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He cleared his throat. “It isn’t a merchant, Miss Barrow. It’s a rather young person claiming to be a relative of yours. He is waiting in the blue parlor.”
Robert, she thought, and her heart contracted with fear as she left the room. Was he unwell?
Chapter Eighteen
Robert was facing the window, his hat tucked under his arm. Seeing his broad frame silhouetted, Letty had a shock of realization that he truly was a man full grown now. She had known it, of course, but it struck her all of a sudden how far removed he was from the gawky boy that she had scolded and hugged.
“Robert, it is good to see you.”
He turned, and her joy shriveled as she noticed the set expression on his face, the coldness in his hazel eyes.
“Mother, I hope you are doing well.”
Even his voice sounded different. Cool, distant, and with a little clip to the words. No doubt an affectation picked up in the presence of Mr. Selkirk.
“I am very well indeed. I am surprised to see you paying a call to me here.”
“You spend all your time here, so I can’t see why it would be surprising.”
“Hardly. You exaggerate.”
“When was the last time you saw me?” he shot back.
His eyes were sunken, and his cheeks hollowed, and with a start she realized she hadn’t seen much of him lately. “It seems we have both been busy with work.”
She sat and gestured at him to do likewise, but he gave a stiff nod and clutched his hat tighter, refusing to sit.
“I shan’t be here for long,” he announced. “I come on a matter of some sensitivity.”
Letty took a breath. “Well, you can come to me for anything. You know that.”
“I am in need of funds.”
She wished he had come out of a desire to see her, but she dug a few shillings from the pocket tied at her waist. “This is all I have.”
He glanced at the antiques in the room. “All of this around you, andthisis all you have? I’m not here for shillings, Mother.”
Letty stared. “This isn’t my estate. These aren’t my things. What on earth do you think I have?”
“Here I am, literally with my cap in hand, my palm outstretched for the barest crumbs of your largesse! You have everything you dreamed of. Including the duchess,” he sneered. “And you deny me a decent living? I thought our fortunes had turned after I saw her stay the night at our apartment in January. The last time you did such a thing with my father, you negotiated far better terms than what you seem to have done here.”
His words tore into her as sharp as if they had claws. “I don’t know what undignified thoughts are going through your mind, but for God’s sake, Robert, this attitude is beneath you.” Too upset to remain sitting, she got to her feet. “I amworkinghere. You are earning your living, too. Where is the shame in earning a decent wage?”
Robert snorted. “Why should I have to work, when there are other means for a gentleman to get money?”
“What does that even mean?”
He shook his head. “I thought we could come to an agreement. I thought you would provide for me, with your new riches, but you’re no better than my father, leaving me withnothing.”
Rage threatened to throttle her. How dared he speak to her like that? After all she had done his whole life for him? After all her careful plans to earn enough from this job to give to him?
“If you can’t keep a civil tongue in your mouth, then it would be best if you left.”
He gave her a cold bow and Letty sank back onto the sofa. What on earth had happened? Robert had his share of wild moods these days, but nothing could have prepared her for this callousrudeness. Her heart was thumping, and when she raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ears, she saw that it was shaking.
It was only two in the afternoon, but Letty decided a stiff drink was in order. She didn’t want to spend another minute here with Robert’s words echoing through her mind, and she also didn’t want anyone to see her and gossip about the state she was in, so she decided against ringing the bell for refreshment. It may have taken her months, but she understood now Anne’s reticence to draw attention from the servants.
There would be decanters in the library, so she set off at a brisk pace to try to set herself to rights. Though she was no guest here, she didn’t think anyone would begrudge her the use of a restorative after a shock.
