Silence rang for long enough that it started to pulse in her ears, taking on a sound of its own until she wanted something,anythingto tear the lack of noise apart.
Finally, Matthew spoke. “Is father sad?”
Marigold recoiled for a moment. “I think he’s surprised.”
Reggie’s nose wrinkled. “He shouldn’t be.”
A bark of laughter fell from her mouth. Her reaction was beyond inappropriate, and based on the expressions of her boys, she’d shocked them. “You’re right,” she managed. “I should have d-done this long ago. B-but that’s why we’re living here and not at Harrow Hall.”
“Will we live here forever?” This from Reggie.
“No, we’ll find a new home, p-perfect for us.” Wherever that may be.
“But what about school? I’m supposed to attend Felton.”
Her stomach flipped. “D-did your father sp-speak to you about it?”
Reggie nodded. “I need to go away to school. I’m a viscount and I need to learn how to be a marquess.”
She shook her head so vigorously her ears rang. “And you’ll be a wonderful marquess, regardless of where you study.”But how will he learn to manage his title if you’re living in America? “Felton would be a t-terrible place for you.”
“But I know nothing about it,” he interrupted, his tone flat. “I don’t know enough about it, or any school. Nanny said there are schools in London that may be better.”
Heat began to boil beneath her skin. “Iknow, and Felton is wrong for you. You’ll be much happier with Nanny and a t-tutor.”
“Is this why you’re divorcing?” Reggie’s expression had grown tighter. “Because of my schooling?”
“I’ll go to Felton if it makes Father happy,” Matthew suggested.
Her lungs seized, as though they’d forgotten their purpose. She wouldn’t pass any blame on to her sons, not when her decision-making had gotten them into this precarious situation.
“No, b-boys, no.” She sucked in a stabilizing breath. “I’m d-doing this for me. I’m not happy, and your father d-doesn’t make me happy anymore.” If he ever had.
“Who makes you happy, Mama?” Matthew asked.
Lord, but her emotions were being pummeled, one blow after the other. A single name came to her lips, but she bit her tongue to silence it. The reasons for her divorce had become muddled. What started as a desire to keep her child from a destructive school had turned into a quest for her freedom, her fulfillment.
But how could she achieve happiness when the person she wanted most could never be a part of it?
“You make me happy,” she said. “B-both of you. And I’d miss you t-too much if you went away.”
“We’ll have to eventually,” Reggie said, but Marigold got to her feet, knowing she had to end this conversation before her heart broke further.
She cupped his no-longer-plump cheek. “B-but not yet.”
Chapter 24
Archierappedthreetimeson the front door of the townhouse on St. Helen’s Square, waited less than a minute for a response, then rapped again.
How could anyone expect him to wait when he had such exciting news?
The door cracked open and a blond boy stuck his head out. “Who are you?”
His heart stopped. “I—are you… hello!”
The boy raised a skeptical brow.
Archie tried again. “I’m a friend of your mother’s. Arch—Mr. Grant. Is she in?”
