Page 36 of Never Tempt a Widow

Reedman grunted, and Hanley stared for a moment, then looked away.

It felt curiously liberating to reveal his abnormality, even if it was only to an audience of three. The fact that Fina had already accepted him as he was meant more than the opinions of others. He didn’t even bother to hide his hands when Mrs Sage entered, carrying his child.

“Come, my boy.” He took Edgar in his arms, kissed him lightly on his downy head, and received a chuckle in return. “There are some people who want to meet you.” Despite the unaccustomed nakedness of his hands, Rowland had to refrain from smirking. Soon, Reedman would be shown up for the liar and the blackguard that he was.

It was a struggle to get Edgar to uncurl his chubby fingers, but eventually, both Hanley and Reedman were able to look their fill at the tiny bent fingers on his son’s hands. When the child began to squirm, he handed him to Fina, then returned to his seat.

“Well? My lord?”

The room was silent but for Fina’s soft cooing as she soothed Edgar in her arms. Then Hanley let out a breath. “What an appalling accusation to make, Mr Reedman. I must apologise, Cavendish. I mean—I took what Mr Reedman said in good faith.”

Reedman’s lip curled. “Don’t exonerate him yet, my lord. How am I supposed to know what my child looks like when I’ve never set eyes on him before today?”

“I note,” said Rowland, reaching across to tickle Edgar’s toes, “that you show no desire to hold the child. I would have thought that if you were his true father, you would reveal some emotion, some inclination to examine him further, to look for a likeness in features or in colouring. Your attitude belies your claim.”

“Absolutely,” Fina echoed. “He has not one single drop of fatherly love in him. I’m not sure Dundas even knows how to love.”

Lord Hanley stood abruptly. “We have wasted enough of your time, Cavendish. Again, my apologies.”

“You haven’t heard the last of this!” Without waiting for Hanley, Reedman flung out of the room and stomped out into the hallway, demanding his hat and coat. Shortly thereafter, the sound of a horse’s hooves could be heard clattering down the carriage drive.

“Forgive me, Lord Hanley. I must return our son to his nurse.” Fina hastily left the room as well, taking Edgar with her.

Rowland was desperate to follow them, to make certain his wife was not too distressed, but Lord Hanley laid a restraining hand on his arm.

“Are any of that fellow’s assertions valid? I cannot think he is telling the truth about your boy, and I should not have believed him for a minute—only I thought it my duty to investigate. But what he said about your wife—”

Evidently, Lord Hanley expected an explanation. Rowland slid his gloves on slowly to give himself thinking time.

“If I tell you, sir, have I your word this information will go no further?”

“That goes without saying.”

Rowland drew the older man back into the room, out of earshot of the servants.

“My wife did have a child out of wedlock, yes—and the child tragically died last winter. But Lady Cavendish is a complete innocent in all of this. She left her home with that man in full expectation of being a bride long before the child was born.”

Lord Hanley raised an eyebrow. “I see. And what of her family? She speaks and comports herself like a noblewoman. Her elopement must have been a great scandal for them.”

“It would have been, no doubt, but I assume it was hushed up. Certainly, no news of it has ever reached my ears. My brother-in-law went to considerable trouble to trace Lady Cavendish’s family since she was not, at that time, prepared to reveal their identity.” He’d like to have added that Reedman had very likely left Fina to drown, but that would cause even more trouble. For the moment, he and Fina needed to keep a low profile and repair the damage caused to their marriage by Reedman’s reappearance.

Lord Hanley scratched thoughtfully at his wig. “It seems to me, Cavendish, that you have got yourself into an unenviable position. Reedman is clearly not to be trusted and is therefore highly likely to be vocal about his grievance. It could harm both you and your wife if she has a questionable past.”

“Then I shall have the man sued for slander. And anyone else who repeats what he says.”

“But part of what he says is true.”

Exactly whose side was Lord Hanley on? Rowland knew him for a stick-in-the-mud, but what right had he to pass judgement on Fina’s morals?

He pushed his shoulders back. “As I see it, my lord, my affairs are my own. Most noble families have skeletons in their closets, but you and I are far too wise to be influenced by gossip and rumour.”

“Hmm.” Hanley tapped the polished floor with his cane. “For your sake—as a friend—I shall wash my hands entirely of Mr Reedman. But be aware that others may not be so discreet and that some magistrates may not be above a bit of bribery. Your family and friends could all be adversely affected by your… um… unconventional marriage.”

Rowland’s jaw clenched. Anger battled with uncertainty, and he longed to put Lord Hanley in his place. But when he hoped to have business dealings with the man, could he really put his pride above necessity?

He bowed his head. “I understand what you’re saying.”

Lord Hanley waited, but Rowland returned his enquiring stare with a level look and said nothing more.

“Very well. I shall take my leave.”

Once again, the peer failed to meet Rowland’s gaze. He spoke not a word as Jacob helped him into his coat and handed him his hat and whip. He briefly touched the tip of his tricorn hat and allowed himself to be helped onto his horse.

Rowland stood in the doorway, hands clasped behind his back as he watched his neighbour leave. Edgar was safe for now— and so, he hoped, was Fina. But he feared his plans of buying land from Lord Hanley had disintegrated, and with them, his dreams of making Morden Hall the most profitable and the most philanthropic estate in all of Norfolk.