"I seem to recall that a certain Mr Watkins has applied for a deferment of rent, which I've already granted twice. And here comes Farmer Matkin, muddying the floor of my study, thanking me for waiving his rent for the year? Are you out of your mind?"
Edmund had confused the letters M and W.
"Matkin and Watkins, the names are so similar," he'd stammered.
"Nonsense! If you can't tell your tenants apart, you're not a worthy keeper of my land. And you want to inherit my title? You are a simpleton. A disgrace!"
"I d-d-don't want your title, sir," he'd replied, cursing himself that his stutter had returned now. "I don't want your l-l-land. You can give it all to Edward." He turned on his heel and marched to the door.
"Stop!" his father yelled. "Where do you think you're going?"
He'd closed his eyes. When he'd opened them, there was determination in them. "To L-London. And I'm not coming back. Ever."
Edward had tried to prevent him from leaving. The vicious row that had followed had shaken him to the core.
He'd left within the hour.
Ellen lookedat him with sympathy in her eyes. "And your mother?"
He stared at the pattern on the blanket. "Too scared of him. Never dared stand up for me. Always made excuses for him."
"I'm so sorry," Ellen whispered.
"It was for the best. I dare say I did well on my own. Made my way in the city. Started my perfumery business and created Adonis, and it flourished."
Ellen nodded. "It must have been painful to lose your family like that. You were sixteen?"
He shrugged. "Turns out I did better on my own without my family breathing down my neck all the time."
"My family disowned me too when I ran off with Robert," she heard herself say. "That is, my biological, extended family. My mother had died when I was born, and my father didn't survive the shock of my elopement." She fiddled with the fringes of her shawl. Then her face hardened. "I have got aunts and uncles who turned away from me when I needed them most." Her voice softened. "But I found my real family in the Robinsons. I would do anything for them."
"Including entering into a sham marriage with an unsuitable baron to get the son out of debtor's prison." He folded his arms behind his head.
"Yes. I never thanked you properly for that, did I? For helping Drake. For helping me, for defending my honour in the duel."
He waved it away. "I say we speak no more of the duel. It is in the past and none of it matters." He thought. "Except Robert Mattick, I say. If he dares to cross your path again, I shall have to fight him to the death."
Noni murmured in his sleep.
"Why don't you get some sleep? You must be exhausted." His eyes were on her.
"I can't just leave the child." Ellen wiped his forehead anew.
"I'll stay with him."
"But ... "
“I'll wake you if there is any change. But I dare say he will sleep now. You are of no use to anyone if you are overcome with fatigue in the morning." His manner was calm and commanding.
Ellen looked at him with wide eyes. Was this the superficial dandy who seemed afraid of children? He'd fought for her. He cared for the child. He seemed like a different person since they were married.
"You like Noni." The words escaped from her mouth.
"Like?" He raised an eyebrow. "I say that's too strong a word. But I admit, the little fellow has grown on one, and one would not want to see him suffer."
"Wake me if there is any change." Ellen gave him a last look before she left.
He nodded.
