It was an old conversation, the complaints made and heard many times over. Where Alaric had been happy to lock himself away after his wife’s death, and then after his father’s especially, Lord Wolfe had worked tirelessly to lessen the scandal such incidents caused. The effect of this was debatable, but as he would tell it, his actions had ensured that Alaric and the Ravencourt name were ones not destined for ignominy.
“Is that why you have come here? To rehash old complaints? Or were you bored and thought you’d double down on your opinions of my new marriage?”
“Come here to waste my time, you mean.”
“On that we can both agree,” Alaric said. “The marriage has happened. There is nothing to be done. And to be perfectly honest, the more that it upsets you, the more joy I find that I take from it.” He chuckled mockingly. “So please, tell me again how I have disappointed you.”
Lord Wolfe curled his lip further. “I am not here for that.”
“Then why are you here, Uncle? Is it to waste the time of my staff?”
“As much as it pains me to admit, I am here to congratulate you.”
That had Alaric frowning with bewilderment. “Excuse me?”
“Surprised?” Lord Wolfe chuckled. “Surely, no more surprised than I am. You cannot imagine the shock that roiled me when I learned of the impression your presence left on the Whitcombe Ball. The truth of it is that I was not entirely certain that attending was the smart idea – I know I pushed for it. But where you are concerned…” He scoffed and shook his head. “It was as likely to do more harm than good. You do seem to have that effect on people.”
Alaric wasn’t surprised in the least. He thought back to that night, as he had done so many times since then, allowing the softest of smiles as he remembered how much he had enjoyed himself. Laughing. Dancing. Taking pleasure in Clara’s company. It was the best night he had lived in longer than he could remember. And clearly, the ton had taken notice.
Not that this was necessarily good news.Better that the ton was glad to see me leave, wishing for nothing to do with me again. It would be easier that way.
“I did as you asked,” he said simply. “And I am so happy to hear that my actions pass your ever-so strict levels of appraisal.”
“They did more than that,” Lord Wolfe continued, ignoring the sarcasm in Alaric’s voice. “As people have been telling it, you were a different man. And your wife too, she was said to be happy and even pleased to be with you.” He laughed at the thought. “Truly, I did not think you had it in you.”
“I am glad to serve,” Alaric said. “And if you’re here to sing my praises, I thank you for it. Now, if that is all….” Alaric looked pointedly toward the door.
“Oh no,” Lord Wolfe said with laughter. “You will not rid yourself of me yet. If that was the only reason I needed to see you, I would have sent a letter. Saved me making the journey.”
“What then?”
“So eager to see the back of me, are you?”
“You have no idea just how much.”
Lord Wolfe’s eyes flashed as if he enjoyed the antipathy that his nephew showed him. Likely, he did. “I came here to tell you that while I am impressed with the effort you have made, it is not nearly enough. Not by half.”
“What do you mean? I did as you asked.”
“And as I said, it was well done. One single evening, and you did much to scrub away the stink that your marriage has created. But such is the squalor you have found yourself in, there are stillthose who do notbelieveit. I have heard many a whisper that the night was performative and nothing more.”
“What do I care what people think?” Alaric dismissed.
“Oh, I know you do not care.” Lord Wolfe leveled him with a firm, warning gaze. “But I do. Everything I have ever done is for this family, Alaric, and if you think I am going to stop now…” He scoffed. “You do not know me nearly as well as you think you do. You and your wife need to be seen again. You need to affirm without question that this marriage is a happy one.”
“I need to do no such thing.”
“Be reasonable,” Lord Wolfe snapped. “For once in your life –” He caught his tongue as his anger began to rise. “I am not asking you to fall in love with her. Dammit, that is the last thing I wish for. We all know how that ends,” he added with an amused chuckle.
Alaric’s body stiffened again, and he growled at his uncle in warning. He let his uncle get away with much, as he still respected the man and what he did for this family. But he would only be pushed so hard.
“Careful,” Lord Wolfe warned him. “You know what I say is true.”
“If that is the case, then you, of all people, should be warning me against taking Clara out for a second time. Why risk it?”
“Clara…” Lord Wolfe frowned and studied Alaric closely now. Brow furrowed, he pushed his lips together in thought… his face dropping with realization as a thought took hold. “Oh, no. Alaric, do not tell me…” A shake of the head. “You are not falling for your wife, are you?”
“Of course not,” Alaric said a little too quickly.
