An Affair So Right (Rebel Hearts #4)(38)

“I am escaping the bleak despair of Newberry House. It is intolerable, and I’ve driven poor Lenore to leave London already,” she said with a weary sigh. “I couldn’t stand to remain there alone another moment, so I came to see you instead.”

He gazed upon his mother’s miserable face, largely unsurprised by the news that Cousin Lenore had cut her visit short due to Father’s illness, and then kissed the top of her silvered hair. He and mama were of the same mind with regards to Templeton. It was very hard to weep over his father’s illness. “Tea?”

“Please, and your company, too,” she begged. “Have you been keeping busy?”

Quinn was happy to oblige her, and sat next to her on the chaise. Mama rarely demanded his company so directly. “I’ve been reviewing the properties I own. I’ve only just returned, in fact.”

“I wish I’d known. I might have enjoyed coming with you.”

He laughed softly. “Mama, you hate scrambling in and out of carriages all day long.”

“I could have watched from inside,” Mama protested before sighing. “But you’re right. I would have hated waiting.”

Quinn reached over and squeezed his mother’s hand. “He will get better, or he won’t, when he decides.”

She closed her eyes. “I know.”

“And there is nothing you can do,” he assured her. “No good will come from upsetting yourself.”

“I know that too.” She sighed and turned her face away. “I went to see him this morning.”

“Mama,” Quinn protested. “You know he cannot answer you.”

“I told him how I feel about him now.” She sucked in a sharp breath before continuing. “I wanted him to know the pain and humiliation he’s caused me cannot be forgiven. What he did to you with that woman was disgusting.”

Quinn hugged his mother tightly against him. “I hardly think about it, and nor should you.”

“How did you stop? I close my eyes and imagine him…”

How had he curbed his anger? He’d allowed Theodora to divert him.

“I bury myself in work.” He considered how to help his mother, and smiled. “Perhaps you’d like to join me upstairs in my study while we discuss rent day collections?”

“That is exactly what I need. Serious conversation that has nothing to do with ailments or medicinals. I am quite lost on the topic.” Mama beamed at him and stood. “How is that woman you hired working out? Such an unconventional arrangement you have with her. Lenore was quite impressed with her manners, and so was I. What was her name again?”

Ah, this must be the true purpose of the visit. Mother had probably memorized Theodora’s name, and everything else she knew about his secretary so far, but still wanted more information. Mother had likely come to interrogate Theodora about her still being here, and when she’d be leaving. The prospect of that wasn’t desirable. Not after last night. “Her name is Miss Theodora Dalton. She’s managing me very well.”

“Someone needs to.”

He smiled. “But I do have one favor to ask of you before we go up.”

“Anything.”

“When Mr. Dalton died, he had his wife’s necklace about his own neck.” Mama gasped. “The stones were recovered, but when I tried to return them to Mrs. Dalton, she became quite upset and would not take them back.”

“Oh,” Mother whispered. “I do understand why she wouldn’t.”

“I’ve put them away for safekeeping. I suppose I must wait for Mrs. Dalton to ask for them back, but the thing is, I don’t believe she told her daughter they are wealthy still.”

“Do you fear to distress the daughter with the news of where the stones were found?”

“I do indeed.” Quinn scratched his head. “Her mother took the news very hard, bursting into tears again, and hasn’t spoken very much at all since. However, Miss Dalton is a very different sort of female to her mother.”

“She doesn’t like to cry,” Mama mused. “She seemed quite bookish and unemotional to me.”

“She is emotional but dislikes anyone to see her that way, I think,” Quinn confessed. “I’d like for us not to be the reason she would become upset.”

Mama stretched up and patted his cheek. “I do understand. I will say nothing of the stones or her leaving because they do have funds. If I have the chance, I will see if I can get Mrs. Dalton to talk about her situation a little.”

“Gently, Mama.”

“Of course. I am always the soul of discretion, and compassionate.”

Having Mother’s help would be a blessing. Quinn was a little out of his depth when it came to an inconsolable loss like Mrs. Dalton had suffered. “Come upstairs with me. Miss Dalton was working when I came down. Perhaps her mother has joined her there.”

He sent the butler off to amend the order for tea being delivered upstairs to his study and took his mother’s arm to lead her up the staircase. He hoped Theodora did not mind the interruption.

He knocked on the doorframe before entering the study, noting Theodora had been frowning at a journal on her desk before looking up and smiling warmly. That smile slipped a little as his mother came into view, and she hurried to her feet.