Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom(140)

“It took me years to escape from under my uncle’s thumb. I had no intention of putting myself at the mercy of Dominic’s tender ministrations. He’s an interfering old woman, as you well know. He wanted to send me away to school and then University, if you can believe that.”

She glared at him. “Uncle Dominic cares for you, Griffin, and he wants to help you. It’s what he does.”

His jaw set in a stubborn line. “I don’t need anyone’s help.”

Not even hers, she supposed, but there was little point in following up on that contentious and depressing fact.

“Did Uncle Dominic know your mother was still alive?”

“Not until I told him. It’s the only time I’ve seen him completely set back on his heels.” He frowned. “Well, almost the only time. He’s been fairly put out over this entire affair with Stephen, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

Justine rested her clasped hands on the tea table. “Yes, but I suspect we’ll never know the reason why.”

Griffin looked like he wanted to say something but then thought better of it.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing. Are we done with the interrogation?”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Almost. I was just wondering if Uncle Dominic did anything to try to find your mother.”

“He certainly did. Came up empty, too, despite all his damn connections and resources.”

Justine stared at him, puzzled. “So, you don’t know whether your mother is alive or not, do you?”

He hesitated, then a grim resignation settled onto his shoulders like a heavy weight. “No, I suppose I don’t. Dominic is convinced she’s alive, but that’s probably wishful thinking on his part. He’s spent the better part of his life looking for her. God only knows why.”

Justine understood why—Dominic obviously loved Chloe Steele and refused to give up on her. Griffin, however, had never known his mother’s touch, or seen evidence of her love. To him, family meant harsh treatment and rejection and, in the case of his parents, complete abandonment. What could he feel about a mother who never made any attempt to find him?

“What are you thinking?” he asked in a quiet voice.

She drew in a deep breath, searching for the right words. His confession, so reluctantly given, was both amazing and heartbreaking. Even given her unconventional childhood, she could hardly begin to understand the emotional burdens he had carried over the years.

“I’m thinking how sorry I am that you were denied the love you deserved as a child. That you were cruelly betrayed by those who should have known better.” She had to stop for a moment, fighting to hold back the tears that threatened to thicken her words. “And I hate that you were so alone when you came to London, and that you had to live on the streets, starving and half perished from the cold.”

He scowled. “Justine, I already told you—”

He broke off when she slipped out of her chair and went down on her knees before him. His eyes widened with surprise, but his mouth flattened and he looked wary.

“No, you misunderstand me,” she said earnestly. “I’m in awe of what you’ve done . . . the life you’ve made for yourself out of nothing. I know it’s probably wrong of me to say so, given the sort of life you’ve led and how you’ve made your fortune, but I’m proud of you, Griffin. You forged your own path in life and you’ve taken care of the people who depended on you. You’ve more than earned their love and respect.”

A hint of color tinged his cheeks. “Love might be overstating the case,” he said, sounding embarrassed. “They simply believed that I’m a generous employer, that’s all.”