“Women like yourself are most eager to marry into families like ours. I do not blame you, the opportunity is too good to waste.”
“Christopher knows that I chose to marry him in part for the well-being of the children,” Frances shot back, albeit weakly.
“Of course. The children,” Teresa said sarcastically, turning her attention to the twins once again. “The twins who did not even recognize their grandmother. You seem to have corrupted them already.”
Edwin kept silent, while Ernest peeked from behind Frances.
“What is it, boy?” Teresa narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you have something to tell me?”
“You’re mean. We don’t like you.”
The Dowager Duchess’s face darkened with anger. “Such insolence!” she snapped, raising her hand and slapping Ernest across the face.
Frances was stunned, frozen for a moment as the reality of what just happened sank in.
Ernest’s face turned red, his eyes filling with tears, but he glared back at Teresa, his small body trembling with anger and hurt. Edwin, already more sensitive, burst into tears, clinging to Frances’s skirt.
Teresa began to rant, her voice cold and authoritative. “This is precisely the problem. These children are not being raised properly. They lack discipline and respect. It is no wonder, given the circumstances of their birth.”
Frances felt a surge of protective fury rise within her. She stepped in front of the twins, shielding them from Teresa. “You will not speak to them that way. And you will certainly not strike them. This is my home, and you are not welcome here if you intend to treat my family with such disrespect.”
Teresa’s eyes widened with shock and rage. “How dare you speak to me like that? I am the Dowager Duchess of Huntington. It is my place to ensure that my family upholds its dignity and standards.”
Frances stood her ground, her voice unwavering. “Your title does not give you the right to abuse my family. Leave this manor immediately, and do not return unless you are prepared to apologize to Ernest.”
Teresa took a step forward, her hand raised as if to strike Frances.
But Frances was ready. She caught Teresa’s wrist mid-air, her grip firm and unyielding. “I believe you have overstayed your welcome. It is best if you leave now,” Frances said, her voice cold and commanding.
Teresa opened her mouth to answer back, fuming. But at that moment, the sound of the door opening startled both of them.
Christopher had finally returned home.
CHAPTER16
Christopher strode into the foyer, his face a mask of fury. He took in the scene before him—the twins clinging to Frances, Teresa standing rigid with barely suppressed rage.
“What is going on here?” he demanded, his voice low.
Frances looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. “Christopher, your mother?—”
“Frances, take the children to their rooms,” Christopher interrupted, his gaze never leaving Teresa. “I will handle this.”
Frances nodded, gently guiding Edwin and Ernest towards the stairs. As they left, Teresa’s voice rose.
“Is this the reason you have been avoiding your duty, Christopher? Is this vixen and these disgraceful children the reason the dukedom still lacks an heir?” Teresa’s words were like venom, each one dripping with contempt.
Frances paused at the door, her eyes widening in surprise. She had known that Teresa was demanding, but she had not realized the depth of her obsession with the dukedom. She looked back at Christopher, torn between leaving as he had asked and staying to support him.
It was clear that the woman was not kind, even to her own son. It was no wonder then that Christopher had cut off all contact with her.
Christopher’s expression hardened, his eyes blazing with anger. “Frances, please,” he said quietly. “Take the children upstairs.”
With a reluctant nod, Frances left the room, the sound of her footsteps echoing softly as she took the twins upstairs.
“What is happening?” Edwin questioned, his voice trembling.
“Nothing, it is nothing you should worry about.” Frances quickly wrapped her arms around him. The last thing she wanted to was to traumatize the children more than they already were.
