“I am sorry,” she muttered under her breath.
His eyes flicked to hers, widening slightly in horror. “What do you have to be sorry for? If anything, it should be me who must apologize, profusely. She was not nice to you, and since she is my mother, the onus of responsibility lies on me.”
“It’s alright, Christopher,” she soothed, noticing the subtle way his expression changed when she used his name. “You do not need to explain yourself like this. What I would like to know is if she plans on returning.”
Christopher scoffed. “Not a chance. I have instructed the house staff to not let her in again, despite what she says. She might have been the lady of this house at some point, but she does not hold any sort of power anymore.”
Frances’s face tightened, and Christopher noticed right away. He reached out and touched her hands lightly.
“What is the matter?”
“Nothing, I was just…” She looked down, biting her lip. “Well, I was just thinking that, is it not possible to mend their broken relationship? As unkind as she can be, the Dowager Duchess is still the twins’ grandmother,” she pointed out. “They do not have a lot of blood relatives left, and… Well, do you think that there is any chance that their relationship can be repaired?”
Christopher stared at her in astonishment.
“What?” she asked when he did not immediately answer. “Did I say something wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing wrong, but… I am surprised, is all. Most people would take my mother’s actions as a blow to their ego and never offer what you just did.”
She could hear a clear admiration in his voice, and she twisted her fingers together in her lap.
“Well, if it was only me who was involved, then I could have considered taking it to heart. But like I said, this is about the children,” she explained.
“That is quite big of you.”
“I think it’s the bare minimum that should be expected,” she stated, causing him to crack a small smile.
“Well, as noble as your intentions are, I must tell you that is a terrible idea. My mother and I have been estranged for years, and I do not see it changing with the next generation either.”
She could hear the pain in his voice, though he tried his best to mask it.
“Are you certain of it?” She searched his eyes for an explanation.
“I do not wish to bore you with the details. But yes, I am fairly certain of it.”
“Well then, I am not going to push you regarding this.” Frances nodded, straightening up.
She thought it was important for the children to have a relationship with their grandparents. But then again, she was not the only one who had the decision-making power.
“Thank you,” Christopher said, his words laced with gratitude.
A small silence settled between the two of them, and they both seemed to be lost in their thoughts for a moment.
All the while, Christopher’s gaze never left Frances. He was looking at her, thinking things that he did not bother to share.
When she looked up at him, she saw the same lingering sadness from before in his eyes. She could tell that he was trying his best to hide it. Perhaps it would have worked, too, if it were anyone else besides her.
But she knew when someone was hiding their real feelings. She had a talent for it, even.
“Christopher…” She finally broke the silence. “Please be honest with me. Are you alright?”
Her words seemed to have caught him off guard.
“I am just fine, Frances.” He gave her a bright smile, but it did not reach his eyes.
“I do not believe you for a second,” she huffed.
“Really now? Have you already become an expert in what my moods are?” He raised an eyebrow teasingly.
