Vexing the Viscount

Did she? She thought she had been in love with him, but after hearing about how he was using her to get vengeance on Jonathon, she wasn’t sure any longer. “I do not know.”

“I know,” her mother commented. “I can see how much you love him in your eyes and your tears. It wouldn’t hurt this much if you didn’t love him.”

She couldn’t deny that. It felt like someone had stabbed her in the heart and continued to turn the knife. “I do love him,” she whispered. “But I don’t want to.”

“I don’t know,” Mother said. “I haven’t known the man for long, but he never seemed the kind of man who would use another person to get vengeance. I think he could have thought of another manner of revenge on Mr. Tavers.”

“Then why else would Jonathon have said that?”

“I am not sure. But it does seem as if something odd is going on in London these days.” Her mother went to the fire to heat some water for tea. “Does he honestly believe that staging his own death will make the culprit come forward?”

“Yes, he does.”

“Hmm . . . again, seems quite odd to me.” Her mother turned away from the fire and stared at Tia for a long moment. “Are you with child?”

“I won’t know for a week.” Oh God, the last thing she had ever wanted was a child outside of marriage. She wanted the life her mother and father had, with a home full of love. Her lip trembled.

“Either way, we shall make things work out,” her mother said, returning to the sofa with the tea. “Drink. Tea has a way of making everything seem fine.”

Tia doubted a cup of tea would help her today. But like an obedient child, she sipped her tea and then put her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Thank you, Mama.”

“For what?”

“Understanding and not criticizing.”

“I could never throw that first stone after what I did even younger than yourself.”

Tia lifted her head and stared at her mother’s red face. “And what exactly did you do?”

A slight smile lifted her mother’s lips upward. “Shall we just say that even for twins, you and your sister were very premature.”

For the first time in days, Tia smiled.

Tia spent the next fortnight at her mother’s cottage, moping about. So far, her mother hadn’t said a word to her about returning to her cottage at Middleton Hall. She hadn’t said a word about her even helping out here. But after two weeks, she was ready to do something. Staying inside the cottage was making her feel too isolated. Today, she would return to her ways as a wise woman.

She hadn’t heard a word from Braden and expected she neve

r would. At least, she had one less worry as her monthlies had arrived like clockwork. Even if she had felt the bite of disappointment that first day, it was for the best not to be carrying his child.

“Mother, I need to get back to work,” she announced as they ate a meager breakfast of toast and tea.

“I agree. With the colder weather setting in soon, I will need the assistance. If you do not feel comfortable going to Middleton Hall, I would understand it. I will not force you to return there and take the chance of seeing his lordship.”

“Thank you. I doubt he has returned yet. And I think getting out and seeing people will help me.”

“I couldn’t agree more. It is far better to surround yourself with people who love you than to stay away from them all. There is not a soul on this estate or even Middleton’s who wouldn’t support you.”

With her mother’s boost of confidence, Tia set out to visit the tenants at Middleton Hall. And as her mother had said, they all welcomed her into their homes. If they had heard any rumors of her involvement with Braden, they remained silent about it. After six hours, she strolled back to her mother’s cottage. The October air was getting much cooler now and it refreshed her weary soul.

She opened the door to find her mother and a man sitting at the table, deep in conversation.

“Tia, this is Mr. Andover. You need to sit down.”

“Mr. Andover,” Tia said with a bow. “How can I help you?”

“I’m afraid there has been an accident involving Lord Middleton.”

Tia did her best to look surprised. As angry as she still felt over Braden’s deception, she would not give up his charade. Until he discovered the truth, his life was in danger and she could not let him die. “An accident? Is he all right?” Dear God, she hoped he had the sense to listen to her about the fire.