Page 26 of Tall, Dark & Wicked
“Who, Mother?” Petra’s irritation was growing by leaps and bounds. Patience for her mother was stretched thin and she was in no mood to play guessing games when Mother obviously had something on her mind. Besides, there was no doubt of whom Mother was speaking.
An exasperated sigh came from the seat across from her. “Your mind is constantly wandering, Petra. I’m referring to Lord Morwick. Consorting with miners and common day laborers rather than coming to London and taking his place in society. Poor Lady Cupps-Foster must be in a constant state of disappointment while he roams the moors picking up stones with his tiny hammer.”
“Geology, Mother. He is a geologist. It’s a science. The hammer is his rock pick.” Before Petra left Somerton, she’d filched another book from Morwick’s library, in addition to Lord Thurston which lay tucked inside her trunk. The book had been taken on impulse. She’d only read the first few chapters of ‘Principles of Geology’by Sir Charles Lydell, but already Petra thought herself more informed on the topic.
“How would you know about such a thing, Petra?” Mother clasped her hands, her eyes narrowed and accusatory.
Petra knew she must choose her words carefully, for Mother had a nose for indiscretion. “While you were ill, I visited the library at Somerton.” Technicallynota lie as she did visit the library, she just happened to visit Morwick at the same time. “It was full of books on geology and minerals. Rocks. Lead. Mining. The structure of gritstone. There was very little else to choose from.” She didn’t dare mention the Lord Thurston book to Mother, who would most likely confiscate the novel immediately. “Since this is Simon’s home, I thought becoming more familiar with the subject of geology, I could be of greater assistance to him if we were to marry. I believe one of his bills before Parliament relates to the welfare of miners.”
Mother clapped her hands, pleased as punch and more than satisfied with Petra’s answer. “Brilliant, Petra. Now you are thinking like the politician’s wife you are meant to be.”
Petra felt more like a trained monkey than a future politician’s wife but she smiled back at her mother.
“At any rate, I pity Lady Cupps-Foster, for she’s constantly excusing Morwick’s behavior. It must be tiresome. I’m sure his manner is directly related to being raised without a proper male influence.”
Petra kept her tone polite and her expression bland. “I’m quite sure Lady Cupps-Foster would not care to have you pity her, Mother. And Morwick’s grandsire, the late Duke of Dunbar, would disagree with your assessment of Morwick’s upbringing. I understand he was involved.”
“His Grace fell short of the mark, in my opinion.” Mother straightened her purple skirts, puffing slightly, looking like an overfed orchid about to explode, regardless of having lived on broth for all of two days. “I understand Morwick’s brother is little better.”
“That’s rather unkind.” Mother was such a terrible gossip. “I don’t know Baron Kelso, and to the best of my knowledge, you don’t either. I’m not sure Lady Cupps-Foster, who has been so kind to us, would appreciate you disparaging her father, the duke, or her children. You may wish to recall the previous Duke of Dunbar also raised the current duke, whom you are related to by marriage. Do you think His Grace suffers from a proper male influence?”
Mother’s mouth pursed, the tiny hill forming at the top of her upper lip. “Your impudence has only gotten worse and I find such a manner intolerable. What has gotten into you? Questioning me in such a way?”
“Perhaps I’ve always been impudent, and you haven’t noticed. Imagine your disappointment were you to find out I am not as demure and obedient as you assume.”
Mother’s eyes blinked, shocked at Petra’s statement. She searched every line of Petra’s face, then her eyes ran over the bodice of her daughter’s dress, before flitting down her form, as if looking for something improper. Finding nothing, her lips slowly eased into a smile. Relaxing back into the squabs she tapped Petra playfully on the knee. “Shame on you for teasing me. I know you better than anyone. You’ve always been the most obedient of daughters and know what is expected of you, unlike others.” Mother’s eyes clouded and Petra surmised she was thinking of Rowan’s marriage to Arabella. “You are malleable.”
Petra bristled. What a horrible description. “Malleable? Do you see me as clay which you can form into whatever you wish?”
