James swung his gaze toward his son. “What makes you say that?”
“Maybe the fact that you called her Mina? A bit familiar, wouldn’t you say, seeing as you have claimed her to be the most awful woman in existence besides Mama.”
“I’ll admit she’s not as bad as I initially believed,” James said with a shrug. He’d barely gotten used to liking her more than what was wise and was not about to share the struggle he now faced with his son of all people.
“No. She’s not,” Michael said with a hint of suggestiveness. “In fact, she’s probably the best person there is.”
James raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think that?”
Michael’s lips twisted. He seemed to consider how to respond. “Cynthia told me everything, but she swore me to secrecy, so I cannot share what you don’t already know.”
How bloody perfect.
“Not very helpful,” James muttered.
“I know, and I’m sorry, but you can trust me when I tell you that you have seriously misjudged Mrs. Lawson.”
“I know that much already. She’s not the cavorting wife she and her husband gave her out to be, but I cannot for the life of me figure out why she would willingly go along with a scheme that was destined to make her suffer.” James met Michael’s gaze. “Her refusal to tell me irritates me to no end.”
“Because you care for her?”
James expelled a heavy sigh and allowed a nod to reveal the contents of his heart. “More than I ever thought possible.”
“Then you must fight for her, Papa.”
“How?” The magnitude of what Michael suggested, what he himself had considered, was daunting. “Even if there’s a different reality hiding behind her façade, it won’t make any difference with her reputation torn to shreds. It’s unsalvageable, which prevents me from having any kind of respectable relationship with her. Hell, she’s not even fit to be my mistress – not that I would suggest such a thing, mind you – but it does indicate how bad the situation is.”
“It seems to me you’ve given up trying to win her before you’ve begun.”
“What would you have me do, Michael?” It was odd asking his son for advice on such a personal matter, but it also felt good. Especially since it seemed like forever since they’d last bonded over something.
“Figure out what’s more important to you, a life with Mrs. Lawson by your side or your reputation. If you cannot have both, then ask yourself which would enrich your life more? Which one would you regret losing the most? And before you answer, bear in mind that you don’t have to live in London and you don’t have to work for a living, which allows you the freedom to give that life up for her if you choose.” When James kept silent, Michael asked, “Have you assured her you would stand by her regardless of what the truth may be?”
James frowned. “How can I make such a promise without knowing what the truth is?”
“Honestly, Papa,” Michael said as if he were the parent and James the child, “for a man of your intelligence, you can be extraordinarily thickheaded at times.”
Surprised by the set-down, James couldn’t help but smile a little. “Have a little respect, will you?”
Michael rolled his eyes. “It’s no wonder she hasn’t confided in you. How can she when she can’t be sure she can trust you?’
James blinked. “Of course she can trust me.” When Michael gave him a skeptical look he hastened to add, “While I cannot say how I’ll feel about the information, I would never betray her confidence.”
“Does she know that?”
“I…” James stared at the carriage as it rolled along. He’d begged her to tell him what she was hiding, but he’d never said he wouldn’t use the information against her. He’d just assumed she’d know he wouldn’t.
“Look,” Michael said, “you’ve made a name for yourself because of your strict adherence to the law. Men respect you for this. I admire you for it. But it also poses the greatest threat to the life you could have with Mrs. Lawson, because it’s going to require you to keep a very open mind.”
“And yet,” James said, “based on everything you’ve learned, you believe her to be the finest person there is.”
“Without a doubt.” Michael seemed to reflect on what to say next. “She’s incredibly brave, Papa, loyal to a fault, and more selfless than any other person I’ve ever met. Indeed, if I were in your position and felt what you clearly feel toward her, I would risk everything to be with her. Because she deserves to be happy more than you could ever imagine.”
James considered this as they plodded toward the edge of the village. The leather from his saddle squeaked as his thighs pressed against it. He glanced at Michael. “Why didn’t things work out between you and Cynthia?”
A shadow fell across Michael’s brow. He shrugged one shoulder as if intending to show indifference, but failed. His turbulent thoughts were written all over his face. “She confided something in me last night.”
“Besides the facts regarding her mother?”
