Page 73 of Impossible
“So will you hire one?”
“I don’t know. I’m still hesitant. It seems unnecessary. I’m also not accustomed to having people that…close.”
“I see,” she murmured. “Shall we walk?”
He started along the path, and she fell in beside him. “It’s interesting that you came to me in search of employment instead of telling me you were my half sister and demanding money.”
She looked straight ahead. “I don’t feel entitled to anything. I wouldn’t have asked for the dowry either. In fact, that was Lady Peterborough’s idea.”
“Your mother.”
“Yes. Although, it’s still difficult to think of her that way. She may have birthed me, but she hasn’t been my mother.”
“I understand.” Max suddenly decided hedidwant an audience with the countess. He went back to something Prudence said. “You really needed that dowry. Lucien tried to tell me so, but I didn’t care.” Grimacing, he wished he could go back and behave differently that day. “Honestly, if you or Glastonbury had come and asked, I might have given it to you. Which isn’t to make excuses for myself.”
“Good. I appreciate someone who takes accountability for their actions.”
“Is three thousand pounds enough?” he asked.
“It is,” she responded firmly. “I refuse to accept more. I have pride, and I value my independence. Or I did before I married Glastonbury. Now, as a wife, I suppose I’m entirely dependent.” She shook her head. “That isn’t fair. Bennet treats me as a partner.”
“He sounds like a good husband. I’m glad for you.”
Prudence paused on the path and turned toward him. “Why did you want to meet with me today?”
Max looked into her green eyes. “You resemble him—our father. It’s very strange. I thought I was utterly alone after my brother died. There are no cousins or far-flung relatives.”
“So if you don’t wed and have children, the title will die.”
“Yes.”
“Then I suggest you marry,” she said drily.
“The title means nothing to me.”
Her brow creased, and she cocked her head. “But it bothered you to be alone?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, not quite certain how to respond. “I loved my father and brother very much. I also loved my mother.” He swallowed and stopped himself from mentioning Lucia. Her death had been devastating, and losing his father and brother so soon after had broken him.
“Did you want to meet with me to see if you still felt alone?” She started walking again, and Max joined her. “I’m trying to understand. Like you, I was also alone after my parents died. I expected to be that way forever, especially after you refused to even hire me. I was very fortunate to run into Lucien that day. He completely changed my fortune.”
Max thought of Ada and how Lucien had apparently helped her too. “He seems to be everyone’s savior.”
“It sounds as though that might aggravate you,” Prudence said softly.
“He can’t help himself when it comes to saving people.” Max knew that firsthand, and now began to wonder why Lucien was like that.
“I would think that’s a good thing,” Prudence mused.
“To answer your question, I wanted to see you because you are the only family I have. I wish my father hadn’t been unfaithful to my mother, and that I could speak to him now and ask him why.”
Prudence cast him a sideways glance. “Perhaps you should talk to Lady Peterborough.”
He was glad she suggested it. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
She shrugged. “It couldn’t hurt. I didn’t particularly want to confront her, so I will understand if you don’t. I find that sort of thing—confrontation and the potential for emotional outburst—uncomfortable.”
Yes, Max liked her very much. He certainly felt a kinship with her. “Then why did you do it?”
