The door to the bed chamber opened, and he turned and saw Belle step into the room. She wore the same clothing she’d worn yesterday, and she’d pulled her hair into a simple style, leaving some of it free to hide her scars. Hew didn’t know why she bothered. Her scars were part of her and didn’t take away from her beauty in the least.
“Bring Miss Howard with you when you come,” his mother said.
Hew whirled back around. “What?”
“She says you will soon beg her to marry you.”
“I won’t.” He wished he could take the words back as soon as they’d left his mouth. Instead, he closed his eyes then risked a look at Belle. She looked back at him, her gaze indicating she would make him pay for that. Later.
“Walk me downstairs and wait for me while the footman calls my carriage,” his mother said. “You can spare that much time at least.”
“I’ll stay here,” Will offered. “Don’t forget to say hello to Uncle Blue, my lady.”
“I won’t.”
Left without any other options, Hew took his mother’s arm and escorted her downstairs. She commented on the carpets and the wall sconces until they stood in the hotel lobby, waiting for her coach. “I blame my brother for encouraging you in this...career,” she said, giving Hew a direct look. “Your father and I wanted you to go to seminary. We were happy enough with you as a diplomat, though you were always gone for months on end. I think we knew even then where that would lead. And here we are, worried every day we’ll receive word you’ve been killed.”
“And then you received Mr. Randall’s letter and worried. I am sorry, Mama.”
“As well you should be, but I don’t suppose it will change anything. You’re determined to do this sort of work, just as my brother was.”
Hew smiled. He knew how much his mother adored her brother and how proud she was of him, even if she didn’t say so.
“I blame him for putting all sorts of romantic notions in your head. But I blame myself for the rest.”
“The rest?” Hew frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your marriage to Clara.”
“Mama.” Hew held up a hand.
“I know you don’t wish to speak of her. You never do. I never should have encouraged that marriage. She was so young. You both were. I thought she would anchor you, but she had the opposite effect.”
“She made her own choices, Mama. Those weren’t your fault.”
She cupped his face, tenderly, so tenderly that Hew wanted to push her hands away. He didn’t want to remember Clara or the pain he’d felt or the pain her betrayal had caused his family.
“But I knew better, Hew. I knew it wasn’t a love match. I hoped you would come to love her, but I was wrong. I see that very clearly now. Very clearly.”
“What do you mean.”
“You never looked at her the way I just saw you look at that young woman upstairs.”
Hew shook his head.
“Oh, don’t think I am pleased with that match. Who are her people? It might be best if we don’t look too closely. And apparently, she is in trade. Your father will not like it at all, so I won’t tell him until it’s done.”
“There’s nothing to be done. I won’t marry again. She knows that.” He glanced up, indicating his room above.
“And I’ve never known you to shy away from a challenge, and I don’t believe for one moment that you will start now. Clara hurt you, but it’s a scratch, a surface wound. Let that young woman bandage you up, as she did your physical injury, and then forget Clara. That’s my wish for you.”
“Mama, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you speak so metaphorically.”
“I promise not to make a habit of it.”
The footman approached and notified her that her carriage was ready. She kissed Hew’s cheek. “I do hope you are able to find Miss Howard’s father.”
“I’ll find him,” Hew said.
