Polly’s gaze flew to her husband. His face had paled, emotion seething around him. Shock, anger… beneath all of it, pain.
Yet his voice was toneless as he said, “Is the conveying of His Grace’s imminent demise the only reason for your visit?”
“That is crass, even for you, Sinjin.” The duchess’ trickling anxiety, however, suggested that he wasn’t far off the mark in guessing that she had an ulterior motive. “In this time of tragedy, I had hoped that we might put aside our differences and come together as a family.”
A muscle leapt in Sinjin’s jaw. “We are not a family and haven’t been since you packed me off to Creavey Hall.”
“It was for your own good.” Her Grace’s hands folded primly in her lap. “You needed discipline, and the school is one of the best in the land for reforming unruly pupils.”
“Reforming or abusing?” The words burst from Polly, her voice shaking.
“As you were not even around at the time, I don’t see how you have anything to say in the matter,” the duchess said frostily.
“Polly can say what she wants because she is my wife. My family. You, Your Grace,” Sinjin gritted out, “are not.”
“The day I married your papa, I took on two boys as well—I, who had no experience at being a mama. Stephan made the role easy, but you… you have tried me at every turn. With your reckless behavior, your wild moods. I didn’t give up, however. Unlike your own mother,” Her Grace said pointedly, “I did not run from the problem. Knowing the limits of my own expertise, I found the best solution that I could.”
Sinjin’s lips whitened. But his stepmama wasn’t done.
“Acton and I could not control you, so we placed you in the care of someone who could. The way I see it, Revelstoke, we did our best by you, and you owe us for that, at least.”
“I don’t owe you a bloody thing,” Sinjin snarled. “But I shan’t renege on whatever His Grace saw fit to put in place for your care when I am the duke. That is what you came for today, is it not? To ensure your future comfort and security?”
“Acton, of course, made provisions for Theodore and me.” The duchess’ pale blue eyes narrowed. “I have your word that you will see the terms of those obligations fulfilled?”
If naught else, Polly had to admire the lady’s audacity. There Her Grace was, more or less with hat in hand, and yet she managed to make it seem as if Sinjin were the one asking for a favor. As if he were the one who owed her and not the other way around.
“Mama,” Lord Theodore said, looking genuinely pained, “can we discuss these matters later? Papa is not yet in the grave. Perhaps if we consult other physicians—”
“Your father is dying. He’s been lying to himself for months that it is otherwise, but it is not. Hence, we must look to the future. Well, Revelstoke?” the duchess said imperiously.
“Well, what?”
“Are you going to provide for Theodore and me in accordance with your father’s wishes?”
“I’m under no obligation to you or anyone. I will do as I see fit. Now if you’ll excuse us—or even if you don’t—my wife and I have guests to attend to.”
Taking the hand Sinjin offered, Polly got to her feet. The duchess rose as well, her aura fluctuating between resentment and worry. Polly noted that Theodore didn’t share his mama’s feelings. Whilst some apprehension was there, he seemed mainly… sad. Lost in the way a child feels when he doesn’t understand the world of adults.
And there was the wistful way he looked at Sinjin—as if he longed for a connection with his older brother but didn’t know how to go about establishing it.
Theodore’s yearning made her mind up. Sinjin had too few kin to reject a brother who might act like a bit of a fop but who, at his core, seemed a decent enough fellow. If she could, she wanted to help heal the breach between Sinjin and his half-brother. Thus, as Sinjin marched his relations to the foyer, issuing orders to Harvey to have their carriage fetched, Polly found a moment to speak to the young lordling.
“Would you care to visit us some other time?” she said in a hurried undertone. “Under less, um, hectic circumstances, when you could spend some time with your brother?”
Lord Theodore gave her a surprised look. “You mean that?” he whispered back.
She nodded.
“I’d like that—” Lord Theo began.
“Your carriage is here,” Sinjin said.
His words were controlled, but Polly’s pulse quickened at the rage flaring around him.
“Come, Theo, let us not waste another moment where we are not wanted,” the duchess said.
After they left, Polly ventured, “Sinjin, are you all right?”
