deal of trouble in the past, but we’re doing much better now. And since you are a part of our family, we must have a line of conversation, don’t you think?”
He nodded wordlessly.
“Good.” The dowager pulled back and adjusted her skirts. “These are my expectations. I will wish to see you and Mary at family dinner several times a week. I would like to know how your business is proceeding. I would like to know how your relationship with my daughter is proceeding, and you must either secure a proper house for her or come and live with us.”
The line of words passed through his mind like a whirring of leaves in fall. Live with them? Richard Heath, Lord of the Underworld, live in the Duke of Blackstone’s house?
Surely, such a thing was impossible.
“You do look a trifle overwhelmed, dear boy,” the Dowager Duchess said.
“I am,” he admitted. “It’s not a feeling I’m accustomed to.”
“So I gather,” the Dowager Duchess said, her lips tilting in a gentle smile.
“Come now,” Robert said. “Heath, you’re a good sort. You helped this family when it was beyond repair, and now you’re a part of it. So you must come and be in it. You can’t live off in the East End all of the time. Or if you do, you need to find a suitable place for you and Mary. It’s that simple if you’re going to be married.” Robert frowned. “Well, you are married. But if you’re going to live together, and married people should, you need a proper house.”
Heath blinked. “I’m waiting for you to hit me.”
“Why ever should I do that?” Robert asked, grinning.
“Because your sister and I are married,” he exclaimed.
“Did you kidnap her?” Robert asked.
Heath drew in a long breath. “No.”
Robert leaned forward. “Did you convince her to do something that she should not?”
“No,” Heath admitted.
“Have you persuaded her to marry against her will?”
Heath could barely believe Robert hadn’t beaten him into a pulp. In fact, the man was all but arguing Heath’s case. “No,” Heath agreed at last.
“There you have it, then.” Robert crossed to his mother and stood behind her, gently bracing his hands on her shoulders. “Mary married you because she wanted to, and I assume it’s because she loves you. Or so, she has said.”
Heath’s mind all but rioted. “She told you that I love her? She told you that she loves me?”
The Dowager Duchess nodded, patting her son’s hand. “Yes, it was a bit for us to take in as well, my dear. Don’t worry if it takes you a moment to catch up.”
Heath coughed.
“Oh, dear.” The Dowager Duchess frowned like a worried mother hen. “I do hope you’re not unwell.”
“No, no,” he assured, amazed he was having this conversation with a former duchess, who was now. . . His mother. Mother. The word itself was utterly foreign. “Just a bit of dust coming up from the country.”
“Oh, good.” Again, she reached forward, this time patting his hand. I’m glad you have a place in the country. It does wonders for the soul.”
“I agree,” he said, staring at her hand upon his.
“I knew we’d have at least something in common,” she said triumphantly. “I’m quite fond of roses. Do you like roses?”
Heath stared at his mother-in-law. “Yes,” he admitted. “I have several growing in my garden, and I’m fairly good at tending them.”
“Ah, marvelous.” The Dowager Duchess clapped her hands together. “You and I shall have something to talk about because I’ve been having a terrible time with aphids. If you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to take them.”
He could barely countenance what he was hearing. Aphids. “Of course, Dowager Duchess.”
“Mama,” she cut in gently but firmly.
It was a word he wasn’t entirely sure he could say.
He’d never called anyone Mama in his entire life.
She seemed to sense his discomfort. “Now, you don’t have to call me Mama, my dear, but it would make things a good deal easier. Dowager Duchess is such a mouthful, you know.”
“I see,” he said. He did not, but he still wasn’t certain if he was dreaming. He was tempted to ask Robert to hit him in any case, just so he’d know he was awake.
“Now, I realize this could be terribly rude of me and a bit off-putting, but we must just get on with it, I think, given that you’re already married to Mary. But as I understand it, you have no parents living?”
He weighed his words and chose the simplest ones. “No, I do