She found the girl curled up on a sofa in the morning room, a cup of hot chocolate on the end table beside her, feet tucked under a lap rug and paper curlers peeping out from beneath her cap. She looked up and brightened upon seeing her in the doorway.
“There you are. My new sister. Come in and join me. Shall I ring for chocolate or coffee?”
“I’ve just had my breakfast, thank you.”
“Sleepy head. Up late last night, I imagine?” Her dark eyes shone with too much mischief for a girl her age.
Sophie crossed the room. “I did not sleep well, no. Does everyone in your family rise early?”
“Yes, except for my brother, Wesley. Though Mamma takes forever to dress. We rarely see her before eleven.”
Sophie glanced at the book in the girl’s lap. “What are you reading?”
“A novel calledSense and Sensibility.Have you read it?”
“I have not. I don’t read many novels.”
“You should. They are so romantic. Amusing too.” Kate patted the sofa next to her. “Come and sit. You promised to tell me all about how you and Stephen met and how he proposed to you.”
Sophie sat down. “Did I?”
Kate nodded, paper curls bouncing against her brow, eyes alight. “Yes, I want to hear every romantic detail of your whirlwind courtship. Everyone in our family has them. Oh, and you should hear how Grandfather won over our grandmother. We have passionate natures, Grandfather says.”
Her face looked so innocent and eager that Sophie hated to disappoint her.
