Chapter Eight
Lewis rode toMunro House almost every day. It was an act of devotion to Jillian, but also a persistent need to escape his mother’s obsession with Philip. While the entire household was numb with loss—even Lewis and Penelope had felt the strangeness of their brother’s absence, memories surfacing now that held not only bitterness but scatterings of tenderness—the baroness had taken it the hardest. She had sat vigil with his coffin for two days before her husband had demanded she take rest. She had refused. The doctor had to be called to administer a sedative so that she could be carried to her bed. Never in all Lewis’s adult years had their mother taken breakfast with them, always complaining about the morning chill upon her bones. But she sat beside the body of her firstborn right through the night, without a word of the discomfort she must have been suffering.
On Friday, she awoke to find the coffin gone. Lord Bradford had sent for the undertaker to collect and keep the remains until the day of the funeral to force his wife to sleep at night. Instead, she wandered the hallways like a restless spirit with nothing on which to focus her attention or help her sleep. Another doctor’s visit. More sedation.
And then, on Sunday, she rose and called for her lady’s maid, who dressed her with care so that she might look her best for the funeral service. Then she sent for Lewis and received him witha straight back and clipped tones that were reminiscent of the stern matriarch she had always been.
“It occurs to me,” she said, “that Miss Kinsey may have planned to attend the service.”
“She has,” answered Lewis, wondering where this was going.
“And that she might intend to be by your side at the cemetery.”
“That is so.”
“You will tell her it is out of the question.”
Lewis stiffened. “And why is that?”
“I do not want her there.”
“ButIdo.”
“You will do this for me. I want no distraction when I lay my firstborn to rest. There is no knowing what Miss Kinsey will do at such a solemn occasion. She is unaccustomed to it. This is not the time or place for country manners. Iwillhave dignity at Philip’s graveside. I want to grieve in peace.”
“And who will support me inmygrief?”
Lady Bradford pinned her son with a savage gaze. “I hardly know that you feel any.”
Lewis jerked his head up at his mother’s harsh words, ready to defend himself, only to find her eyes pooled with sorrow. His hackles subsided.
“No one can feel the same pain as a mother who’s lost a child,” he said, and meant it. “That does not imply that I feelnothing. You have Father to comfort you. I would like similar support.”
“Your sister can play that role. For now.”
“I would prefer the comfort of my intended.”
“And you shall have it. But it will not be Miss Kinsey.”
An increasingly familiar surge of outrage rose in Lewis’s throat. “You are wrong, Mother,” he said through tight lips.
Lady Bradford continued, unbothered by his response or the tone of it. “It was bad enough when you considered her a suitable bride for a second son, but it is quite impossible now that you bear the future of the barony on your shoulders. You will give serious thought to Miss Sangford.”
“What about her?” Lewis was genuinely confused.
“Philip was on the cusp of proposing to her. Our families are well acquainted with each other. I believe she would be amenable to the suggestion.”
“What suggestion? I don’t follow your meaning.”
Lady Bradford pinned him with a stern look. “Don’t be obtuse, Lewis. I mean for you to propose to her, obviously.”
In spite of the insult of the notion, Lewis gave a burst of laughter. “You cannot be serious!”
“But I am.” His mother continued the discussion as if she were making the simplest of arrangements. “She was perfect for Philip and will be for you. It will ease her disappointment in losing Philip and save you having to search for a bride.”
“‘Dis…Disappointment’?” Lewis spluttered. “You think that is an apt description for her losing the man who would likely have married her?”
“Well, I’m not convinced they were in love. But they were well matched. And she expected to marry our heir. As far as that goes, she still can. And she would know how to play the role to perfection.”
