“Yes. He’s in Town for his daughter’s wedding, so he’ll be busy with that for a while. But I’m certain he’ll come again afterward.”
“Good. When you know the date, share it with me and I’ll set aside time so that I may talk to him about the baskets for tenants we discussed earlier.”
“I brought it up to him this afternoon,” Roderick said. “So he’s thinking about it, as well as making a list for you of people on the estate who may need extra help.”
She stared at him a moment. “That was kind of you, to bring up the subject.”
“It was important to you,” he said, and his dark eyes found hers, holding there, pinning her in place.
She shifted, uncertain of the blooming tingles that had begun in her chest. Desire, yes, but it felt like more.
“Roderick,” she began, but before she could finish, Stevenson stepped into the parlor.
“Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart, my lord, my lady.”
Her parents burst into the room in what felt like a chaotic explosion. Her mother was wearing feathers and they were shedding lightly behind her, marking a trail that would guarantee she was never lost. Her father, meanwhile, immediately started looking around the room, no doubt tallying up the value of every item in sight.
“Mama, Father,” Clarissa managed, sneaking a side glance at Roderick even as she moved forward to greet her parents. His lips were pursed a little, in annoyance, she recognized. Her fault, she supposed, for their marriage had forced him to be linked to her family. And though she tried hard to stick to the rules of Society which said she must obey and honor her parents, it was difficult when they behaved badly.
“…sucha glorious estate,” her mother was saying. “I meant to say it to you at the wedding, but we were all so busy that day. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier one.”
“Or more richly appointed,” her father said with a smile for Roderick. “Hardly needed our Clarissa’s little dowry at all, did you?”
Clarissa set her teeth as heat rushed to her cheeks. “Father, we mustn’t speak of such crude topics.”
“Oh, hush,” he grunted at her without looking. “The earl is family now. Family may rib each other a little.”
It wasn’t ribbing, though. Clarissa knew it. She could see Roderick did, too. And it was all made worse by the fact that the whatever sacrifices her father had made for thatlittle dowryhe referenced would swiftly be erased by less than a year of her pin money deposits backinto their accounts. Of course, Roderick didn’t know that. She had written to their solicitor and asked for the account to be managed that way the moment her new husband had told her that she might arrange the funds however she liked.
He’d offered her freedom. And she had been forced to give it away. For a moment she resented it before she pushed those harsh emotions aside. A lady was meant to be moderate in all feelings.
She hated those words so much lately. Even if she continued to do her best to follow them.
“Clarissa?” Roderick stepped to her side and gently set a hand on her lower back. The warmth of his fingers brought her back to the moment and she glanced up at him. He appeared concerned now, not annoyed. At least that was somewhat better.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “I’m sorry, I was just woolgathering.”
“Not very polite of you,” her father grunted. “Come, why don’t we have a drink before supper?”
Roderick straightened a little, his lips tightening, and then he moved toward the sideboard. He was just fiddling with bottles to find the right selection when Stevenson returned to the room.
“I beg your pardon, my lord, but Mr. Brightly sent word about that…” He glanced at Clarissa briefly. “That matter you requested he take care of. You wished to see the note if he sent it so you might immediately reply.”
“Yes,” Roderick said. “My apologies. This will only take a moment.” He nodded to her parents and Clarissa and hustled away.
She sighed at the idea that she would be alone with them, but went to the liquor bottle Roderick had pulled out. “I’ll serve you, Father.”
“With that?” he blustered. “Come, you know he has better-quality stuff than that.”
She pursed her lips and bent to the cabinet. She dug around and found the best scotch she could. When she lifted the bottle, she said, “Will this appease your taste?”
“Very nice.” Her father waved her to pour. “Go on then.”
She poured one for him and then a sherry for herself and hermother. As she handed out the drinks, she saw them exchange a glance. Her mother elbowed her father lightly and he sipped his drink before he said, “I saw that money was put on our books today. I assume from your pin funds?”
She nodded. “Yes, I would imagine so. I arranged it with Roderick’s man. It will be moved to your account after the first of each month.”
“Seems it could be more,” her mother said.
