Too dazed to speak, Wilhelmina nodded, then promptly managed a faint, “Yes,” and, “thank you.”
“If you could please bring another cup and saucer, Warren,” Mr. Dale said.
“I’ll see to it right away,” Warren said and quickly disappeared inside.
“Please have a seat, Mrs. Lawson,” Mr. Dale said. He swept his hand toward the chair he intended for Wilhelmina to occupy.
She thanked him and followed his suggestion since it gave her something to do besides standing about feeling awkward and unsure of herself. This day was not turning out as she’d expected when she woke that morning.
“I understand your son has returned to London,” Wilhelmina said when silence ensued.
“Yes, and not a moment too soon,” Mrs. Dale said, surprising Wilhelmina with her frankness. “As lovely as it was to have him visit, his brooding manner grew tiresome. Brought a dull mood to every corner of the house.”
“I’m sorry,” Wilhelmina murmured.
“And so you should be,” Mrs. Dale said, though not unkindly. “According to what we were able to draw from our grandson, you are behind James’s gloomy mood.”
Wilhelmina clasped her hands tightly in her lap. She thanked the maid who brought a cup and saucer for her, then thanked her hostess for pouring tea. Back straight and shoulders stiff, she fought the urge to run from what could turn into a very difficult conversation, but she wanted to know what had been said about her. “What exactly did your grandson tell you?”
“Not much of anything really,” Mr. Dale said with one raised brow. “Hopefully you can enlighten us.”
“What I can say is that Michael was very conflicted.” Mrs. Dale took a sip of her tea. Wilhelmina followed suit. “As I understand, he had in his possession the information required to end his father’s turmoil, but he’d made a promise to your daughter and did not wish to betray her trust.”
“So he stayed silent?” Wilhelmina was grateful. If anyone ought to divulge the truth it was she.
“Look,” Mr. Dale said, his manner grave. “I don’t know what happened between you and James during your journey, but I can tell you he came back a changed man. For three whole days he did nothing but help my tenants make various repairs. Whenever we saw him, he hardly spoke one word – kept himself hidden away in his bedchamber for the most part. And then he left.”
“I’ve only seen him like that once before,” Mrs. Dale said. She was studying Wilhelmina with an unnerving degree of shrewdness. “When he realized his wife didn’t love him.”
Wilhelmina sucked in a breath. “What are you saying?”
Mr. and Mrs. Dale shared a look and then Mr. Dale said, “Michael may not have revealed your secrets, but he told us enough to make one thing clear. James fell in love with you, Mrs. Lawson, and you did not return the sentiment.”
“What?” Wilhelmina stared at the older couple while trying to make sense of what they’d just told her. A forceful surge of joy grabbed her heart and quickened its beats. “He gave no indication.”
“Didn’t he?” Mrs. Dale asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Wilhelmina shook her head, but she knew she was being dishonest. James’s response to what she’d said had certainly revealed deep emotion on his part. He’d been angry with her, but it never occurred to her until this moment that she might have hurt him. She’d been so caught up in her own heartache, she’d not thought of his. Because she’d believed he wouldn’t want her, no matter what. But what if he’d changed? What if he’d been willing to toss everything he believed in aside for her? He’d given her a loom for heaven’s sake. Surely that was a declaration of deep devotion if ever there was one.
“I’m such a fool,” she muttered. “But I was scared of how he’d react to the things I would say. I feared he would think less of me once he realized what had happened and the choices I made in the years since. I’ve ruined lives and all I wanted was to try and fix it.”
“Then you should tell him that,” Mr. Dale said. “Otherwise you’re just denying him the ability to make an informed decision and to choose his own path.”
“You’re right. Of course you are.” Wilhelmina took another few sips of her tea. “But it’s a bit late now that he’s gone to London.”
“You could follow him,” Mrs. Dale suggested with a twinkle in her eyes.
Mr. Dale smirked as he glanced at his wife. “Ever the romantic, my dear.”
“I wish I could,” Wilhelmina said, “but with the Season in progress and my daughter attempting to make a new match for herself, I’d like to keep my distance lest I ruin her chances with my reputation. Which leads me to wonder why you would want a woman like me to pursue an attachment with your son. Surely you’d wish to avoid a scandal.”
“Naturally,” Mr. Dale said. “But if a bit of scandal is the price we must pay for our son’s happiness, then so be it. He deserves to love and to be loved in return. We’ll weather whatever storm comes our way.”
“Besides, we don’t really go out into Society much these days, so I hardly think it will have an effect on us,” Mrs. Dale said.
“It could have dire consequences on your son and grandson,” Wilhelmina warned.
“Perhaps,” Mr. Dale agreed, “but Michael was willing to take that chance for your daughter. Correct? And I believe James will do so for you if you return his affection.”
