The soft voice brought him back from that edge of despair, that edge of need, of temptation.
He turned to his mother. The curiosity etched in the lines of her face turned immediately to worry. “Whatever is amiss, my darling son?”
“I wanted to tell you in person before you read about it in the gossip rags tomorrow. I’m to wed.”
Reaching out with one hand, she cradled his face. “Why is it that you don’t seem very happy about this change in circumstances, that you look to be a man who is mourning rather than one who is joyous?”
“Because tonight I proved I am my father’s son. I gave in to lust with barely a whisper of resistance. And I was caught.”
“Who is to be the bride?”
“Miss Garrison. An American. Her family is over here looking for investors. She and I crossed paths and...”I was a fool, unable to resist her charms.He’d welcomed every opportunity to be near her. Luring her into his company with idiotic things, like telling her a kiss was not yet finished, inviting her tocome with him so he could show her something, finding ways to please her inquisitive mind—and in so doing, please himself. While he regretted his behavior, he couldn’t seem to regret the time spent with her.
“Pour me a brandy and join me by the fire. I want you to tell me about her.”
“There’s not much to tell. We were caught in a compromising situation, and I’ll not have her ruined because of my untoward behavior.”
“Oh, I suspect there’s a good deal more to it than that.” She patted his cheek. “Brandy. Fire.”
Reluctantly, he did as she bade, handing her the snifter before settling into the chair across from her. He’d always wanted her to be proud of him, to be an exemplary son—even before he knew she’d had others before him. She’d suffered through so much embarrassment with her husband, he’d wanted her to suffer through none because of him.
She gave him several minutes to sip on his scotch before she asked, “How did you meet?”
He laughed darkly. “Through Aiden, if you can believe it. Long story. I won’t go into it.”
An amused twinkle filled her eyes. “By way of his ladies’ club, somehow, I should imagine. What is it about her that you fancy?”
Nothing. It was all lust.But that wasn’t completely true, and he didn’t want his mother believing he was a complete cad. “She’s not like other women I’ve known. Certainly, she’s pretty. If you look closely, you can see she had an abundance of freckles when she was younger. She has the most delicate hands. Long, slender fingers. And she uses those fingers to take things apart. Watches, toys, guns. She likes todetermine how they work. Then she puts them back together. Inquisitive. Curious... Smart. Knows her own mind, knows what she wants.” She’d wanted what he’d offered tonight. But he very much doubted she wanted him forever. “She can be a bit commanding in her own way.”
His mother smiled. “I think you’re strong enough to handle a woman such as that.”
He leaned forward, forearms resting on his thighs. “A woman shouldn’t be forced into marriage because of an error in judgment.”
Watching him steadfastly, she took a sip of brandy. Took a moment. “Can you be happy with her?”
What did happiness in a marriage look like? His parents had certainly not provided an example to emulate. The other Chessmen seemed content enough, always anxious to get back to their wives. Except it wasn’t his happiness that concerned him, but hers. Would she be happy living over here away from her factory? “I don’t know.”
“Then pay her off and be done with it.”
Glaring at her, he shot out of his chair and stalked to the fireplace. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because she’ll be mentioned in the gossip rags as well. Not another lord in all of Britain will take her to wife. Her mother will no doubt make her life more hellish than she has already and her brother is bloody useless. She’ll have no one to stand beside her. No one to stand up for her. No one to speak out on her behalf. No one to catch and comfort her if this business venture she’s poured her hopes and dreams into comes crashing down around her.”
He didn’t know why his mother sat there looking so triumphant. “Invite her and her family around for tea tomorrow afternoon. I should like to meet them.”
After setting her snifter aside, she came to her feet, walked over to him, rose up on her toes, and kissed his cheek. “I know you don’t like how this came about, and I know why, but you are nothing at all like your father. Don’t give him the power to ruin this marriage for you. Whether you know it or not, you do have a kind regard for the girl. And that’s a good deal more than some marriages start with. Think of her as an investment. She’ll pay off with time.”
“You will be living here, my dear,” Mama gushed, squeezing Leonora’s hand as they walked into the Elvertons’ London residence, with Sam and Rook following. “It’s so grand. Exactly what I’ve always wanted.”
Leonora tried not to notice how her mother didn’t say she’d wanted it for her daughter. No, she’d wanted it for herself. There was ambition and then there was greed. Unfortunately, she was discovering her mother was all greed.
Rook had sent a missive inviting them to tea with his mother. Then he’d sent a carriage for them. He’d been waiting as they disembarked. His face had been an unwavering mask. No smile accompanied his greeting. No wicked glint in his eyes to promise something later. He’d stood there like a formidable castle, the drawbridge up, the moat filled with alligators, ready to devour anyone who tried to cross it.
He hadn’t offered his arm but had merely directedthem toward the open doorway where a butler waited to close it once they’d passed through.
“If you’ll be so good as to follow me... my mother is waiting in the garden,” he said now and began to lead the way.
