Page 33 of A Love to Remember
“How?” She leaned forward. “How can I help him come to this realization?”
Hadley scratched his head. “That’s the tricky part. He has to want something else more than he wants to wallow in his guilt. He has to find a reason to let it settle. He won’t lose his sense of guilt entirely but he has to want to learn how to live with it.”
Her heart sank. She had no idea what Philip might want that was more important to him than to do what he considered the honorable thing and leave the title to Thomas. It was obvious thatshewas not important enough. He’d walked away from her without a fight.
“I’m sorry,” Hadley said gently. “It’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“No.” She gave him a smile that shimmered with suppressed emotion. “But at least I know what I am up against.”
His face relaxed. “I am pleased you are not giving up. After two years I can already see a change in Philip. Maitland says his investment skills have grown. He’s learned from his mistakes, and the Cumberland estates are thriving. He’s no longer aimless. Having the title, having a goal, has focused him. I am sure—with the right encouragement—he could come to accept that his life matters as much as Robert’s did.”
There was nothing much to say after that. She finished her tea and thanked Hadley for his help, and left.
As her town carriage took her home her mind raced from one idea to the next. She did not know what to do now. She’d hardly slept since the affair had ended, and she was exhausted. She would go to Cornwall early, have Christmas with Drake, and then travel north to Gloucestershire to Kirkwood’s estate for the New Year. Perhaps some distance would give both her and Philip time to think about what they really wanted.
The carriage drew to a halt and she was handed down. The front door was already open and Booth waited for her. But his grim face told her something was wrong.
She rushed up the steps. “Is it Drake?”
“His Grace is well,” Booth said. “He’s safely upstairs with his tutor. However, you have a guest who refuses to leave, Your Grace.”
Not Philip. Booth would hardly appear so grim if it was Philip waiting for her. “Who?”
“Viscount Tremain, Your Grace.”
When she walked into her drawing room Tremain was standing by the fire.
She didn’t wait for him to speak. “What do you think you are doing, Conrad?” she said. “This is my home, not yours. I give orders to my servants. You do not. Now state your business and then leave. I’m tired and wish to see my son before I retire.”
“Is that any way to greet your lover?” His face broke into the seductive smile that usually had women melting. “I have been waiting for your return, my dear.” He moved toward her, obviously intending to pull her into his arms.
She sidestepped him neatly. “We are not lovers, Conrad,” she said. “Not now. Not ever again. I thought I had made that clear the other night. So answer my question. Why are you here?”
His smile wavered and there was a flash of anger in his eyes. “I did not think you meant it. You are looking for a husband. I want a wife. I think we would suit.”
She considered. As she had been the one to approach him, she owed him an explanation. “I do want to marry, and I have a man in mind. But I’m sorry, that man is not you.”
His smile died. “Lord Cumberland.”
She did not answer. “However, ever since I became aware of your financial difficulties I have been considering how best to help you. May I suggest Mr. Hemllison’s daughter? She has a dowry of thirty thousand pounds, and her father wants a title. Having met the young woman, I think you deserve each other.”
He stared at her, incredulous. “YouknowI am without funds?”
She inclined her head. “Of course.”
“Who told you?” When she said nothing, his face went dark. “Cumberland. Damned dog in the manger. He doesn’t want you, but he has to poke his nose in where it no longer belongs.”
“It will always belong.” Rose watched his jaw go tight and his fists clench and release. He didn’t frighten her. His pretensions were intolerable. “Kindly leave, or I shall call my servants and have you removed. You are no longer welcome in my home. My staff will be instructed to refuse you entrance.”
Tremain took a step forward, eyes blazing. “He won’t marry you. He has no need of your money. He can have his pick of young debutantes. Lady Abigail is the prime example.”
The truth hurt, but she’d had enough histrionics for one night. “Lady Abigail is certainly a charming young lady. Please leave.”
He stalked past her, but as he reached the door he turned back. “A word of advice. Don’t waste your life waiting for him. If he has given you your congé he’s not coming back. What fool will settle for another man’s leftovers when he can have a wealthy young virgin at the drop of a handkerchief?”
With that insult he strode out and slammed the door after him.
Rose lowered herself into a chair before her legs folded under her. Cruel or not, Conrad might well be correct—for Conrad. But Philip wasn’t anything like Conrad. Philip had a heart. She just had to think of a way to make Philip listen to his heart instead of his guilt.
