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Sarah realized that this was the first time they’d ever been alone together. And how odd that was, considering their new relationship.
Obviously, the countess wanted Sarah to feel as she had on the two occasions when she had been called before the headmistress of her school for an infraction. Sarah refused to be cowed. “I suppose you know that I wish to speak to you about Gwen.”
“Oh, is that it?”
Lady Trestan’s tone was bland, uninterested. But Sarah was certain that she had known.
“I can’t think that there is anything to say about such an unsavory situation,” the countess added.
“The story told about her was untrue.” Sarah had decided not to accuse any individual of lying. She did not want to argue that point. It was better not to bring Cranston into this. “The young man she met was her brother.”
Lady Trestan looked pitying. “Such girls always have that sort of story ready when they are caught.”
“I went to the family’s cottage and met her brother,” Sarah replied.
“I have no doubt shehasa brother. Nor that he was primed to support her tale. Naturally he would say whatever she wished.”
“They weren’t like that.”
“Indeed.” The countess’s raised eyebrows defined cool skepticism. “What were theylike?”
“Good, honest people.”
“And you knew this how?”
“I–I felt it to be true.”
Lady Trestan sighed. “Really, if you are so easily duped…”
“I wasn’t!”
“Then you are clearly not capable of managing a large staff. Some of them will always be lying, you know.”
“I am better acquainted with Gwen than you are,” Sarah declared. “She was not lying. She deserves an apology.”
“I beg your pardon?” The countess sat straighter, and her eyes crackled with anger.
“She should not have been dismissed. It wasn’t right.” Though Sarah intended to take Gwen along to Tresigan, she wanted to help salvage the girl’s reputation.
“Youare questioning my decisions?” Lady Trestan’s hand closed into a fist on the desktop.
“You were given incorrect information.”
The countess stared at her for what seemed an age. “You overstep,” she said finally. “You have nothing to do with Poldene affairs.”
“Gwen was my…”
“Nothing here is yours!” Lady Trestan interrupted. “How could you imagine it was? A little dab of a thing like you. With no presence or dignity. No conversation, not even pretty. You will never be a proper countess, and I shudder to think of how things would decline if you took my place when I am gone.”
It was as if all the criticism Sarah had received in London society was rolled into one ball and hurled at her. She couldn’t help it. She flinched.
Lady Trestan saw this and enjoyed it. “However, you willnottake my place,” she continued with perfect confidence. “My son will come to his senses. You will not be able hold on to him. With what you have to offer?” She sniffed with contempt.
Sarah gathered the tatters of her self-esteem. “You don’t know me.”
Kenver’s mother shrugged. “I know what I see—a pallid nonentity who doesn’t even bring Poldene a fortune or family connections. What a waste!”
“That isn’t…”
