When no one answered, he opened it, thoughts of South forcing him to wonder if the earl had even made it home the night before. Snores emanated from the bed. He guessed his father’s valet did not bother to linger nearby this early. No matter.
He entered the room, tugging the bell pull for the valet before shaking his father roughly. “Wake up. I need your attention.”
“Wha-? Oh, William.” The earl moaned. “’Tis too early. Lemme sleep.”
William had already moved to the heavy curtains and slung them open.
“Argh. What the hell?” The older man sat up. “What is the matter? Is Ruth all right? Emily?”
“Define all right, old man,” William spoke through gritted teeth. “Get dressed and come to the library.”
Ten minutes later, the earl had slung clothes on and slunk into the library. He aimed for the decanters on the sideboard as he asked, “Tell me, William, are the girls well?”
“Do you really care? And don’t bother. The spirits have been removed for this conversation.”
His father blinked at him, the anger in his words finally sinking in. His words came slower now, careful. “Of course, I care.”
“You have an interesting way of showing it. You reached for a drink before you even finished your question.”
“Now see here—”
“No,” William cut him off. “Yousee here. You have ignored your responsibilities. Worse, you’ve squandered much of the funds needed to run the estates and put food on our tenants’ tables. We never see you. In fact, the only time I see you is at your club, when you’re drunk, so I could not even have this conversation with you.”
“What has happened?” His father raised his voice, “Ruth?”
“She’s out.”
“What then?”
“The solicitor sent word about your investment with your drinking mate. The one I tried to pin down last summer? It was improperly stored and is worthless.”
“Oh no.” The earl dropped into an armchair and lowered his face to his hands.
“Yes. Now, would you like to choose who loses their job at the country house? And write those letters of referral?”
“Uh…”
“I thought not. Why would you start upholding your duties now?” William’s tone was bitter. “What will it take for you to realize how much you are hurting the dozens of people who rely on you? To say nothing of Mama.”
“Son, you don’t understand…” the earl trailed off.
“I’m listening, but you do not appear able to explain yourself. I’ll handle it, along with Mama, as we’ve handled everything else in your absence.” His lip curled in disdain. “Can you at least manage to stop throwing good money after bad, to allow me to get us out of this hole?”
Not waiting for an answer, he strode from the room to pace the garden. He hoped it would cool his temper, as he still wanted to hit something—or someone.
* * * *
Dusk settled and supper time approached. Although it was not their normal visiting hours, William could not wait any longer to see if his Mistress’s megrim was gone. Or, more likely, if she was still upset from those stupid gits’ comments at the ball. Beyond that, he needed her more that day than any before.
His mother had returned from her outing and he’d summarized the situation and his conversation with his father.
Ruth had attempted to soothe him, but as his father had disappeared by the time William had returned to the house, and was undoubtedly drowning his sorrows at the club, William was beyond appeasement. They spent much of the day rehashing ways around releasing staff, but had not been able to find any. William’s tension had worsened throughout the day enough that his stomach hurt from holding it in.
He ached for the soothing peace Charlotte wrought by lifting that mantle of control and placing it on her own shoulders. She quieted his thoughts and worries, and more importantly warmed his heart. Well, and other parts. His lips lifted in a half smile for the first time that day.
After being shown into the parlor, he stood, too tense to sit, too much in turmoil to even pace. His fists clenched and unclenched as he listened with his whole body for his Mistress, his salvation.
The swish of skirts in the hall had him turning. Taking a deep breath, he let a head-to-toe shiver run through him and dropped his shoulders. He already felt better.
