Page 75 of Dangerous Exile

“No.”

Her lips pursed and she nodded. Though the nod didn’t look definitive. It looked questioning.

For long seconds she looked to stay silent, but then her mouth opened. “How well do you know Mrs. Docherty? Would she leave you because you could be an earl but are choosing against it? Did she think that you becoming an earl was a given in traveling here? Why did she truly bring you to this place?”

Her lips pursed for a long moment. “I do not wish to speak ill of her. I only ask because if she hadn’t recognized who you were and brought you here, you never would have known who you were, correct? You would still be in London moving about your life as you always were?”

“No.” He stilled, the word drawling out from his lips. “No. Ness just wanted me to remember. Remember that I knew her once upon a time.”

“As you say, sweet lad.” She looked down to her lap, her fingers tapping along the edge of the tambour frame. “Though I hate to say it, it does not seem like you need someone like that, Talen.”

“What?”

Her hand flew up to calm. “Forgive me, but I could hear part of the argument you two had last night as I was on my way to my chambers. Only a few words, of course, as I passed.”

His eyes narrowed at her. “What did you hear?”

“Only that she wants you to take the title. That is what has me wary. If it was your choice, I would not question it. But the argument was about the very thing you told me you’d already decided.” She drew in a deep breath, a frown settling on her face. “Believe me, I’ve seen plenty of fortune hunters going after my son during the years. Had to even scare some of them off. Ruthless it is, the marriage mart. I cannot even imagine how it will be for Mrs. Docherty being a widow.”

Talen went deathly still, his words slow and punctuated. “Ness isn’t marrying me because I’m in line for a title, Lady Washburn.”

“No?” She picked up the embroidery from her lap. “If you say so, sweet lad. I am positive you are right. Again, I apologize for overhearing. I was walking up from the kitchens after tea as I couldn’t sleep. Too much commotion in my mind with your arrival, bittersweet that it is. It has made me sad, remembering your parents. Your mother was a dear friend that I miss to this day.”

Her fingers went busy with her needlepoint, her eyes squinting at the thread pushing into fabric. “Curious that Mrs. Docherty didn’t just stay atWhetland Castleafter her husband died. Or maybe she meant to move back with her father before she met you, though if I recall, I found him somewhat of an odious man back in the day.”

“You aren’t wrong on that score.” Talen inclined his head to the dowager. “If you’ll excuse me.”

The dowager kept up her prattling, not even looking up as he started to leave the room. “I did send him word that his daughter was in residence, just in case he wishes to visit her. He is not too far away. I believe it has been many years since Lord Gundall came to Washburn.”

Talen whipped around to his aunt. “You did what?”

She looked up, startled. “I sent him a message—why, what have I done? You are alarmed?”

He advanced on her. “You wrote that bastard that Ness was here?”

Her embroidery crumpled down to her lap. “Yes. I thought she would be grateful I sent the letter so she wouldn’t have to. I mentioned it to her this morning before she left. She didn’t seem upset.”

“You did what?” The words so loud, his voice echoed out of the room and into the main hallway. “You told her you wrote her father?”

If he was ever going to strangle someone, it might very well be this old biddy.

Her hands shook, trying to pick up the needle that had dropped into the folds of her skirt. “I am sorry, what did I do? I didn’t know it was a secret, that you and Mrs. Doch—”

“We’re eloping for blasted sake.”

Both of her palms flew upward, her words shaking. “But I—I thought that was just because you didn’t want to wait for banns. It did not escape the maids that Ness’s bed hasn’t been slept in.”

“Bloody meddling woman.” Talen spun away from her, stalking toward the door.

He had to find Ness. Now.

He jerked to a stop, pacing back into the room, his hand running through his hair. “When will your son be here? I’ve changed my mind. We have details that need to be discussed.”

“Details? What details?” She tossed her embroidery onto the table and started to stand, reflecting his sudden panic.

“Details about the title.”

Her hand went onto her chest. “But I thought you didn’t want the earldom. You—you said you wanted nothing to do with the title.”

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