“I don’t want—”
“Of course you don’t. Not now. You’re young yet. But I wouldn’t be doing my duty to you if I didn’t introduce you to the pleasures of London Society. Out here, I’ve taught you to sit a horse, meet with tenants, command servants, and keep the books, but in London, well, you’ll see.” His father gave him a leering wink.
Justin recoiled and forced himself to clear his throat and try again. “But Mama—”
“Your mother has always been far too emotional. And Veronica is just like her, I’m afraid. But you, you my dear boy,” he clapped Justin on the back again, “you’re just like me and you always have been.”
Justin had swallowed hard, fear spreading through his chest like fire. Dear God. Was that true? Was he just like his father?
A month later, Justin arrived back at the estate after his trip the London. He rushed inside to greet Veronica, Mama, and the little twins. Veronica was out riding her horse. The twins were napping. But Mama was there. Dear, sweet Mama hugged Justin fiercely the moment he launched himself into her arms.
“How was your time in London?” she asked, a bright smile on her face.
Justin cleared his throat, not wanting to share any of the details with his mother. They were not appropriate, and Father had warned him to keep such things to himself.
“I had a fine time,” he said solemnly. The truth was, he’d taken to the London scene like a duck to water. His father had been right. He was just like him. Justin had drunk too much, kissed beautiful young women, played card games, learned curse words, smoked several delightful things, none of which were good for him, and when he’d finished all that, he drank some more. He’d never had a better time.
But now that he was with his mother, guilt tugged at his conscience. He knew well the things Father did in London were the things that made Mama cry.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Mama said, wistfully staring out the front window at the drive. “Did your father…stay in town?”
“Yes,” Justin admitted, pushing the tip of his boot along the carpet.
Mama tried to fake a smile for him.
“Are you sad again, Mama?” he managed to ask, regardless of the lump in his throat.
She shook her head. “I’m just glad to have you back, dear.”
“But you miss Father?” he prompted.
Mama stared wistfully off into the distance. “It’s my own fault. I never should have married for love. It’s absolute hell to give your heart into another’s keeping.”
Justin shook his head to clear it of the uncomfortable memory. For some reason, the image of the mysterious Madeline flashed through his mind. Last night he’d been prepared to rip the town—or at least Hazelton’s house—apart to find her, but after a good night’s rest, he’d realized he’d been foolish to think he should continue to look for her. Even if he found her, what would he say? It wasn’t as though he intended to court her, nor as though she were the type of lady looking for an arrangement.
She was almost certainly a debutante, and he was not looking for a wife. When he did look for one, he would be looking for a lady who wanted no more than his title and her place in Society. Not one with romantic notions and the desire to dance at balls. That was the same sort of young lady who was looking to fall in love, and Justin wasn’t the sort to fall in love. Just like his father, he would not make a good husband. And while he was just like his father in every other way, Justin would not repeat his father’s mistakes. Father had married a woman who loved him and wanted him to be faithful. Justin knew better. He had no intention of putting a loving wife through hell.
It was much better that Lady Henrietta had taken the earbob and disappeared. Justin had already decided that he would not question her further on the subject. There was no sort of future for him with Madeline, no matter how captivating his two brief interactions with her had been. He was better off concentrating upon launching his sisters into Society. To that end, stubborn Eliza needed a lady’s maid. Mama had discussed the matter with him in his study just this morning. She’d asked him to speak to his sister on the subject. Now was as good a time as any.
“Eliza,” he said, folding down the edge of his newspaper to look at her. “I intend to call upon the employment agency tomorrow to find a proper maid for you. You may come with me if you wish, but either way, I plan to leave the appointment with a good prospect to hire.”
Eliza didn’t so much as lift her eyes from her book. “Oh, there’s no need, brother. I already found someone.”
He blinked and frowned. “You did?”
“You did?” Mama stopped her perusal of the cards. She met Justin’s gaze with a mixture of amazement and disbelief on her face.
“You did?” Jessica echoed, the pianoforte falling silent.
“Yes,” Eliza replied. “In fact, she’s upstairs getting settled now.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” Mama replied. She exchanged an impressed look with Justin. If Mama wondered how Eliza had managed to locate and hire a maid so quietly, she didn’t mention it.
“That’s right,” Eliza continued. “I received a recommendation from a…friend and settled it all yesterday.”
Justin eyed his sister carefully. He didn’t miss the funny little smile on her face even while her attention remained focused on her book. She was up to something, but regardless, if she’d found a maid, it was one less thing to worry about, and that suited Justin. “That’s sorted then,” he said, settling back in his seat and snapping open the paper once again.
“Where is the new maid?” Jessica asked, obviously pleased that her sister had given in and done the proper thing.
