cannot live like that. If you ever judge me I want to know I have the right to appeal. You have ignored your mother four years without ever listening to what she has to say and yet, at the slightest indication that you are ready to reconcile, she agrees readily. I do not think I would be so flexible.”
“And I thought I was choosing a placid wife.” He smiled, but it was bittersweet. “I know you would then refuse to forgive me.”
“You are quite correct in that.” Marguerite tilted her chin up. “I need evidence that you can change. I need you to listen to your mother and her explanations. I do understand how much you have done for me and what it means. I know it was not easy.”
Tristan reached on and replicating her gesture stroked his thumb down her cheek. “Do you understand what it means? I think if you do we can move forward. I will do this for you. I would probably do whatever you asked of me. I have become a fool around you, yours to command. You see I have discovered that –“
There was a tap on the door and after a discreet moment Winters entered.
“My lord, forgive my intrusion, but Lady Harburton is at the door. She demands to speak with you.”
“Demands?” Tristan turned from Marguerite and stood. “Lady Harburton demands?”
“Ah, Yes, my lord,” Winters replied looking most uncomfortable.
Before either man could reply the door behind Winters burst fully open and Lady Harburton barged in.
Chapter Nineteen
“What did you do to my son? Where has he gone? Did he tell you everything? He must have told you everything. Why have you stolen my bulbs? My fortune. How dare you? You black-hearted scoundrel.” Lady Harburton did not take a breath. “How could you do such a thing to me? What did I ever do to you?”
She sat down on the couch with a decided plop. She turned to Winters who still stood in the doorway. “Fetch me some tea. And some cakes. I am quite in need of a restorative.”
Winters glanced at Tristan, who nodded his agreement. Winters slipped back out the door.
Tristan strode over to stand in front of Lady Harburton. “Perhaps you would like to tell me why you have disturbed my wife and myself in this manner?”
“As if you didn’t know. My Simon is gone. We were to announce his betrothal before the end of the month and now he is gone. I have worked so hard to gain him his own comfortable little security. I know a mother doesn’t normally worry about such a thing with her son, but Harburton is a bit of a miser. I know it doesn’t show, but he never wants to spend on more than his horses and stocking his ponds and streams. If I ask for more than ten new dresses a season he shouts that I am a spendthrift. Can you imagine me a spendthrift?” She fanned herself with her delicate lace handkerchief.
Tristan started to reply, but Marguerite stilled him with a glance. He might be a spy and a rather good conversationalist, but he clearly had no understanding of women. She rose from her chair and went to sit beside Minerva on the couch. “Nobody could ever think such a thing of you. You do so many good works. I am sure you don’t spend a penny more than is needed.”
“Quite right, not a penny more. I strive so hard for others, just look at my long correspondence with so many of our finest young men during the war, and even some of our not so finest. I inquired of everybody I knew to increase my lists, spent hours writing letters, and I was so soon forgotten. Harburton didn’t even express any sympathy when they quit writing me after the peace.”
“How horrible. But at least you had your Simon, such a fine young man.” Marguerite tried to look sincere.
Tristan looked like he had swallowed a mouse, but he kept quiet.
“Yes, and, well, you would say that. Simon spoke so often of you, not always as properly as a mother would wish, but with great feeling. I think he would have proposed at your sister’s if I hadn’t explained how unsuitable an arrangement it was and hurried him away. He just didn’t understand these things. He needs to marry the daughter of a duke. It would be the only thing suitable for a man such as he. Do not you agree?” She let the