Lewis stared at his mother. He could hardly find the words. His mouth hung open and he blinked several times before saying. “It may have escaped your notice, Mother, but I am already engaged.”
Lady Bradford waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, no one can take that betrothal seriously. It will be seen as a temporary madness—one quickly remedied by the better choice of Miss Sangford. Not only will your judgment be restored in the publiceye, but the bringing of Miss Sangford into our fold will make perfect sense in view of the loss of Philip.”
“It doesn’t to me!” Lewis all but shouted.
His mother folded her hands in her lap. “Come now, my son, you are going to have a position of great importance. Miss Kinsey cannot possibly contribute to your public image, which will now be paramount.”
Ah, yes.Nowhe was important. He, who was as nothing before. Still, he did not feel it washewho carried a sense of worth. He was merely a stand-in for Philip, fulfillinghisrole,hisdreams. He was as good as rebaptized into the name and position that had belonged to Philip. Lewis was being all but absorbed into the life that had belonged to his brother. It was as if his parents did not see him anymore, but Philip reincarnate. Despite his new rank and privilege, he felt more invisible than ever before.
But he was not as impotent as they might have thought. Their desperation to bestow on him the status of heir gave him power he had not had before. Since they demanded he claim it, he would show them that he knew how to wield it.
“I have no intention of proposing to Miss Sangford, though I will offer her my sincere condolences. I am marrying Miss Kinsey. And that is the end of it. Feel free to disown me. I can make my own way. I don’t need your money. I have no need of your title. And I have had enough years of being in Philip’s shadow that I am accustomed to having no real relationship with you. Do your worst. But you will not shake me from my purpose. And if Miss Kinsey may not attend the funeral, then neither shall I. Society’s opinion be damned. If they think something is amiss, they will simply have picked up on the truth. Now, make up your mind, Mother, and do it quickly. Do I fetch Miss Kinsey to join us? Or do I collect my belongings and leave?”
Lady Bradford glared at him. Lewis glared back. Her head vibrated slightly, as if she were about to burst with indignation. Then, all of a sudden, she twisted her face to the side and glared at the floor instead.
“Very well,” she said.
“Very wellwhat?” Lewis wanted to know.
Her gaze remained on the floor. “Very well, I will not speak of Miss Kinsey’s presence again. You may do as you wish.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Lewis stood to leave. His mother raised her sight to him. It contained little by way of love, but Lewis was undeterred. He had love enough with Miss Kinsey.
“Will you at least have the wedding in Munro?” she asked.
Lewis hesitated. This might have been an olive branch between them. A consolation for her having given in to his demands.
An image flashed through his memory. Jillian, at dinner, being offered no welcome, no respect. And another, but a moment ago—his betrothed all but discarded as if she were without worth or feeling. A wedding in Munro meant countless guests who were just like his parents, tittering and judging and finding his bride lacking.
“No.”
He would offer no quarter. Jillian deserved better.
“You will not even consider it?”
“No.”
His mother seemed to ponder another approach. “It would be a good way to introduce your wife to society. They may get to know her and see…” She paused, as if searching for something positive to say. “The goodness you see in her.”
“Such as?” Lewis would have her say it. Anything good about Jillian. If she could get it past her lips, there was hope.
“I, er… She is…young enough to mold.”
Lewis straightened his back. “I see. I think we have established that Munro society is not ready for her. I will not have the wedding day spoiled by the many who think as you do.”
“They will still think it once you are married,” his mother pointed out.
“When she has had time to acclimatize to her new position, we will begin our introduction to a select few. The rest can think and do as they wish.”
Lady Bradford could hold back no longer. “But your position! One day, you will be lord of this estate. What does Miss Kinsey know of running a home of this size? Or hosting a ball?”
Lewis smiled wryly and shook his head. “Has it occurred to you that you might teach her? You could take her under your wing. You could guide her with kindness to be capable of all these tasks. Instead, you reject her at every turn, ensuring her failure. And for what? So that you can say, ‘I told you so’?”
Lady Bradford threw a disbelieving palm into the air. “I will teach her if she will listen.”
“But will you be kind? She is not used to the chilly instruction we have received.”
