Wild Lily (Those Notorious Americans Book 1)(85)

Be a gentleman, not a beast. Drawing away, he grinned at her. “You did your part yesterday, darling, and they made you sad. I want you happy. I’ll tell Nora to bring you a tray.”

She pulled at the sheet and he winked at her as he turned away.

In the dining room, his mother and Leland were already seated. Shocked that his mother deigned to eat here rather than in her own bedroom from a tray, he bid her good morning with a half smile. To Phillip Leland he gave a broader one.

“I’ve been talking with Mister Leland,” said his mother, “about my allowance.”

“I see.” Julian sat in a quiet tone as Perkins the butler and a footman hurried around him with pots of tea and coffee. “And? What of it?”

“I tell you, Julian. I need more money.”

He ground his teeth. In front of Phillip who was a very distant relation, she might have addressed him as Seton. But she had this persistent reluctance to recognizing that, indeed, he was now the duke and she must in public call him by any number of honorifics. His given name was not permitted. Her failures in addressing him correctly were her attempt to show she superseded him. She did not. And he would not allow it.

Furthermore for this dressing-down, he would not dismiss his servants. This was his house, his domain, his money and his debts. And he would be master here.

“Madam,” he said in the frostiest tone he had ever used with anyone, “there is no more money.”

She glared at the butler and the footman in turn. “They must leave.”

Both men froze in their tracks.

Julian locked his eyes on hers. “They will remain.”

“You had money for them,” she accused him. “If you have it for them—”

“No. I do not have more for you.”

“I understand you sold that Irish land you wanted your father to sell. There’s money from that.”

Julian felt Leland’s eyes upon him, but he would not meet them. He knew the man would be apologetic for divulging that fact to his mother, but it was no secret that he’d asked him to sell the land.

“The proceeds from that sale go to our debts, madam.”

“They can be serviced.” She waved a hand.

“They are serviced. By this sum.” He sat straight as a pin while Perkins placed a plate of eggs and bacon before him.

She shook her head, fuming. “I understand you used money to refurbish Willowreach before your marriage.”

Where in hell did she get that information? He’d ferret that out, by God. He picked up his fork. Stabbing a portion of food, he suppressed his desire to rage at her. “That is my business.”

“She needs no comforts.”

She needed every comfort.

“And I refuse to live like a pauper.”

“Then perhaps, madam, you should find employment.”

Silence reigned.

“You have money for doctor’s implements. For chemist’s potions. Then you have money for me.”

Leland stared at his plate.

Julian was aghast. The woman knew no bounds. Why did he not foresee this? Was he blind? Or just too trusting?

Or was it that living with a woman who was not vindictive, not manipulative, not unprincipled had changed him? Made him whole.

“My wife wishes to care for our tenants and servants. I welcome that.”

His mother growled. “She buys anything she wants.”

He stood with such force, his chair toppled backward.

“Perkins,” he addressed the butler. “See to it that my mother leaves the house today. You will have her maid and two of the upstairs maids ready her trunks. Two footmen go to the dower house immediately to open it and clean it as best they can. Two more go tomorrow to finish the task.”

His mother pushed back from the table and rose. “I will not go.”

“You will go or I will throw you out. Choose.”

White as a ghost, she groped for words. Her jaw worked but she was incapable of sound.

A very good thing, too. What else could be said that was more sordid than what they’d already uttered?

She marched out.

Perkins, wise man, shut the door swiftly behind her.

The footman replaced Julian’s chair and Julian resumed his place.

Leland inhaled.

“I am sorry you had to witness that,” Julian told him.

“Don’t be.”

Julian sipped at his coffee. His appetite however had fled.

Leland figeted with his napkin, then said, “I’m afraid I have more bad news.”

Julian gave an outraged laugh. “Well, do tell me. It can’t be worse than this.”

“You asked me to look into certain rumors about you and the duchess in the London tabloids.”

“You found the papers?”

“I did. I had my assistant combing the pages daily ever since you told me.”

“Right after my father died.”

“Yes.”

“And what?”

“They are scurrilous. Astonishing in their content.”

Julian could not believe it. “How so?”

“They allege that you and your wife engage in…” Leland was red with embarrassment.

“Come, Leland. We are men. Out with it.”

“Risqué sport.”