It wasn’t untrue, either, but if it meant she’d leave me alone for a week or two, I would have to toe the line.
I’d also been vague enough that when Sophie went home and I told Mum it hadn’t worked out, she’d have to accept it.
“All right,” Mum said after a moment. “I… will accept your position.”
“How very gracious of you.”
She shot me a sharp look. “Will she be attending the party?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask.”
“Very well.” She hovered as if she wanted to ask yet another question about my love life, but she finally relented and changed the topic. “Have you seen Camilla? We selected the wines earlier, but I have a question about something. Oh, did you find a present for your grandmother? You were gone rather a long time last night.”
“Anna.” Dad walked into the room. “The boy is thirty years old. He can come and please as he likes.”
Mum bristled. “I was only asking. Does it really take the better part of two hours to find someone a birthday present?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Dad said, sitting opposite me and picking the tablet up from the table. “Did it, Hugo?”
I shrugged. “She’s impossible to buy for.”
“There we are, then.” Dad motioned to me, then unlocked the tablet. “And he just admitted to you that he’s seeing someone, so perhaps she’s nearby and he paid her a visit.”
Bloody hell.
That was good.
Mum snapped her attention back to me. “Is that true?”
“She’s close enough,” I replied vaguely. “There’s a distinct lack of privacy in this house that means driving somewhere to have a phone call isn’t outside the realm of possibility, either.”
“Amen to that,” Dad said, scrolling.
Mum looked at both of us, slightly affronted, then turned on her heel and left the room.
I waited for a moment until I knew she was out of earshot and said, “Thanks for the save, Dad.”
He peered over at me. “I don’t know what you were really doing last night, but as long as it isn’t illegal, I don’t suppose it’s any of my business.”
I fought back a smile. “It’s perfectly legal.”
“I trust you did at least attempt to find your grandmother a birthday present. No success?”
“None.” I shook my head. “Camilla suggested paying for one of her wine and painting nights, but I’m a little worried she’ll drag me along with her.”
“Valid fears.” He bobbed his head in agreement. “If you come up with anything, do let me know. I’m struggling myself.”
“Will do.” I paused. “How much of that conversation with Mum did you listen to?”
Dad’s eyes twinkled. “I heard her muttering to herself about Lady Amelia and suspected she was looking for you. I thought I better follow her and get you out of that one since she’s lost her marbles.”
“Why would you get me out of it? You usually support her ideas.”
“Son, Amelia Coventry is a perfectly lovely young woman, and she will be an excellent wife to whoever is lucky enough to marry her. However, I do not believe she’s the correct woman for you. She’s far too nice and gentle. You need a woman who will keep you on your toes and call you on your bullshit. Someone with a little bit of fire. You’re far too much like me.”
My lips twitched. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“And I thank you for doing so.”