“Please don’t,” he almost pled. “I know you are excited about the prospect of me marrying, but until our finances are more stable, I’m not convinced it is the best idea.”
“Yes, darling, I understand. But keep in mind that as the Dowager Duchess of Stern, she’s quite wealthy and could stabilize our finances immediately.”
West pinched the bridge of his nose, not wanting to have this disagreement again. He needed to take another track with her.
“Regardless, mother, you wouldn’t want to set her expectations high if I will not be able to follow through with them. We should be considerate of her feelings.”
“Yes, I certainly wouldn’t want to get her hopes up. But then you need to be careful, my dear. If you are unsure about marriage, perhaps you should stop giving her so much attention and allow her to spend time with other suitors who can give that to her.”
He couldn’t tell her that was precisely what they were trying to avoid, but he did need to heed the warning to be careful. Lastevening the lines between what was and was not real between them had become far too blurred. He was glad that Priscilla had written to reaffirm where things stood between them. He decided to send her a note of his own, affirming her sentiments.
“Thank you, mother, I’ll keep that in mind. But for now, we both know where we stand, and we genuinely enjoy one another’s company.” At leastthatwas not a lie.
West entered his club a few hours later. He needed a new environment and to clear his head. Unfortunately, starting at his ledgers longer did not make the numbers grow.
He’d been a member of his club for some years but hadn’t felt inclined to attend frequently until inheriting the title, as connections were crucial to maintaining the estate. Making his way toward an open leather chair in the corner, he placed an order for a glass of whiskey with a waiter.
West hadn’t been seated long when a voice broke his concentration from the paper he was reading.
“Well, Hampton, you’ve been causing quite the stir. Not what dear papa would have wanted, now is it?”
Looking up, West was met with eyes that held a cruel mirth, noting the man’s smirk, which played on the edge of being a scowl. “Cumberland,” he said with a nod, acknowledging his cousin by marriage. “I’d rather hoped you would join us at Hampton House for the family meeting before the season began. It’s my hope to get all the Beaumonts on board with the new direction of the estate to safeguard its future.”
“Ah, but you see, I’m not a Beaumont,” Cumberland replied smoothly. “I don’t enjoy associating with those who look downon my mother and me.” The earl was now sneering, and West could hardly blame him.
Being the daughter of a merchant, Cumberland’s mother was never accepted by her first husband’s family. And when Margaret later had the good fortune to find happiness again with Uncle John, the reaction of West’s own father had been to cut them off from the rest of the Beaumonts.
Cumberland was notorious for turning his nose up at the aristocracy, even being a lord himself since the age of five. He led a wild life and held no regard for how he was perceived, even seeming to relish his infamous reputation.
“I understand,” West said. “I hope you know that I in no way approve of how my father led the family or how he treated you and your mother. It is my sincere wish to reunite everyone. I know in the past you were not acknowledged as a part of our family, but I mean to change that and would very much like to include you as my cousin.”
“Then you’ll be waiting a long time,” Cumberland spat.
West observed him, his cousin Elias, and thought that he could be a handsome man if only he could let go of the bitterness which had caused premature lines to cross his face. He was tall, strongly built, and a golden blond with aquamarine eyes. But his beauty was marred by the mix of derision and hurt that seemed to constantly live in his expression.
“Very well, I’ll not push you,” West said, resigned to the fact that getting on Cumberland’s good side would take time and effort, and even then might not come about. “I respect that based on past grievances you may not wish to engage with us. But I’ll keep sending along invitations, and know that you will always be welcome.”
“I don’t need your pity, Hampton,” Cumberland said with a scowl. Suddenly, his face changed into a knowing grin. “I only came to say congratulations for landing such a lovely piece ofwomanhood as the widow Stern. Well done. She’s beautiful, still young, and from what I understand, she comes loaded with a fortune. While I’m not looking for a duchess myself, I certainly wouldn’t mind having a bit of fun with her if the opportunity presented itself.”
West fumed. He knew Cumberland was only trying to get a rise out of him, but it was working. He felt a possessiveness take hold of him the moment Priscilla was mentioned. Clenching his fists, he fought to keep himself grounded and not lash out at the man, further damaging their relationship.
“She’s a wonderful woman. I would thank you not to talk about her in such crass terms,” West said through gritted teeth, managing to maintain his cool demeanor.
Cumberland simply laughed and began to walk away, but landed a parting shot as he left. “Just know,dear cousin,if I get the chance to make my move on her . . . I’ll take it.” The earl’s chuckles could be heard down the hallway as he made his exit.
West took in a deep breath to calm himself. Logically, he knew Eli was simply working as an agitator, but his heart hadn’t seemed to get that message when it swelled in her defense.
While nothing between them could be real, he still did not want anyone to disparage her and felt the pull to stand up in her defense. It was worrying. West was becoming much too attached to someone he would walk away from in a few short months.
Calling over an attendant, he requested paper and ink. He’d write a note to her in response to the one she had sent him this afternoon, reaffirming the bounds of their relationship. Clear lines were what was needed, and she had been right to reinforce them. Without them, he feared it would be all too easy to fall into something he was not prepared for.
CHAPTER 17
Priscilla stood in the doorway of the study, watching West as he bent over his desk, deep in concentration. He’d yet to notice her, and she reveled in the chance to observe him before he became aware of her presence.
A few weeks had passed since both had clarified where they stood with one another. Remarkably, they were able to overcome any lingering awkwardness almost immediately when first encountering one another in person again. Together they had attended several events in the intervening days: two balls, a garden party, and a musical evening. Each time, Priscilla was amazed by how at ease she felt in West’s company.
Conversing with him was never hard, but she also knew there was no need to perform. She could lapse into silence without any trace of awkwardness. She hadn’t realized what a gift it was to be able to exist peacefully with another whenever in their presence.
