Page 66 of Reforming Lord Neil

“It is fortunate that I am not, then.” Teresa began to relax. There was no threat in the woman’s words. Indeed, she seemed only curious. “And we have the farm. We will be well enough, my lady.”

“Living in the dirt,” Lady Olivia said with a snarl. “How could you debase yourself like this, Neil?”

“Olivia.” Her mother turned to the young woman, her tone cold. “The situation is not as I thought. Take yourself back to the carriage. I will speak to your brother.” She raised both eyebrows. “And Mrs. Clapham.”

With a scowl, Lady Olivia flounced away. Muttering unkind things as she went, which Teresa chose not to hear.

Neil appeared to take it all in stride. “What is it you wish to say, Mother?” he asked, all politeness. Teresa knew he cared for his mother and had always respected her as a good son ought. But there seemed to be no great love or tenderness between them. Not like what Teresa shared with her mother, or Caroline with her.

Lady Alderton gestured to the orchard. “Might we walk through those trees? They are quite lovely.”

“Of course.” Neil offered his free arm to his mother, and she took it. Though Teresa’s mind rather felt like a hive of bees had been loosed inside, buzzing about with her thoughts and nervousness, she remained silent upon Neil’s other arm.

“The marquess is not your natural father, as you know,” Lady Alderton said without preamble. “The man who sired you is dead, and of no worry to any of us.” She spoke coldly, but Teresa wondered if it was from habit rather than lack of sentiment. “He was killed in a duel, shortly after Olivia was born. The coward who shot him fled to the Continent shortly after.”

Neil’s arm stiffened, and Teresa drew nearer to him in support. He had only wondered aloud once, to her knowledge, who the man might be.

“He was a philandering cad.” Lady Alderton spoke without emotion. “But he was kind to me, and I was lonely. I tell you this not to hurt you.” She withdrew her arm and stopped them beneath the first of the trees. “But so you know, once and for all, that you have always been your own man. The marquess was harsh with you, and you have never so much as boxed the ears of one of your brothers. Your natural father cared little for anything but his own pleasure, and you have always put your sister and I first. Though I do not claim to understand this”—she gestured between him and Teresa—“I want you to know that you have been a good son to me. The marquess would leave you penniless. I would see you happy.”

Teresa’s heart went out to the woman. Though she spoke so calmly, only years of pain and sorrow could have produced a woman with such a fortified heart. When Teresa looked up at Neil, she saw the same knowledge in his eyes.

“Thank you, Mother.”

After making a brief, dismissive gesture, her ladyship looked over the orchard. “This is a pretty place. I am glad you have found it. Perhaps, someday, I might come visit you both again.”

The surprise on Neil’s face made Teresa hasten to answer for them. “We would like that, your ladyship.”

The woman nodded. “That is all I wished to say. Neil, I have brought you some of your things. I could not liberate much from your rooms, but there are a few books and clothes.”

Neil swallowed, a grateful smile appearing upon his face. “Thank you.”

“And one of your dogs. That favorite male hunter of yours.”

It was that revelation that made Neil’s eyes tear up at last, and Teresa leaned her head briefly upon his shoulder to offer comfort. He had told her of the dogs, the kennels he spent hours in every day, and how his only solace had been those animals. That his mother knew him well enough to bring him such a prize spoke of greater understanding than Teresa had thought the woman to possess.

The marchioness tipped her chin up, her eyes blazing as though she dared her son to thank her again. When he only nodded, she returned it with the dip of her head. “May God go with you, Neil. And you, daughter-in-law.”

Teresa curtsied, Neil bowed, and the marchioness swept by them to return to her carriage. Neil did not follow, and Teresa remained next to him. She wrapped her arms about his waist and rested her head against his chest. They stood motionless until the carriage left.

Caroline came running out to them. “Mama, Mama. Who was that? Why did they leave a treasure chest in the house?”

Neil chuckled, and when he pulled away Teresa saw evidence of tears in his eyes. “A treasure chest? You must be mistaken, Cara-love.”

The girl giggled and grabbed his hand. “Come look. Was that a queen? Grandmama says no, but the woman looked like a queen.”

“That was a marchioness,” Neil said, holding Caroline’s hand in his, and offering Teresa the other. “I suppose we better go inspect that treasure chest.”

“Will you be all right?” Teresa whispered when they reached the cottage and Caroline darted inside ahead of them.

“I have you. So the answer to that question will always be yes.” Neil kissed her on the cheek.

The vicar and Mother were inside, and Teresa could see the questions boiling inside them. She slipped to her mother’s side and whispered only, “I will explain later.”

Caroline’s gasp drew everyone’s attention to the very large trunk in the middle of the floor. Neil had opened it and stood, mouth open, staring inside.

“It is a treasure chest,” Caroline said. “I was only making a joke. I thought it would be clothes.”

Teresa came forward at the same moment Neil fell to his knees. “What is it?” she asked, then had to cover her mouth to keep from gasping.