“We can discuss it tomorrow,” he finished, leading her to the stairs.
They reached her bedchambers, and little more was said between them. He watched as she peered around her new room, her eyes glinting with excitement, and he did not want to bother her for much longer. They bid each other goodnight, and then he left her to do as she pleased.
He made his way to his study, knowing that it would be impossible to attempt to sleep. Too much had happened, and too much was yet to come. He longed for some time alone in his dark study, where he could draw his thick black curtains, sit by the candlelight, and do nothing.
But of course, he was never afforded such a luxury.
“I do not like her,” the woman sitting at his desk said.
“You do not know her,” he replied, sitting across from her.
It was clear that she had been waiting for him. Her dark hair was a mess, and her brown eyes were narrowed in accusation. She knew where he had been. In fact, he had invited her to the wedding, but she had refused.
The last thing she wanted to do was watch him ruin a young lady.
“I know enough. She is far too small. She won’t be able to defend herself.”
“That is not just cause to dislike someone, Mother,” he groaned. “You shall speak with her in the morning, and youwillbe pleasant. Do I make myself clear?”
“Ah, so you think you can order your mother about, now?Iraised you, Cassian, not the other way around.”
“And a fine job you did.” He grimaced, looking anywhere but at her. “She seems to have taken your rule well, for what it is worth.”
“That she is not to help me in any way? Yes, I should think so. Now, she can live as a wealthy lady—a duchess, at that—and never have to lift a finger. A charmed life.”
“What more do you want from her? You made it clear that you did not want her to do anything, so you cannot resent her now for doing exactly that.”
“And why not? Need I remind you that I did not want you to marry in the first place? You have made this decision by yourself, but that does not mean that I have to respect it.”
Cassian knew that there was no sense in arguing with her. His mother had never approved of anything he did, and finding what he thought was a pleasant enough wife would not change that.
He rose from his seat, knowing that there would be no resolution.
“And now you are leaving me once again?” she scoffed. “Such cruelty.”
“You have been drinking.”
“I have beencelebrating. Joy of joys, my dear son has taken a wife, someone else to hurt instead of his own mother. I am a most fortunate lady.”
“Mother, I—this is not worth my time, is it? I will speak with you when you have come to your senses.”
“I will not speak with her,” she warned. “If you try to force me, I will not be kind. I want you to know that.”
“Very well. But that is a shame, for you would like her a good deal.”
“I do not like anyone,” she said simply.
He knew that all too well, unfortunately.
He left the study. He did not want to keep the two ladies apart; it was needlessly complicated to do so. Plus, he wanted his wife to trust him. That would never happen if she knew that he was hiding a person in the house, so he would have to tell her eventually.
But he could not force them to like one another. Adelaide would not be able to force herself to like such a cold and unfeeling woman, he knew that much, and his mother could not be convinced to like anyone. It was not how she was, and not how she had been for a very long time.
“I could not make her leave, Your Grace.”
Cassian turned to see his housekeeper, Mrs. Johnson. Her hair was graying, but her green eyes remained soft and gentle. Adelaide would at least like her, he presumed.
“I thank you for not trying too hard. Why are you still awake?”
