Page 89 of Intolerable
He went in search of his mother and sister, and they moved on to the next rout. His mother chatted gaily about the fashions, the pineapple, and, most effusively, the three eligible bachelors Kat had met.
Kat, on the other hand, said nothing as they traveled to the next stop. It wasn’t as if she could get a word in anyway.
Ruark suffered through the next rout, hoping he wouldn’t run into Cassandra again. But he couldn’t avoid her forever. Not unless he wanted to retreat to Ireland. He was beginning to think that might be his best course.
Lucien had made a fair point—why was Ruark even participating in the Season if he wasn’t interested in marriage? Because many gentlemen did, even if they weren’t yet serious about taking a wife. MacNair did, though he wasn’t as present as Ruark due to his penchant for traveling.
Catching sight of Lady Aldington across the drawing room, Ruark quickly shepherded his mother and sister to the next rout. Thankfully, after that, they returned home.
Kat went directly up to bed, but their mother lingered in the entry with Ruark. “Are you having a nightcap?” she asked.
“Er, yes.” If nightcap meant the better part of a bottle of brandy, definitely.
Ruark escorted her to his study where he poured two glasses. She perched on one of his chairs as she looked about the room. “Such a masculine space. Reminds me of your father.”
“How is that?” Ruark took another chair and sipped his brandy, eager to hear his mother’s recollections.
“The preponderance of green, probably. That was his favorite color. He was so very Irish, always going on about the green pastures and hillsides.”
Ruark remembered that his father spent most of his time there, instead of in England as Ruark had done since his mother had remarried. Though Ruark had managed to retain his Irish accent, he acknowledged that he was likely more English than Irish at this point. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that since his feet were firmly planted in both places.
His mother took a drink of brandy then let out a sigh. “Tonight gave me hope for your sister.Ifshe can stop discussing animals and her study of them.”
“You may as well ask the sun to stop shining. Kat is who she is, and no amount of your browbeating will change that.”
“I don’t browbeat.” Her brow creased as she seemed to see the disbelief in his expression. “Do I?”
“Somewhat,” he said as kindly as possible. “I know you have her best interests in mind, but she’s not you or Iona. Her behavior in Gloucestershire should make that clear enough.”
“I suppose.” She sounded disappointed.
“Did it ever occur to you that she may have engineered that entire event so as to avoid your matchmaking?”
His mother sucked in a breath. “Did she say that?”
Ruark shook his head. “She did not. Why not leave her here with me and return to Gloucestershire with Iona? You’ll be back with her next Season, and by then, Kat may be entirely changed. London can do that to a person,” he added.
“Has it changed you?”
“I don’t know. I seem to be struggling with identifying exactly who I am.” He looked into his brandy before taking another drink.
“That sounds dreadfully introspective and dull, darling. You’re the Earl of Wexford, a charming and popular gentleman who could have his pick of brides. Perhaps that’s what you’re struggling with—you need a wife.”
“That is part of it,” Ruark admitted. “Not that I need a wife, but that I don’t know if I want one. At least not now.” He looked over at her. “Did you marry Da for love?”
“Yes, of course. Just as I married Fergus for love. Love is wonderful.” She frowned, little pleats of concern lining her features. “Have you not fallen in love?”
Ruark couldn’t stop the laugh that leapt from his lips. “Yes. Too many times, probably. Da loved you too?”
Her mouth twisted, and she sipped her brandy, seeming to contemplate her answer. When she returned her attention to him, she set her brandy on the small table next to her chair. “Yes, he loved me. Until he didn’t.”
“When was that?” Ruark’s voice sounded as if it were coming from the other side of the room.
“I don’t recall precisely.” She took a breath, thinking. “But it wasn’t long after you were born. It was rather stark—at least to me.”
“I only ever recall you bickering. Actually, I don’t remember you and Da being together much at all.”
“My goodness, how did you notice that at such a young age?” She cocked her head to the side. “I’m sorry you were aware of that.”
