“Evidently not.”
Lewis straightened his spine and tried to adopt his usual unbothered expression. Even if he felt as though the floor had been pulled out from under him, Lewis could at least look as if he was in control of himself.
“This is…unexpected,” Morington said.
“Yes.”
Lewis stood, weariness sinking down into his bones. If it was truly his grandmother—and Lewis supposed it must be—her nerves would be utterly frayed. She would likely descend into a fit unlike any he had ever seen if she had not already. Maybe he ought to send for Mrs. Clove or the doctor.
His muscles tensed at the sound of light footsteps in the corridor. St. Clair appeared first, sweeping into a deep bow. “Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Wheelton,” he announced.
Lewis’s grandmother entered the room. She trembled, and her eyes darted anxiously about the room, as though she anticipated some invisible danger emerging from his study. Lewis found himself with nothing to say, as he gazed at her, the woman who had refused to leave her townhouse for over a decade.
“Your Grace,” Morington greeted, bowing. “It has been some time since we spoke.”
She nodded sharply. “I felt the—the situation required a deviation from my usual routine. Well, in a manner of speaking.” His grandmother’s gaze settled on Lewis and stirred a fire of guilt within him. “You did not come see me at the usual time, so I was left with no other recourse.”
“I am sorry,” Lewis said as he approached her.
She wrapped her arms around herself, as though it was a struggle simply to keep herself standing.
“Please, sit,” Lewis said, gesturing to the chair he had just vacated.
When she did not move, Lewis stepped forward and gently took her elbow, guiding her to the chair.
Morington cleared his throat. “I shall give you some privacy,” he said.
“There is no need to leave on my account,” the Dowager Duchess said, lowering herself into the chair.
Lewis and Morington exchanged a glance. Despite her insistence, Lewis’s grandmother was a fragile woman, and it would be best not to tax her overly.
“Our conversation was nearly finished anyway,” Morington said. “And I have failed to make him see reason. Maybe you will have better luck, Your Grace.”
She hummed. “We shall see.”
With a wry smile, Morington left. Lewis glanced at his decanter of brandy, a drink which was decidedly unsuitable for ladies. Still, it would be better than nothing.
He poured a glass and offered it to his grandmother. “For your nerves.”
His grandmother took the glass, clenching it so tightly that her knuckles turned bone-white. She took a heavy swallow and coughed. “I do not know how you manage to drink this.”
Lewis filled his glass and sat again, tension tracing every line of his body. His grandmother had not come to talk about spirits, and she would soon get to the reason for her visit. “It is something of an acquired taste.”
A small voice in Lewis’s head considered the possibility that Bridget might have spoken to his grandmother and persuaded her to come.
“I want to apologize,” his grandmother said.
Lewis had not expected that. He let out a little disbelieving laugh at the absurdity ofherapologizing. “For what? If anyone should apologize, it is me. I did not come for my daily visit, and that was selfish of me. I knew it would upset you.”
His grandmother shook her head. “No,” she said. “I do not deserve your apologies. I have insisted that you visit me at the same time every day for years, and you have done so faithfully. But I see now that was too much to ask you or any man.”
“I do not mind visiting you,” he said, even though that was not always true.
His grandmother waved a dismissive hand. “That is irrelevant. It was too much for me to ask. Being near Bridget has made me realize just how much time you have spent protecting me.”
A dull ache settled in Lewis’ chest. Not only had he driven Bridget away, but he was depriving everyone of her presence. His grandmother had rejoiced in Bridget’s company. Now, his young wife was gone, and his grandmother was deprived of one of her very few companions.
“It is long past time for you to put your own life first,” his grandmother continued. “I came here today, so I could tell you that you no longer need to visit me every day. It will be difficult, of course, but I will learn to manage.”
