Robert crossed his arms. His father was correct. “My apologies, sir. At the time, this family felt invincible to me. Impenetrable, even for me. I only thought about taking care of Bill’s family. I agreed because he did not want to leave Nora alone, with no one to protect her. He knew I would keep the vultures at bay.”
“So it never occurred to you that this could bring absolute ruin onthisfamily? That involvement in trade of this sort, so close to the edges of legality—if not over it—could make your siblings social pariahs and damage my credibility not only as a peer but as a businessman?”
“You all knew when I took on the role of Robbie Green.”
Philip closed in on him. “And you told us that you would walk away if even a hint of that secret made it into the open air. Do you still plan to do that?”
Robert stared at his father, unable to think clearly. His mind felt as scrambled as his emotions. “I—I don’t know.”
Philip’s voice became a low growl. “I do. That is exactly what you will do. You will close these businesses immediately and divest yourself of any interest in Bill Campion’s empire. You will retire to Ashton Park, and we can hope that the rest of us can start to rebuild our place in Society.”
The demanding devastation in his father’s words cut to Robert’s core, and at least some of his thoughts coalesced abruptly. He stepped away from Philip’s towering glare. “No, sir, I cannot do that.”
Philip’s eyebrows arched, his words a veiled threat. “What did you say?”
Robert took another step away. “I said that I cannot do that. We—I—Iemploy almost seven hundred people. I will not put them and their families out on the street because London’s Society mavens are offended that I run a brothel, among other things, or because I now control many of the aristocracy’s greatest debts. And you well know—as a successful businessman yourself—that those shops support the community in other ways, in everything we buy to keep them running.”
He stopped and caught his breath. “I agree that I will have to divest myself of them. I will sell them. But I will not suddenly shutter forty profitable and successful companies.”
“Then you will leave this house and this family. Immediately. You are no longer my son.”
Robert’s chest squeezed to the point of pain as he stared at Philip, even as he understood the wisdom of the move.
“You understand?”
He did. God help him, but he did. Robert inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “Yes, sir.”
“Ooo!” The howl from the bed sent a chill down Robert’s spine. He faced his mother to see her throwing off covers and struggling to get out of bed. Philip was at her side instantly, and only his quick action prevented his wife from tumbling to the floor. Her left arm and leg hung limp as he tried to settle her amongst the pillows, but she began to pummel him with her right fist, almost sending both of them sprawling across the bed.
Robert bolted to the other side of the bed and crawled on it, helping Philip position Emalyn more securely. She grabbed his lapel, his hair, her face a twisted mask of despair.
Robert caught her face in his hands. “Mother, stop. Please stop. Please.”
She calmed somewhat but continued to shake her head, moaning.
“Mother, please.” Robert glanced at his father, who watched mother and son with wariness and worry. He nodded at Robert.
“Listen to me.” Robert grabbed her right hand, squeezing it tightly. “Father is right.” She tried to shake her head, but he stopped her. “For us to get control of this, salvage what we can out of the scandal, I must leave the family. Hemustdisown me. The Kennet household must be seen as placing the protocols of Society over the scandal of a dissolute son. You can rebuild from within, and I can start to handle things from the outside. Father is right. It’s the only course of action for now.”
Philip perched on the edge of the bed next to his wife. “We need to recoup and stand soundly behind Beth. She cannot be perceived as having any association with Robert for the rest of the season. This is Robert’s to rectify and leaving the house will give him more leeway to do what he has to. It’s a solid move.”
Tears streamed down Emalyn’s cheeks, and she moved her hand away from Robert’s. She pulled him into an awkward hug, and he wrapped his arms around her. “We will persevere. You know that. Remember? It is done. Now we fix it.”
She released him, and he stood, looking again at his father, whose expression had softened. “I will take a few things now and send for the rest—and Fletcher—when I find rooms.”
Philip nodded and held out his hand. Robert shook it, then went to Beth. “I am sorry. I hope Ludlow understands.”
She stood and pulled him into a brief hug. “He will not, but I would choose you over him no matter what.”
“Oh, I doubt that.”
She poked him. “Rotter.”
He smiled, then hugged Rose and shook his brothers’ hands. Back in his bedchamber, he gave a quick explanation of what was happening to Fletcher as they packed, along with instructions to burn the blood-soaked green suit of the night before. Then, as Robert walked away from Ashton House, he refused to look back. He knew, deep in his gut, that an old way of life was, in fact, coming to an unyielding end even as a new one had just begun.
Chapter Twelve
Monday, 18 July 1825
