Chapter 22 #2
“I don’t plan to.” David got out as the footman opened the door. “Don’t run off with my carriage.”
“Don’t spoil my plan.”
Ignoring his friend’s comment, David entered the house, waving the butler away as he approached.
“There’s no need to take my hat and coat. I’m not going to be staying long. Is Lady Mary present?”
“She’s in the morning room, Your Grace.” The butler looked a little confused. “Shall I let her know you’re here?”
“No need. Just point me towards the room.”
David knew he was doing it all wrong and should have sent a calling card ahead, but he didn’t want to wait. Given how fast he wanted to move, he would more than likely end up at the house before his calling card.
He followed the butler’s pointed finger and entered the morning room. Lady Mary and her mother were sitting by the huge window towards the back of the room, a tea tray laid out between them. It appeared they were having breakfast. Both women stood immediately as David entered.
“Your Grace!” Lady Chadwick looked shocked at his entrance. “We didn’t know you were going to be visiting us …”
“Forgive me for intruding so suddenly, Lady Chadwick.” David crossed the room, turning to Lady Mary. “I would like a moment alone with your daughter. We have a few things to discuss.”
Both mother and daughter looked perplexed. Lady Mary answered first.
“Very well, Your Grace. Shall we go outside? It is a nice day today.”
“I would like to speak with you here.” David glanced at Lady Chadwick. “Can you give us a moment, Lady Chadwick?”
Still looking bewildered, Lady Chadwick bobbed a curtsy and moved across the room. She wouldn’t be leaving, but it was better than nothing. David turned back to Lady Mary, who was frowning at him.
“What’s going on, Your Grace? Why …?”
“I think we should discontinue seeing each other, Lady Mary.”
She blinked.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You and I are not actually compatible despite our financial circumstances. I’m afraid you and I will not be a good match, and with that, I don’t feel comfortable continuing this intended courtship.
” That sounded diplomatic enough. David carried on as Lady Mary’s mouth dropped open.
“I apologise for not realising this sooner, but I know it would be best that we parted ways.”
Lady Mary looked like she didn’t know whether to be upset or get angry. She chose the latter, her eyes narrowing.
“This is because of Caroline Fairfax, isn’t it? She said something to you about our meeting yesterday.”
“She didn’t need to. Servants do have eyes, you know, and they let me know that you paid a ‘visit’ to Lady Caroline and that she was out of sorts afterwards.” David glared at her. “You’re trying to force Lady Caroline out of her position, aren’t you? You forced her to resign by threatening her.”
“Me? Why would I threaten her?”
“Because you see her as a threat. You know of our previous friendship and didn’t want her around.” David folded his arms. “You also plan to get rid of my sisters. Sending them to boarding school in Europe? I was too stunned at the time, but that will never happen. They stay with me.”
“Why should they? They’re your sisters, not your daughters.”
“And if they were your daughters, you would still do the same thing, wouldn’t you? You would get rid of them as soon as you were able.”
Lady Mary snorted.
“Children have a purpose, but I’m not about to become a mother. Especially not to older children who look at me like I’m dirt.”
“I never asked you to become their mother. And if you treat them like dirt, what do you expect?”
“How dare you? I never …”
“You openly expressed to me that you thought we should send Henrietta and Gwen away to boarding school. Just months after losing their father. And then you met Lady Caroline without my knowledge to get her to resign. I don’t know what you said to make her agree, but I won’t let that happen.
You will not break apart my family so you can have control.
That is why I don’t think we’re a good match. ”
Lady Mary put her hands on her hips. She looked incredulous.
“Are you seriously telling me that you see Lady Caroline as family? She’s a servant! Nothing more!”
“She is still a lady despite her current title. She still deserves respect regardless of her position. And yes, I do see her as family.”
Lady Mary scowled.
“If you think I’m going to let you keep your mistress under our roof when we’re married …”
“Do you hear yourself?” David cut her off, and Lady Mary fell silent.
“I just told you that you and I will not continue our courtship. And you’re talking as if I didn’t say that?
Also, I would never degrade Lady Caroline by making her my mistress, so don’t make baseless assumptions over something that will not happen. ”
“I just need to say a couple of words here and there, and people won’t see it your way.”
David knew he shouldn’t have been surprised that Lady Mary would try that, but it still stunned him. He shook his head.
“Threatening me with telling lies to the ton? That’s pathetic, do you know that? All the more reason I shouldn’t have anything remotely romantic towards you if you’re going to get your own way by threats.”
“Who said it was a threat?”
“It is, and you know it. I have no idea how you and your father are so different in terms of personality. I’m sure he wouldn’t approve of what you’ve just said to me or what you said to Lady Caroline.”
Dark red spots appeared on Lady Mary’s cheeks. She looked like she was close to losing her temper.
“You can’t approach me with the intention of courtship and then throw me away like that!” she cried.
“And if you wanted to become my duchess, you should have kept your true feelings hidden until you were married and had the title. Even then, I wouldn’t have allowed it to happen. I would never let anyone do anything to my sisters.”
“Or to Lady Caroline?” Lady Mary sneered.
David growled, which made her jump. He took a step back.
“You can be upset, as is your right, but I won’t change my mind. You insult my family; you insult me. I don’t wish to continue our courtship, and I hope you will find someone who can temper you better than I can.”
“That … this wasn’t supposed to happen!”
David gave her a bow and turned away.
“Good day, Lady Mary. Lady Chadwick.”
He nodded at the countess as he left the room, noticing the stunned look on the mother’s face. Lady Mary could explain or spin her own narrative on the talk. He didn’t care.
He needed to go and find Caroline. She was more important than making a spiteful woman feel better.