“And yet my only son is the Duke of Mowbray - you would think my life would be more distinguished. More befitting of a duke’s mother. But then,myhusband was no duke, was he?”
“Oh, do stop,” Levi said. “You chose to marry Father, if you recall. You chose.”
“I was young and naive. I didn’t know the life I was choosing. My family tried to warn me what happens when you marry for love. It’s a schoolgirl fantasy.” She sighed. “When I think of what I could have had…but I was a foolish child, and I didn’t listen to what my mother told me. I married for love and lived a poor life because of it.”
“It’s not as though we suffered, Mother,” Levi pointed out. “We were fine. We had all we needed. We were happy.”
“You didn’t know what happiness was as a boy. You had no idea the kind of life that was possible, so you settled for what you believed was enough.”
“Mother, you can’t tell me I didn’t enjoy my own childhood,” Levi said.
“Well, now you’re blessed with a wonderful inheritance. Of course, I knew that you would be perfect for this title from the moment it was given to you—how could any son of mine not be? Everything has truly come full circle for us, Levi. I lost my standing in society when I married your father, but you’ve reclaimed it, and you can restore our family’s honor and worth. And you can start by allowing me the funds I need to remodel my home and finally turn it into a place worthy of my rank!”
“Mother, you’re putting on airs. You are still a commoner, even if I have been made a duke. I will always see to it that you are caredfor and provide for your every need. I will ensure that you live very well. But this house—it is more than suitable, and I afford you plenty of money for your needs. You don’t need more than I give you.”
“Levi, these curtains are horribly out of fashion. And the upholstery in that sofa is beginning to wear!”
“Of course you could afford to have it reupholstered,” Levi said mildly. “That wouldn’t be too costly, would it?”
“No, but—well—I want to do more than that! So much more. I have a vision for this place, Levi. I could make it grand. And once I do, I might entertain ladies here. I could rejoin society—could you imagine? I could return to my life. At long last.”
“Well, I see no reason why you can’t have friends come to visit you here,” Levi countered. “The place is perfectly decent, and I’m sure your acquaintances would be happy to see you.”
“Do you really think I could invite the Countess of Shillingsby to sit in this room, Levi? I would be humiliated.”
“I don’t see why. You act as if your home is falling apart when it’s perfectly presentable.”
“I don’t even have maids, Levi. You haven’t even afforded me a proper staff. You can’t even do that much for your poor aging mother.”
“You have a housekeeper,” Levi said, beginning to feel very annoyed. “You want a full staff?”
“Of course I want that! How can that even be a question?” She threw up her hands. “Do you know what would happen if Lady Shillingsby came to the house and saw the way I live? Saw that I couldn’t even have a maid bring tea to a guest? I would be a laughingstock.”
“All right, perhaps not the Countess, but you must have friends among the gentry who would like to come and socialize.”
His mother sneered. “What makes you think I’m talking about socializing with people like that?” She had an unpleasant look on her face. “I’m trying to tell you that I’m above such people. I was born to a higher position in life. I married beneath me, as you know, but now that my son has been restored to his rightful place in society, so must I. I know there is no title for me bestowed by your being a Duke, so my path to social advancement is to spend my time with the people who should be my peers. I will not hold myself back further by associating with those who are beneath me.”
“The whole trouble with you, Mother, is that you believe others are beneath you,” Levi said.
“Do you mean to tell me you think that they are not?”
“Everyone has value,” Levi said firmly. “I used to think I was best on my own, that no one would ever match the works I placed inmyself. But since I married, I have come to see that everyone has something to offer.”
“Well, of course you feel that way about that lovely young lady you married!” His mother dropped her aggressive stance immediately. “She has been bread for this since her birth. She understands how to be a proper wife to you, and how to give you everything you need. Your life could only improve with such a lady by your side. Now, tell me, have you two been making appearances at all the social events this season? You must show the people of London how happy you are in your new marriage and how proud you are of your wife. You must leave them in no doubt, so that they will admire you.”
“Is that all that matters to you?” Levi asked. “Admiration?”
“The admiration of the right people,” his mother corrected. “The admiration of people who matter. This is why I am so eager to have the Countess out to see me. I need her good opinion.”
“Well, I don’t need anyone’s good opinion,” Levi said staunchly. “I don’t need approval from anyone.”
“Oh?” His mother raised her eyebrows. “You tell me, then, if you are so above people’s approval, just what it is you’re doing out here in the country?”
Levi was shaken. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t play the fool with me. I do hear things from my neighbors, even if I don’t spend time socializing with them. I keep up with the gossip. You’re here because of the rumors that have been spread about you.”
“I can assure you, there is no truth to them,” Levi said. He felt as if his entire body had frozen. This was not a subject he wished to address with his mother.
