She took a big breath in. “’Tis the Dowager Countess of Peterborough.”
“The Dowager…do you mean Charlotte?!” His voice rose on every word until his Mistress’s name came out in a yell. The two women he trusted most in the world had conspired behind his back like he was a child? Worse, Charlotte had felt he’d needed rescuing, rather than treating him like an equal. Shoving back his chair, he punched his fists onto the table and leaned over. “Why would she do that? And why with you? And neither of you told me.”
“William, I—”
“I thought we were partners in this, Mama.”
Ruth frowned at that. Flapping her hand at him, she commanded, “Sit down, William, you know I do not like when you loom over me.”
He growled and came over to her desk.
She raised her brows at him, waiting.
He sullenly subsided into a chair.
“I am telling you now. I needed time to think about it, especially given her request for secrecy, but also because ’twas embarrassing to accept help from a peer. If it were not for otherwise releasing staff, I might have declined, knowing you would turn things around in the long term. But I knew that weighed on you as much as it did me. As for Charlotte, you’ll have to ask her.”
Why would his Mistress go to his mother but not to him? Blazes, she was determined to keep her distance, to maintain that they were unsuitable, but this was untenable. If she wished to help any other earl, she’d talk to him, not his damned mother. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. His anger at her evasiveness warred with hurt at her actions. Above all, he missed her, no matter how wrong he felt her approach to helping was.
His mother watched him, giving him time to consider all aspects of this information.
He straightened in his seat as a question occurred to him. Also, slouching was not going to promote confidence in his maturity. “Why tell me now and breach her confidence?”
“I believe your words were ‘I shall wed her or not at all.’” She tapped the wood between them.
He stared at her. She’d accepted that? Relief bloomed in him, and his shoulder muscles eased. They’d always been a team, and he hadn’t realized how much this disagreement had worn on him. Needing confirmation, he asked, “You’ve accepted that?”
“You made your point,Lord Harrington. You are, indeed, earl. And yes, your father’s and my age gap was similar, albeit reversed. More to the point, I know you. In addition to being a grown man who can make his own decisions, you’ve always been mature for your age. Once you settle on a path for yourself, ’tis nigh impossible to sway you. A fact that I hope she’s recognized.” She grinned. “Getting to know her as a friend of my own helped me see how well you two fit, as well.”
“I must say, it is no surprise to me that you two became friends. You have much in common. It is out of my love and respect for you that I was drawn to her to begin with.”
“We need to address the issue of heirs, though.”
He nodded. “I understand. I’ve given that a lot of thought. Percy is a good man, as a start. I’ll outline my ideas for you over tea, shall I? But oh, Mama, thank you for understanding and supporting me in this.” He came around the desk to hug her.
His mother smiled against his chest as she returned his hug.
After his discussion with his mother, he’d address the loan with Charlotte. He needed to calm down first, though. If they could get past this difference, he’d still need to convince her to marry him.
Chapter Thirty-One
Charlotte held out for a week, then two. Each night, she was torn by her desire for him and her desire to do the right thing. But he and Belle had addled her mind enough that she was no longer sure what the right thing was. And not responding when he declared his love hurt her almost as much as it hurt him.
She needed to speak with Ruth.
Worried about William’s presence, she sent a note to Ruth asking for a private conversation and welcoming her to call on Charlotte if that was acceptable.
Ruth agreed and arrived the following afternoon.
Calling for tea, Charlotte poured and passed.
Before she could begin, Ruth said, “I told William about the loan yesterday. I’d say I’m sorry, but I suspect ’tis why you requested this visit.”
“You are correct, I was rethinking keeping it from him. How did he take it?”
“He is angry with me for making decisions without him now he’s come into his majority.”
“And me, I suppose.”
