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Chapter 42
Declan
IturnedtoWill, who as usual appeared detached from the events taking place around him. “I need a word alone with my mother.”
She shook her head. “He stays. We have no secrets.”
Theadora stood up. “I’ll go then.”
I took her hand. “No. Stay.” I turned to my mother. “Theadora is a part of my life.”
“But marriage?” She stood at her large desk, acting more like the CEO of the family.
Turning my attention to Theadora, I frowned. “You told her?”
She shook her head. “Cleo was giving me a hard time in the bathroom. She mentioned something about Jasmine and how you’d let me down and that you aren’t the marrying kind.”
A sharp claw squeezed my shoulders.
For once my mother remained quiet. A slight curve tugged at her mouth. She seemed to extract some delight from this sudden tension between me and Theadora.
“Why did you tell her?” I asked. “I wanted to make that announcement formally. Not through some bathroom gossip.”
“I can’t do this. Excuse me.” Theadora rushed off before I could stop her.
I was about to follow her when my mother held up her palm. “Wait. We haven’t finished.”
Taking a deep breath, I remained.
“You can do better than her, darling.”
I leaned over the desk. My face close to hers. Unruffled, she gazed back without blinking.
“I love her. She will be my wife. That’s if she’ll take me after the bullshit you’re spinning here. Why can’t you just accept that?”
“Because I want you to marry into a peerage. You’re the eldest. I want my grandchildren to be lords and ladies.”
“Oh, spare me,” I said. “I’m sure Crisp can buy you one.”
“He didn’t spike her drink. She threw herself at him.”
“Believe what you want. I was there. She was drugged and trying to escape.” I puffed a breath. “Get over it. She doesn’t want to be with him. He’s a fucking worm.”
She winced. “He’s a very close friend of this family.”
I turned to Will, who continued to stare down at a book, making me question whether blood ran through his veins.
“Will, tell me, what do you think of Reynard Crisp?”
He shrugged. “He’s a big player. He brings contacts and wisdom into the mix. I respect him.”
Of course, he’d side with my mother. She had him eating out of her well-manicured hand.
“Why haven’t you told her about Jasmine?” she asked.
I rubbed my neck. “It’s not a pleasant subject to discuss with anyone. It’s in the past.”
She shook her head. “Why do you keep disappointing me? Look at you. Film star looks. Clever. Nice. Too nice. And always attracting these down-and-out girls. Go to Europe for a while. Meet other girls and then see how you feel.”
