Page 98 of A Dangerous Lord (Regency Spies & Secrets 3)

“I see,” he said. “My brother is an idiot.”

“You must understand that your brother is under immense pressure to succeed right now.”

Corbyn lifted his brow. “Are you truly defending Simon’s behavior?”

“He could have handled the situation more graciously, but it is common for men of his station to have mistresses.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

“Who am I to judge?” his mother asked, looking crestfallen. “Your father has had many mistresses over the years, but at least he was discreet about it.”

Corbyn reached for one of her hands. “You deserved better, Mother,” he said. “So does Catherine. You must know that.”

“Catherine is stronger than me,” she stated. “She stood up to Simon when he broached the subject of Beatrice moving into the cottage. Whereas I never even spoke to Andrew about his mistresses. It wasn’t my place.”

“It wasn’t your place?” Corbyn asked, incredulous.

His mother gave him a sad smile. “You know your father,” she said. “He wouldn’t have taken kindly to me prying into his affairs.”

“That is a true statement.” He glanced up at the ceiling. “Speaking of Father, is he still awake?”

“I’m afraid not,” she replied. “The doctor gave him some laudanum after his supper, and he fell asleep shortly thereafter.”

“That’s too bad,” he said. “I had come to see him.”

“You will have to come earlier if you want to speak to him.”

“I’m afraid that is an improbability.”

His mother met his gaze and held it. “I know he wasn’t the best father, but he still is your father.”

“You’re right, of course,” he said. “I’ll move things around and come tomorrow.”

Her smile turned genuine. “Thank you, Son.”

Corbyn rose and held his hand out to assist her. “I should be going, then.”

“So soon?” his mother asked, her disappointment evident in her voice.

Feeling a little guilty about his quick departure, Corbyn relented. “I suppose I could play one game of cards with you before I go.”

His mother clasped her hands together. “Wonderful!”

Jane reached forher cup of tea as she sat at the table in the breakfast parlor. Her mother sat across from her with a rigid back and a stern expression.

“I still can’t believe you turned down Lord Brinton’s offer,” she muttered as she buttered her toast.

“Why is that so hard to believe?”

“You two would have been perfect for one another.”

Jane placed the cup back onto the saucer. “I disagree.”

“And why is that?”

“I don’t love him.”

Her mother pressed her lips together in disapproval. “I daresay you didn’t give Lord Brinton’s offer a fair chance.”

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