“No, they can be a bit harsh. And it’s unwarranted, because Caroline is lovely, of course, and because they have never endeavored to help with the raising of her. It was largely left to Arabella, as you may know. Their parents were not involved as they should have been when they were little. Now that they’re grown, Lord and Lady Highgate seem to have realized the error of their ways and are trying to rectify that.”
“That may be too little, too late,” Levi said.
“It may be. But the reason I wished to speak with you was this—in spite of their failings, they do love their daughters. They are good people. And I’d hate for you to live with anger at them because you didn’t realize that.”
“What do you make of the disappearance of Lady Prudence?” Levi asked.
William sighed. “That’s worrying,” he said. “Of course it is. It’s always a matter of concern when something like this happens. And yet, the letter she sent makes me think that she must be safe, at the very least. I don’t agree with what her parents say about her being spoiled, but sheisheadstrong. You were engaged to marry her, so I’m sure you must know that about her.”
“I’m familiar,” Levi said dryly.
“I agree with Arabella. It’s likely she’s hiding away somewhere and laughing at the lot of us. I don’t relish the scene that will unfold when she returns. I know there will be a lot of anger. But I have confidence that she will return when she feels ready to do so. I wouldn’t worry.”
There was a knock at the study door, and both men turned toward it. “Come in,” Levi called.
A servant poked his head in. “Lord Talbot is here, Your Grace—shall I show him in?”
“My cousin,” Levi explained to William. “I’m surprised he’s come by, to tell you the truth. He usually avoids this place. Yes, show him in,” he added to the servant.”
William might have liked to ask why Charles avoided Mowbray Manor. It occurred to Levi that he might even have told him. He had never confided in anyone about this—his concern that his cousin’s desire to inherit the dukedom and frustration at being thwarted still lingered, was still potent. It bothered him to think that his inheritance had left Charles perpetually unhappy, but if it hadn’t, why would Charles stay away from Mowbray?
Then again, he was here now. Maybe it was the beginning of a new chapter for the two of them.
In any case, Charles joined them so quickly that William had no time to ask anything at all.
“Cousin!” he exclaimed, coming around the desk to embrace Levi as he rose to his feet. “A pleasure to see you—though I’d no idea you had guests. That’s what I get for not sending word in advance, I suppose. I feel like a proper oaf.”
“No, don’t be silly,” Levi said. He wasn’t about to run the risk of driving Charles away if his cousin was trying to heal the awkwardness between the two of them. “You ought to stay. We’re done with dinner, but we’re having tea in the sitting room—the Duke of Redmayne and I were about to go down.”
“Well, if you’re sure, I will accompany you,” Charles said. “It would be very good to see your lovely wife again. And Your Grace, I’ll relish the opportunity to get to know you as well,” he added, nodding to William. “Our paths have crossed, but we’ve never spent all that much time together.”
“Come, then,” Levi said. “We ought not to keep the others waiting for us.” He left the study, noting that William was right on his heels—and noting, too, that Charles lingered ever so slightly, looking around the room as if there was something he hoped to see.
Or perhaps it was just that, even now, he envisioned himself in this space. Maybe he was still lingering over thoughts of what might have been and wishing that when the late Duke of Mowbray had passed, he had been the one to inherit the title.
“Thank you for putting up with my family,” Caroline sighed. “I know they can be a lot to stomach.”
“No, it’s I who should be thankingyou,” Levi countered. “For putting up with Charles. He may be my cousin and my friend, but I know as well as anybody how taxing his presence can be, and he wasn’t a guest we planned for. You were wonderfully graceful about the surprise of his presence here today.”
“I thought he was charming,” Caroline said.
“You thought Charles was charming?”
She laughed. “Well, he was a bit boisterous, it’s true. I wouldn’t like to be married to him. I’m willing to wager that he actuallyisa rake! But for an afternoon, he was good fun. I’m glad he joined us.”
“I am too,” Levi agreed. “I think we might be on the path to repairing the damage to our relationship.”
“What happened between the two of you?”
“Nothing between us, exactly.” Levi sank back into his seat, and Caroline followed suit, setting her teacup on the table beside her. “We’ve remained friends through everything that’s happened. But it was a shock when I inherited this dukedom from my uncle, since he never named me as his successor during his life. He’s never said anything, but I’ve always felt as though Charles must have wondered why I was given the title and he wasn’t. That’s a question I wouldn’t be able to answer.”
“I can see how that would make things uncomfortable between the two of you,” she agreed.
“Well, it was good having him here today, even if he is a bit boisterous at times. And it was nice to see him getting along so well with your family. I certainly couldn’t have predicted that.”
“They were a lot to deal with, I know.”
“I didn’t mind it, actually,” he told her. “Your parentsaredifficult—that must have been challenging for you growing up. Arabella is a delight, though, and I like her husband a good deal as well. We should have the two ofthemaround more often.” He leaned forward and braced his knees on his elbows. “You know, William told me he doesn’t think we need to be too worried about Prudence.”
