“And you have sent gifts home to the family for years now. Tell me, when was the last time exactly that you were here at Romsey.”
Although Leopold’s heart raced, he dared not look up immediately. He was afraid the truth was there for all to see; five years and a few weeks ago. The dates he had last come to Romsey were imprinted on his soul. “Years ago now. I’ve forgotten exactly when,” he lied and then looked up.
Lady Venables gaze fixed on Edwin. Her lips had a pinched look about them, as if she’d tasted sour lemons. “And one more question: when are you leaving again?”
“Blythe!” Mercy cried out. “Don’t speak like that to Leopold.”
Lady Venable stared at her sister. “And when did you first meet Mr. Randall, Your Grace?”
Mercy’s eyes met and held Leopold’s for a mere second before a blush crept up her cheeks. She turned away and answered the question, “Six days ago. You were here that day if you remember.”
God in heaven, Mercy had just lied to her sister. Did she already know, or suspect, he could be Edwin’s father? His palms slicked and he clenched them to control his emotions.
Mercy sat with her chin up, defiant but far from angry or embarrassed by Blythe’s accusations. It was as if the idea was old news to her. Unimportant. Accepted.
A single tear slipped down Blythe’s cheek and she hastily wiped it away. She stood abruptly. “I cannot believe you lie to me so easily. Excuse me. I need to take a turn about the garden and then I will return to Walden Hall where I belong.”
Edwin, unnoticed by all, suddenly climbed into Leopold’s lap and wrapped his arms about his neck. Leopold didn’t know what to do. Should he push away the anxious boy, or let him seek comfort from him just this once? Neither Mercy nor Blythe had noticed the boy’s anxiety yet. They were too focused on each other.
“I have had enough of this.” Mercy followed Blythe to the terrace door. “You are not going to walk away again from another discussion. You have no right to be rude to Leopold, and certainly not while he puts his own life at risk to protect us. I’ve tried to be patient with you. I’ve tried to understand why you constantly criticize, but it is time to put your mourning aside. It’s been years since Raphael and Adam died. You cannot mourn them forever.”
Edwin shook and Leopold cuddled him close. The two women clearly had a lot of unresolved tension between them. It would be better for them to get it out now and be done with the matter. Then, hopefully, they would come to their senses, embrace each other and take the boy off his hands. Of course, it had been a long time since he had argued with a sibling.
Blythe turned on her heel. “Who are you to lecture me? I loved my husband. I’m not happy like you that he is gone.”
Mercy shook her head. “I am not happy to be a widow and you know it. But, given my husband had a weak heart, there was always a possibility he would die before me. His death didn’t end my life too and I have many things left to enjoy. He left me a son to raise, an estate to manage. I have my family. I have you. There are many things left to smile about. Not everything has to be drear or scandalous.”
“There is nothing left to smile about when everything you love is ripped away from you.” Blythe glanced around and, when her gaze fell on Edwin snuggling in Leopold’s arms, her expression hardened. “Everything.”
She slammed the door behind her and quickly disappeared outside. Mercy remained at the doorway, one hand on the glass, shoulders heaving. She pressed her head against the pane and a strangled sob escaped her. “Oh, she’s impossible.”
Edwin raised his head long enough to peek at his mother and then buried his head again in Leopold’s cravat. Although he knew he shouldn’t, Leopold pressed his lips to the boys head. “It’s all right, my boy. Your mother and aunt are fine now. Just a little to do between them. Nothing for you to worry about.” He set his chin to Edwin’s head, breathing the scent of small boy deep into his lungs. To hold his son like this was foolish in the extreme. It would only make parting that much more painful.
Mercy straightened abruptly and turned around, wiping at her eyes. When her gaze fell upon Edwin curled up in his arms, her lips curled up into a tender smile. She did know the truth about their past. She didn’t appear to resent him for it. He took a deep breath to steady his emotions. He’d been so afraid she would hate him.
She drifted across the chamber toward him, and then sat at his side. “Thank you for taking care of Edwin.” She rested her head on his shoulder, and then brushed her hand over Edwin’s hair. “I’m sorry for raising my voice to Aunty Blythe, little one. It won’t happen again.”
Edwin merely cuddled closer against him.
Leopold turned to Mercy. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”
“I will be eventually.”
Leopold press
ed a kiss to her head, too. “I’ll speak to her and set things right before I go.”
“You’re not going anywhere, my love. And if you do, I will follow you this time.”
Leopold’s heart broke. “You cannot do that. You and the boy belong here. I never have.” Very gently, he lifted Edwin from his arms and placed him in his mother’s lap.
Mercy grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”
“If all goes well, you’ll find out in due course.”
He pushed up from the chair and headed to the doorway without looking back.
~ * ~