“Do you want me to be?”
“Yes! Well…obviously not. But I do not know how to ask your forgiveness if you don’t feel wronged.”
His uncle folded his hands. “Did you believe I was truly at risk from this dubious woman?”
“I hoped not. But I could not be sure.”
“And if she had succeeded?”
“I would have said something then.”
“Even if she had carried out her threat?”
“Yes.”
“Then I was never truly at risk.”
Tobias processed this.
“I wish to apologize, anyway,” he said. “It is not the way I mean to conduct myself. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you, Uncle. I would hate for you to lose your trust in me.”
The worry must have shown upon his face, for his uncle paused to contemplate it. The seconds ticked by, each an eternity of guilt, regret, and hope. The relief when the earl finally spoke was so profound, Tobias was willing to accept whatever harsh words his uncle might have for him, just to be done with them.
“Tobias.” The tone was firm, but kind. “You are not a deceitful chap by nature. I have seen you struggle with that aspect of your relationship with Miss Grant. You have only accepted its necessity for her sake. It was likely the same when dealing with Miss Sangford. And yet, there is a line you will not cross. That, my boy, is an important difference, and I recognize it.”
The love and understanding from this man whom Tobias so valued hit him squarely in the chest with thethunkof an arrow. It was a blow of mercy, and yet it hurt. He didn’t deserve it. But, oh, how he cherished it!
“Now,” his uncle continued, “do I approve of subterfuge in general? Certainly not. But I am not so rigid in my thinking that I cannot allow for the complexities of human nature. In short, you may rest easy. All is well between us.”
Tobias felt a lump form in his throat. He could not speak. He had no words. He nodded vigorously, then looked away, as even this small act brought more emotion to the surface.
Uncle Edmund waited patiently and without embarrassment as Tobias pulled himself together. It took a little longer than Tobias cared to admit. Weeks of anxious fretting were not so easily smoothed away. He was immensely grateful for his uncle’s calm reason. It was a big part of why he had not thought Miss Sangford a real danger to him.
As his emotions settled, a thought he had tucked away, almost unnoticed, in the back of his mind now rose up and demanded attention. It was really none of his business. He should probably just leave it alone. After all, his uncle had been so accommodating, he had no right to…
“Uncle,” he said, before his good sense could talk him out of it, “why did Miss Sangford never stand a chance? Her charm was so convincing, it was chilling to watch. And yet you gave her no thought other than what civility demanded. And what did Mr. Grant mean when he said you understood about sorrow, and something that happened long ago? I don’t wish to pry. It just puzzles me.”
“It is personal,” his uncle said.
“Oh.” Tobias could not hide his disappointment.
“But no secret.”
Curiosity flickered back to life. “If it is uncomfortable to talk about…” Tobias ventured.
Uncle Edmund exhaled deeply. “It is not uncomfortable in the sense of shame or embarrassment. But I do not enjoy reliving the past. It lives with me regardless. And that is enough.”
Tobias sat on tenterhooks. Would it end there? Would his uncle say more? He waited in breathless silence. And then…
“I had thought your mother may have told you, but I suppose she did not think it necessary. You were just a very small boy.”
Tobias did not respond, afraid to discourage his uncle with a misplaced phrase.
“I had a wife. I had a child.” He swallowed. “Children.”
The news hit Tobias like a stone. And above the shock, floated the terrible word.Had.
“Did she…? Did they…?” Tobias could not bring himself to utter his fears aloud.
