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Which was making him question his own memories of the situation.

“Mother, I do not need your assistance to choose a bride.”

Her eyes flashed with annoyance before she managed to stifle it.

“But you would hire a matchmaker to do so?” Her haughty tone made it clear what she thought of that.

“A matchmaker who is my employee.” He raised his eyebrows at her. “Are you suggesting that you would prefer to work for me?”

“Of course not! I am your mother! It is my duty to ensure you marry well.”

“I will choose my own bride, Mother.” Bloody hell.

“I could provide you with a list of names to help narrow down your search.” She smiled, sitting back as if the matter had already been decided. “And if there is anyone missing from my list, I will be able to tell you what I know about them.”

Gritting his teeth, Sebastian shook his head.

“Mother, you are not listening to me.” This conversation was bringing up other memories. Things that had not seemed a large deal at the time, but in which he’d acquiesced to her suggestions because he’d had no huge argument against it or because it had been easier. “I do not need your assistance in this matter.”

“Well, if you think you know best. You were raised to be a duke, after all. But the marriage mart is the purview of women. You might think about who has the most experience when it comes to social matters.” She raised her eyebrow at him. “After all, I guided your sister into marriage with a duke.”

“I… you…” Sebastian found himself actually sputtering at this rewrite of history. Tiffany had been caught alone in the library with Gregory during her very first ball of the Season. They’d been forced to come up with the explanation that she and Gregory were a love match before the Season started, but that, as the protective older brother, Sebastian had insisted on her having a true Season to ensure she was set on Gregory.

His mother had had nothing to do with it. In fact, once Gregory and Tiffany were married, she’d begun telling her friends the truth—that Tiffany and Gregory’s hands had been forced. By then, Gregory and Tiffany had become a love match in reality, so very little harm had actually been done.

“I raised her properly, taught her everything she needed to know, and look at what a success on the social scene she has been.” Mother beamed, spreading her hands out in front of her as if to indicate the magnitude of Tiffany’s success.

Sebastian stared at her. He could not gainsay that their mother had raised Tiffany properly, and yes, Tiffany had transitioned easily into running Gregory’s household because of her education under their mother as well, but…

His head was starting to hurt.

“Being a duchess is a difficult job, but she’s comporting herself perfectly. All the letters I received have said so.” Mother patted her hair again, as if in satisfaction, as if Tiffany’s triumph on the social scene was her own. Which, perhaps in some ways it was, as Tiffany’s standing did reflect back on them. “I just had to come see for myself.”

“If Tiffany was doing so well, then why did you start rumors about Tiffany and Gregory’s marriage?”

“I trusted the wrong people, and I am very sorry for that.” Mother wrung her hands in front of her. “You cannot imagine how betrayed I felt when those I entrusted with the truth were so crass as to spread it. I thought they were my true friends. Now I know differently, of course, and I shall not be so trusting in the future.”

The pounding in his head was growing.

“I see.” He reached up to rub his temples. “And your behavior toward Tiffany? You said awful things to her. You tried to slap her.” He wasn’t mad. He’d heard her. Seen it happen.

“Oh, Sebastian, darling, you have no idea the pressure I was under. It can be so difficult with the ton, and knowing that my friends had betrayed me and being able to do nothing about it, having no recourse, I suppose I must have taken it out on your sister. Because, of course, family can be trusted. You may be assured I will apologize, abjectly, now that I am back.” Every word she said dripped with sincerity.

Sebastian was not sure he should trust it.

But this was his mother.

She was right; they were family. The ton could be a terrible place to navigate. Perhaps he had been hasty in sending her away so quickly before, without truly giving the situation a chance to calm down and listen to her explanations. She’d been near hysterical, which was probably the only reason he’d managed to get her into the carriage in the first place. That and Harleen.

But now she appeared determined to remain, and Harleen was not here to help keep her calm.

“Very well.” He cleared his throat. “You may stay here in London under a few conditions.”

“You’re turning into such a strong man and duke,” she said approvingly, beaming at him.

“I will find my own bride. If you are to remain here, you are to focus on your own affairs.”

With a huge sigh, as though she was doing him a massive favor, his mother nodded her head.