“Well, once we were married, your father never wanted me to talk about my old life. About the hardships we encountered. You see, your father married me because he thought I would make a good duchess. I was well-bred, of one of the oldest families in England. I was graceful, shy, thoughtful, beautiful. I did make a good duchess, so I suppose he chose wisely there. But I married him for love, and I thought things would work out in the end. Sometimes such marriages work. Mine, I suppose, did not.”
She let out a long, slow sigh. Her fingers worked deftly, manoeuvring the stiff linen into a simple, plain cravat knot, more than suitable for a dinner party with dancing afterwards.
“I never really stopped loving your father,” Mary continued, a slight frown appearing between her brows. “It would have been easier, I think, if I had, but one has so little control over these things. Marriage is a most intricate affair, William, even when one selects the most suitable partner. I daresay you may surmise the nature of my counsel.”
“Are you about to tell me to follow my heart, Mother?” William managed. His mouth had gone dry, and he had to put some effort in order to speak.
Mary made a littlesound. “I am about to tell you to choosewisely. You aim to marry the Bainbridge girl? Very good, she’s a wise choice. She will make a fine duchess. But there must be more, William. Any woman can make asuitablewife, but more is required. More is always required. Do you have any intentions of pursuing Miss Lavinia?”
“Mother!”
“She is not at all suited for the role of duchess,” Mary continued, as if he had not spoken, “but she might learn, if your wish was to engage into matrimony with her.” If she had the same strong feelings for you that you had for her. There are many contingencies and considerations to a matrimonial union, William. You cannot simply pick a woman based on one or two qualities, or because you think yououghtto pick her. I cannot make that decision for you. Neither can Katherine, or your brothers, or the Bainbridges. Only you can choose. And decisions you make, even in haste, will affect the rest of your life. Butonly if you let them.Do you understand?”
She stepped back, letting her hands drop. Feeling rather as if he were in a dream, William turned to look at himself in the mirror.
His cravat was knotted neatly, every bit as efficiently and cleverly as his valet had managed. He wanted to lift a hand to worry the linen between his fingertips but forced himself to keep his hands down.
“Thank you, Mother,” William managed at last. “For… for the advice, and for the cravat.”
She nodded. “I am not acompletefailure of a mother, you see.”
He turned, smiling nervously. “You… your dress is very pretty, Mother. It rather reminds me of Lady Brennon’s gown.”
Mary smoothed it out with her hands, going pink. “Yes, I thought her gown looked pretty on her and I considered trying something like that for myself.”
“For what it’s worth – of course I have no say over your friends, Mother – I very much approve of this friendship with Lady Brennon. She is an excellent friend for you.”
Mary smiled shyly, almost like a woman decades younger.
“I do like her very much. It is pleasant to have a real friend again.”
“I wish you luck, Mother. Not that you need it, of course.”
She nodded and turned to go. Their conversation, it seemed, was over. William was sure that once his mother had left the room, they would go back to their usual, distant relationship, more like polite acquaintances than mother and son. But they would always have this, wouldn’t they? A neatly tied cravat and some well-worded advice.
Mary paused, one hand on the doorknob.
“Oh, there was something else, I nearly forgot. Katherine said that you’re to apologise to Miss Brookford. She said that you would know what that meant. Whatdoesit mean, William? I hope you haven’t insulted the girl.”
He bit back a smile. “Not exactly, but I do owe her an apology. Katherine is very astute. Would you kindly convey to Katherine, on my behalf, that if she does not cease her unwelcome interference in my affairs, I shall be compelled to take decisive action?”
Mary pursed her lips, face heavy with disapproval.
“No, William, I shall not tell her that. Do dress quickly and come on downstairs. And you must dance tonight – it will be expected of you.”
He nodded, ducking his head. “I will, Mother. And… and thank you. For everything.”
Mary gave a tiny nod and a tinier smile. Ducking out into the hallway and closing the door behind her, she disappeared.
William turned back to his own reflection, inspecting the cravat. For the first time, he wondered whether their family might be contacted again. While the old duke was alive, it was out of the question, but now…
A subject for later,he told himself firmly, smoothing down his hair.For now, concentrate on securing a duchess and your fortune, and then we can think about our extended family. It’s likely that they wouldn’t want anything to do with us, and I’m not sure I can blame them.
And then the supper-gong rang, and William cursed to himself and hurried out to join his guests.
***
There was to be music and dancing after dinner, and so the ballroom was filled with a flurry of activity. Servants were doing last-minute cleaning and dusting, polishing up the floors to a high shine, setting garlands and vases of flowers here and there.
