Addie said, “Rose mentioned you may leave before our event.”
“So much is going on.”
Sarah frowned. “You are part of the success of the Historical Society for Female Curators. You should attend.”
“I will think about it, but don’t plan on me being there.”
The ladies looked disappointed. Rose stated, “We are here for you.”
She knew they were and was grateful.
*
Thomas sat inthe drawing room with his mother. He’d spent the night, but she’d given him space, not pushing to talk. That was always his mother’s way. Eventually, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
His mother sighed. “I didn’t know until Alice was about three. I ran into Lisbeth, and we both knew I deduced that she was your child.”
“I still don’t understand why you didn’t write to me.”
A sigh escaped his mother. “Your letters after Lisbeth returned were so angry. I could feel the hostility and buried deep down the sadness, but around the same time I found out about Alice, your letters changed. You’d just had your first famous discovery in Syria. It was the ruins of an ancient library. Youwere so excited and even happy. I feared if I told you, you’d run back here and make yourself miserable.”
“She was my daughter,” he bit out.
His mother reached over and squeezed his hand, “I know, and it ate at me every day, but I also didn’t want you to destroy your life. Lisbeth has always been the one thing you wanted more than anything else. If you came back, you still couldn’t have her. And Alice would be another person you were denied.”
“I’m still so angry at both of you.”
“I’m sorry, Thomas.”
He couldn’t hate his mother forever. Thomas nodded. Relief seemed to fill her face, but then she frowned. “Why did you marry Lisbeth?”
Thomas groaned. “Because I was angry.”
His mother frowned at him. “You married her because you love her and want a life with her and her children.”
He didn’t deny it but said, “I’ve made a mess of things.”
She nodded. “You have, but you can still fix it. Do you love her? If so, admit it to yourself. Once you do, you can figure out what needs to be done next.”
Thomas sighed. “Of course, I still love her, but I fear it isn’t enough. We’ve both behaved poorly.”
“If you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
He loved Lisbeth and wanted to try. Over the last few hours, he’d come to that realization. Still, Thomas wasn’t sure how it would end. He wasn’t optimistic. “I want to work things out with her.”
She beamed at him. “Before you leave, I wanted to provide you with some letters you received.”
Thomas watched as she walked to a table where a large bundle of mail was. She brought it back and shrugged. “They are admirers, I’m assuming. Except for this one. Try to be rational, no matter what it says.”
Intrigued, he looked at the letter on top of the pile. It was from the Earl of Adnin, Lisbeth’s brother. He opened it and read.
Easton,
I expect you to call upon me right away.
Adnin
He scoffed, sensing the man’s condescending tone. Thomas rose. “Thank you. If you will excuse me.”
