Hunt straightened, running his hand down his short, shaven head. He’d hoped that there was time to prepare his mother and sister for the contents ofTheRake Review’sarticle, but of course, his sister was one step ahead of him.
“A conundrum? Is that what we’re calling possibly losing the fortune that father left to him on the condition that he doesn’t destroy the family name?”
Hunt walked over to the sideboard, where a pitcher of water beckoned him forward. “Being mentioned in a gossip sheet does not equate to losing one’s fortune.”
He poured himself a glass of water, thankful that he’d insisted the housekeeper keep a full pitcher in every room of the house. After a night of endless drinking and debauchery, Hunt found that the only thing that soothed his rolling stomach was water, food, and sleep.
Preferably in that order, but it did not seem like his sister was going to allow him any sleep at all.
Helen let out an animalistic growl of frustration. It was comical, really, since she was the least non-threatening person he’d ever met.
“Are you completely daft?” she asked from behind him. “The solicitor and our dear cousin are waiting for any excuse to rip the fortune from your hands, and now you have been crowned the Magnificent Earl of March by the most notorious gossip in all of London.”
It was true that his cousin, Augustus, wanted nothing more in the world than to take control of the Wakefield coffers. Though the late earl had more than provided for his nephew after his death, the swine had spent the entirety of his inheritance in less than a year.
Hunt understood why his sister was angry with him. The things that the Belle wrote about him could very well jeopardize their entire livelihood, but there really was no proof it was him.
Hunt faced his sister, taking a deep drink from his glass as she stood fuming in front of him. “The Belle did not mention me by name.” He shrugged one shoulder, trying to ignore the pounding in his head.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Hunt. How many other Earls of M are there in London, who happened to be born to an older mother who thought she was barren and has a sister named Lady H?” She motioned to herself.
“I don’t see how shouting will get anything done,” his mother said, gripping her elaborately decorated cane. A gift from Hunt on her seventieth birthday. The dark mahogany wood was painted with vines of pink roses—his mother’s favorite flower.
“You always coddle him,” his sister spat at their mother.
“Watch your tone, Helen,” Hunt said, raising an eyebrow at his sister. “Berating me is one thing, but you will not attack Mother.”
“I’m not attacking her!” Helen defended, looking chagrined.
“Thank you, Hunt, but I do not need you to defend me against your sister.” His mother rose from her armchair andslowly walked to stand between them, her stern gaze locked on his sister.
It broke his heart to see her moving slowly. She’d sacrificed everything for them, ensuring that they never lacked anything despite their father’s coldness.
His sister let out an exasperated breath. “I’m sorry, Mother?—”
“Save your apologies, Helen. Regardless of what you think, I don’t coddle Hunt. I support him and you, unconditionally.”
“Of course, Mother,” his sister said, thoroughly chastised. “I did not mean to imply that you favor Hunt over me.”
“She does favor me over you. How could she not?” Hunt asked, before walking to take a seat on the dark brown sofa.
“Really, Hunt, now is not the time for jests,” his mother reprimanded him. “Your sister does have a point. You must be careful; the anniversary of your father’s death is nearly here. Surely, you can cease any questionable activities for a fortnight.”
A fortnight, and the fortune his mother lost would be hers again. If it wasn’t for his mother, Hunt would have never accepted the blasted title. She and Helen were the only reasons he decided not to let Augustus have it all.
“Mother, this is my life. I won’t be controlled by the earldom,” he argued gently, never liking to be cross with his mother.
He stood to assist her as she sat down on the opposite end of the sofa.
It wasn’t like he purposely set out to ruin their chances at finally keeping the family’s fortune that had once belonged to his mother. It was more that he didn’t think about it. Thinking required feelings, and Hunt hated feeling anything at all.
“Could you at least try not to do anything else to draw attention to yourself?” Helen asked, pointing a long finger athim. “Stay out ofThe Rake Review. You agreed to become the earl for Mother.”
“Hunt, I did not ask you to accept the earldom for me. It’s not myself that I worry about. It is you and your sister who are most important to me in this world.” His mother gave him a small smile. “I asked you to accept the earldom because no matter what anyone thinks, it is yours by birth, and no one, not even your father or Augustus, can ever take it from you.” She stood again, peering down at him, the way she’d done when he was younger. “Don’t ruin yourself trying to get revenge on a dead man.” His mother limped toward the door, all the weight from her left side supported by her cane. “Now, let’s have some breakfast.”
A sad smile spread across Hunt’s lips as his mother walked out of the room. He’d spent his entire life trying to gain his father’s favor, but it didn’t matter.
“I’m sorry I shouted at you,” Helen said, before standing.
