Clara's mind raced, pieces clicking together like the tumblers of a lock. "Did he tell you what the scandal was?"
"No." Lady Tyrone shook her head slowly, a single tear escaping to trace down her cheek. "He would not say. Only that it involved Thomas and that I must not ask questions." She cupped Clara's face between both hands now, her expression fierce despite her tears. "I failed you, my dear. I allowed my fear to silence me when I should have demanded answers."
"You did not fail me, Mama." Clara covered her mother's hands with her own, pressing them gently. "Tyrone is... formidable when he wishes to be."
"That he is." Lady Tyrone's expression hardened briefly before softening again, something resolute settling in the lines of her face. "But I am tired of living in fear of my own son. If there is a truth to be discovered, then let it be discovered. Whatever shame it brings cannot be worse than this constant dread."
Clara's heart swelled with unexpected hope, warmth flooding through her chest. "Then you would support me? If I were to seek out the truth?"
Lady Tyrone studied her daughter's face for a long moment, her gaze searching. "Are you so close, then? To discovering what your brother hides?"
"I believe I am," Clara said, not willing to reveal everything but grateful for even this small admission. "There are pieces coming together. I do not yet know the full picture, but I am close."
Her mother nodded slowly, then reached out to smooth a strand of hair from Clara's forehead --- a gesture from Clara's childhood that brought fresh tears to her eyes, tears she did not try to hide.
"Then I will support you," Lady Tyrone said, her voice steady now, filled with a quiet strength Clara had nearly forgotten her mother possessed. "Whatever comes of it, I will stand besideyou. It is past time I remembered that I am not merely the mother of the Marquess of Tyrone. I am the mother of all my children, and they all deserve my protection equally."
Clara embraced her mother then, holding on so tightly she could scarcely breathe. She had not realized how much she had needed this --- an ally within her own home, someone who understood the weight she had been carrying.
"Thank you, Mama," she whispered against her mother's shoulder, the familiar scent of rosewater wrapping around her like a comfort. "You cannot know what this means to me."
"I think I can," Lady Tyrone replied, holding her close. "For I remember what it was to be young and in love, and to have others seek to keep me from my heart's desire." She pulled back to look at Clara, a knowing glint in her eye. "I presume Lord Rutland is assisting you in this endeavor?"
Clara felt heat creep into her cheeks, her skin flushing warm. "He is."
A small smile touched Lady Tyrone's lips --- the first genuine smile Clara had seen from her mother in months, one that made her look years younger. "Good. Then you are not alone in this. And now, neither am I."
13
Josiah sat back in his chair, glancing around White's. As yet, his cousin had not made an appearance but Josiah had every expectation that he would soon arrive. They had arranged to meet here after the evening's entertainment and Josiah was eager to begin questioning him about Miss Jennings.
"You are still waiting, then?"
Gratefully accepting the glass of whisky from Lord Worthington, Josiah nodded. "Yes, but I am sure it will not be long."
His friend sat down next to him and let out a long, contented sigh. "I must say, I had a very pleasant evening indeed."
With a chuckle, Josiah rolled his eyes. "You spent most of the evening in conversation with one lady and one lady only."
"That is very true." Lord Worthington grinned. "But I did not find anyone else half as interesting as she."
"Is that so?" Josiah tilted his head, studying his friend. Thus far, he could not tell whether or not Lord Worthington was speaking truthfully. "You have not been acquainted with her for long."
Lord Worthington shrugged. "She and I have a common purpose, I suppose. That means that we both understand each other."
"Oh?"
His friend's eyes twinkled. "We are both determined to be of aid to our friends. Lady Alice is determined to support Lady Clara in her endeavors and I am the very same when it comes to you."
Still unsure as to whether Lord Worthington was being genuine in his remarks, Josiah took a sip of his whisky and then shrugged. "I hope that you are being truthful, my friend. I do not want Lady Alice to be injured in any way, not even in spirit."
"I should not even dream of doing such a thing!" Clearly affronted, Lord Worthington shifted to the edge of his chair in an instant, his back straight and his smile wiped from his expression. "I am being quite truthful, I assure you!"
Josiah grinned at his friend's upset. "I am glad to see your strong reaction to such a suggestion, Worthington. It affirms to me that you are, in fact, being quite honest with me. I am glad for that."
Lord Worthington's face flushed but, with a rueful smile, he leaned back in his chair, relaxing back into it again. "That was badly done."
"Mayhap," Josiah replied, "but you can be a difficult man to read, my friend. In fact, I ---"
