Always the Rival (Never the Bride #7) - Emily E K Murdoch Page 0,44

tone her distaste. “And so I had intended, but the rains came, and there really is nothing to do in London without prior engagement when it rains. So I instructed Macdonald to bring me back in the carriage, early. I thought you would have breakfasted already.”

Charles glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner and saw to his astonishment that it was a quarter to eleven.

“So would I,” he said honestly. “But I overslept, and have only just come down.”

Even just hinting at the reason why he was late for breakfast seemed scandalous, and he was forced to push down a little panic. If she could have known what he had been up to last night…

Heaven forbid.

“Besides, many of my acquaintances had decided to stay in the country, and so my circle was much reduced,” continued his mother, now spreading Dundee marmalade on a piece of toast. “It is so tiresome speaking to the same five people over a weekend, do you not think?”

“Hmm,” said Charles, not trusting his voice. There were two footmen in the room, one standing by the door, one ensuring the food was piping hot. It would be impossible to speak plainly before them.

Not that it would be easy to speak plainly to his mother.

“And of course, there is so much to prepare for the wedding,” Lady Audley continued, smiling at her son. “I had no wish to leave you to face it alone, now that we are only a few weeks away. The final touches must be prepared.”

Charles reached for a cup of tea and swallowed the scalding liquid. His mother had given him the perfect opening. All he had to do now was steel himself for the discomfort of the conversation.

Perhaps it was like lancing a boil. Agony at the time, but relief when it was over. “Mama,” he said awkwardly. “I need to speak to you about that.”

Placing down her knife and taking another bite of her toast and marmalade, Lady Audley peered at him carefully until she had swallowed.

“So,” she said with a smile. “You have finally decided between white and cream for the napkins. Excellent.”

Charles hesitated. A quick look at the footmen and a jerk of his head was all that was needed for them to bow and stiffly walk to the door, closing it carefully behind them.

Lady Audley raised an eyebrow. “Well, I cannot think why your choice of linens must be a great secret! Do you disagree with Hodges? Have you fallen out with him? You know how he carries on if he doesn’t get his own way.”

Charles took a deep breath. “I wish to end the engagement.”

For a moment, he was not entirely sure whether his mother had heard him. She blinked, took a large sip of tea, and then sighed.

“Well, I suppose we must, if you insist. But I have to say, he has been a very good butler over the years, and I had rather thought we would keep him for another few years and then pension him off. Poor Hodges. You really disagreed about those napkins, didn’t you?”

Charles glanced at the door and almost laughed; it was so ludicrous. Why was this so difficult? Had anyone had to have such a meandering conversation with their mother to end an engagement?

“No, not Hodges. My engagement to be married to Miss Lloyd,” he said stiffly. “I wish to break it.”

His mother’s mouth opened, and she placed her cup of tea down carefully before retorting, “Well, now I see why you wished the footmen to leave before our little tête-à-tête!”

Her expression was stern, and Charles knew he had but moments to explain himself before a tirade he would be unable to resist would come crashing down on him.

“I have thought about this carefully,” he said hastily, “and I believe it to be the best option – not just for myself, but for Miss Lloyd, too.”

“And what about the family?” Lady Audley snapped.

Charles smiled weakly. “We are all that is left! We are the family!”

“No, we are not.” His mother glared, transporting him back to the times when he was a young boy, caught in mischief. “We are the members of the family currently alive, true, but it is much more than that. I am talking of the family name, our honor, reputation. Have you considered that?”

Charles leaned back in his chair and tried to calm his temper. He knew that duty and responsibility would be thrust at him, but surely that could not be a reason to marry