“Have you given any thought to a wedding date?” she asked.
“It depends on when her son is ready to move in with her. We want to marry before that, so he’ll have to make only one adjustment.” Hugh suppressed a smile. He hoped little Theo—Teddy—wanted to live with his mother immediately.
“As I said,” Mother said with a firm nod, “very sensible. We’re eager to welcome her into the family.”
Hugh draped his arm in its cast along the sofa back. Of course they were eager to welcome an upper-class woman capable of producing an heir to the Collingwood estate. That was the last reason Hugh wanted to marry her, but a baby would make his parents happy. They did love children.
Father adjusted the collar of his tweed jacket. “She is more than welcome to stay here whilst getting reacquainted with her son.”
“Yes, we don’t live far from the Randolph home,” Mother said.
“Thank you,” Hugh said. “Aleida plans to ask her new director if she can work for the ministry here in Hertfordshire in some way. Since she’s labored to convince families to evacuate their children, it wouldn’t be right—or safe—to bring Teddy to the city. We’ll rent a cottage nearby—”
Mother clucked her tongue. “You’ll stay here at your own home, dearest. The east wing shall be all yours.”
Hugh held his breath. He worked in London and would visit only on the weekends. “I’ll discuss it with Aleida.” If she felt even slightly uncomfortable living with his parents, he’d rent that cottage.
And would his parents welcome Lennox? Hugh and Aleida planned to bring the cat to the country. But tonight, Hugh didn’t want to discuss cats or the inevitable concerns about his asthma.
Not on a peaceful evening before a lovely fire whilst raindrops frolicked on the windowpanes.
Mother cleared her throat, glanced at Father, and then across at Hugh. “Now that you’re to be married, it’s time for you to find a more fitting position.”
Peaceful evening shattered.
Mother pressed a hand to her chest. “After that dreadful Granville affair, surely you see the dangers of your work.”
Hugh drew a long, even breath, determined to keep his voice gentle. “I had hoped that after that dreadful Granville affair, in which I helped apprehend Uncle Elliott’s murderer, that you’d see the merits of my work.”
Mother sucked in a breath, and her eyebrows shot up.
Even though Hugh no longer sought their approval, he wanted to honor his parents. He set his cast in his lap and rubbed the rough plaster. “Broadcasting may not be a traditional position for an aristocrat, but it suits me. More importantly, myreports inform and educate and elevate morale. I see no disgrace in such work. In fact, I see it as high and honorable. Whilst I respect your opinion, I will not change my profession unless the Lord indicates otherwise.”
“But, Hugh...” Mother twisted her hands together, twisted her lips. “You have all the advantages, the best of education, the—”
“And I’m using all that for good.”
“It’s so unseemly, parading the Collingwood name beside those of common music hall—”
“Mary, that is enough,” Father said with his face lowered and unreadable.
Hugh stared at his father. Never in his life had he heard the man contradict his wife.
“Pardon?” Mother said.
Father rose and walked to his desk, piled with ancient tomes. “My years at Oxford were some of the happiest of my life. How I loved learning and writing and the thrill of brilliant minds in conversation.”
Hugh murmured. Father often waxed poetic about those days.
With a sniff, Father faced Hugh. “I wanted to continue my studies and become a professor, but my father wouldn’t hear of it. The Collingwood name, you know. As a dutiful son, I obeyed.”
“I know.” Hugh kept his tone calm but strong. “I admire your decision, but I will not do likewise.”
A strange light shone in Father’s eyes. “Good on you.”
“Pardon?” Hugh said, echoed by his mother.
Father’s gaze lifted to the wall, where his Army portrait hung. “I joined the Army as my father wanted, and I despised every moment of it. By serving as a most dreadful example of an officer, I disgraced the Collingwood name far more than I would have in academia.”
