Darlington removed his hand and took a step back. “Just do not get my cousin to start laughing when she is drinking tea. She will snort and the tea will come out her nose.”
Helena shook her head. “Dear, you shouldn’t say such things about Hannah.”
“Why? Is it not true?” Darlington asked.
“Yes, but no man is interested in a girl that can shoot tea out from her nose,” Helena pointed out.
“Ah,” Darlington said, wagging his finger. “You make a good point, Wife.”
Helena exchanged a look of love with her husband before saying, “I must admit that I was surprised to get an invitation from Father to dine with him tonight.”
“I told him that he needs to try harder with you,” Greydon shared.
“What is the point?” Helena asked. “He will try for a bit, then it goes back to the way it always was.”
“Give him a chance,” Greydon encouraged.
“I do, and he always manages to let me down, time and time again. At what point do I stop trying?” Helena asked with sadness in her voice.
Darlington reached for his wife’s hand and said, “You have a good heart, and I hate to see you so disappointed.”
Before Helena could reply, their father’s voice came from the opposite side of the entry hall. “Shall we get this dinner over with?” he asked gruffly.
“Lovely sentiment,” Helena muttered.
His father closed the distance between them. “Helena,” he greeted.
“Father,” she replied with a tip of her head.
Shifting his gaze towards Darlington, his father said, “Darlington.”
Darlington acknowledged him in kind.
His father’s eyes flashed with annoyance as he turned to face Greydon. “I noticed you have not spent any more time with the ledgers today.”
“I did not have time.”
“You would have time if you weren’t wasting it on worthless pursuits,” his father declared.
Greydon didn’t feel like arguing with his father, not now. Why did his father always insist on being difficult? “They are not worthless, Father.”
His father scoffed. “Did you tell Helena that you are pursuing Lady Enid?” he asked cynically. “A woman that is not even worthy to have us utter her name.”
“That is your opinion,” Greydon said.
His father straightened to his full height. “That is a fact,” he shouted. “You are either too blind or stupid to realize it.”
Helena spoke up. “Father, perhaps we can discuss something more pleasant?” she attempted.
“I am tired of being the only one that cares about this family’s reputation,” his father said. “Do you know how hard I worked to ensure you both had a good life?”
“And we are thankful for that…” Helena started.
Their father spoke over her. “Let’s eat before I must retire to bed.” He spun on his heel and headed towards the dining room.
Helena rolled her eyes as she accepted her husband’s arm. “I see that Father is in a fine mood this evening,” she whispered.
“Isn’t he a delight?” Greydon joked.
