“See, that is exactly what I came here to discuss.” Leonard cocked his head to the side. “I know everything already. And I don’t appreciate the fact that you are blackmailing her.”
“Blackmail is an ugly word.” Mr. Hind pushed back from his desk.
“An ugly word for an ugly deed,” Leonard bit out.
He scoffed. “You cannot seriously be interested in a woman such as Miss Gillingham.” He used a hand to gesture to Leonard. “You are a gentleman. Son of a gentleman. You can have no use for a woman such as her. Unless she takes you up on an offer that she refused me.”
Leonard swallowed, forcing himself to remain calm and in control of himself. “The offer I plan to make to her is much more honorable. And it will be up to her if she chooses to accept.”
“So, what is the purpose of this little visit then?”
“To let you know that your little game will have no effect on my plans for her and our future.”
Hind opened his mouth, but Leonard pressed on.
“And if you think my father finding out about my wife’s past will be any inducement to continue your little game, I would be happy to tell you that it wouldn’t bother me at all.” He took abreath. “But I will warn you that if you feel the need to spread nasty little tales throughout London, I will repay you in kind. And my family is in good enough standing, so that should keep you in line.”
Hind watched him, his eyes narrowing.
“Now, I am leaving. And I hope I will not have need to return.”
And then he stormed out, boots stomping down the hall.
As Leonard entered his parents’ townhouse, he halted. Voices drifted down the hall, and he nearly cursed under his breath. He strode toward the murmurs, then entered the morning room. His parents sat on the matching high-back chairs across from Samuel on the settee.
Leonard glanced about their faces, starting with his parents. His father’s face was set, but his mother smiled and stood, striding toward him with arms outstretched.
“It is good to see you, Leonard.” She pulled back, still holding Leonard’s forearms, and he glanced over her shoulder toward Samuel.
His eyes told it all. That he had tried his best, but their parents had insisted on escorting him to London.
“What a surprise,” Leonard said, escorting his mother back to her seat.
“You invited Samuel to visit, did you not?” His father brought a cup of tea to his lips. “Surely you did not expect him to do so by himself.”
“No,” Leonard continued. “I would have been happy to drive out and bring him.”
“Now we can help. I thought you would be relieved.”
Leonard watched him, his heart beating dully in his chest. What he wanted was to be sure they did not do anything Fatherwould not approve of. He would think going to a play too taxing for Samuel. Sometimes Leonard wondered if keeping him in his bed all the time was doing rather the opposite of helping him.
“I am happy to have Samuel here,” he answered.
Mother squirmed in her seat, then cleared her throat. “Leonard, would you care for some tea?” She stood to pour him a cup, and Leonard grudgingly took a seat of his own.
He accepted the steaming tea, thankful for something to sip on so he could do that instead of trying to make conversation. After leaving Hind’s, this was rather the last thing he wanted to come home to.
“Are you planning to let anyone know you are in town?” Leonard asked.
Mother looked at Samuel, then over to Father. “It depends.”
“Mother,” Samuel said, his shoulders sloping. “You can go. I promise I will be fine.”
She sighed, as if not believing Samuel’s words. “Very well. Perhaps we will go to a small dinner or two. We can always leave directly after the meal.”
“That’s not necessary,” Samuel pressed. “I will have Leonard here.” He looked at Leonard with a knowing grin.
“Exactly.” Leonard smiled back, then took another sip of tea. Perhaps he would sneak his brother out while his parents were gone. What they didn’t know couldn’t hurt them—or worry them.
