“Oh.” His mother frowned in confusion.
Knowing how fragile her hold on the present was, he veered the conversation toward what she remembered. “Beth and Robert seem interested in one another. I am hopeful they will end up together.”
Rose nodded. “But Evan, dear, what about you? I want to see you married and settled happily. None of us are getting any younger.”
Evan hung his head. He couldn’t say that he didn’t want to end up in her chair, with his child sitting across from him hoping to be recognized.
His mother patted his hand. “Tell me more about Althea.”
And so he did, promising to bring her some shampoo. His mother dozed off as he talked, not unusual these past few months, and he sighed in pleasure that she’d been truly with him this visit.
Despite his mother’s inattention, he liked talking about Althea. There was so much to admire, mayhap to lov— No. That would be dangerous. She’d come to him for money, and he did not mix business and pleasure. For one moment, he contemplated winning her over and having her forever before he shook his head to clear it of the impossible vision. Ford should mind his own affairs. Besides, Althea had made it very clear she had no interest in losing her independence to marriage.
Leaving Rose to nod, he stopped in the kitchen where Nancy was helping the house servant prepare a simple supper.
“Sounded like a good visit, my lord?”
“Yes. How has she been, and how are you faring?”
“’Tis grand here. So beautiful. Your mother is a love. There’ve been a few tantrums, and I know her struggles will increase. But I appreciate the work, and ’tis nothing I haven’t done before. Please do not worry yourself, Lord Cheltenham. She is in good hands.”
“Thank you, Miss Lincoln. I shall return tomorrow.”
His mother did not recognize him the rest of the week, one day reacting in fear to a stranger in her home, other days thinking he was his father or a family friend and wondering where her little boy was.
Evan was wrung out by the end of it and in awe at the nurse’s sustained equilibrium. He tried to emulate it, telling himself his mother was mostly lost to him, and he simply needed to provide the best care for her physical shell. But that made him unendingly sad.
London felt like an escape as he sat back in the carriage with a sigh, Ford in his usual position facing him. His trickle of relief at departing brought on guilt, despite conversations with his mother early in the disease’s onset where she’d encouraged him to live his life and rest happy that she had loved hers.
As the house grew smaller in the distance behind them, he remembered the quandaries that had plagued him on his last carriage ride. None had been resolved, and in fact, his choices were more limited than before given the results of the investigation. More than ever, he knew he ought to marry. However, even on his most optimistic days, he hated the idea of his wife or child left dealing with his body when his brain was lost. After this most recent visit, the day was not one of his more hopeful.
Not ready to tackle that problem, even as he recognized that he was procrastinating, Evan turned his thoughts to Althea.Do I give her the funds outright?
An image of her walking away from him, money in hand, and spurning his attentions rose in his mind. He refused to be taken advantage of, even for such a paltry sum. The investment and their relationship must stay separate, but he’d promised to speed the process along.
Who else will invest the capital she needs without an equity stake, so I can keep her in my bed?
She had not yet committed to accepting any male investor. He needed a plan and his very best negotiating skills.
Chapter Thirteen
Althea bounced on her toes in excitement. Evan had sent a note around saying he had arrived in Town and would call on her late that night. She should leave the back door open.
Waiting for him to give guidance on paperwork had been agony. She’d visited her solicitor as soon as she’d arrived and wanted Evan’s opinion on the drafted documents for the partnership she’d received. Waiting for further lessons in ecstasy had been just as torturous.
Checking that there was time before dinner, Althea ordered a bath and went to find Beth. When the younger woman was not in the house, she frowned, concerned that Beth had decided not to wait for Robert’s return and returned to the stable boys she favored when in London without other options. But a peek out there had her sighing in relief.
The butler reminded her that it was Tuesday, one of Beth’s scheduled days to volunteer at the charity school. She rolled her eyes at herself. If she was not so addled with thoughts of Evan, she’d have realized that. Tuesday was the only day she was home from the shop and Beth was not. Sunday, when the shop was closed, Beth was home. They had chosen this schedule so she could review finances and orders for the shop in peace, and Beth would have other time in the house to herself, giving each of them some space.
Beth arrived an hour later as Althea stepped out of her bath. Taking advantage of its presence, Beth stripped and lowered herself into the water freshened with a few buckets heating on the hearth.
Althea told her the news of the men’s arrival.
“You’re sure Robert is in Town also?”
“Yes. The note said so.”
“But the note was from Cheltie?”
