“Oh, yes, that is right,” Lady Fenton said as if piecing something together in her mind. “‘Mars.’ That is how they all refer to you.Mars, well-known Corinthian, a man of the world, an out and outer. He has his vices and yet, they all like you. Admire you even.”
“What will it take to have you leave now?” His tone had become insistent, more terse.
“A conversation. Nothing more. And then I’m gone.”
His response was a sharp bark of humorless laughter. Clarissa didn’t understand how such a simple request could make him so angry.
She decided if he was going to force her to pretend to be a wife, then she should play a wife’s role. The words were out of her before she considered their wisdom. “Whynotlisten to her, my lord?”
Lady Fenton gave her a thin smile. “Why not?” she echoed as if Clarissa made great sense.
He stood no more than five feet from where Clarissa stood. A brooding presence. He was not pleased.
Clarissa didn’t care. This was his mother.Her request was not unreasonable and she had traveled a long way to make it. Dora made a mewing noise and Clarissa sat, picking up the bottle. “Would you wish for Dora to treat you this way?” she dared to ask.
Hard gray eyes narrowed in response, and then he said, “Very well. Speak, Mother.”
If he had spoken to Clarissa in that tone, she’d have hidden under the bed. Instead, his mother’s smile widened as if he had walked into a snare... and Clarissa began to have doubts.
“I want you to come to London,” Lady Fenton said smoothly. “A challenge has been made for my husband’s position as Chairman of Committees. It is a very powerful role that determines the work of our great nation. Fenton presides over the House when it is in committee and he has done so effectively for several years. Everyone admires him.”
“Obviously not everyone. Otherwise, there would not be a challenger,” Lord Marsden countered.
“True, but then again, this is politics,” she answered as if it should be obvious. “The vote over the position will be very close.” As he opened his mouth, she cut in easily, “I know you don’t give a care about your responsibilities,Mars. I can’t remember the last time anyone has seen you around Westminster. It has actually made you a bit of a joke with my set.”
“Parliament is your territory,Mother. I avoid it to avoid you.” That was a surprise to Clarissa,who had criticized his lack of involvement as arrogance. And she thought it still was, but for a different reason. She wasn’t so naïve as to think that all families felt a close bond, except there was a vast and cold distance between this mother and son. And not just from Lord Marsden. His mother was far from nurturing. However, her manner said she was not going to leave until he did her bidding.
“Your title carries responsibilities,” his mother answered. Had not Clarissa said the same thing to him only an hour or more ago? “In order for Fenton to retain his position, we need one more vote to put him over the top.”
“If you are counting on me, he will lose.”
“Then that would be a pity,” Lady Fenton answered. “Because Lord Dervil will win and become the country’s second most powerful man after the prime minister.”
And just like that, Lord Marsden’s attitude changed. His interest picked up. Clarissa was not surprised. Everyone knew he lived to thwart Lord Dervil.
His mother smiled. She knew she was using the right bait. “We can let you cast the deciding vote, if you wish. That would be good, wouldn’t it? Dervil would hate you for it. It would be humiliating to him and you would finally have the revenge you’ve longed for.”
He shocked Clarissa when he declared, “I don’t want revenge. I want him dead.”
“You may have that opportunity,” she answered as if his stated goal was well worth the effort. “Besides,” Lady Fenton continued, “youneed to introduce your wife to society. You will come, won’t you, Clarissa?”
Clarissa didn’t know how to answer. The conversation sounded normal and yet there was no humor in Lord Marsden’s wishing another man’s death or his mother’s acceptance. He meant what he said.
She tightened her hold on Dora protectively. The baby was half-interestedly sucking on her bottle while playing with her little hands as if they were toys. She made a sound of protest at being held closer and then went back to her busyness.
“I believe I will stay here,” Clarissa murmured.
“Oh, I won’t let you do such a thing,” Lady Fenton countered. “London is always interesting. I have so many people I need to introduce to you.”
Clarissa shot a pleading look to Lord Marsden. This woman was too forceful for her right now, and, blessedly, he stepped in.
“My wife just returned from a journey. The thought of another one so soon is probably overwhelming to her.”
“Ah, hence the valise. I should have known.” Lady Fenton gave another of her smiles, the sort that never reached her eyes. No, her gaze was always calculating. “Well, we can make plans over dinner.”
Clarissa didn’t know how much longer she could manage to be surrounded by the swirl of troubling emotions between mother and son and keep her balance. “I will not be able to joinyou for the evening meal. I’m quite fatigued after my trip.”
“Understandable,” Lady Fenton said, jumping on the suggestion of having her son to herself. “We can have a tray sent up to you. Meanwhile, Mars and I will discuss our strategy for the vote over dinner.” These were not questions but orders. She opened the door. “I will be staying the night. It is too late to start my return to London.” On those words, she left, shutting the door behind her.
