When she opened the kitchen door, Rosaleen’s back was turned to them. “If they didn’t have any chickens today, so help me—”
She turned around and when she saw Sophia, she burst into tears. “Oh, Sophia,” she said, hurrying toward them and throwing her arms around her. “You’re here.”
But then, perhaps realizing what that meant, she took a step back. “Oh, no. You’re here. Oh, my girl, did she find you?”
Then she took in Caspian’s presence, and she frowned. “And who’s this, then?”
Sophia laughed. “I’ve missed you, Rosaleen,” she said. “This is Caspian.” She reached behind herself and pulled Caspian forward.
“Lord Caspian Rendon, at your service,” Caspian said, bowing his head.
“Oh, my,” Rosaleen said, her mouth dropping open in shock. “Sophia, my girl, what have you been up to this past year?”
“Rosaleen, I have a very important question for you,” Sophia said quietly. “You’re the only one I know who’s been here as long as I have.”
Rosaleen’s eyes began to fill with tears. “It’s finally happening,” she said, her voice catching. “She told you?”
“That my father is Lord Manning,” Sophia said, the words somewhere between a question and a statement.
Rosaleen nodded and Sophia felt faint.
It was true?
“She always was a jealous person,” Rosaleen said. “She snapped up your father so quick after your mother passed, rest her soul, and as soon as your father was gone, she shoved you into my arms and announced that you had passed, too. She couldn’t stand the thought that you would take her title from her, not when you were still a wee thing, and she threatened to kill you if I ever told a soul. Soon after, most folks who worked here were fired, and she replaced them all with new staff who didn’t know you or your father.”
“So all those times she made me clean the gallery with their portraits,” Sophia mused.
“She’s sick in the head,” Rosaleen announced, before looking around furtively. “She’s not here, right?”
Sophia laughed. “No, she’s not. She’s being taken to the castle by Caspian’s brother where he intends to charge her with kidnapping.”
Rosaleen nodded. “And once we tell them the truth about you, they can add stealing a title to her list of crimes.”
There was a silence as they all took in everything that had been said. “Would you show me the gallery?” Caspian asked, reaching over to take her hand. “I’d love to see it with you.”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Rosaleen said. “And then, child, you should change. You’ll catch a cold in that dress.”
Sophia smiled and gave her old friend a hug. “Thank you, Rosaleen,” she said softly. “I know it couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Rosaleen clicked her tongue. “I’d do it all again to save you,” she said, squeezing tightly. When she let go and Sophia took a step back, she saw the tears gathering in her eyes. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that it’s over now.”
“Me, too,” Sophia said, reaching out for Caspian’s hand. “We’re going to the Rendon family’s estate, but if you don’t mind, I’m sure we’ll need your help to prove that I am his daughter.”
“I’ll be wherever you need me, my lady,” Rosaleen promised.
Sophia’s eyes widened at the use of a title. “That’s not necessary,” she said, shaking her head.
“The sooner you get used to it, the better,” Rosaleen said. “Trust me, my girl.”
Caspian squeezed her hand as Sophia took a deep breath. “If you say so.”
She turned and looked at the door they’d come through. She wanted to go to the gallery…and she also didn’t want to go.
Could she see herself walking through these hallways as the new Lady Manning?
“We don’t have to go yet if you’re not ready,” Caspian said. “It can wait.”
Sophia pondered his words for a moment but shook her head. “No. It can’t.”
