Page 5 of Beware A Wallflower's Wrath
She smiled again, a bittersweet turn of her dry lips. “There is a greater love waiting for you, Robert. And you know this in your heart, for she’s remained there all these years.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but she shook her head.
“You were leg shackled to a tainted wife and another man’s child. Yet I watched you with Anthony, accepting and loving him as your own. I grew to love you for that kindness, my tolerant husband with such quiet strength. I hoped to give you children of your own but…” The rattle in her chest grew louder as she sucked in air. “Fate sent you to me when I needed you the most. Now I bid fate to send you back—to her.”
He kissed her hand, unable to swallow the lump of grief in his throat.
“Promise me you will look for the happiness you’ve given me.”
Robert nodded. It was impossible for him to form words. “I promise.”
She sighed in obvious relief. “Now please send in Anthony. I must say goodbye to my boy.”
The service was small and private. And cold for a June day. Anthony stood between Robert and his grandfather, the chill of the marble competing with the warm summer air. Caroline would lie beside her beloved mother, at her father’s estate. Far from London and her “boys.”
The earl cleared his throat. “Shall we return to the house? There is food prepared. And I could use a drink.”
Anthony’s hand, hidden in the folds of their greatcoats, reached for Robert’s arm. The earl had written that Anthony would stay with his grandfather when he was not at school and to pack accordingly. The boy had refused, thrown a fit, and threatened to run away. When Robert had assured him the only place his son would live was with him or at Westminster, Anthony calmed.
He wondered how the earl would take the news. The Earl of Cecilbroke was a man used to getting his way. And his way was the only way. While Anthony was intimidated by his grandfather, Robert was not. Years as a barrister had given him confidence, a sense of right and wrong, and an intuitiveness of when to fight and when to stand one’s ground.
It was time to fight.
With Anthony safely in his room, Robert joined Cecilbroke in his study. He saw the earl had already poured a drink, so he stopped at the sideboard and poured himself a brandy. Excellent French brandy, he thought as he took a second sip, then settled into a chair. The large, ornately carved desk between the two men seemed like a chasm separating their worlds. His son would not be dragged across the abyss until he was ready.
“How’s the boy doing in school? Westminster, isn’t it?”
“Yes, my lord. It’s convenient living in London so he still lives at home, though he’s considering boarding there next year. He’s doing well and enjoys his studies. Oxbridge seems to be his choice for university when the time comes.” Robert couldn’t help the smile or the pride in his voice. “He’s considering law.”
“Good, good. Well, Lord Robert, I’d like to thank you for… what you did, marrying my daughter. And to show my gratitude, I am happy to take the boy off your hands.” Cecilbroke’s wide, ruddy face broke into a smile. “It was a godsend, giving the by-blow your name. I can introduce him into society without stain.”
Robert ground his teeth, reining in his temper. His years of pleading cases had taught him patience, to wait for the right minute to strike. “If you had visited us more often in London, you would know I consider Anthony my son, and I have no wish to be rid of him.”
“Of course, of course. But I’m happy to take over now. Set you free, so to speak.” The earl’s bushy brows came together. “You aren’t thwarting me on this, are you?”
“Indeed, I am.”
Taken aback, the earl’s perplexed look gave way to understanding. “Ah, yes. You’ll want a bit of compensation. Can’t say I blame you. How much?”
Robert shook his head. “You are welcome to visit Anthony at school and our home in London as much as your schedule allows. If he accepts, I have no issue with shorter visits here at Cecilbroke House. But I remain his father, regardless of his mother’s death.”
“He is my grandson,” sputtered the earl. He slammed down the cut-crystal glass, golden liquid spilling over the top and seeping into the edge of a ledger. “Devil take it, you will?—”
“I’m a barrister, Lord Cecilbroke, and am well aware of the law. I appreciate your concern for Anthony, and any advantages you wish for him may be offered when he graduates from university. When he may decide for himself which course his life shall take.”
“I’m an earl, and I will have my way.”
“My father is a marquess, and I am not the malleable young man who married your daughter.” Robert uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. “I am an esteemed citizen whose ability in court is respected and sought after. I will have my way.”
To his surprise, the earl blinked, then laughed. “Well, it seems I chose a better husband for Caroline than I realized. Fine, fine. I’m confident we can come to a satisfactory compromise.”
“Yes, the three of us will come to an agreement,” Robert said with a slight smile of his own. “I’m sure Anthony would enjoy getting to know his grandfather better under the right circumstances.”
When he relayed most of his meeting with Cecilbroke to his son, the boy was relieved. “I knew you wouldn’t let him take me, Father. How ridiculous that he thought I would want to live with him.”
“I don’t believe he took you into consideration.” Robert wondered for the hundredth time if and when he would tell Anthony of the father who gave him life. “But I trust he meant well. And he wants you properly prepared to enter society if you choose to do so.”
“We’ll do fine on our own. Won’t we, Father?” The deep-brown eyes looked to Robert for reassurance. “He’ll never understand our grief. Mama never forgave him for not telling her how sick Grandmother was until it was too late.”
