“Indeed, she does,” Grandpapa added. “Why haven’t you taken a wife yet, Justin? It’s high time, my boy.”
Behind her wine glass, Veronica smiled widely at Justin, who returned her look with a narrowed-eyed glare of his own. They both knew there was nothing Mama and Grandpapa liked to discuss more than Justin’s intentions of finding a bride.
“Indeed,” Justin replied, clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders. “How do you all know I don’t intend to find a bride next Season?”
“Do you?” Mama’s brows shot up. A look of hope enveloped her face.
“Do you?” Grandpapa’s voice was equally hopeful.
“Do you?” Veronica and Sebastian chimed together, their voices dripping with skepticism.
“Do you?” Jessica echoed, eagerly.
“Do you?” Elizabeth scrunched up her nose and frowned.
“Don’t look so surprised, everyone,” Justin replied with a laugh. “Perhaps that’s why I’m asking these questions. To prepare myself.”
“Oh, I’m so pleased to hear that,” Mama replied, a radiant smile on her face.
Veronica narrowed her eyes at her brother. He’d won this round. Justin was the consummate bachelor. He had absolutely no intention of taking a wife anytime soon, and they both knew it. He was giving Mama and Grandpapa false hope only to rile her, the rogue.
“Yes, now I have several more questions about what makes a happy marriage,” Justin replied, smirking at Veronica. “Shall I continue?”
Chapter Ten
Later that night, after the twins and Grandmama had taken their leave from the drawing room where the ladies had retired after dinner, Veronica sat alone in the silence sipping tea with her mother.
“Grandpapa looks well,” she remarked.
“He does, doesn’t he?” Mama replied. She was sitting across from Veronica by the crackling fire, a fur covering her lap.
Veronica sat in silence for a few more moments before summoning the nerve to ask her mother a question she’d wanted to ask her for an age. “Why did you do it, Mama? Why did you tolerate Father’s cheating?”
Mama’s eyes flared before they settled back down and took on a resigned look. “I didn’t know you knew about that, Veronica,” she breathed.
Veronica pushed herself to the edge of her seat. “Of course I knew. We all did. At least Justin and I did. We heard the fights.”
Mama’s gaze met Veronica’s and pain was clearly etched deeply in her countenance when she replied. “I’m sorry you heard that.”
“I know he hurt you, Mama. Why didn’t you send him away? Why did you keep welcoming him back into your home, into your be—?” She stopped herself. She was crossing a line. Letting her anger control her.
“It’s not that simple, darling,” Mama replied quietly. “I loved him.”
“Exactly, which is why—” Veronica stopped herself again. She’d been about to say, “which is why I never let myself love Sebastian.” Tears filled her eyes. She could still hear her father’s raised voice. “I promise you, Margaret, it won’t happen again. You have my word.”
The first time she’d heard him say those words, Veronica had been filled with relief. Mama had stopped crying, and they’d enjoyed themselves for the rest of the time Father was at the manor. But it soon became apparent that her father had no intention of keeping his word. He left his family in the country to see to business in London, and every time he returned, the fights would happen again. Veronica had listened with rage in her childish heart, wanting nothing more than to rush to her Mama’s side and demand that her father relinquish his mistress. The woman he and Mama had so many rows over.
“You promised, Alistair,” Mama always said, her sobs making Veronica’s heart ache.
Justin had listened, too. But he’d had more of a resigned, stoic demeanor. He didn’t get angry the way Veronica had. They’d both been forced to listen to their parents’ raised voices until their governess had stood and closed the door to the nursery.
Nothing ever changed. Father made a lot of promises and went back to London, leaving Mama with a broken heart. Then he’d return, and another fight would ensue. And every time they raised their voices, Veronica promised herself that she’d never allow a man to treat her that way. She’d never welcome a man who’d betrayed her into her bed. She’d never understood how Mama could bear it, especially when Mama had been raised by Grandpapa and Grandmama, who were clearly a lifelong love match.
Veronica closed her eyes. The memory of the night of her first ball after her debut drifted through her mind. Grandpapa had been there, dressed in his best evening clothes. Looking as dapper and handsome as any of the young bucks. He’d proudly escorted his eldest granddaughter into the Cranberrys’ ballroom. “Remember,” he said with such earnestness in his eyes, “when evaluating a young man, you must ensure he is solid. The type of man who won’t let his family down. The type of man who is faithful and cherishes his wife the way I cherish your grandmother.”
“A man unlike Father,” Veronica had whispered.
Regret had filled her grandfather’s eyes. “I begged Margaret not to marry him,” he breathed.
