Stephen had done what he could to help Flavion find some self-worth. It was perhaps the best thing he’d ever done for his cousin. Or the second best. The most perhaps to be that of providing him with an heir. That remained to be seen. Cecily secretly hoped she would give birth to a girl. At least that way Stephen would not be supplanted by his own child.
Not that it mattered to Stephen. Cecily cared though. She cared too much.
Stephen would have been a wonderful father. Most likely, someday, he would be — to another woman’s child.
“Well, that’s something anyway.” Her father’s voice returned her to the present. “I consider your marriage to be the worst business deal I’ve ever made.” He gave her a regretful smile. “I was so blinded by his title that I failed to have the cad investigated completely. Will you forgive me? Can you ever?”
“Oh, Papa,” she said, hugging him again. “There is nothing to forgive.” She gave him the most genuine smile she could muster. “All will be well! I promise. And you may not be taking your daughter home with you, but soon enough, you shall have gained a grandchild!” Standing, she clasped her hands together. “Now, I want you to get out of those damp clothes, and we shall meet downstairs for dinner. We keep country hours, and as it is to be just you and I. There is no need to dress formal. It will be like old times.”
A tapping at the door heralded her father’s longtime valet, Mr. Summers. “I have a bath prepared for you, sir,” he said, admonishingly. “Your attire is quite likely damp, and you won’t be wishing to catch a chill.”
Shaking his head, her father grumbled, “Damn couple of mother hens.” Turning his attention back to Cecily, he gave her one last serious look. “Very well then, if all is as you say, I will sup with you tonight and then be off again tomorrow. I’m going to take care of a good deal of business here in England and shall eventually have to return to America again later this year. I was unable to accomplish much before returning.”
Feeling more than a little guilty for causing her father to return unnecessarily, she frowned. “I’m sorry, Papa.”
“No need to be sorry, puppet. But I can’t hang about down here if you have no need of me. I will have to miss out on the questionable pleasure of meeting with my son-in-law, but if all is as you say, I needn’t be concerned.” He suddenly looked tired, but impatient, too. Her father never stayed in one place for very long.
“Very well, then. I imagine Mr. Summers can show you to your room.”
“Absolutely, my lady,” Mr. Summers said.
As she watched her father walk away with his man, she felt a strong twinge of melancholy. In the past, she and her father had belonged only to each other. Now, it seemed she found herself in an unfamiliar position. Her decisions were her own. In truth, she belonged only to herself — to herself and to her child.
She had been correct when she’d told Stephen she had choices. She had always had choices.
And she had made them.
Now her choices regarded right and wrong. An ironic smile curved her lips. Perhaps Stephen’s sense of duty and responsibility had rubbed off on her as well as Flavion.
Damn, she missed that man!
Stephen’s first instinctwas to send a messenger to the Continent in an effort to locate the baron with due haste. If he knew the truth, he would likely wish to return his daughter to England as quickly as possible.
But upon further contemplation and after letting off some pent-up energy with a bruising ride through Hyde Park earlier the next morning, he knew he must take this information to Cecily before anyone else.
She had been the victim in all of this, and he felt it would only be right to put this information into her hands and let her decide what she wanted done.
Except that… there were others involved, too.
But he would do nothing until he’d spoken with Cecily.
Against all logic, his heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing her again. He’d intentionally not corresponded with her, or even asked about her in his letters. He had decided the best thing he could do for her would be to assist Flavion in finding a purpose as the Earl of Kensington. If Flavion could experience some accomplishments, he might find his honor after all.
But this new information changed everything.
Slowing his horse to a more sedate walk, Stephen was pleased to see Marcus riding toward him. Old habits died hard. They had often ridden together, very early, in order to avoid the scorching sun while in India.
With a wave of the hand, Marcus rode over and set his direction in line with Stephen’s. “I had not realized you were back in London already. I hope all is well at your cousin’s estates?”
Marcus looked as winded as Stephen felt. He was surprised they hadn’t passed one another on the Row earlier.
“Yes, yes, everything is set in place so that Flavion needn’t worry greatly over them. I’ve appointed Cyril Thompson to assist Flave with management. He’s down in Surrey now tutoring and familiarizing much of the administrative duties with him. So far, the reports he has sent me indicate that Flavion is taking an interest. It is promising news.”
“Thompson is an excellent man for such a task,” Marcus agreed. “Will you be returning to India again soon, then?”
Stephen might have groaned. So much could change, depending upon Cecily’s inclinations. If she decided to use this new information to her benefit, it would take Stephen’s entire savings to pay back Cecily’s dowry. Not that he cared about the money; he would make more. And there were other matters that would need to be resolved…
“I have yet… a few complications requiring my attention here in England.” He kept his words intentionally vague. Normally, he would discuss such a matter with his old friend, but this time he could not. “I am to travel to Surrey tomorrow.”
