His mother, undeterred by his objections, persisted. “I do find it odd that Miss Delacourt is a wallflower, considering her mother was anything but when she was in high Society. Lady Hungerton was opinionated, stubborn and an utter delight to be around.”
Caleb bit his tongue, knowing that Simone sounded precisely like her mother. How she convinced thetonotherwise was beyond him.
His mother continued. “Fortunately for you, I have takenit upon myself to invite Miss Delacourt and her father for dinner this evening.”
“You did what?!” Caleb exclaimed.
“There is no reason to raise your voice,” his mother said. “I am hoping to become more acquainted with Miss Delacourt.”
Caleb stared at his mother. “You have no right to interfere with my life.”
“I have every right; I am your mother,” she asserted. “Besides, it is just one dinner. I am not quite sure why you are getting so worked up by this.”
“You have gone too far with this one, Mother,” Caleb fumed.
His father’s voice came from the corridor. “What is all the shouting about?” he asked.
With a look that exuded innocence, his mother replied, “Caleb is upset that I invited Lord Hungerton and his lovely daughter, Miss Delacourt, to dinner.”
“Are you intending to play matchmaker, my dear?” his father asked, knowingly.
“Perhaps, but Caleb doesn’t need a gentle push anymore to find a wife. He needs to be shoved,” his mother defended.
Caleb turned his attention towards Anette. “You went along with this, willingly?” he asked.
Anette had the decency to look ashamed. “I didn’t realize Mother was going to invite them to dinner, but it isn’t such an awful idea.”
“No, it is a pretty awful idea,” Caleb responded. “Mark my words. I do not intend on courting Miss Delacourt.”
“You seem rather adamant about that,” his mother said.
Caleb let out a frustrated sigh. “I am done with this conversation,” he stated. “I need to go work on the accounts before our dinner guests arrive.” He didn’t even bother to keep the annoyance out of his voice as he headed towards the study.
How dare his mother and sister interfere in his life? He had no desire to marry, but they didn’t believe him. They thought they knew what was best for him, but they were wrong to do so. Why couldn’t they have left well enough alone?
He entered the study and walked over to the desk, dropping down into the chair. How was he to work when he was so upset?
His father stepped into the room and said, “You must know that they mean well.”
“They are meddling in my life,” Caleb grumbled.
“Your mother is just worried about you.”
Caleb leaned back in the chair. “There is no reason to be worried about me,” he argued. “I am doing just fine on my own.”
“Are you?” his father asked. “I don’t know what you are involved in, but I know it is dangerous. I have seen it firsthand.”
“I can’t discuss that?—”
His father spoke over him. “I know, and I am not asking you to,” he stated. “I haven’t told your mother any of this because I do not want her to worry about you.”
“Thank you,” Caleb said.
Walking closer to the desk, his father shared, “I have spent more time on our accounts than on politics, per your recommendation.”
“It wasn’t my recommendation,” Caleb remarked. “But I am glad that you heeded my words. By doing so, certain people were willing to overlook what you had to do to keep our family safe.”
His father sat on a chair that faced the desk. “Dare I ask who those people are?”
