Before Martha could say anything to comfort her, a stern voice suddenly echoed from upstairs.
"Tell her to come up."
Martha gave Sophia a quick nudge. "Go on, the old man's been waiting."
Maybe he'd fall for Sophia at first sight, just like she did. Who knows?
Sophia gave a small nod and carefully held onto the stair rail as she made her way up. She looked a bit nervous, glancing back at Martha now and then. Martha gave her a firm nod, and only then did Sophia seem to calm down a little as she continued to the second floor.
Led by the butler, she stopped outside the study. Hesitated for a moment, then gently knocked on the door.
"Come in."
That deep voice made her heart sink. No matter how she braced herself, she still felt intimidated by Charles Brooks' presence.
