‘No.’
It was a single word, but there was power in it. A strength she’d not felt in years was rushing back into her blood.
Her grandfather’s eyes widened in shock at her defiance. Then, he turned back to Thomas, refusing to credit her with her own rebellion.
‘Bastard!’
The word was less of a shout than an eruption.
Thomas raised an eyebrow. ‘I believe we established that fact, earlier today.’
‘So, we did,’ her grandfather replied with an evil grin. ‘And as such, Mr Smith, you are not worthy of my granddaughter’s hand.’
‘There is nothing unworthy about me,’ Thomas said, refusing to back down. ‘I may be a natural son, but I am rich and well connected. Louisa will want for nothing when she weds me.’
‘Then you do not need her dowry to have her. Take her and go.’ Grandfather pointed to the door. ‘Begone, sir. Out of my house and take that brainless creature and her half-witted brother with you.’
‘See here, Grandfather,’ Percy said, holding out his hands in a calming gesture. ‘We are your only family. Do not rush to cast us off over what is only a minor disagreement.’
‘Minor disagreement? You insolent puppy.’ Her grandfather rose from his chair and shook the stick he continued to carry, though it was clear by his stance that he did not need it for support. ‘If you are unwilling to leave my sight, I will leave yours. I am in my own house. I do not have to listen to your nonsensicalfriend questioning my authority. Enough of this.’ He slammed the end of the stick hard against the floor. But when the sound was muffled by the heavy rug, it only made him angrier. ‘Bah!’ He lifted it up again and stalked out of the room.
They sat in silence, listening to him banging through the hall and up the stairs, only speaking after they heard the slamming of his bedroom door.
‘Well, that did not go as well as it could have,’ Percy said with a sigh.
‘He does seem most adamant in his position,’ Louisa murmured.
‘He is a tyrant,’ Thomas stated, staring unsmiling towards the hall.
‘It’s not really that bad,’ Percy said. ‘I mean, no worse than it was before. He has always been a bit of a tartar.’
‘Of course,’ she said, staring up at the ceiling and imagining him raging his way back to his room. She’d seen him this angry before, for even smaller reasons. She’d been alone in the house during those times. Though they’d not been pleasant, she’d survived them all. She’d survive this as well.
As if Percy could read her mind, he said, ‘If he does not come around, and is serious about putting me out, you will come to live with me, just as I promised. I can borrow money against the expectation of my inheritance. It is not very expensive in Bath right now. We might get rooms off the Crescent.’
‘I could not ask you to do that,’ she said, firmly. There was no telling how long Grandfather might live. She would not allow her brother to incur debts at an exorbitant rate of interest that he might never be able to repay.
‘We are not done, here.’
She stared at Thomas for a moment, confused. She had not forgotten he was there. She had simply assumed that they wereall in agreement. The situation was obviously hopeless. They had lost.
‘We are here to get you your money,’ he insisted.
‘Grandfather has refused to give it to us,’ she replied. ‘There is nothing more to do.’
‘I gave you my word,’ he said, as if that was sufficient to explain his position.
‘Who am I speaking to?’ she asked. ‘Are you Bonham or Mr Smith right now?’
And who were you before when you said you loved me?
It would be better if she never asked that question. She could go to Bath with Percy. By next year, they would all have forgotten this had ever happened.
‘Bonham or Smith, it does not matter. The answer is the same,’ he said confidently. ‘My word is good. You will have your money.’
She had watched Thomas Carew for years and thought she knew him. Had he always been mad, or was this insanity a recent thing? She wanted to shout at him that he must stop interfering in her life, creating chaos. It was either that or kiss him, as he had kissed her, and tell him that he was a dear, sweet man and she loved him for trying.
It still would not work, of course. She knew her grandfather. He was immovable.
