Guarding the Spoils (The Wild Randalls 3)

“Is a servant in this household now,” Blythe reminded him unnecessarily.

“I have already voiced my views to Elizabeth on her unsuitability of being housekeeper at Romsey.” Her refusal to provide a sufficient answer as to why she would take the lower position still vexed him. One day the woman would just tell him what he wanted to know without making him wait forever. Unfortunately, he had no idea how long it would take her to reach that understanding. He shrugged. “She was about to cry.”

Blythe’s brow rose. “And why was that?”

?

??She wouldn’t tell me.”

Blythe settled on the chaise and patted the cushion beside her. “So she was upset and you locked the door, refusing to allow her to leave this room?”

Against his better judgment, he sat where she indicated, considering how best to answer. Blythe at least appeared to want him to be honest, whereas most people did not appreciate it.

“No. Yes.” He frowned. “I was angry. As you can see, I’ve been moved without so much as a word of warning as to the duchess’s decision. It is intolerable and I told Elizabeth so.”

“Mrs. Turner was following her new employer’s instructions,” she pointed out and then her eyes widened suddenly. “Just how far did you go in your anger?”

The question caught him off guard. Perhaps he had allowed his emotions to cloud his behavior somewhat. That could be one explanation for why the kiss had begun. Under normal circumstances he did not kiss crying women. However, Elizabeth’s stubbornness had made it impossible to act sensibly. Her scent had clouded his mind, the taste of her lips had made him abandon all gentlemanly instincts. He had crowded her and pawed at her. He had not achieved exactly what he’d set out to do. He had made her angry again, but at least she had no longer been tearful when she’d departed. He counted that a small victory.

“I never hurt her. I would not.” He took a deep breath, irritation with himself growing. As if he could ever harm Elizabeth. “I held her. I didn’t want her to cry.”

“You were concerned?”

“The boy says she cries at night. I thought I could discover whatever bothered her and inform him.”

“You really do not understand people or women, do you?” Blythe shook her head. “Most people strive to hide their disappointments from those around them, especially from the ones they love.”

Elizabeth appeared to love her son. She was very protective of him and sought to spare him from any disturbance. “So that is why she will not confide in George?”

Blythe’s smile returned. “That and the fact that he may be too young to understand what has upset her.”

Oliver nodded. Elizabeth’s reluctance to explain made better sense now. “He will have to wait until he is older to become her confidant. I will remember that for future reference.”

“What you should also remember is that Mrs. Turner is a proud woman and would only confide in someone she trusts completely. I’ve yet to meet that person and I hope one day to earn that right. I suggest you do the same.” She sighed. “Until then, take care of her reputation. She has enough on her plate as it is with her brother-in-law visiting.”

Elizabeth didn’t trust him? The idea that she didn’t have faith in him set his teeth on edge. “Why?”

“Because Henry Turner has the look of a man prepared to do battle and take what he wants without thought to the consequences. I don’t know him but I’ve seen a man wear that same determined expression before. Your younger brother wore that expression on the day we met. He frightened me half to death.”

That wasn’t the answer he was looking for but Blythe’s answer was intriguing on its own. “Why would you marry a man who frightens you?”

“Because in the end he proved himself to be different from that terrifying first glance. He’s not afraid to show kindness and was willing to sacrifice his needs, even his very life, for the sake of another’s happiness.”

Tobias had almost died saving Oliver from the blaze at Skepington Hall. No matter how much his younger brother tried to make light of his rescue, his selfless bravery had made him so proud. Despite the years apart, he had not changed. “Tobias always did try to make everyone happy when he was young.”

A dreamy smile passed over Blythe’s face before she recovered and remembered their topic of conversation. “I may prove to be wrong in the end but in the short time I was with Henry Turner I’m convinced he possesses not one shred of human kindness.”

“That may be true.” Oliver shrugged. “However, Leopold will know how to deal with Turner.”

“Deal with him?” Blythe shook her head. “There is nothing to be done when George is Henry Turner’s heir. Without a husband to lend his support and protection, I’m sure Henry Turner will pressure her to take him to that dreadful place.” When he frowned, she added, “To America.”

“Ah.” Oliver considered the likelihood. She could be correct about Turner’s immediate plans, but he didn’t believe Elizabeth would enjoy relocating. She had friends here that she liked to call upon. He could not imagine her living happily anywhere else. No, she and the boy belonged here. Turner would see that eventually.

Blythe stood. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must find George and return below to offer my support. I’m sure Beth will want George presented to his uncle shortly and in his best clothes, too.”

Oliver stood. “I’ll fetch him and bring him here to await the summons.”

Blythe’s expression grew puzzled. “That is unexpectedly kind of you.”