AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You can’t deny the truth of my words, nor should you. I have failed in many maternal duties, but I won’t in this one—I cannot let you make the mistakes your father did. You don’t remember when he loved me.” She lifted her chin. “Desired me above all else. But he did.”
“I am not my father, and Beatrice is not like you.”
Rather than offend her, his words seemed to amuse her. “Quite. But it remains true that only disaster awaits a nobleman who would lower his wife by treating her like a prostitute. You’re more like your father than you wish to admit. More likemethan you wish to admit.”
“Finish what you have to say. I wouldn’t wish my odor to offend your nose any longer than necessary.”
“You think I don’t understand yoururges? I’ll have you know I have an Italian lover younger than you!”
Oh, God.“Cease this topic, Mother. I—”
“Your father was no different and he died in shameful circumstances because of it! Burnt alive, all to be near some cunny and—“
“Enough!”
The force of his voice made her take a step back, and when she looked contrite, he hardened himself against whatever words came next. Surely, she was only changing tack.
“Beatrice and I arenotalike,” she said. “She’sa good mother.”
He doubted his hearing for a moment.
“Why look so surprised? You think I don’t know my own failings? I’m many things, but not an imbecile. If I hadn’t been aware, your brother certainly saw fit to detail his anger to me before he left to fight in Her Majesty’s forces.”
Her chin trembled, and despite his efforts to remain cynical toward her, he found himself pitying her. Augustus was a good man but could be direct to the point of being merciless when provoked. Their mother’s games had been especially harsh on him. As the future marquess, William knew he’d been spared the worst, and that reminder helped him to find his skepticism.
“Beatrice is a devoted mother,” he said. “It’s one of the things I love about her.”
“Do you wish for her to remain so? To remain wholesome and good?”
“Of course!”
“Then don’t seduce her with your lust. Keep her as innocent as you can, or else you’ll ruin her for your children.”
He blinked.
“You doubt this? No one can be two things at once, William. Not the Earl and not your wife. Let her be who she is—a caring mother. I may have spoken out of turn with my disapproval as to her ways. You were right to allow them. I cannot take issue with her results. Your children are hale. They aregood.”
“They are,” he agreed softly.
“If you want her to remain sweet, to remain a proper mother, you mustn’t debase Lady Candleton—even if she wishes you to.”
His eyes dropped to his boots as he considered her words.
All along, hadn’t he felt terrible guilt for his wayward thoughts about beautiful Bea? They attended services every Sunday at Grosvenor Chapel, and every week, he renewed his prayers that he would treat her with more kindness and respect than his father had his mother. How could he have let himself travel so far down a low path as to believe the two of them could safely indulge their darkest selves?
“She would let you,” his mother continued, even as he shut his eyes. “She wouldbegyou to. But you must be stronger. You must protect her, William. Protect your children. From yourself.”
