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“I find it suits me.” One corner of his mouth lifted, which only made her frown deepen.
“It suits a heathen. Not a man of your station. Your father would never have permitted—”
“My father is no longer here.” He straightened then. “I am now responsible for my own destiny.”
She gave a delicate sniff. “Don’t be ridiculous. You are responsible for a dukedom.”
He scratched at the beard, knowing full well the gesture would irritate her. In response, she rose and pulled the bell cord by the door, then returned to her seat.
He watched her movements, wary of what they meant. “Who or what are you summoning?”
“Your sisters to start. Your brothers-in-law can try to talk sense into you later. But I am telling you whatever you think of your father, what he was trying to impress upon you was that your life was not your own. It is not just your destiny you have to consider. Thousands of people depend on you and it is your duty to think of them first.”
“A solicitor can manage—”
His mother stood, cutting him off. “A solicitor is not a duke. It is you who is needed here. And your first duty is to produce an heir to make sure the line is secured, that we continue to care for what has been entrusted to us.” A knock at the door had her crossing the room. “Send for my daughters,” she said simply, then returned to him.
“Mother.” He stood too, a great deal taller than his tiny mother. She had changed since the loss of his father. She was more serious, frail.
And she looked even smaller. He hoped his own size next to her impressed upon her how old he actually was because she was treating him like an errant child. “You think I don’t understand responsibility? I’ve crossed an ocean to see that these things are tended.”
“You crossed an ocean to transfer the burden that is yours from one third party to another so that you can continue to be irresponsible,” she bit back. Theo had to admit, in his entire life, he’d never heard his mother speak like this. It had always been his father. What had happened to her?
“Have you considered marrying again? Being a widow appears to be a strain on you.”
“Having a son who refuses to tend his responsibilities is what is straining me.” Her cheeks had grown pale and she sat back in her chair, her breath coming in short gasps.
It was that moment that both of his sisters walked into the room. He’d come straight to his mother after his journey and at the sight of them, warmth spread through his chest. He’d missed them both. But neither looked at him as they rushed to their mother’s side.
“Oh my.” Tricia reached for their mother’s hand.
A rather pregnant Tabbie picked up a fan and began to flutter it in front of their mother’s face. “That was rather quick wasn’t it, Teddy?”
His eyes looked up to the ceiling at the use of his childhood nickname. He was a duke for lands sake. Dukes were not referred to as Teddy. “I don’t know what you mean. And hello to both of you. I’ve missed you terribly too.”
“Don’t be like that.” Tricia gave him a small smile. “We’ve missed you dreadfully.”
Tabbie, the eldest, let the fan drop. Despite her large belly, there was something in her face that looked exactly like their father. It was a sternness he’d never seen before. But there it was in the deep lines of her forehead. “We wouldn’t have had to miss you quite so much if you’d come back after six months like you promised.”
He winced then. She had him there. “I was building a life. One that made me happy,” he growled out.
“Mother,” Tabbie turned her back to him, not responding, “why don’t you lay down? I’ll finish this discussion with Teddy.”
The dowager duchess nodded and Tricia helped their mother stand. “I’ll escort you,” Tricia soothed as she looped an arm around the older woman’s waist.
Once they disappeared, Tabbie turned on him. “What is the matter with you?”
His jaw clenched. “Not a thing. What is the matter with you—and her for that matter?”
“You.” She pointed at him. “She does not need the strain of attempting to make you take on your own responsibilities. It was never her strength to take charge and it is less so now that she is elderly.”
“She needn’t bother straining
herself at all.” He gave a shrug. “Things have been managing just fine.”
He watched her eyes narrow as she stalked closer. Well, it was more of a waddle, really, but he understood her intent. It was almost amusing. “How would you know that?” She jabbed his chest. “For example, did you know the fields flooded last summer, killed half of your crops? We’ve used most of the reserves to feed the workers and I’m afraid about what might happen if we have another bad season. And where were you? Sunning yourself on an island.”
A feeling of sick dread trickled down his spine and he started to speak, but she cut him off. “I can’t sit by and watch the dukedom descend into chaos. Take on your own responsibilities or forfeit the title.”
