Page 42 of The Scarred Duchess Deal
“Perhaps. I have tried to call on her, but she still refuses to see me,” Mortimer confessed.
“I am certain that she will come around once another scandal shakes theton. After all, she is as much to blame for her daughter’s ruin as Sophie herself. All of those horrible women like to plot and scheme about the best way to trap a husband–” Tessa shook her head.
“Perhaps it was the fact that Sophie was never told the word ‘no’ growing up that she felt the prospect of a man rejecting her preposterous. Now she must live with that consequence,” Mortimer figured.
“She blames me, of course.”
“How can she possibly blame you for something that you had absolutely nothing to do with?”
Tessa chuckled. “Well, she is of the opinion that IstoleLeo from her – that the only reason he could have ever been interested in me was through some scheme or the other. She is mad that my ‘trap’ worked where hers did not. The letters were becoming increasingly vicious. I do feel bad for her. Even though we have our differences, she is still my cousin. I wish that she knew we would support her through this.”
“Perhaps it is best that she remains with Aurelius for the time being so that his calm, albeit eccentric, nature can soothe her inner demons. Jealousy is such an ugly thing.”
Mortimer and Tessa rounded the final bit of their afternoon walk and started to head back up into their home. Then they saw the constables' carriage was out front of the house.
“Whatever could they be doing here?” Tessa asked. Mortimer halted. “Do not be afraid, Brother, they are not here for you. I would never let them take you.” She winked cheekily for good measure before pulling him inside.
The constables were just on their way out. They paused to bow respectfully to the Lady of the Manor as they left. “Evening, Your Grace.”
Leo stood in the foyer, grinning.
“What were they here for?” Tessa asked as she crossed to her husband.
“They came bearing very good news, actually.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Do tell! Do not keep us in suspense all afternoon!” Tessa laughed.
“They have caught the men actually responsible for the fire. They matched men to the descriptions that Mortimer gave from his account of that horrible night, and we were able to cross-reference a list of suspects from the gambling records. They were not overly happy that it was from something so unsavory, but the men have been apprehended. Justice can finally be served,” Leo explained happily. “They came here to tell me in person that it was over. Well and truly over.”
“Truly?” Tessa exclaimed and happily embraced her husband. She had never wanted to know their faces. She did not wish to have another thing to have nightmares about, but she would rest easier knowing that it would not happen to her again. The men would not be able to come and spark a fire in their new home to injure her once more.
“Truly,” Leo confirmed. “It makes me think that perhaps in honor of their capture, it might be time to revisit the idea of repairing your family home? I know that you might not wish to reside there ever again, Mortimer, and we certainly are in no rush to have you on your own, but it seems a shame to leave such a wonderful home to rot.”
“I confess I have been toying around with a similar idea,” Mortimer answered.
“Oh?”
“Yes. You are correct, and I do not think that I will ever be able to reside in that house any more than I imagine that Tessa should wish to live there. It is simply filled with too many memories. I do not think I could live there without being haunted by the past or the memories of our parents… which is why I have been trying to puzzle out the very best way to inquire as to your thoughts on repurposing the building.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it is a large enough building that I think could be repurposed into a clinic or some sort of shelter. I am far from the final planning stages, naturally, but if a place such as what I have in mind had existed those years ago, I would have had somewhere to turn to. A shelter or safe haven for those in need… perhaps a small clinic with a doctor. We could have lodgings upstairs and the clinic where the old ballroom had once been,” Mortimer said. “I would use my own money, of course. I would like to spend it on something good, something worthwhile.”
Tessa and Leo exchanged looks and knowing smiles.
“You hate it.” Mortimer slumped. “I knew it. It was a silly idea.”
“No! I think it makes perfect sense, actually,” Tess assured him. “It would be right to have the space used for good. I think that is a perfectly wonderful idea.”
“It will take a lot of planning but I welcome a new challenge to keep my mind occupied,” Leo agreed. “If you would like my assistance, that is.”
Mortimer beamed with pride. “I would welcome it gladly. I was also thinking of perhaps purchasing another one or two of the abandoned properties in the area. I think that your grandfather would be very pleased if we turned one of them into some sort of animal shelter or refuge as well, for all of his cats.”
Leo laughed. “I think you are right. He would do anything for those furry beasts. I still cannot believe that he and Theodore have become such fast friends. It is hard now to tell who is closer – the owners or their pets. Who would have thought that Colonel Floppy Ears would have such a nurturing side to him?”
