Sofia slipped her arm through the cantankerous old lady's and guided her from the room. Only then did she see a woman dressed in drab clothes doing her best to disappear into the shadows. This must be the Dowager Countess's maid.
'I assume that we can return to your home without venturing outside, my lady.'
'Of course we can, I hardly think someone of my age would have come if I'd been obliged to walk in the fresh air.'
Sofia intended to have stern words with the young secretary Smithers the next time she saw him. What could have possessed him to think that inviting this dreadful old woman into James's home was a good idea?
Subtly she increased her pace and found that the countess kept up easily with little need for her stick. This was an interesting observation and she intended to pursue that line of investigation at some point. Now she needed to return her and get back to the drawing room.
'Here we are, my lady, safe and sound in your own home away from the unruly earl,' Sofia said as soon as they were through the connecting door and inside the East Wing. 'Forgive me, but I must return as I'm expecting my sister to arrive at any moment. I will, if invited, be delighted to come back and visit you another time.' She curtsied and fled before she could be harangued and forced to bite her lip to prevent a reply that would only inflame the situation.
She paused to put across the bolts on the door just in case the countess decided to come back. Great aunt Jemima was difficult, often critical, but compared to James's grandmama she was a saint.
As Sofia hurried back through the endless passageways, she was pondering on the strange connection between herself and James. They'd both lost their mothers, although she'd been blessed to know hers whereas he had never met his. Their fathers had ignored them, and they both had awful elderly relatives.
She picked up her skirts so she could run but her heavy boots clattered alarmingly on the polished boards. This wouldn't do; outdoor footwear should never be worn inside. She stopped, leaned down, unlaced her boots and pulled them off. Then holding them in one hand she was able to travel more speedily and definitely more quietly.
At the end of the passageway was the hall and she was certain she'd just heard her sister. She increased her pace completely forgetting that she was in her stockinged feet and when she attempted to turn the corner her feet flew from under her and she landed with a painful thump on her bottom.
Colette was with James and they were about to walk into the drawing room. Her unexpected and noisy arrival caused them to stop, spin round and stare at her.
James shook his head and laughed. 'Good God, what next, Sofia? Are you hurt? Do you need my assistance?'
She was already on her feet but in her tumble had dropped her boots. 'Apart from my pride, I'm perfectly fine, thank you, James.'
Colette rushed across to embrace her. 'Where have you been that you needed to return so dramatically and at such speed? Why haven't you got your boots on?'
Her sister always asked questions but rarely listened to the answers. 'I'll tell you everything later. I'm so glad to see you here. I had breakfast, did you?'
'I certainly didn't. I'm sure you can manage something but if you can't then you can still sit with us whilst we eat,' Colette said.
Sofia slipped her arm through her sister's and they walked into the drawing room. The new arrivals were looking towards the door with interest and the boys stood up politely. She waved them down.
'Please, there's no need at all to stand up for us. Continue with your meal. This is my sister, Colette.'
She curtsied politely to Lady Charlotte and then was at the sideboard helping herself to a much smaller portion of food than Sofia was accustomed to seeing on her sister's plate.
James spoke softly from beside her. 'I cannot thank you enough for rescuing me from that termagant. What the hell was she doing here in the first place? She's persona non grata as far as I'm concerned.'
'Smithers thought he should fetch the countess so there was a member of the family to greet Lady Charlotte. I can only assume that he'd never met her or he'd not have suggested such a thing.'
'I keep her in her own domain, on the very rare occasions that I've had guests for dinner I need to be certain she won't intrude. I'm sorry you had to deal with that, but you did it magnificently.'
Colette took a seat next to the little girl, Eloise, and they were soon chatting happily together.
'My sister would be happy to act as governess for your niece until something else can be arranged.' She touched his arm. 'No, do not poker up at me, sir, I'm not suggesting that the arrangement's permanent. I was thinking that you might not wish to introduce anyone new into the household until your family is more themselves.'
He muttered something very impolite under his breath and she had to stifle her giggles. 'You really must desist from using language like that in front of my sister. If you want to see someone have a genuine fit of the vapours then repeat that in front of my younger siter, Lucille, and she'll demonstrate it admirably.'
'I'll do my best. In fact, I give you my word that only you will hear my profanities in future.' This was said with all seriousness but Sofia knew it to be a jest.
'Ridiculous man, I'm not surprised you have so few friends if you behave like this with them.'
'You're right to point out my loneliness so firmly. Have you no pity for a friendless gentleman?'
'None at all. You reap what you sow, my lord. Your grandmother wouldn't be locked away if she wasn't so obnoxious.'
She viewed the tiny porcelain cups provided for the coffee and frowned. She would have to return several times before she'd had enough of the dark, aromatic brew that she loved so much.
'If you'd be kind enough to take two cups to the table, Sofia, I'll bring the jug and my abandoned breakfast.'
The children looked to James for permission to get themselves a second helping and he nodded. He fetched his sister another plate without her asking. The children were painfully thin and pale, but she was worryingly gaunt. Sofia feared Lady Charlotte might have a fatal illness as well as having been deprived of sustenance.
