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“You must return to London with me and speak honestly with Leonard. I know he’ll be very sorry to hear how dismayed you were by that unfortunate incident, and he will wish to make amends. I’m sure he’ll be more than willing to start afresh.”
“Oh, that would be big of him.”
“Leonard loves you,” her mother insisted. “He always has.”
“He’s got an awful way of showing it.”
Mamma sat back with a sigh. “I suppose I should have expected you to be like this. It’s my fault, really. Mine and your father’s.”
“What does that mean?” Ainsley said, startled by her mother’s sudden shift.
“I’m afraid we allowed you far too much freedom when it came to decisions about your future. We simply spoiled you, child. It’s no wonder you don’t understand the consequences of your actions.”
“I understand enough to realize I don’t deserve a lifetime of mistreatment at Cringlewood’s hands.”
“That incident was a misunderstanding,” her mother stubbornly repeated. “If you would just talk to him, everything would be fine.”
“You seriously think he would also be fine about Tira?”
Her mother frowned. “What sort of name is that?”
“It’s a fine Scottish name.”
Her mother mulled that over for a few moments before answering. “You obviously cannot acknowledge the child as your own, so it doesn’t matter. Perhaps it’s best at this point not to tell Leonard about her at all. It will cause too many complications for everyone.”
“You can be sure I will not be telling him or anyone else in our family about Tira,” Ainsley said tartly.
Her mother rewarded her with a smile. “Excellent, my love. I’m so glad you’re finally coming to your senses.”
Ainsley had never thought her mother lacked a firm grip on reality until now. Still, for Tira’s sake, she had to make one last effort to get through to her. “Mamma, would you have married Papa if he had hurt you in that way? Because I truly cannot understand why you would wish me to marry a man who thought he was doing nothing wrong in forcing himself on me.”
“Do you truly believe I always desired your father’s marital attentions? There was many a night when I heartily wished the man would find his pleasures elsewhere than in my bed. In fact, I sometimes prayed for exactly that.” She flashed a bitter smile. “My prayers, unfortunately, were rarely answered.”
Ainsley blinked, stunned by that sad, ugly glimpse into her mother’s life. True, her parents had never been particularly affectionate, but Mamma and Papa had always seemed content with each other, presenting a united front to the rest of the family.
“Then why didn’t you just tell Papa that?” she asked.
Her mother stiffened. “I took vows on my wedding day to honor and obey my husband. That is what a decent and respectful woman does, something you should realize by now.”
Ainsley thought of the solemn promise Royal had made her only this morning—a vow to love and protect her and their daughter above all else. Even at the low tide of their friendship, when they could do nothing but snipe at each other, he’d always tried to protect her, even from herself. And he’d done it not for personal gain, but because he was a good, kind man.
It truly was as simple as that.
“I’m so sorry you had to suffer in that way, Mamma,” she finally said.
Her mother shrugged. “We all have unpleasant burdens to bear, my dear. I am serene in the knowledge that I have always done my duty to your father and to our family. I expect the same from you. Give up this foolishness and come home. Be what you were intended to be—Marchioness of Cringlewood and a great lady.”
Ainsley now realized her mother could never understand. Given what she’d just revealed, Mamma would naturally see her daughter’s defiance as a rejection of all the sacrifices she’d made for her family. Indeed, it would be a rejection of everything she believed in most dearly.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, but no,” she said quietly.
“Then you will have betrayed all of us,” Mamma snapped. “And for what? For a penniless younger son from a Scottish family no one cares about?”
“As it happens, I care about the Kendricks a great deal. And it’s ridiculous to dismiss them as nobodies.”
“You will have nothing if you do this, Ainsley. Your father will cut you off without a shilling.” Mamma suddenly gave her a canny look. “Does Mr. Kendrick know that?”
“Of course he does, and he doesn’t care.”
