Alone with Eleanor, I sit down at the table in the seat Matthias just vacated while Eleanor sits across from me. I see by the confusion on her face that she doesn’t understand.
“It’s really okay. Honest. We’re going to be fine. I promise.”
She shakes her head and sighs. “I’ve always hoped you would find someone like your brothers have, Marius. I know it would make your parents thrilled beyond belief to know you’ve settled down with someone you love. Do you love her, though?”
I smile, unable to keep how I feel about my Duck a secret anymore. “I do. More than you can imagine. I made a mistake bynot wanting to let the world know, but that’s all over. I bought her a penthouse when she said she wanted a place for us. I’d do anything to see her happy, Eleanor.”
Even that doesn’t make her smile, though. “Money doesn’t buy happiness, honey. I hope you know that.”
Max and Elizabeth King gave us a lot growing up, but the one thing they drilled into our heads day after day was the fact that even though money could do a great deal, it couldn’t replace the important things in life like friends and family and love. I know Eleanor was there when our parents would say things like that. My guess is she thinks the lesson didn’t sink in with me.
“I do know that.”
“Why didn’t you want the world to know you married that beautiful girl, Marius? I’m sitting here trying to imagine any reason, but I can’t come up with a single one.”
I hang my head and answer, “I was being stupid. I wanted her all to myself. I didn’t want to risk having to share her with anyone else. It was wrong.”
“Ahhh. This is what happened with Theo coming back to haunt you, isn’t it?”
When I lift my head, I see Eleanor knows the truth about Theo, Maia, and me. “How do you know about that?”
Finally, she smiles. “I’ve lived here all your life. I’ve lived here since before any of you boys were born. I may not say much about the things that you all do, but I notice what happens around here. I was upstairs cleaning when you and Theo had your conversation in the game room that day.”
Reluctantly, I have to admit the truth. “Then you know what he did and how I never forgave him for it.”
Eleanor reaches across the table to softly touch the top of my hand. “Oh, honey, you can’t keep carrying that around with you forever. Theo wasn’t like the rest of you boys. He was more like your great-grandfather.”
“The one who almost went to jail for swindling people out of all their money during the Depression?”
Nodding, she answers, “The very one. Your mother fell in love with the name Theodore and thought it would be a nice nod to your great-grandfather. She had no idea he was a bastard who cheated people when they needed to be treated with kindness the most. When it all came out, both your parents were mortified. Your father was embarrassed to share a last name with him. But that’s why they never called your brother Theodore. From the moment they learned all about how awful Theodore King was, they always called him Theo. I guess now we know that didn’t change the fact that of the two men named Theodore in the King family, neither one of them was a good man.”
For a moment, I wonder if I should ask her if she knows what Theo did to Matthias and Ava, but I’m sure she does. Eleanor likely knows about most of the things that have gone on in this house.
“I guess I’ve been living with what he did for all this time, but you’re right. I can’t keep carrying it around with me forever. Not if it’s going to hurt Eden.”
“No, you can’t. I’ve always thought you would find someone perfect for you. I just worried you wouldn’t want to let them in. You’ve always played your cards very close to the vest, so I guess I’m not surprised you kept your marriage a secret for so long.”
“Well, no more. That’s in the past. Future Marius and Eden will be fine. I just have to win her back.”
She smiles and says, “I noticed you didn’t say easy peasy like you do about most things.”
“No, but not to worry. I’ve got a plan.”
I have a lot of faults, but lying to myself isn’t one of them. Getting Eden back won’t be easy. Yes, she said she can forgiveme, but now I have to make sure I don’t blow it when I do what I have planned.
Eleanor gives my hand another gentle squeeze. “Oh yeah? Well, honey, I hope it works because I want to see you happy.”
“Thanks. Between you, me, and the lamppost, if my plan works, you’ll be one of the first to know.”
With nothing short of sly grin, she says, “I’ve never doubted you could charm the birds out of the trees, Marius. You’ve been like this since you were a little boy.”
“I thought Kellen was the charming one. That’s why he’s your favorite.”
That comment gets me an odd look, and then Eleanor cranes her neck to check if anyone is nearby in the hallway. When she’s sure we’re alone, she leans forward toward me.
“Kellen always needed someone to champion him. I promised your mother when she was dying that I’d be here for all you boys, but she made me swear I’d do two additional things. She wanted me to make sure that Kellen always had a fan in me. She didn’t have to since I’ve always loved all of you, but she was worried because Matthias would be getting the job Kellen should have had. She was concerned he’d lose his way.”
That brother always could get the women in this house to do what he wanted.
