Lord Royson accompanied the Montague family to their estate though in truth it was a distance past his own newly acquired manor and lands.

Throughout the ride there, Sofia kept casting inquisitive glances in his direction.

Neither of her parents had deemed it necessary to inform her of his visit and she could only speculate at his presence.

She thought back to the first time she had seen him. She’d felt an instant attraction and she knew, somehow that he’d felt the same way. Of course being a noblewoman and he a former soldier she had snubbed him. The thought of them being together was unthinkable. What would her father say?

Lewen thought of the quiet family in slight amusement. Briefly he wondered if it was any less or more solemn with the eldest Maryanne present but shook his head thinking it would most likely be the same.

He watched Lord Montague shovel his food into his mouth, a smile quirking his lips as he noted the bits of food flying off his plate, some sticking to his thin beard.

Across the table he was surprised to see Sofia occasionally watching him. Quite suddenly she grinned, showing her small white teeth and winked at him before quickly looking back down at her plate.

He stifled a laugh, clearing his throat instead. A mistake he realized as everyone stopped and looked at him.

“Er…the meal is quite good, thank you for inviting me My Lady.” He said addressing Lady Montague. He pointedly ignored the derisive snort from her husband before he pushed his chair from the table.

“Well, enough of this slop you call food,” he muttered. I am retiring to the drawing room. Would you care to join me Lord Royson, I just received a fine bottle of Scotch from Wallingford from an acquaintance of mine…

Lewen nodded, “Of course.”

Lord Montague turned and left not bothering to see if Lewen followed.

Lady Montague sighed audibly and sank into her chair, her hand caressing her forehead.

“Mother, are you alright?” Sofia immediately went to her, resting her hand on her shoulder.

Lady Montague sighed and looked up at her eldest daughter a wan smile coming to her face. “I am alright dear. Please accompany Lord Royson to the drawing room, it is best not to keep your father waiting…” She waved away Lewens offer of help and instead stood herself and the approached the pair.

Smiling she directed her attention to Lewen.

“Lord Royson, I have it on good authority that you are a favored of the king. A childhood friend in fact.” Lady Montague decided not to mince word. She felt he was an honorable man that would appreciate truth and honesty from others.

Lewen nodded. Not knowing exactly where this line of questioning was going.

Madeleine glanced at the door as if to be sure her husband was not there and leaned closer.

“I wonder, do you think the King a nice man then? Will he treat my dear friend Alexia well?”

At this Lewen relaxed a bit, even smiled. “Oh yes milady. We grew up together, he and I. We are of the same morals and I think should he harm one hair on her head, Corinne would beat him to within an inch of his life. Grown and King or not.”

Lady Montague grinned her eyes studying him before she nodded. “You’ll do..”

She smiled at the two of them, her gaze lingered a long while on her daughters face before she exited the room, calling over her shoulder as she went. “Lord Royson, please don’t keep my husband waiting too long. He has a short temper.” She quietly closed the door behind her.

Sofia looked at Lewen and he grinned, grasping her hands in his, he gently caressed the smooth skin on the back.

“Well, I am not sure what your father mean to discuss with me but it can only be good things. Right?”, he quirked an inquisitive eye at her.

Shrugging she gazed at him her brow furrowed. “Perhaps he has heard of your excellent breeding skills and finally wishes to give me a present. I have wanted a hunting dog for ages.”

He grinned. “I would hope so. It would be good for business. After all, I am a poor struggling lord.”

She giggled at this for though the new king had granted him his own lands, manor house included, there was not much coin in his coffers.

He leaned forward and gave her a slight peck before departing the room.

She stood there alone for a few moments more lost in thought. She thought back to the first time she had seen him. She’d felt an instant attraction and she knew, somehow that he’d felt the same way. Of course being a noblewoman and he a former soldier she had snubbed him. The thought of them being together was unthinkable. What would her father say?

One day they happened to meet by chance while she was out riding. She’d lost her shoe and he’d assisted her home. They’d sat near the lake beside her manor and gotten to know one another. She’d discovered that he was a close friend with Lord Blaise, the soon to be king and the Lord had gifted him with lands and a manor house bordering her family’s land.

She raised a brow at that. She knew her father had lost those lands years ago and had hoped to have them returned to him. She wondered what he would say to that.

She knew Lewen didn’t wish to marry. He was enjoying his bachelorhood too much, and now that he was a titled Lord his fun was only beginning. Who would want to be tied down with a wife?

At that thought her brow furrowed and she felt a bit queasy. Who indeed…

Now though, seeing her sisters arranged marriage she shuddered at the thought that she would too end up with a man old enough to be her grandfather. She of course knew she had no say in who she was wed too but she hoped her mother would not arrange it. The woman loved her daughters and only sought to shove them out of there fathers house as soon as possible, not caring what condition the suitor was in, only that he was kind and wouldn’t beat them.

Sofia snorted derisively. She felt she would take a beating or two rather then be pawed by some old man or live in a hovel with some pauper. Though Lewen wasn’t exactly leaden down with gold she thought him a far better match then the old lord Maryanne was married to.

Sighing she left the dining hall and headed for the drawing room where her family and Lewen were gathered.

Entering the drawing room she stood watching her parents for a moment. She also did not fancy a marriage like her parents. She knew her father was cruel. He’d never hurt her, or her sister that she knew of. But her mother had lost two babies and was constantly looking bruised up.

She frowned and exited the room, deciding she did not want company after all she went up the stairs to her own room. She needed to think about some things. She was determined her life would not mirror her sisters.