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“Whatever your feelings are, Mr Morton, you must know that this is the last thing young Christopher needs. He needs responsible, unencumbered people around him right now as he works to become ready for his Dukedom.” Helena batted her eyelashes infuriatingly. “You know first-hand the difficulties of managing all this land and money. How could you knowingly drag him into yet another scandal?”
“I thought you professed to love our brother,” said Judith. “If you truly do, how could you put your own lust above his needs?”
“Just tell us it is over and you will never hear of the matter again.”
“We promise.”
Don’t do it, he felt the voice in the deepest, most important part of him cry out. Clara is a precious, special woman, and what you feel for her is just as wonderful. Far too wonderful to throw away for the sake of placating these two snakes.
But Edward could not ignore the other voice that returned this cry—the same voice saying the same thing he had heard for the last several years, that had drowned out his parents’ complaints and the wretched gossip he heard circulating the St. George family:
Christopher needs you, said the voice. He is lost without your care and support. He needs you. You promised his father on his deathbed.
Heart breaking neatly in two, Edward stood, a stony expression on his face. He could barely stand to look at the smiles on Helena and Judith’s faces as he growled, “You win.”
He heard Judith gasp with delight as Helena asked sweetly, “Could you be more specific, please, Mr Morton?”
Edward looked up into their eyes, and from the way they recoiled he knew he must have some of the hate that burned high in his heart shining forth from his gaze. Good, he thought, though this victory felt so tragically pyrrhic he could scarcely enjoy it.
“I will discontinue seeing Clara,” he said, each word clattering to the floor through his clenched teeth. “For the Duke’s sake.”
Before either of them could utter another hateful word, he raised a finger in caution, his eyes flashing with anger. “Do not push your luck any further. Do not think to gloat over this, to me or to her. Not now, and not ever. Make no mistake, you have made an enemy today, and the wisest course of action you have before you is to run back to your husbands right this moment.”
Edward gave them a curt, respectful bow, then turned on his heel and retreated to his desk, where he hoped he could refrain from burying his head in his hands until he heard Helena and Judith leave.
As he passed by the open doorway, Edward detected a brief flash of movement. But so great was his sorrow that he could not register what this might signify, and forgot it entirely as soon as he collapsed into his chair.
God damn you, Edward. You thought you could have everything, like a complete fool. And now poor Clara must suffer for your hubris.
