Page 12 of What Lies Beneath

“He did not,” she replied, deciding the less information she could give, the better.

The earl nodded, regarding her thoughtfully. “Was it a happy marriage?”

Regina stared at him, shocked by the question, and the earl looked suddenly alarmed.

“Good God. Forgive me, Mrs Harris, I did not mean to ask that.”

“You didn’t?” she said, a little perplexed how he could ask a question he did not mean to ask.

He looked uncomfortable now, which was such a rarity in the usually imperturbable earl that Regina watched him with interest.

Ashburton shrugged. “I was thinking it and spoke aloud before my brain could catch up. I apologise. There is no need to answer, obviously. My only excuse is that marriage is much on my mind of late.”

“Ah. Yes, I see,” Regina replied, understanding now and relieved not to have to answer, for she could not decide if an unhappy or happy marriage would be least likely to provoke further questioning.

He snorted at that and relaxed a degree. “My father is a hard man to deny,” he replied ruefully. “Besides which, I ought to be married by now.”

“Then why aren’t you?” she asked, before sucking in a breath at her own audacity.

Ashburton laughed as he saw the horror on her face. “And now we are even,” he said smugly. “As for why, I don’t really know. I always intended to marry. But then Tilly came along, and she became my world and… and I am content in many ways. Bringing a wife into the house will change things.”

“Perhaps for the better,” Regina suggested.

His eyes glinted with something that looked alarmingly like devilry as he watched her with amusement. “Ah, but you have long wanted to reform my wicked ways, have you not, Mrs Harris?”

“Certainly not,” she said indignantly, putting up her chin even as a blush heated her cheeks. This was what she got for letting her guard down. “What you do is no business of mine. I have nothing to say on the matter, nor any interest in saying it.”

“You don’t need to say it,” Ashburton replied, his tone dry. “You exude disapproval.”

“I beg your pardon if I have been less than perfect in my—”

“Oh, stow it,” he said impatiently. “Don’t get all stuffy and buttoned up on me now.”

Regina gaped at him, so stunned she could only stare.

He let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “We are two adults having a frank conversation and I would prefer you be honest with me. We both know damn well you hated me when you first arrived here, and with good reason. I hated myself just as much, I assure you. But don’t get all prickly on me when I point out something that is quite blatantly true.”

Regina digested this remarkable speech, taking several minutes to put her thoughts in order.

“We are not simply two adults,” she replied coolly. “You are my employer, and I need this position.”

Ashburton sighed. “If you think there is the slightest chance I would dismiss you for speaking out of turn, you really have not understood the situation. Tilly would never forgive me. Short of being accused of murder, and possibly not even then, your job is safe, Mrs Harris.”

Despite herself, Regina laughed. She couldn’t help it. Ashburton looked so vexed by her refusal to speak freely she could only give into his wishes.

“Very well, my lord, but might I remind you, you asked for it.”

His lips quirked then, in the not quite smile she recognised as one from his polite company facade. “Oh, I know it.”

“As you wish,” she said, meeting his gaze. “You are perfectly correct. When I came here, I hated you on principle. As a man of wealth and title, you have every freedom there is on this earth to indulge your whims. Yet there are consequences to every action, but once again, being a man, you escape them. Your daughter pays the price instead.”

Ashburton winced, and she saw the colour leave his face. Though she had once longed to throw these words at his head, she realised now that she no longer did. Life was not black and white, and neither was the earl. Yes, he had made mistakes, but not out of spite or malice, and he had done all in his power to put things right. So she hurried on, wishing to soften her harsh words.

“However, I do not know the circumstances of what transpired, and I have seen the efforts you have made to give Tilly a home, to make her feel loved and wanted and safe. A wicked man would not have done those things. Your daughter is a remarkable girl, and a very lucky one, despite her start in life. You are right to feel proud of her.”

“I am glad you think so. Yet still, you disapprove of me,” he observed, his expression closed off.

Regina returned a wry look. “It is not for me to approve or disapprove.”