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“I love you,” he whispered for only her ears to hear, then with a reassuring nod, he retrieved the tools from Mr. Morley and walked away from Daffley Park.

Marianne watched him depart, his head hanging as low as her heart.

“Marianne…” Father began.

She whirled around to him, frustration encompassing her. “How could you?” she cried out, then she fled past his flinching eyes and made for the house.

She would never be whole again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Edward returned to Bath late that night, soaked and weary to the bone. Mother was, of course, stunned as he entered through the door of their small home.

“Edward?” she exclaimed, rushing to his side at once, her tattered dressing robe wrapped securely around her shoulders. “What on earth are you doing back?” She kissed his cheek, taking his portmanteau and satchel at once. “Heavens, you are sopping wet, son.”

Edward had hoped to arrive after she’d fallen asleep, if only to avoid the rush of questions awaiting him, but of course that would not be in his fortune.

He allowed her to usher him straight to the fire, pulling forward the chair he and Father had first made together, oak with rigid angles showcasing Edward’s young, unskilled carvings. How he wished Father was there now.

“Remove your boots and stockings,” Mother instructed. “I will heat up the broth I made earlier.”

“Thank you, but there is no need, Mother.” He had no appetite, which was just as well. Before long, they would have no money for food. Once word got out about what had happened between him and Miss Coventry, no one would ever hire him again.

Mother paused, returning to his side at once. She did not speak for a moment, her eyes searching his, but he averted his gaze. Mother had always excelled at reading his mood, even sometimes his thoughts.

But his thoughts needed to be his own tonight. If they escaped, he did not know how he would ever get them under control again.

“What happened, son? You were not to arrive for another two months.”

He drew a deep breath but said nothing. She watched him then moved to place two small logs onto the fire in the hearth.

“Did you return to ensure Mr. Chapple did not evict us?” she guessed. “I told you I could manage the man. He has not contacted me in weeks.”

“That is because I wrote him a letter, promising to pay our rent in full by the end of next week.”

Mother stared. “And…and can you make good on that promise?”

He stuck his tongue in his cheek, feeling the bite marks he’d created on the stagecoach, attempting to prevent his mind from dwelling on the woman he’d left behind—the woman who had pushed for his and Mother’s livelihood.

“I will be able to satisfy the rent for the last few months. But if I do so, nothing will remain of what Mr. Coventry paid me.” He would now spend the rest of his days searching for one commission after another.

Mother hesitated, stoking the fire as Edward stared into the growing flames. “Did you finish your work at the Coventrys’ early?”

There would be no end to the questions that evening. In truth, Mother deserved to know what he’d done, how he’d destroyed their lives and their future.

“No, Mother. I was asked to leave.”

She was not surprised, the fire lighting the weary lines in her brow and beneath her tired eyes. “They heard word of the rumors then?”

Edward laughed mirthlessly. “That was only part of the reason.” His stomach churned, the emptiness inside as barren as his heart. How could he admit to Mother that he had irreversibly damaged their one chance to rise above their struggles? There was no possible way Mr. Coventry would keep silent on the entire matter. Once word spread, Edward would surely never receive a commission again.

“Edward, tell me,” she urged softly.

He leaned forward, scrubbing his hands up and down his face. “They asked me to leave because…because I fell in love with Mr. Coventry’s daughter.”

Mother didn’t respond, sitting back against her chair in shock, no doubt wondering what she’d done to have ever been cursed with such a selfish son.

For he was selfish. What other man would risk his mother’s livelihood in such a way?