Page 41 of Twelfth Night Sorcery (The Cambion Club #2)

Once inside the house, he heard angry voices coming from the morning room.

He hurried down the corridor and thew open the door.

Honora sat rigidly upright, her hands clenched into fists and her face as cold as marble.

A book lay next to her on the striped cushion of the sofa, as if someone had interrupted her while reading.

In fact, she still wore her reading glasses.

Across from her sat a slender woman whose fair hair was lightly touched with silver. People often described women of her age as displaying “the remains of great beauty.” But Valance saw nothing beautiful about the angry expression on the stranger’s face.

“I wish I had dragged you home and locked you in your bedroom before you could ruin the family name, you ungrateful child!” the woman spat. “How dare you defy your own mother this way! If you do not tell me where your sister is, I will have the law on you.”

Valance clenched his hands into fists. “Excuse me.” His words cracked into the room. Both women turned to face him. Honora got to her feet at once and came to stand by his side.

“Mother,” she said politely, “May I present Lord Valance to you?”

Lady Grantly rose to her feet and curtseyed somewhat stiffly. Valance inclined his head in acknowledgment, though he would rather have tossed her out on her ear. He did not care who she was or how she was related to Honora. No one could be allowed to speak to his wife that way.

But this situation called for finesse, not forcefulness.

He paused to take a few deep breaths before he spoke.

“I am sorry to interrupt, ladies,” he drawled.

Honora’s eyes flicked towards his face, as if surprised by the change in his tone.

“I seem to have walked in at an inopportune time. I am, of course, very pleased to meet you, Lady Grantly. But I should make one thing clear: you must treat my wife with respect, or you will no longer be welcome here.”

He watched Lady Grantly’s expression change as she shifted her gaze back and forth between Valance and Honora. She now looked uneasy rather than angry.

She turned to her daughter and spoke in a much quieter voice. “You will have to forgive my strong words, Honora. I spoke out of an excess of concern for your sister. Your father left her in my care, so I am naturally very worried about her. Can you at least tell me if you have seen Dora?”

“My man of law is currently investigating some questions regarding the late Sir Isaac’s will.” Valance used his most lofty voice and looked down his nose at Lady Grantly in a manner calculated to ruffle feathers.

Lady Grantly pursed her lips, but she held her tongue while Valance continued.

“I am afraid we cannot discuss Miss Rossini’s situation at present, as the case may go to court.” Valance had no idea whether they had a legal leg to stand on, but this all sounded very grand. “Is there anything else I can help you with before you go on your way, madam?”

Lady Grantly glanced at Honora and anxiously licked her lips. “Honora, you have no idea how much trouble you have caused for me.” Her voice shook with some strong emotion.

“How?” Honora spoke fiercely, though her voice trembled. “You wanted me to marry well. I did so. You always said your greatest desire was for me to have a comfortable home. I have one. Why can’t you be glad that I am happy?”

If she was happy. Valance could not help wondering about that, given last night’s argument. He put an arm around Honora’s waist and gently tugged her closer to him. She leaned a fraction of her weight against him, and some of his worry eased.

“Happy!” Her mother shook her head, and her frown lines deepened. “You may be happy, but what about your family? Don’t you realize the Duke of Belmont holds the mortgage to Grantly Manor?”

Ah, the missing piece to the puzzle! Valance had wondered why Honora’s mother was so desperate to marry her daughter off to Belmont, and why she seemed so angry about Honora escaping the unwanted marriage.

But if Belmont held the Grantly family’s debts, he must also hold considerable power over them.

“You ought to have told us that sooner.” Valance infused as much rebuke as possible into his voice. “Naturally, I will buy the mortgage from him and make a present of it to you. I would have done so already if you had informed me earlier.”

“Belmont will never sell to you!” Honora protested.

He tightened his hold around her waist, hoping to reassure her.

“He will sell to me, given the right pressure.” Valance spoke as confidently as he could, though he was internally panicking about how he could possibly force Belmont’s hand.

“I will have my man of business see to the matter at once. Good day, Lady Grantly. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

Lady Grantly bit her lip, as if she did not know how to respond. Then she bowed her head, accepting his dismissal. “Good day, my lord. It was a pleasure to meet you as well. You must forgive me for berating my daughter. I have only her happiness in mind.”

Bullshit, Valance thought. She had the main chance in mind. But he did not let his smile falter until the woman left the room. Then Honora turned to face him fully. He held his arms out and she collapsed against him.

Valance held her tightly for a moment before speaking. “If you wish, I will tell Weller never to admit Lady Grantly again.”

“I don’t know.” Honora spoke into his shoulder, muffling her voice. “She is still my mother. Your mother annoys you, but you don’t send her away.”

“My mother has never tried to arrange a marriage between me and a murderer for financial gain!” At least, he didn’t think any of the young ladies Mother had introduced to him had been murderers. But how would he know? No doubt many murders went undetected.

A new idea presented itself to Valance. It might be too late to act on it.

But it might not. He would have to do some investigation in areas far outside his wheelhouse, but Mr. Watson might be able to help him get started.

For now, though, there were other things he and his wife ought to talk about.