“The blue parlor, my lord,” Stevenson said with a grateful smile. “I’ll inform her ladyship that you have joined them.”
“Very good.”
Roderick tugged his clothing into place as he went down the hallway to the parlor in question. He was about to push the door open when he heard his father-in-law talking.
“—blasted girl had one job to do. We got her married off to a rich earl and you’d think she could manage to be grateful enough to support us.”
“Well, tell her so when she comes in,” Mrs. Lockhart said. “She owes us.”
Roderick’s nostrils flared and he pushed the door open. “Good afternoon,” he said, his tone clipped.
They both turned toward him and suddenly they were all obsequious welcome, bowing and tittering.
“We did not know we’d have the pleasure, my lord,” Mrs. Lockhart said. “Our daughter led us to believe you would be out during our visit.”
“A late change of plans,” Roderick said as he fought not to glare at the woman. “Clarissa thought I would be out.”
“It seems she should have a better handle on her husband’s schedule,” Mr. Lockhart blustered. “I hope she’s doing her duties as countess well enough.”
Roderick drew in a long breath to remain calm. “She is perfect.”
Her father snorted but said nothing else on the subject. Instead, he crossed to where the tea service was and examined the biscuits andtea. “That girl knows I like the raspberry jam best. Honestly,” he muttered. “You would think she could keep one simple thing in her mind.”
Roderick moved forward. “I’m not fond of raspberry,” he said with a frown. “And we hardly ever have it in the house because of that. And your daughter keeps a great many things in her mind, all of which seem to be about ensuring you two are happy. Even though you clearly think little of her feelings.”
Mrs. Lockhart spun on him. “I-I cannot imagine what you mean?”
He drew in a deep breath. He’d told Clarissa she could manage her own affairs and perhaps he should allow her just that. But with these two disparaging her in his house, inherhouse, it was too much to bear.
“I have become aware that she is giving you two-thirds of her monthly pin funds,” he said. “Even though those are supposed to be for her pleasure and her good. Why would you do such a thing?”
Both his in-laws’ eyes went wide at that question and they exchanged a quick glance. Roderick searched for embarrassment at their base behavior. Regret. He saw none. Only calculation of how they should handle him so that they could continue a lifestyle they could only support on Clarissa’s back.
“Our daughter’s pleasure has always been to take care of her parents,” Mrs. Lockhart said. “We raised her well.”
Roderick pursed his lips. “Was that her pleasure because to deny you only brought her harm? She turned out well, but I would argue it was despite the way she was raised, not because of it.”
Mr. Lockhart’s nostrils flared. He was clearly the kind of man whose inflated sense of entitlement didn’t allow him to accept criticism. He would lash out, that was evident even before he said, “Well, she has plenty under you, doesn’t she? She can afford to help her parents, who took care of her.”
“As was their duty,” Roderick said. “And for which sheowesnothing.”
“Marcus,” Mrs. Lockhart said, and grabbed her husband’s arm.
He shook her off and continued to stare at Roderick. “If she can afford to share her wealth, I see no reason not to tell her my requirements.”
Roderick slowly counted to ten to calm his increasing anger. “I want you to see it from her side. The reason for that pin money would give her some independence. The only thing you knew about me when you forced this union was that I was titled and rich. What if I had been an ogre? What if I was the sort of man who hurt or controlled her? What if she needed that allowance for her daily requirements, not just niceties?”
Her mother stared at him like he’d sprouted a second head. It seemed she truly didn’t understand the concept. “If Clarissa displeases a husband enough that he lifts a hand against her or punishes her, it sounds as though she needs to apply herself more. It wouldn’t be our problem, would it?”
Roderick’s mouth dropped open at the idea that they would blame Clarissa if she had been forced by them into a marriage with a man who would harm her. “You two are monsters. To care so much for yourselves and so little for her well-being. It stops now.”
Before her parents could answer, Clarissa burst into the room, her face pale and her eyes darting toward him. “Oh, I’m here. Please don’t argue. I’m here now.”
“And good you are,” Mr. Lockhart said, and now his ire turned on Clarissa. “I think you have been complaining to your husband. Turning him against us.”
“No.” Clarissa shook her head. “I would not do such a thing, I promise you.”
Roderick ached at her tone. At how broken and fearful she sounded. “Clarissa, they hold no power over you anymore,” he said softly. “They cannot take anything away from you, you don’t have to protect them from the consequences of their own poor actions. You deserve better. You always have.”
