Page 46 of An Earl to Save the Diamond
“Do you remember how thetonshunned Mama after the news broke that Papa’s amour was with child? You were just a baby then, but surely, even you may remember that things changed on the Estate. Mama kept everything floating here until we came of age. Mama means well for you, Ellen.”
“She has a funny way of showing it,” Ellen retorted.
Andrew sighed. “What exactly have they been teaching you at your book club meetings? You were never so disagreeable, Ellen. Now you sound so much like Marjorie, and I am not certain that I want that.”
“Would you rather have me beaten down into quiet and submission then? To fulfill My Lord’s every whim?”
Andrew eyed Ellen warily. He was exhausted. He had ridden all night after rushing to the Grant Estate due to news of an emergency fire, and he had returned home in hopes of some peace and quiet after the stressful nature of the previous day, only to find his mother and sister at each other’s throats once again.
As Duke of Grant, it was Andrew’s duty to keep family and estate together. That meant stepping in when mother and daughter refused to see eye to eye. It was a thankless task and an unwelcome one, but duty was duty. Ellen had radically changed from the sweet, demure girl she had been growing up, and now, it seemed that she was determined to oppose her Mama’s every request. And he was caught in the middle.
Now, in his study, he watched Ellen insist that she would not attend Lord Vashmir’s ball. The man had graciously invited them, and Andrew was certain that the Lord would use the opportunity to ask for his sister’s hand. Andrew was trying to broker peace between mother and daughter, but Ellen was adamant.
Andrew could feel his temples pounding. “I am trying my best to be reasonable with you, Ellen. Would it be so terrible to go back to the drawing room and apologize to Mama? Let us move on and forget this matter.”
“Apologizing means that I am guilty of something,” Ellen replied.
“And are you not?”
“No. I have merely made my wishes clear.”
Andrew clenched his jaw. Ellen was beginning to get on his nerves too. He stood up and walked around the table to stand in front of Ellen. “Ellen, Lord Vashmir has graciously invited us to attend a ball he is organizing. I know you do not like the man, but it would be terribly rude of us to dismiss the invitation. Surely, you understand?”
Ellen was quiet for a moment. Andrew watched her, and it struck him how young she still looked. Although she was a lady in her own right, Andrew would always see her as the little girl who followed him around the Manor, begging to go wherever he went. She was his little sister, and he would do anything to protect her, even if it meant that she disliked him.
“I am not telling you to bend over backward for Mother, Ellen,” he continued. “I am simply asking you to do your duty as a member of this family. For me.” Andrew sighed. “This is nothing an apology to Mama will not fix, and I might end up getting a decent night’s sleep after all.”
Ellen nodded her head. “I am only doing this for you.”
Andrew exhaled through his mouth. “Thank you. Shall we go see Mama now?” Ellen nodded, and they went back to the drawing room where Lady Bamber was seated. Andrew sat down in one of the chairs while Ellen remained standing.
“Mother, Ellen has something she would like to say to you,” Andrew said, giving his sister a pointed look.
“I am sorry for my behavior lately, Mother,” she murmured.
The Dowager stiffened. “I hope you are not taking me for a fool, Ellen.”
“She is not, Mama. I assure you,” Andrew interjected.
Lady Bamber smiled. “Does this mean that we will attend Lord Vashmir’s ball? Lady Jones says it is sure to be a delightful event.”
“Yes, Mama,” said Ellen.
“And no more dilly-dallying with the Earl of Ridlington?”
Ellen arched a brow.
“The man is no good anyway, wasting your time like that. Thetonshould be bustling with the news of your engagement already,” her mother continued.
“The Earl was not wasting my time, Mama. We simply enjoyed each other’s company,” Ellen replied.
“I see. So, when is the engagement then? Or do you intend to disgrace this family with a dalliance as your father did?” Lady Bamber sneered.
“All I have ever done was listen to you, Mama. Acted in all meekness and humility as you have wished. But I will no longer stand for your constant caviling of me,” Ellen snapped.
Lady Bamber raised an eyebrow. “How dare you?”
Andrew groaned loudly, but the women ignored him.
