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“Nope.”
My eyes widened slightly. “But I thought she went to public school and had a wealthy upbringing.”
“She got a scholarship to study history at Oxford. Your mother is a very intelligent woman, one of her few virtues.” His mouth twitched into a smile. “She got as far as her masters but got caught up in society. She wanted to climb that ladder to wealth. That’s why she married me.”
“You weren’t in love?” My brows gathered. Perhaps I was being over-romantic and unrealistic, but I liked to think that I’d been conceived by love.
“We were a little, I believe, but us marrying was also expedient. She wanted to marry into money, and I was experiencing emotional turmoil and needed rescuing.” He took a deep breath before continuing. “I’d lost Alice, the love of my life and my fiancée, the year before. We met at college. She was my soulmate, and she died.” He looked at Luke almost apologetically.
I figured Luke was only into men. I imagined that might have made for a confusing arrangement being with a bisexual man. It sure as hell confused me. I had nothing against homosexuals. I had a few good friends who were gay, but my father struck me as lost.
Theadora asked gently, “Do you mind me asking how she passed away?”
He puffed out a breath. “She disappeared without a trace. It was in the news. There’s a million-pound reward. She’s never been found.” His eyes misted over.
I touched his hand. “I’m so sorry, Dad. Why have you never spoken about this?”
He shrugged. “I had to move on. I married your mother. Caroline was pregnant with you at the time.”
That almost jarred. I was still processing the death of my father’s soulmate. “A shotgun marriage?”
“Not as such. I wanted to marry her.”
“And Crisp?”
“He’s always been in the picture. Has invested in some of our ventures. Us rich hang together, as you know.”
I nodded pensively. “He’s a rake, Dad.”
“I know that.” He sipped his wine solemnly. “There’s even talk of rape.”
Theadora looked at me and rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
I sat up. “Have you heard of any cases and names?”
My father studied me for a moment. “Declan, don’t go there. It’s a black hole. You might as well buy some lawyer a lavish lifestyle. Like a modern-day Jarndyce vs Jarndyce.”
On noticing Theadora’s frown, he added, “It’s an endless and fruitless legal trial in Dicken’s Bleak House.”
“I must read it,” Luke said. “I might get some useful insight how to cream the wealthy.” His dark chuckle sent me cold.
As much as I tried, I couldn’t warm to Luke. There was something slippery about him. I couldn’t understand my father’s attraction. It must have just been physical. I could only assume.
“So why are Mother and Crisp still thick as thieves?” I asked.
“I can’t say what Crisp has got over her. Maybe he’s offering to finance part of the development and go into partnership.”
“Wouldn’t she tell you?” I asked.
He shrugged. “We’re separated. And as you know, from our last board meeting, I am not budging. I’m applying for a heritage overlay as we speak. It’s easier said than done, however.” He looked at Luke.
“Mother cites cash flow issues. And you know Mother. When she jumps onto an idea, she doesn’t budge.”
The waiter arrived with menus.
After we ordered, we resumed our discussion about family business. I gave Theadora an apologetic smile, and she nodded faintly. She understood the complex nature of my family life and how important the farmlands were to me.
“Weren’t you thinking of expanding into New York?” I asked.
