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I regret to inform you that I will be unable to attend dinner this evening. I am sorry for this late notice, but my mother has arrived from town, and I should remain with her.

Thank you again for your kind invitation.

Your humble servant,

Martindale

He folded the note in half and dripped sealing wax upon the edge, pressing his signet ring into it. By then, a footman had arrived.

“Ride to Huntsworth and deliver this message to Lady Huntsworth,” he instructed.

“Yes, my lord,” the footman said, accepting the note and leaving.

Perry waited until another half-hour had passed. Then, as teatime approached, he made his way to the drawing room. Entering, he saw his mother standing at the window, looking out.

Crossing the room, he waited until he was closer before speaking. “Good afternoon, Mother.”

She turned, her lips twitching in displeasure. He could not think of a single time she had smiled at him. They were, in effect, strangers to one another.

Leaving the window, she took a seat, and he did the same.

A maid rolled in the teacart. Nothing was said while the servant was in the room, and once the maid left, the silence continued.

His mother poured out, handing him a cup and saucer.

Perry set it on a nearby table and placed a slice of cake and half a sandwich upon his plate.

“I suppose you are wondering why I am here, Martindale,” she began, dropping a cube of sugar into her tea and stirring.

He remained silent, waiting to hear what she had to say.

She brought the cup to her lips and took a slip, setting it down. “I wish to speak to you regarding my marriage settlements.”

“What of them?” he asked cautiously.

“I need to see a copy of them for clarification,” she said crisply.

“As a matter of fact, Mr. Chapman, my solicitor, will be arriving at noon tomorrow to meet with me regarding my inheritance. I requested that he bring copies of your settlements for me to review. I fully intend to discharge my duty to you. You will not be tossed out onto the streets.”

He saw his response rankled her, and she took another sip of tea. “I do not wish to be relegated to the dower house, Martindale,” she said firmly. “I know that is what most marriage settlements indicate for a widow, along with a small allowance. That is not to my liking.”

Now the reason she had come to Beauville in person was clear. “You wish to remain in town permanently.”

“I do. I have never been fond of the country. Besides, my friends are all in town.”

“And your lovers?” he asked, not bothering to hide his contempt.

“Martindale!” she exclaimed. “I did not raise you to be impolite.”

Perry gazed at her steadily. “You did not raise me at all, Mother. There were times I could not even recall what you looked like because it had been so long since I had seen you.”

“How dare you!” she exploded. “Why, you must—”

“Must what? Dance to your tune? In case you have forgotten, I am now the Earl of Martindale. You have no say as to what happens to you. It is up to me. I can honor the marriage settlements as they are written—or I can make other arrangements for you which are more to your liking. If I see fit to do so. I must first read what is in them before I decide what I shall do.”

She started to speak and then quickly clenched her jaw. He wished now that he had not written to Lady Huntsberry and canceled his visit this evening, because he could not imagine sitting across from this woman and trying to make polite conversation over dinner tonight.

Then again, he didn’t have to. He was the Earl of Martindale. He could order her to her bedchamber and have the servants serve her dinner there.

Over the next quarter-hour, Perry finished his food and drank the last of his tea, all the while watching his mother. She kept her gaze lowered, not daring to speak a word and alienate him.

Standing, he said, “You are welcome to stay in your old rooms for now. Especially since you were not expected, and the dower house has not been touched in a long time. And since you are tired from your journey to Beauville, I will have a tray sent to your room at supper.”

Her head snapped up, fire in her eyes. He saw her struggling not to burst into one of her usual tirades.

“Thank you, Martindale. That is most thoughtful of you.”

“I will let you know after I have read the marriage contracts what they contain. And what I plan to do about them.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Please, do not banish me to the dower house. I beg you.”

He wasn’t about to tell her that if he had adequate funds, he would allow her to remain in town.

Let her worry a little about her fate. As for him, having her remain in town was his best option.

He did not want to have to see her, and that would be the case if she remained at Beauville.

Perry couldn’t picture her changing from the selfish creature she had always been to a loving grandmother to his future children.

It would suit both of them to never be in one another’s presence again.

“If you will excuse me,” he said, starting for the door.

Foster entered. “My lord, the footman you sent to Huntsworth has just returned. Lady Huntsworth would be pleased if both you and Lady Martindale came to dinner this evening.”

Perry cursed inwardly. If he showed up without his mother, there would be too many questions to answer, things he would prefer not to discuss with anyone.

“We are to have dinner at Huntsworth?” his mother asked, joining him and Foster.

“Yes,” he said tightly. “I had canceled since you arrived, but Lady Huntsworth is a generous woman. Apparently, she will make room at her table for you this evening.”

His mother’s eyes shone with the small victory. “Then I must see my lady’s maid and find something appropriate to wear.”

He told her what time to be downstairs for them to leave, and she left the drawing room.

Turning to Foster, he said, “Never again give me a private message in that woman’s presence.”