“A poor choice of words, my dear. Of course that isn’t what I meant. You are open to direction and guidance. Your willingness to further your future husband’s career is a perfect example. Reading books on a boring topic you can’t possibly hope to understand all in an effort to assist Simon speaks well of your character. The true hallmark of a good wife is her ability to be a helpmate to her husband and a mother to their children.”
Though she knew Mother meant her words as a compliment, it was difficult to be told her value only depended on her ability to support someone else.
“Lady Cupps-Foster was not in the least biddable and look where it has landed her,” Mother continued. “Her first marriage to Baron Kelso was to spite her father, the duke. And before you tell me I am gossiping, the good lady told me so herself.” Mother’s face took on a wistful gleam. “I remember Kelso quite well. I had just married your father and Kelso was known as one of the biggest rakes in theton. Handsome. Dashing. Possessed of incredible wit. The barony is one of the oldest in England andverywealthy. Kelso died mysteriously while out and about in London with his cronies. Some speculated the old duke had had his son-in-law killed, for Kelso made no secret of being unfaithful to his wife. Lady Cupps-Foster was with child at the time. I’m told the current Baron Kelso, Lord Morwick’s brother, is cut from the same cloth as his sire.”
Mother clutched the squabs as the coach hit a pothole. “Dear me, I do hope we don’t break another axle, although I suppose Lord Pendleton would come to our rescue this time. Lady Cupps-Foster’s second husband, the Earl of Morwick, was handsome as well, but possessed little more than his title and several struggling mines. The old duke disapproved of that marriage too, though Lady Cupps-Foster would not be dissuaded. Theirs was alove-match. Unfortunately the mines proved more profitable than the marriage. He disappeared rather suddenly.”
“You make it sound as if he left her by choice, Mother, which you know is not the case.”
Mother puffed her cheeks. “They have never found his body and there is some…gossip.” At Petra’s look, she swallowed. “Very well. Death by misadventure, we shall call it. While Lady Cupps-Foster felt terrible at Kelso’s death, Morwick’s devastated her. She wore black and didn’t appear in public foryears. Everyone was surprised when she finally remarried. Lord Cupps-Foster was another husband cut from the same mold as Kelso. Handsome, wealthy, but known for his rash temper. He died in a duel six months after they were wed.”
“You seem to know an awful lot about Lady Cupps-Foster, and most of it’s conjecture and gossip.”
“I’ll have you know,Marissatold me these things herself. And yes, she asked me to call her by her Christian name. I had quite a bit of time on my hands while you were upstairs recovering. When I experienced the same stomach distress, she was beyond kind to me.Marissa,” Mother emphasized the name, “read to me and kept me company.Youwere nowhere to be found. Where had you gotten off to?”
I was climbing trees and getting kissed. Becoming impudent.
“The garden, Mother. I found a quiet bench where I could read.” Knowing she was destined to be subjected to her mother’s dramatics and possibly further suspicion, Petra said quickly, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.” She lowered her eyes, playing at contrition. “I only walked in the gardens and to the library. I’m sorry you weren’t informed.”
“I would have thought you’d spend your time writing to Simon. You’ve not sent him one note.”
He’s not written me either.“By the time I was well enough to do so, we were ready to leave, so I saw no reason. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“I sincerely hope so. I know after our long coach ride and illness, you probably needed the fresh air and a walk. But a young, unwed girl should not be wandering about unchaperoned. What if you’d been accosted?”
“Who would accost me on the grounds of Somerton?” Petra gave a weak laugh.Except for Morwick.Had her mother always been so overbearing? She thought back to the way Mother had tried to force Rowan to rid himself of his wife and found the answer. She wondered why Father tolerated Mother’s behavior and knew it was because of James, her much adored older brother. Mother hadn’t ever recovered from his death. No wonder she’d formed a bond of sorts with Lady Cupps-Foster. Both women were well-versed in grief.
Understanding Mother’s behavior did little to stop Petra’s irritation at being trotted about like a prize pig. Or aworm.
