“Why do you think you should?”
“I’m much older than you—probably a good ten years.”
She shook her head. “That’s not a problem at all. I’m an adult and you are an adult. I have seen women my age marry older men all the time.”
“So true.” He chuckled and pulled away. “Unfortunately, if you don’t return to the nursery soon, Mrs. Smythe will wonder what is happening between us.”
Louisa nodded. “That, she will. And if you stay with me on the sofa like this, your guests are going to see wrinkles in your clothes and wonder why.”
He stroked her cheek. “I promise we shall discover your past. I cannot wait to make this right.”
“I hope you are correct, Trevor.”
“I am.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Good day, YourGrace.”
Trevor nodded to his mother’s butler as he entered the dowager house the next morning. “It is a fine day, Bentley. By chance, is my mother up for company?”
The old servant smiled wide. “She is always up for your company, my lord.”
“Splendid. I shall wait for her in the sitting room. Please have Cook prepare us some tea and biscuits.”
“As you wish.” The servant bowed, turned, and went on his way.
Trevor walked into the sitting room. Sunlight spilled through the open drapes, bringing light into the sparkling room. This had always been his mother’s favorite place to visit with guests, and to read. Even when his father was alive, especially when his father was alive. Most of Trevor’s childhood memories were of his father holed in his chambers, sleeping off his drunken spree from the night before. While Trevor’s father slept, his mother was a cheerful, fun and energetic woman. When the old lord of Kenbridge was awake, his mother turned into a timid mouse, afraid to speak loudly or to be noticed.
God may look down on Trevor for feeling this way, but the Worthingtons became a better family once the Duke of Kenbridge met his Maker. The old man couldn’t do anything right, and he for certain didn’t make an exemplary duke. Thenagain, Trevor wondered if he was messing up his life as well having feelings for a woman who might not be of noble birth.
He walked to the window and looked out across his mother’s gardens—her pride and joy. He might not have turned out as bad as his sire, but Trevor had made one mistake after another. The first one being his marriage to Gwen. Because he’d wanted to be a good son and prove to thetonthe Worthington name should be respected, Trevor married the woman his parents had chosen for him instead of trying to find love.
Groaning, he rubbed his forehead. Some things in his life he did not wish to remember. This was one of them. Yet, the painful reality always hit him in the face—especially when he had to look at Adam and Amanda every day. He wanted to be their father so badly that he hardened his heart for fear the truth would kill him. If those adorable children turned out to have a different father…
“Trevor, what a pleasant surprise.”
He snapped around and smiled as his mother entered the room. “Good day, Mother. You look lovely, as always.” He met her halfway and kissed her cheek.
“Always the flatterer.” His mother giggled. “Were my eyes deceiving me, or did I see you rubbing your forehead.” She lost her smile as she stroked the side of his face. “Do you have a headache, my dear?”
“No, Mother. My mind was lost in yesteryear, I fear.”
“Ah,” she said with a nod. “Revisiting the past would give anyone a headache.”
Chuckling, he led her to the sofa. “So right you are.”
“How are my precious grandbabies?” She sat, adjusting her gown around her legs.
“They are extremely well. Especially now.”
The dowager arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”
“Lately, I have discovered their nurse, Mrs. Jacobs, had not been caring for the twins as she should. I let the nurse go and have already replaced her.”
“With whom?”
“Do you recall that young woman I nearly killed with my curricle three weeks ago?”
