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It was then he’d told his valet to leave him be with his thoughts for the rest of the day. There had been a little protest from Leonard, but ultimately he had prevailed on that debate.
And now, hours later, he was standing at the window and still having his thoughts run wild.
“Would you spare a moment to talk to your Mother, perhaps?”
His mother’s voice behind him stunned him out of his reverie. He spun on his feet instantly to face the Duchess, who had walked in on him.
“Mother!”
“I hear you’ve been walking around in a daze since yesterday as a result of the outcome of your bill in parliament,” his mother said, walking toward him at the window.
“Where did you hear that?” he asked.
“I am the mistress of this manor, Son. I hear everything that goes on within these walls. Nothing escapes my attention,” she responded, as she arrived at his side.
The look he saw in her eyes was one of pure concern. His mother was worried about him. With all his engagements and busy schedule, it had been a while since they’d settled down to talk. It had also been a while since he’d seen that look of worry in her eyes.
“I’ll be fine, Mother. It’s nothing I cannot handle,” he responded in soft defiance.
“You do not have to pretend to be strong to me, Son. I am well aware of your strength and capabilities and most certainly do not doubt them. However, even strong people have their own moments of weakness. It doesn’t make them weaklings. It only makes them human.” She finished her sentence and placed her hands gently on his arms.
One more look into her eyes and he began venting. She just stood there looking at him and stroking his arm in solidarity while he ranted on about everything that had happened in parliament yesterday.
“And if that wasn’t enough…” he paused himself in the nick of time and sighed, before he began talking about his adventure with Lord Somerholm’s daughter.
Unfortunately, his mother had picked up on the unfinished statement.
“What else?” she asked.
“Nothing, Mother,” he said after a beat. “Yesterday just didn’t go as anticipated.”
“Well, you do know you can tell me about the lady as well, right?” she said in response.
Kenneth’s mind went blank with shock. He was able to conceal the expression on his face, however, revealing nothing of the dread that was brewing within.
Does she know?
Was it possible that his mother knew about his correspondence with Lord Somerholm’s daughter?
There is no way she could have found out. Or is there?
Unsure of what the answer was, he decided to tread with caution.
“What lady are you referring to, Mother?” he asked cautiously.
“The one who has left your mind in a confused state. Who else would I be referring to?” she responded, giving nothing away.
“I do not know what you are talking about,” he responded with a nervous chuckle.
There was a silence which caused him to turn and find his mother staring at him.
What exactly does she know?
Her silence and stare began to eat at him and just when he thought he’d confess because he couldn’t take it any longer, she spoke.
“You better start talking to me, Son. You will not believe the things I know.” She smiled coyly.
“Maybe if you tell me what you are referring to?” he persisted one last time, trying to figure out if she was referring to Rose.
