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His chin snapped back. Tabbie sounded like their father now. “You have no authority to request I do that. Besides, what would happen to mother?”
Tabbie scoffed. “Now you are concerned? Luke and Ryker will take care of your mother. They are men who understand the responsibility of their position. Their duty to their family.”
Anger replaced his remorse and his voice was a great deal louder than he’d intended when he answered, “I’ve saved a ship of men in a storm. Built our Barbados holdings to be the most profitable we have. I understand responsibility.”
“And neglected the other eighty percent of your duties. Don’t pretend that you were being anything other than selfish.” Tabbie’s voice matched his own.
“What the bloody hell is wrong with everyone?” he fired back. “I thought you approved of my trip. Understood that after father’s death, I needed time to find myself. Who I was. No one knows better than you how controlling he could be.”
She paused, giving him a long look before she gingerly sat down in the chair their mother had just vacated. Truth be told, she looked equally tired. One of her hands came to rest on her belly while other cradled her head. His anger evaporated as concern replaced it. “In the end, Teddy, he was right. We did need to marry, take on our duties, and find our happiness through our responsibilities.” She let out a loud exhale. “I know you needed time, but you were granted far more than either Tricia or myself. While mother is concerned about you providing an heir, I just want you to manage your own affairs. It isn’t fair to the rest of us. Luke is working himself to the bone and Ryker has a dukedom of his own.”
He sat back down too. In all honesty he hadn’t considered much of what she was saying until now. He’d been so busy trying to discover who he was without the oppressive shadow of his father. He hated to admit, he saw the truth in some of her words. “I’ll think over all of it.” He placed his elbows on his splayed knees and pressed his palms into eye sockets.
“Thank you,” she whispered softly.
“But I must honestly tell you, whatever I decide, I’ve no intention of marrying this girl. It’s a bridge too far.” He lifted his head to look at his sister again. She’d closed her eyes but still gave a terse nod.
“I understand.” She opened them to look at him. Despite having auburn-colored hair, her irises were the same shade of blue as his. “I’ll explain to mother that you’d like to postpone marriage, provided you can bring yourself to take on the responsibilities of the dukedom.”
Theo gave a terse nod. He would manage his own affairs. Being gone was clearly straining Tabbie and her husband. He could see his error. He did not plan on living in England full time, but he needn’t share that with his sister now. It would, however, be his problem to solve. He’d figure out a way to travel and still maintain the dukedom.
* * *
Violette looked at the massive stone structure that loomed before her. This was the country estate of the Duke of Waverly. Her parent’s London townhome would fit into on corner of this massive structure.
She had distant memories of their own country home, but that had been sold years ago. Looking back, she realized the money from that sale had sustained her parents for some time but must have run out. Why had her father not seen that he needed to build something, work toward a better life? Despite loving his family, he hadn’t taken on his responsibilities as an earl or even a provider for his family.
Smoothing her skirts, she waited as the driver opened the door to the carriage. She and her mother stepped out to find two young couples waiting for them. One of the women was very pregnant and she stepped forward to greet them.
“Good evening.” She gave them a warm smile as her eyes swept over them. “May I introduce my brother-in-law, the Duke of Landon, and my sister, the Duchess of Landon, along with my husband, the Earl of Sussex.”
She and her mother both curtseyed. Violette couldn’t help but note that neither the Duke of Waverly, nor his mother, who’d extended the invitation, were in attendance. “Pleased to meet you.” She tried to give a warm smile.
Lady Sussex waved them forward. “Please, step inside.”
As they entered the house, her mother turned to Lady Sussex. “It is a pleasure to meet you. We’re very excited to meet your mother as well. I enjoyed her correspondence tremendously, and we’re looking forward to our introduction with His Grace.”
Her mother was clearly as anxious about the family members who weren’t in attendance, as was Violette.
Lady Sussex visibly winced. Violette’s heart sank. That couldn’t be a good sign. “My mother isn’t feeling well this afternoon, my apologies. And my brother only arrived an hour before you.”
Violette gave another polite smile, hoping it was genuine enough. She saw both the duke and the earl assessing her. “We’re honored to be here, thank you for having us.” Smoothing her skirts, she took a steadying breath. This situation needed some conversation and she tried her best to come up with a starter. “Where did His Grace travel from?”
Both men winced. Lord Sussex gave the rumbling answer. “Barbados.”
She wasn’t sure how many times she blinked but it was several. “Barbados?” A lump formed in her throat even as a knot tightened in her stomach. “How strange. We met a man on the road who had also travelled from Barbados.”
Her words were met with silence until the Duke of Landon finally offered an explanation with a gracious smile. “Must have been someone from his ship.”
Of course. A ship had many men on it, she told herself. And knowing that did little to make her feel better. If His Grace and Mr. Riley were acquainted, would she see him again? She stopped that thought before it had begun. That would only muddle the situation further. “What a coincidence.”
“Perhaps you’d like to rest before dinner?” Her Grace, the Duchess of Landon, gestured to one of the footmen. “You must be exhausted after such a long journey.”
Her mother jerked her head in agreement and Violette turned to look at her. She was quite pale with dark circles about her eyes. Worry creased her brow as she reached out a steady arm to her mother. Her worries about her meeting with the Duke of Waverly were forgotten.
The situation, however, only got worse. Her mother did not join her to be escorted to dinner. Instead, she sent a note saying she did not feel well enough. She knew her mother. Unless the situation was dire Lady Bradford would be in attendance. She was a stickler for social grace.
Violette approached the drawing room where the family had assembled before the meal. Now she was to meet the Duke without the aid of her mother. She briefly considered returning upstairs to attend her parent but she knew that her mother would only be upset if Violette did. This meeting was the most important thing to her mother and the rest of her family. As she approached the drawing room, the voices were hushed, not at all what she expected to hear from a family reunion. After all, hadn’t His Grace arrived just today?
