“Eden’s other infant parent?” His mother sighed. “Soaking up the attention.”
“What a surprise.” Connor did not bother to hide his sarcasm. “We’ll have to put her up here for the night. She and her husband cannot be left alone together at Chestnut Hill.”
“What about Eden? Will she stay with her father?”
Was it wrong of him to hope she would not? He wanted Eden here with him. “I don’t know yet. Her staff is fully capable of caring for him, but she might decide to remain by his side on the chance he takes a turn for the worse. Whatever her decision, we will keep her mother overnight and see what comes about tomorrow.”
His sharp-eyed mother studied him. “I hope Eden does return to us. Lord Aubrey has been asking after her.”
Connor grumbled something apishly unintelligible.
His mother pursed her lips as she studied him. “Why don’t you like him?”
He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck, irritated with himself for allowing his feelings to show. “Who says I don’t?”
“Oh, let me see. How about your every word and action? I am your mother, Connor. I don’t give a fig about that Silver Duke never-going-to-marry nonsense you keep spouting. Or in your situation, the never-marrying-againnonsense. You cannot hide your feelings from me.”
“And just what is it you think I am hiding?”
She ambled to his desk and distracted herself a moment with the apology letters his children had written him that were sitting atop his pile of work. He had read them over and over because they were so innocent and heartfelt.
This had been Eden’s idea. He now had these precious mementos from his beloved heathens because of her.
His mother looked up at him once again. “You are feeling confused.”
He snorted. “That isn’t very helpful.”
“You like Eden, but have no plans to do anything about her. That is, youhadno plans until Lord Aubrey came along and trespassed in your territory. It is not right of you, Connor. Eden is not a piece of land to claim as yours. She is a lovely young woman who deserves better than what you have given her…which, I might add, is nothing at all.” She approached him as he stood with a shoulder casually leaning against the fireplace mantel. “My son, do not close yourself off to marriage.”
He snorted in response.
“Very well, remain stubborn about it. I was hoping you might find a nice girl among my house party guests, but I was mistaken.”
“I’m glad you finally realize it. They are—”
“I say this because you have already found the girl. You’ve had three years since poor Mary died to get to know Eden and fall in love with her. You needed time and distance to get over the loss, but it is now well past time. Oh, I know you and your Silver Duke friends are all about maintaining your freedom. And do not tell me again that you already have your heir and spare, or I will club you over the head just as Lady Darrow did her husband.”
He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Why is this conversation suddenly turning violent?”
“It is not violence but frustration,” she said with a sigh. “Open your eyes, Connor. Look at what has been in front of you all along. Do not lose this woman you love because you are foolishly equating freedom from the bonds of matrimony with happiness. If you say nothing, then Lord Aubrey will win her hand.”
“You think I am in love with Eden?”
“I do not think it. Iknowit.”
“Do not presume to know my mind,” he shot back for no reason other than to be difficult. He did not like his mother prying into his affairs.
“Fine, two can play at this game.” She cast him a fierce look that warned he was not too big to have his ears boxed by his mother, even though he was a full head and shoulders taller than her. “I meant this house party to be for you, but I have changed my mind,” she said with a huff.
He groaned. “Could you not have changed your mindbeforeinviting everyone here, sparing us all the inconvenience?”
“No, I could not have. If you dislike the intrusion, then take yourself off for the rest of the week. Your presence is no longer required. You are unnecessary, so go away. This house party is now held entirely for Eden’s sake. I am going to find her a husband before the week is out.”
“A husband? Among that motley lot?”
“They are aprimelot, and Lord Aubrey is obviously the best of them. He seems perfect, does he not?”
Now she was just trying to rile him.
