The image of his grandmother, shaking and wrapped around the banister, was branded in his memory. Then, Bridget had the gall to insist that his grandmother had recoveredsomewhatfrom the encounter that had left her so shaken, as if that was something to be celebrated! It was enough to make Lewis want to scream, but he knew that he had only himself to blame. He had decided to marry this young, foolish woman. Had he truly expected that she would have learned to obey him so quickly? He should have anticipated that she would do something rash.
“I do not…” Mrs. Clove trailed off, as if she had thought of something but feared saying it.
Lewis sighed deeply, a flare of irritation burning inside him. “Say what you will, Mrs. Clove. I do not have all day.”
“I disagree with your wife’s approach,” Mrs. Clover said, clasping her hands before her. “But the young duchess did seem rather adept in calming your grandmother’s nerves a little.”
“After she caused her great distress,” Lewis replied dryly.
“Yes, but maybe company would do Her Grace some good. It is promising that your wife seems—well—better with her than most.”
“Small mercies,” Lewis said.
He turned and climbed the stairs, making it clear to Mrs. Clove that he had no desire to continue the conversation. There was not only his grandmother to consider, after all. There was also Bridget. If Lewis relented too quickly and allowed Bridget to meet his grandmother, his wife would learn nothing. She would assume that all her errors would be readily forgiven and cast aside, and she would continue with her selfish behavior.
Lewis entered his grandmother’s bedchamber and found her seated at her writing desk. Luckily, she wasn't in bed, which his grandmother usually was when upset.
“Good afternoon,” he greeted.
His grandmother turned her head and smiled at him. “Good afternoon. I was finishing my correspondence.”
Lewis took a spare chair and lowered himself into it. He glanced over his grandmother’s letter, which was addressed to the matron of a seminary for young ladies. While the woman had few acquaintances or friends, she doted on her charities. She was generous, nearly to a fault.
“Do not let me distract you,” Lewis said.
“I would not.”
It seemed as though this would be one of his easier visits. Lewis tried not to let the relief show on his face, as a wave of guilt washed over him. He should have been able to control Bridget.
Lewis and his grandmother had not spoken about Bridget either, even though he saw her every day at the same time. Perhaps that was for the best; he and his grandmother could continue to avoid discussing distressing subjects for as long as possible.
Lewis sat in silence, watching as his grandmother continued writing. She finished the letter and placed it aside, folding her hands in her lap. “How is your wife?” she asked.
Lewis grimaced. He had the worst luck!
“She is fine,” Lewis said in a clipped tone. “I trust she has not come for any further visits?”
“She has not.” His grandmother paused and seemed to consider him for a long moment. “I think I should like to see her again.”
Was that what she really wanted? Lewis barely managed to conceal his utter disbelief at the irrational notion. Had his grandmother already forgotten that she had panicked when faced with his wife? The poor woman’s fit had been so dreadful that she remained bedbound for two days after it!
“You will,” he said. “Once Bridget is in the right condition to meet you.”
His grandmother raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Is she ill?”
Lewis shook his head. “I mean that she is unsuitable. She needs to be trained before?—”
“Trained? She is not a dog.”
Lewis sighed. “I know she is not.”
“But you insist that she needs to betrained. People are not trained, Lewis.”
“I know,” Lewis said. “But she is wild and careless, and that makes her entirely unacceptable to be my duchess. Bridget must learn to behave before she associates with anyone, especially you.”
His grandmother stared at him as if he had just said something intolerably ridiculous to her. “She is not a social pariah, Lewis.”
Oh, if only his grandmother knew! Lewis would not dishonor his wife by sharing her scandals, though.
