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Chapter 34
Declan
Theadorawasn’ttakingmy calls. I couldn’t find her. She moved out yesterday according to Amy. No one else could say more than that, although Amy’s eyes pointed towards my mother’s office.
I walked straight in. She looked up from the large antique desk that my grandfather, my father’s father, had sat behind. I loved visiting that room as a boy. The study radiated a nostalgic smell of old books with its two stories of shelves filled with original editions. All that room’s charm however faded as soon as I caught sight of Reynard Crisp loitering about.
My mother peered up and removed her glasses. “Declan. Just give me a moment.”
“What did you say to Theadora?” I ignored Crisp entirely.
She winced at my harsh tone. “Can it wait?”
“No, it can’t.” I flicked my head towards Crisp. “Get rid of him.”
She looked at Crisp and rolled her eyes.
“I’ll leave you to it.” He was about to move off when I stepped in front of him. My face close to his. “If you’re behind Theadora’s disappearance, I’ll do more than wipe that fucking smirk of that mortician’s face. You’re not to go near her.” I grabbed him by the scruff of his tweed jacket and sneered into his flushed face before releasing him.
Remaining deadpan, he straightened his jacket and walked off.
“You’re behaving like a brute,” my mother said. “The army turned you. You were never like this.”
“You don’t know me. And I don’t need you to tell me who I should be dating, sleeping with, or marrying for that matter.”
“Marriage?” Her face scrunched with horror. “You are still talking about marrying this tramp?”
“Stop fucking calling her that.” My voice rang loud.
Her attention went to the open door. “Lower your voice.”
“What happened? She’s not answering my calls. And I’m told she moved out yesterday.” I leaned on the desk. “What did you say to her?”
She shrugged. “I offered her a generous sum. The deal was that she leaves Bridesmere and never returns. If you can’t find her, then I imagine that’s what she’s done, which heightens my regard for her. A woman needs money if she’s to make her way in this world.”
“If anyone should know that it’s you.” My voice dripped with ice.
Her face contorted with disapproval. “I have done nothing but work hard for this family.”
“Father’s the one with the pedigree, Mother.”
She lowered my face and returned to her paperwork. “Ask Reynard to come back in, will you? And don’t threaten him.”
No chance of that.
I lingered. “What is it between you?”
She shrugged. “We’re good friends and have been for years. I like his company.”
“Are you lovers too?” I asked, feeling sick.
“Despite it being none of your business, no, I’m not sleeping with him. Besides, I’m too old for him. He goes for girls of Theadora’s age.” The glimmer of a smile coated her eyes. A cringing reminder of just how having too much money fucks people up. They think they can buy anything.
I headed to the gym at the back of the house. I needed a punching bag. Crisp wisely made himself scarce. Otherwise, I would have punched his face instead.
