Page 32 of Beware A Wallflower's Wrath
“Father, I still would like to board at the school next term. Would you mind terribly? We would still be in London together.” Anthony drummed his fingers on a small side table as he spoke. A habit he’d picked up from Robert, no doubt.
“I think it would be a fine idea, Son. It may make what I tell you next a bit easier,” began Robert, silently cursing the knot in his stomach.
“That sounds ominous,” Anthony said with a half smile.
“It concerns my life before your mother.”
Robert watched the expressions change and dance across Anthony’s face as he explained his betrothal before Caroline, the forced marriage, her deathbed request. Interest, disbelief, anger, grief.
“You and Mother did not love each other? It’s not so unusual, but I would have never known if you had not told me. Why did you do it? Why did you give up the woman you loved?”
“I had no income. I would have had to give up my career and be ousted from my family and society.” A tiny spark of anger still burned in his belly.
“You’ve never been close to your father, anyway. Is that why you are so good at being a father? To right his wrong?”
“You are so perceptive. It makes me proud.” Robert warmed at the compliment and hoped Anthony remained as open-minded for the next announcement. “Yes, I wanted to do better by you.”
“A goal accomplished, Father,” he replied with a grin. “Do you regret marrying Mother?”
“Of course not, she was more than a wife. We became friends, confidants. I cared for her deeply. And I have you.”
“Don’t get all namby-pamby, Father.”
“Now you sound like Cecilbroke,” Robert admitted with a chuckle.
“Tell me. Will you try to find the woman?”
“Actually, I have. She is a widow, still in Glasgow. Annis also has a son your age,” he broached. “I believe the two of you would get along quite well.”
“Me and a mill worker? Really, Father. You’re losing your touch with the jokes.” His smile faded as he studied Robert’s face. “You’re serious? I’m to befriend some common Scot because you were smitten with his mother before I was born?”
“I would like you to befriend him because he’s also my son.”
Silence. Anthony stared at him, his mouth open.
“I didn’t know Annis was with child when I broke our engagement. She never told me. Being a widow was a story to protect Finlay.” He saw the slow burn of anger shine in Anthony’s eyes.
“F-father, you can’t be serious. I have a half brother? A Scottish by-blow?” The boy stood, fists clenched. “I commend you for taking responsibility for him. It is the honorable thing to do. But ask me to associate with him and allow him to be part of our family? I will not consider it.”
“Anthony—”
“Absolutely not. What if any of my classmates found out? I would be a laughingstock.”
“I plan on marrying Annis.”
“And bring them here? Isn’t that going a bit too far to ease your conscience? Leg shackling yourself to a girl because of a fifteen-year-old calf-love?” He blew out a breath, disgust in his dark eyes.
Robert’s temper flared. “You’ve been spending too much time with your grandfather.”
Anthony sat back down and shook his head. “I don’t want to argue with you, Father. I haven’t seen you in two months.” He sighed heavily. “I suppose if you marry the chit, he would be my stepbrother. If I have to introduce him, it would not put me in a bad light.”
“Being seen with my son would put you in a bad light?”
“I’m your son. He’s your bastard.” He smirked, crossing his arms as he stared at his father.
“Scottish law is different from ours. If I marry Annis, Finlay will be legitimate. He can inherit in Scotland.”
“You would give him Birkwood Manor?” shouted Anthony. “How dare you. It is my birthright.”
