Instead of riding to her rescue, Baldwin had spent a long night in his study. He’d gone over every ledger, every contingency, weighing each option as he tied himself in knots. He’d not come to a decision until he’d entered his chamber and felt a crushing disappointment that Helena hadn’t been there waiting for him again.
And so…here he was. With one thing left to do before he took the future in front of him with both hands. There would be consequences to that future.
His mother and Charlotte stepped into the parlor, with Ewan behind them. The two women were laughing and Ewan’s grin was wide. Baldwin took a moment to examine their happy faces. These were people he loved. He’d done so much to hurt them. He’d done so much to try to ensure he would never hurt them again.
Now he was going to hurt them all with the truth. And pray they could forgive him.
“Oh, Baldwin,” Charlotte said, her smile falling as she looked at him. “Oh, dearest, what is it?”
As his sister rushed across the room to hug him, Ewan closed the door, his gaze narrowing, his expressive face filled with support and love. Their mother stared at him, too, the color gone from her cheeks. She was the only one who had even an inkling of their troubles.
She was about to have more. He hoped she wouldn’t be crushed under the weight of it like he’d been all this time.
“I’m fine,” Baldwin said softly as he squeezed Charlotte’s hands in an attempt to reassure her. “Thank you all for coming to join me so early in the day.”
“What is it?” his mother asked, her voice shaking. “Something has happened?”
He held her stare, and in it he saw all her fear, all her strength. “Mama, it’s time they know the truth.”
The duchess buckled slightly and Ewan rushed forward to catch her elbow. Gently, he guided her to a settee and helped her take her place.
“Must you?” she whispered when she’d gathered herself. “Oh, Baldwin,mustyou?”
Charlotte stared back and forth between her mother and brother. Her sharp gaze was confused and anxious. “What is going on? What is the truth?”
Baldwin took her hand and took her to sit beside their mother. Ewan stood behind then, resting a hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. She reached up to cover it, and Baldwin found himself staring at the couple for a moment. This was love. This was support. This was everything.
“You’ve asked me numerous times in the past few years about my change in…mood,” he began. “Both you and Ewan have been concerned.”
The pair nodded together.
“Baldwin,” his mother whispered.
“It’s all right, Mama,” he reassured her. “They have a right to know and—and so do you, for you have been kept in the dark, as well.”
She tilted her head. “There’s more?”
Charlotte pursed her lips. “Will someonepleaseexplain what’s going on?”
Baldwin drew a deep breath. There was truly no way to do this except for quickly and efficiently. “The Sheffield entail is nearly devoid of all funds. There is almost nothing but the land.”
As their mother put her head in her hands with a soft sob, Charlotte stared at him, mouth dropped open. Ewan came around to stand beside the settee. He made a few hand signs and Charlotte forced herself to look at him.
“He—he’s asking you to clarify. There isnothingleft?” She shook her head. “How is that possible, Baldwin? Did something happen? We never wanted for anything.”
Baldwin nodded slowly. “I know. Father kept his secrets very well. Mama and I knew nothing of the situation until I inherited and the ledgers were revealed. He was constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul. He had debts all over the countryside.”
“How?” Charlotte whispered.
Baldwin flinched at the pained tone to her voice. He was crushing her illusions about her father. A man she had adored. He knew how she felt. He’d experienced the same thing.
“He had a compulsion,” Baldwin said softly. “To gamble. I saw it firsthand, though I didn’t know the consequences until it was far too late.”
“That is why you’ve been so dark, so dour, since you inherited,’” Charlotte translated as Ewan signed. “Why didn’t you talk to us? To your family or your friends?”
Baldwin bent his head. “Because I made it worse and I didn’t want you to judge me.”
His mother lifted her gaze and held his. “What?”
