His sluggish movements gave credence to the idea as she assessed him. When he turned back around, Lauren gasped. His eyes, which were normally filled with life, were so dark and turbulent, her heart sunk in reaction.
Lowly and bland, he said without preamble, “Lauren, my mother is dead.”
She gasped and sat across from him at the table. Without thinking anything about it, she reached over and grabbed one of his hands and wrapped it in both of hers. “Oh, Christopher. What happened?”
He leaned forward. “My mother’s housekeeper, Mrs. McAllister, came to see me two days ago. My mother fell down the stairs and broke her neck.”
Her hands lifted to her throat. “Oh, my word. I am so sorry to hear that.”
“According to Mrs. McAllister, she died instantly. From the doctor who looked her over, there wasn’t any pain to be felt. That is a Godsend.” Lauren remained quiet and let him continue. “There is much more to the story of my mother's death."
“In what way?”
His long pointer finger pulled from her grasp and tapped absently on top of her knuckles. “My mother has a brother. A horrible man who is nothing more than a vagabond and a cheat. Although my inheritance is supposed to come to me, my uncle is contesting the will. I received a letter from my father’s attorney letting me know I have thirty days to comply with the terms of the will or forfeit my inheritance.”
“On what grounds?”
“When I first came here, I came to find a wife to receive my inheritance from my father. It wasn’t necessary, but it made sense. The opportunity was there, and I needed a change.”
Her nose wrinkled. “I seem to recall that. You were originally going to marry Millie, but she ended up marrying someone else."
Christopher nodded wearily. "That is correct. I was fine with the state of circumstances because I knew that my inheritance would come to me before long.”
He heaved a heavy sigh. "It seems as if my uncle, who was my last living relative is pestering the lawyer to sign my inheritance over to him as I have not filled the stipulations of the will itself. That I must be married by the time I reach thirty-five or before my mother’s death.”
“Why would she do that?”
“It wasn’t my mother, but my father’s idea. He felt that all young men should be married by the time they were in their mid-thirties. As I had used most of my youth to pursue my medical studies and then change that to helping animals, I never felt particularly compelled to marry for the sake of marriage itself.”
Her mouth twisted.
An incredulous note entered his voice. “Did I say something funny?”
His eyes resembled thin slits and she hastily assured him that he had not. “It is not something you said. Rather I recalled something my sister said.”
“Your sister? Snow White, you mean?”
She nodded. “She told me once that contrary to popular belief, most men wish to marry sooner than women because they want to make sure they have a young girl who will be obedient to their rule.”
“Your sister is a very cynical person. Does she have reason to be?”
Lauren realized what he was doing. He was trying to distract himself from his thoughts. Well did she understand how he felt and so she gave him what he once gave her.
Distraction. Blessed distraction.
“I’m not certain. Growing up, we had a wonderful childhood with doting parents and servants that made sure we were aware of who we were in high society. We’ve both had beaus and have been courted many times, but for some reason, my sister became a misandrist.”
“A female who dislikes men,” He murmured. “But she continues to be courted by men, doesn’t she?”
“Yes, but she does it as a game to herself. She’s very beautiful, my sister.”
“She can’t be more beautiful than you.”
Christopher still gazed steadily at her, and she realized with a start that he had no idea he’d spoken his thoughts out loud. Should she call his attention to it or keep going?
Deciding to keep going, she said. “Well, she hates men and yet, she likes to lord her powerful beauty over them. Many had come to her, thinking they would be the one to bring the Snow White from the cold lonely woods, not understanding that my sister enjoys those cold lonely woods.”
“I see.”
