effort because of Mr. Campbell. Not much of an effort at that, because he looked as if he’d slept in his clothes and hadn’t yet shaved. He employed a valet, but he’d probably left the man in London. Or else Ellen had refused to bring him in her carriage. She wouldn’t put that past her godmother. Ellen was exceedingly determined when she wished to be.
Jennifer nodded to one of the maids and the girl rushed to put another place setting on the table. Thankfully, Mr. Campbell had already eaten and she’d had a tray taken to Lauren.
“Are you referring to your father-in-law?”
“Unless there’s some other bastard who’s arrived unannounced. Adaire Hall is getting as crowded as King’s Cross station.”
“He’s Lauren’s father. I should think that it would be perfectly understandable for him to be here, Harrison. Lauren is his daughter and Mary is his granddaughter.”
“That’s not why he’s here,” Harrison said, kicking out a chair. He sat heavily, propping his elbows on the table. He looked as if he had continued drinking after the funeral supper for Sean had ended. “He’s here to check on me. To ensure than I’m being a dutiful husband. The bastard thinks he has the right to dictate my life.”
“Does he know how much time you spend in London? If that’s the case, perhaps he does.”
“You always were a disloyal bitch, Jennifer.”
She bit back her irritation. “I’m only stating the truth, Harrison. You can’t ignore your wife for eight months and have anyone think that’s acceptable behavior.”
“What do you know about it?”
“Why do you always have to be nasty when someone calls you out on your behavior, Harrison?”
“Because I’m tired of people telling me what I should do and what I shouldn’t do. Especially you, Jennifer. You’ve turned into a scold.”
She sat back against the chair, took another sip of her tea, and tried to compose herself. Every conversation with Harrison devolved into an argument.
“Spend a little more time home and less in London. Or gambling. Then Mr. Campbell won’t have any grounds for criticism.”
Yes, perhaps she was a scold, but she knew what her brother was doing to Adaire Hall. The Adaire fortune he’d inherited wasn’t going to last forever, especially at the rate Harrison was going through it.
“Why do I need Campbell criticizing me when I have you, Jennifer? You don’t know anything about my life in London.”
She put down her cup, clasped her hands in front of her, and prayed for patience. “I know what I read, Harrison. You’re in the papers more than you should be. If Lauren and I can read about your exploits, so can Mr. Campbell.”
She stood and put her napkin beside her plate. She hadn’t finished with her breakfast, but she wasn’t going to sit there and argue with Harrison.
“Who do you want me to act like, Jennifer? Your precious Gordon?”
He got up from the table and advanced on her. She wisely took a few steps toward the door. She’d seen Harrison’s temper up close, and she had no intention of being a victim of it again.
She’d always considered her brother a handsome man, but not this version of him. It was as if all of his insecurities, all of the hatred and envy and rage he’d ever felt was compressed into the look on his face now.
“First Gordon and now Mr. Campbell. You don’t like anyone showing up at Adaire Hall, do you?”
“Not if they think they can dictate my movements.”
“God forbid someone tells you what to do. You’re so much better than the rest of us, aren’t you?”
Harrison had struck her before, when he was inebriated. At least that’s the excuse he’d given her the next day when he apologized. He’d claimed that she’d been in the wrong by goading him. The only thing she said was that he needed to watch his expenditures in London.
Now she stood where she was and folded her arms, looking up at him and praying for courage.
“What are you going to do, Harrison? Hit me for daring to question you? Would that make you feel better? It seems to me that it would be a hollow victory to hurt someone weaker than you.”
He raised his fist and for a moment she thought he was going to carry through with the threat. A second later he turned on his heel and walked out of the dining room.
Only then did she take a deep breath.
For the first time she was grateful her mother was dead. At least she didn’t have to