Page 40 of Kismet

Theodore scrubbed at his face and let out a low growl of frustration. “How could I have been so foolish? I knew my mother was selfish, but I believed her when she spoke about growing closer together after Cedric died.”

“She saw that you were vulnerable in your grief and used it to her advantage.” Barnes spoke with a glower, clearly making no effort to hide his dislike for Lady Matlock.

“You heard what I said to Catherine, and what she said to me. I have made the biggest mistake of my life.” Theodore wanted to bang his head against the wall but refrained from doing so for it would only damage the plaster.

Barnes stood silently, his eyes fixed on Theodore, and stroked his chin. “You have the ability to set things to rights. Miss Catherine is not a vindictive woman. I am sure she will forgive you with time, and maybe some appropriate groveling.”

“I do not begin to know how to set things to rights with Miss Catherine,” Theodore admitted with a sigh, still trying to process what he just learned. “My life has been derailed to such an extent by my mother that it will take a Herculean effort to get back on track.”

“May I suggest, then, that you seek the advice of those who might know more than you on the matter? It is not as if you do not have people within your sphere that can help you.”

Feeling like smacking himself in the head, Theodore could not help but remember all the times people had recently offered their aid. “Going to others for advice is a sound strategy. In fact, I was told to do so by a countess recently.” Standing, Theodore moved to his desk with purpose. “I have several letters to write. Barnes, can you find out where the Derbys will be the next several days? Maybe I can arrange to speak with them at a ball or obtain an invitation to dinner.”

“Yes sir, I will work on getting you that intelligence,” Barnes replied before quickly leaving the room.

Arranging several sheets of paper on the table before him, Theodore first wrote a few missives that would arrange meetings the next day. Setting them to the side for Barnes to see to, he began contemplating how he was going to word the letter he was going to send. He had a significant amount of respect for the former Mrs. Bennet, now Mrs. Hawkins. He really could not fathom why he had not contacted her before now about his regard for her daughter. Now things were, of course, much more complicated. He recognized she deserved to hear from him and was eager to receive her input on the unfortunate situation he found himself in.

Once his letter was complete, he leaned back in his chair and contemplated his plan. His time away from the military had not dulled his understanding of military tactics in the slightest. If you knew neither yourself nor your enemy, you would succumb in every battle. He had certainly proved the adage from The Art of War true. While he had appreciated the message, he had not taken it to heart until that moment. It was no wonder he had felt so lost since he had taken on the role of earl—he had lost track of who he was and what he wanted. What was worse was that he had lost track of what Cedric wanted. With his dying breath, Cedric had told him to find his happiness. How had he forgotten that?

His mother's manipulations had helped him lose his way. He realized now that he had never really known his mother and therefore had lost every skirmish with her up until that point. He had not even known he had entered a battlefield. In this case, knowledge really was power.

Now that he had come to realize his error and his adversary, he could not help but plan for his success in a way that was familiar. He knew himself better today than he had since he came home injured. He also knew who his mother was and what she wanted. It was time that he put his knowledge to use and come up with an offensive against his mother and her tyranny. Surely she would be easier to overthrow than Napoleon.

Theodore was glad his mother had not arranged for them to attend a dinner or ball that evening. It would give him the opportunity to confront his mother in a setting that he chose. The rules of the house would be changing. His mother would soon find that she was no longer in control of him or Matlock House.

Sitting at the head of the table, Theodore watched his mother. He knew she would begin her attack soon. Now that he had analyzed her pattern of behavior, he was ready.

Smiling at her plate, Lady Matlock cut a small slice of something and brought it to her mouth before regarding him. “I do hope that Miss Catherine has recovered some today. Sadly, she is just not cut out for society's slings and arrows.” Her smile from earlier had faded, replaced with a furrowed brow and delicate frown.

Unfazed, Theodore watched his mother with care while continuing to eat his own meal. She had a remarkable talent for deceiving others. Now that he was looking for it, he could see the truth behind her pretty words. “You would be surprised how good she is with arrows.”

“That is exactly what I mean. No woman of true society would admit to such an uncouth hobby.” His mother wrinkled her nose as if a foul odor had offended her delicate sensibilities. “It is not her fault. Her mother did her best, I am sure, but growing up in a family of tradespeople meant she was not raised in the gentry. She did not understand the high standards we have and thus could not pass on those standards.”

“I will be sure to warn Lady Derby then. She must not know of you and your friend's disapproval of her and her hobbies.” Theodore winced as his mother’s knife scraped against her plate, creating a discordant screech. Suppressing a smile at her reaction, he continued. “It was her influence that brought the Bennet ladies their love of archery.”

“I was unaware that you knew the earl and his wife.” Taking a small bite, his mother could not hide her slight pallor.

“Yes, Miss Catherine introduced me to Lady Derby. She is their aunt's cousin. Lovely woman, I must say. She seemed very fond of Miss Catherine and her sisters.” Pausing to take a bite of his food and chew it contemplatively, Theodore continued his line of conversation, eager to bring his mother down a peg. Normally, he wouldn't have been so cruel, but his mother's actions changed everything. “I am eager to meet her husband. She has invited me to a family dinner later this week.”

“Oh, I do hope that it won't conflict with the plans I have already made for us.” His mother's eyes narrowed as her face contorted into a deep frown.

Now it was time for his counterattack. Theodore smiled blandly at his mother before he began. “I am sure that whatever plans you made for yourself will not be a problem, as I was the only one invited.” Pausing, he took a sip of his deep red wine. “I heard that you were visiting with Lady Talbot this afternoon. Did it go well?”

“Of course,,” she replied, her enigmatic smile quickly returning. “Visiting with her is always a pleasure. She has a wonderful disposition.”

“It is such a pity that you will not be able to have her here again.” Theodore cut into his meat and took a bite while keeping his eyes on his mother, waiting for her reaction. He was not disappointed.

His mother sputtered inelegantly and then seemed to choke. Taking a sip of her wine, she cleared her throat before replying. “Don’t be daft. She is over regularly. We are the best of friends. What could prevent her from visiting?”

“I learned that she burnt one of our maids this afternoon by sloshing hot tea on her on purpose. It is my duty to ensure that those we have taken responsibility for are not ill-used in any way. I have let the butler and footmen know that she is to be turned away if she comes again.” Carefully looking his mother straight in the eye, he threw down the gauntlet. “I will not have cruel people in my house.”

Her eyes widened momentarily before she smoothed her features. “You would ban my friend on mere servant talk?”

Taking another bite, Theodore chewed, unrushed by his mother’s exasperated expression. Swallowing, he responded. “The girl's skin was red and blistered, Mother. This is not merely gossip or supposition.”

Waving her hand as if to negate his statement, his mother pushed forward. “Accidents happen all the time, dear. If she was, in fact, burned, someone should have told me. I will see to it. We do not need to do something as foolish as banning my closest friend from the house.”

“It was not an accident, and frankly, I do not trust you to see to it as you were in the room when it happened. You are liable to let the maid go instead of acting as the mistress of the house should.” He maintained a composed demeanor, seemingly undisturbed by her mounting frustration. Instead, he continued to focus on his meal and the clink of cutlery that resonated in the air.

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