She entered the warm room that smelled of old wood and freshly brewed tea.
He smiled. “Darling. Let me guess. The house is too noisy for you.” He laughed. “Heaven knows you’re just like your mother.”
“Yes, the house is noisy, but I’m not here for that reason.” She stepped deeper into the room. “Don’t be angry, but I happened to have heard the conversation between you and Lord Tristan.”
He leant back in his chair, sighing. “I’m sorry that you heard that. Nasty business.”
“He asked for food. Surely, we can give him some.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “It’s not that simple, and I understand the scene looked concerning, but Montcrest is in a terrible situation.”
“Of course, he is if his son begs for food.”
He drummed his fingers on the table. “Lord Tristan’s grandfather was a suspected traitor to the crown. He also squandered the family’s fortune due to some bad investments, and now his father, the current Marquess of Montcrest, is involved in who knows what scheme to regain his family’s money.”
Lord Tristan’s dejected face haunted her. Who cared about schemes?
“But they’re starving.”
He held up a hand. “The point is, I don’t want to get involved in whatever they’re doing.”
She walked closer. Arguing openly with Papa was never a good strategy. Finesse was required. “Why did Lord Tristan come here? Why did he choose you to ask for help?”
He straightened a few documents on the desk. “I was with his father at Eton, and we used to be friends before the tragedy struck the Montcrests. First, their financial disaster. Then thesupposed high treason. Montcrest and I fell out when he was at the centre of a huge scandal. I guess Montcrest exhausted the list of people to ask for favours.”
“But Lord Tristan has nothing to do with his grandfather’s and father’s problems. He’s a young man who needs food. Please. Help him.”
He scowled. “I won’t be dragged into a scandal. I won’t help a family accused of high treason.”
“Almost accused, and it was Lord Tristan’s grandfather.”
“Effie, darling. These are delicate things you shouldn’t be troubled with.”
“I won’t let someone, who asked for our help, starve when we have the means to help them. I know you have a good heart. You taught me we must be compassionate and help others whenever we can. Were you lying?”
“No, of course not. But this is different.”
She folded her arms over her chest. When diplomacy failed, then a little threat was advised. “I will never take a walk in the woods with you again if you don’t send help to the marquess, and if you refuse to help them, I’ll do it. And if you try to stop me, I’ll tell Mama and Grandmama.”
He stopped tidying his desk. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“I would. I’ll send Grandmama a wire if I have to.”
He waved her away. “Please, darling, leave this matter to me.”
She drew in a sharp breath. “Papa, I’m serious. We’ll be as discreet as you want, but we will help them. Because I trust you to do what’s good and right, as you taught me. As you taught all of us. If you don’t do something, I will have trouble trusting you again.”
When he rested his forehead on his hand, she smelled victory.
