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Chapter 6
The Important Things
Edward pointed to the page with an ink-stained finger, trying to wring out a few more drops of enthusiasm. At the same time, he attempted for the hundredth time to blink away the headache that had taken up residence behind his eyes.
“Now, that formula worked just fine for the volume of this prism,” he said, indicating one of Christopher’s crudely-drawn diagrams. “But you’ll have to use a different method to find the volume of this hemisphere, here. Correct?”
“Yes,” said the Duke, squinting as his eyes followed his guardian’s finger.
“And what is that, exactly?”
“Yes,” Christopher repeated blankly. Edward raised his eyebrows inquisitively, and after a moment the young man sat straighter in his chair. “Oh, ah…well…”
Edward heaved out a great sigh, running his hand through his hair. “Your Grace, Master Svenungsson did actually cover this in your lesson today, did he not?”
“No. Well, yes, he did. I think so, at least.”
Edward gave the lad a moment to think, then shrugged expectantly.
“Edward,” said Christopher with a sudden lilt in his voice, “do you think Miss Clara will be staying here long?”
“Is that what has you so preoccupied this evening, then?” Edward asked. As the Duke nodded, Edward marked their page and closed the geometry book with a grimace. He crossed his legs and scratched his chin, then answered, “I am not sure. Would you like it if she did?”
Christopher matched his guardian’s more casual posture. “I don’t know. I suppose it doesn’t matter, really. My sisters seem terribly cross with her, though.”
Edward gave a half-hearted smile. “That does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with her, of course. Surely you’ve seen them be cross at other people for far less.”
“I suppose so. It’s just…” He looked away, towards the childhood things that were neatly put away on the far end of the room that had become a study in the previous week. A flash of anger flickered across the young man’s face, creasing his forehead under his shaggy blonde hair.
A war is being fought inside that boy, Edward thought, recalling some of the previous Duke’s final words to him. It’s up to you to see that the side of the angels is the victorious one.
“Whatever it is you’re thinking, Your Grace, I wish you would say it,” Edward said gently. “There is no sin committed by expressing your feelings in private conversation.”
Christopher lurched to his feet, suddenly possessed of youthful nervous energy. As he paced the plush Oriental carpet, he began to speak in an unevenly pitched tone, “I just don’t know why Father did…that. Had this girl with that maid, I mean.”
“I see.”
“And not only that, but he kept it a secret for all these years! He had another child, and he left her out on the street! She could have starved to death, and all because he did not live up to his responsibilities as a bloody father,” the young man spat.
Seeing the candle on the Duke’s writing desk was beginning to sputter, Edward calmly reached for another from the box in the bottom drawer. “Are you angry on your behalf, having been betrayed by your father?” he asked as the new candle was lit and placed in a vacant candlestick. “Or on Miss Clara’s behalf, for being left to fend for herself for so long?”
Christopher paused in his pacing and considered the question, furrowing his brow. “Both, I think. More the former than the latter, if I am being perfectly honest.”
He is a thoughtful boy, now as always. That speaks well of his character.
“Do you want to hear what I think?” Edward asked after giving the Duke another few moments to pace.
Christopher stopped again and gave a hurt look to his guardian. “Of course I do, Edward. You know I value your perspective.”
“I do, but it is always better to ask before giving, to allowthe receiver the opportunity to accept gracefully and wholeheartedly.”
“Another valuable life lesson for me?” Christopher rolled his eyes. I do wish he could shake the habit of doing that, Edward thought, and opened his mouth to make this wish known, then thought better of interrupting his more relevant point.
“I think that it is perfectly understandable for you to be upset at your father. He was a good man, but in this respect, he behaved in a disgraceful way,” Edward said. Ignoring the look of surprise on Christopher’s face, he continued, “A man may still be considered to be good even if he makes a mistake, fortunately. But some loss of regard is the price one pays for not living up to one’s principles.”
Christopher’s expression turned to one of anger. As his cheeks grew red and his eyes narrowed, Edward spoke up before the boy could vent his spleen.
“However, I think it is most unfair to direct any of our anger towards Miss Clara. Whatever her origin, she is ultimately innocent in this whole affair, and must be treated with kindness.”
