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Darlington Hall

Wednesday morning

The earl took a sip of coffee, set his cup in its exquisite saucer, and said to her, “Elizabeth, your mother started visiting Tommy soon after you left, and I raised no objections, though I knew almost certainly he would disappoint her yet again. It’s now over three months and I accept from both you and your mother that he’s clean. I cannot forget Tommy helped us by providing you the alarm to install in the Bentley for your mother and connected to the police station.” The earl paused, drew a deep breath. “I’ve given Tommy’s situation a great deal of thought, of course, and now both of you have agreed, I am willing to meet with him. If he is remorseful, and he stays free of drugs long enough to convince me, I will consider asking him to start work with us at the bank. A newcomer’s position, of course, at the very bottom rung of the ladder, but I hope he would welcome it. Perhaps in time, he might prove he deserves more of his inheritance.” He looked to his right, to Millicent’s face, now brimming with hope. “But I must be certain in my own mind, all right, Millicent?”

Millicent hugged her husband. To Elizabeth’s pleasure, he pulled her close and softly kissed her hair.