“It is difficult to break a habit of many years. But I would never be so indecorous and petty as to complain about my seat at a table.” She tossed those words in my direction. Clearly, I was to blame for her son’s sudden spine.
“Kate has never once complained, Mother. I am the one complaining. I wish to look across the table and see my wife where she belongs. In the place of honor due to her as my viscountess and as mistress of this house. If I see the ridiculous demonstration with the chair one more time, it will be the last time you dine with us.”
No one dared move. No one dared breathe. We all waited silently as one for Agatha’s response. Wisely, tragically, she said nothing, instead taking her correct seat across from Tom. We all sat, Michael’s gaze bouncing back and forth between Hugh and Agatha with interest.
“Actually, Mother. There is something I wished to discuss with you,” Hugh said. Tom’s face fell into his open palm in a way I hadn’t seen in months. “Tom and I inspected the dower house this morning. Michael has kindly agreed to send some of the workers from his estate to make the necessary improvements so that it can be ready for you to move in by Christmas.”
Michael appeared somewhat shocked at the volunteering of his workforce, but I imagined he would be all too willing to assist in Agatha’s removal.
Tom muttered something under his breath about wishing to be excluded.
Agatha’s eyes, widened with astonishment, narrowed down into a rage before me. “You wish for me to move out of my own house now? The home I raised you in. Have you no gratitude?” Turning to me, she cried, “This is your doing! You have set him against me. I told him! I told him you were nothing but manipulative trouble, using your body to get what you want.”
“Mother!” Hugh cut in. “Enough. Apologize to Kate. Now.”
“Why should I apologize to that hussy? She seduced you, and now she is ruining you.”
“Out.” His voice was honed like a knife edge, deadly with that single word.
“Excuse me?”
“You are excused. I will have a tray sent up. You may join us again when you sincerely apologize to Kate. And to Michael. Not a moment sooner.”
“Never,” she vowed.
“Then I hope you enjoy supper in your rooms. The dower house will be ready in a few months’s time. You may eat at the table there.” The scrape of her chair against the floor was deafening. She strode out of the room with as much dignity as she could muster, not turning back. No one spoke for a full moment after her footsteps softened down the hall.
It was Michael who broke the silence. “So, I am lending you workers?”
“Do you mind?” Hugh asked.
“Not in the least. After that display, you can have them all.”
“Not all, Michael. We really do need a dining room eventually,” Juliet said. If we heard the smashing of a dining tray upstairs, everyone pretended not to notice. And dinner continued on in a much more jovial manner.
* * *
Hugh
Michael swirled the scotch in his glass thoughtfully. Finally, he broke the amiable silence after several minutes. “So, that was an interesting dinner.”
“It was.”
“You didn’t need to include me in your ultimatum.”
“I did. I should have done it years ago. I need to tell you that I know, Michael. I know and I will never be able to tell you how sorry I am. For everything. And I will never be able to thank you.”
“You know what?” he asked, voice higher than usual in feigned ignorance.
“Michael…”
He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair and tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling. “How did you find out?”
“I have been reviewing old ledgers.”
“Whatever for?”
It was my turn to sigh. “I have to ask a favor.”
