His brother-in-law shifted his eyes to Victor’s mother.
Did she know something?
“Have you bothered to ask anyone?” she asked.
“Yes, though I doubt the person who caused the damage would admit to such, but I did question the servants, but nobody knows anything.”
“You have not asked me,” his mother said.
Victor narrowed his eyes on the woman. “You know who did this?”
“Yes.”
“Why the blazes did you not tell me?” Victor nearly roared. “I want the man arrested.”
“You will not want that,” his mother assured him.
Of course, that was his intention. Why wouldn’t he want the man to pay for his crimes.
“If you will excuse me,” Kingsley said then rose from his seat.
Victor shot him a look. “Did you set the fire?” he demanded.
“It was not I.” He then looked to Victor’s mother again and walked out of the room.
Victor narrowed his eyes on the woman who had raised him. “Mother, did you set fire to the stable and try to blow up the dam?” It was unlikely. She may know how to set a flame, but she certainly couldn’t set an explosive.
His mother looked him in the eye. “Yes.”
“Why the bloody hell would you do that?”
“It was time you came home, where you are needed. I knew that you would not come for any other reason.”
“Your actions have cost us a fortune. One that I don’t have. What investments and saving that I have been able to accumulate will be spent. I will barely be able to provide for you and my family.”
His mother dismissed him with a wave of his hand. “You will be rich again soon enough.”
“No, I will not. It is Charlotte who controls the funds, as you well know.”
“I am certain your wife will give you a loan. It is not as if she will need all that money.”
Victor did not know what to make of his mother’s words, nor did it matter. “If you think I am going to ask my wife for assistance due to something you caused, you are mistaken. I will help the tenant farmers but the rest of you had better decide where your meals are coming from.”
He rose and tossed his napkin on the table. “I am going to see how repairs are progressing, settle my affairs here and return home.”
“This is your home,” his mother yelled. “This is your duty.”
“My duty is to see that you have a roof over your head and that you don’t starve, but that is all you will ever get from me again.” He stomped to the door. “This is not my home any longer and I am leaving.”
Marcus stood. “I believe I will join you.”
Victor wasn’t certain if it was his brother’s plan to accompany him only on the estate or all the way back to Willanton, nor did he care.
Chapter 33
Charlottecheckedherappearanceafter donning her most modest and sober dress and descended the stairs to meet with Mr. Ward. He rose when she entered the parlor, but she insisted that he sit.
“I apologize that my husband has not yet arrived.”
