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“Yes.”
“All that I own is yours. You have no need to work.”
“Wrong,” she said softly, unable to resist the temptation of kissing the cleft on his chin. “All that you own belongs to your heir…our son, if we are blessed enough in that regard. And even if I were the richest woman in the world, I would still desire to see my paintings gracing many homes and even a gallery. I’ve also thought about attending the Royal Academy.”
His breathing changed, roughening when she kissed the corner of his lips.
“For many years I dreamed of having my own money and not being dependent on a man, whether he be my father or a husband.”
Her earl tipped back his head, his dark gaze searching hers. “And why is that?”
“The months following my father’s suicide were the worst I have ever experienced. It was as if I had passed over, into a fantastical caricature of what my life had been. In this new life, misfortune and hunger were frequent companions. And this had all happened at the whim of a man, a husband, a father. All my mother could do was cry and put herself at the mercy of another man to improve our situation.”
“I see.”
“I never wanted to endure that. I wanted to be able to support myself with a comfortable living.”
He gathered her even closer. “The first thing I did the morning we married was notify my attorney to open an account in your name. A sum of twenty thousand pounds was deposited and an annuity will be added. When I die, I promise you, countess, you will be well situated financially. I also want you to select two of my un-entailed estates when we return, and they will be a part of your widow’s portion.”
Livvie could only stare at him in shock. “I…thank you.”
A disquieting silence lingered. She had never expected him to be so protective and generous. “We suffered the degradation of poverty…so says my mother. But were we truly poor? I’ve read of the slums in the newspapers, the calls for reform to help those suffering. I cannot imagine living in such squalor as what is reported. There are so many homeless children. I visited London once with Mamma while our troops were fighting Napoleon and dozens of children accosted us, begging.” She shuddered. “They were so dirty, covered in soot and grime, and they stank. In their eyes, Tobias, I only saw emptiness, despair. No hope for the future or a better tomorrow. I have been reading your arguments on how society needs to pull together and render assistance to those whom England has abandoned and…you have my deepest admiration,” she ended softly.
A glint entered his eyes, and he had the most arrested expression. “Most of the ton thinks I am foolish.”
“But not all, and those are the ones we should concentrate upon to gain their support for the thousands so in need.”
A decidedly arrogant brow arched. “We?”
“Yes…I want to help in every way I can,” she declared loyally.
“Then I will be sure to include you in Westfall’s and my next meeting.”
“I’ve heard rumors of the marquess. His daughter…”
Shadows darkened Tobias’s eyes. “She was once one of those poor and abandoned children of England. No more. The ton may not claim her, but she is loved by the marquess and his true friends.”
Livvie smiled. “I’m glad.”
His head bent and he kissed the side of her neck. Though she wanted to dally in pleasure, she feared never getting such an opportunity where they spoke with such relaxed frankness. “Tell me more of your family.”
He stilled and lifted his head. A faint sound of amusement slipped from him, though his eyes blanked. “No.”
“All I am privy to is rumors, I daresay that is not the way to gain knowledge of my new family. Did your parents love each other, despite everything?”
He slanted her a considering glance. “On many occasion my father beat my mother, quite harshly. Yet perplexingly, she loved him.”
“I do hope you are aware that you are nothing like that.”
He cocked his head and her stomach tightened to see the doubt lingering in his gaze. How could he believe such a thing?
“For years, I dreaded being like him. I was quick to temper and volatile. I got in many fights in my younger days and he was proud to say how alike we were. Father would have been even prouder if I had become a debauched rake like himself.”
Her heart thudded at his revelation. “I am so very sorry, Tobias.”
“Francie was afraid of him and it was my job to protect her. It is still my job and will always be my duty to care and protect her.” His jaw visibly clenched. “Mother started an affair because she learned of Grayson’s existence. Our father discovered and his rage knew no bounds. He beat our mother with a riding crop most severely. Francie was beside herself with tears and in a bid to silence her hysteria, he hurt her. My father and I fought…and I revealed in my character that I was just as volatile and merciless as he.” Every word he uttered was wrapped in a layer of ice and contempt.
“What did you do?”
