AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘He will not wish to go to London.’
‘London has Westminster Abbey, St James’s Palace. Grosvenor Square.’
He recited facts rather than stating his feelings on the matter, and that did not surprise Briggs. Sometimes he seemed to be making a conversation, and other times, you couldn’t force one out of him. Briggs didn’t see the point in trying.
He let him speak his piece, though.
But he found that he did not necessarily want Beatrice to see, for he was afraid on behalf of William that she would offer judgement, but she did not.
‘You should’ve spoken to me, before you involved yourself with William.’
‘She is my friend,’ William said.
Briggs was absolutely stunned by that. He did not know what to say. ‘She is?’
‘I’ve never had a friend,’ he said.
‘You have your governess.’
‘She is a governess. This lady is my friend.’
‘I cannot argue with that.’
Beatrice, for her part, looked exceedingly pleased.
They continued eating in silence, and when they were through, William’s governess came and made it clear that it was time for him to continue on with his lessons.
They walked out of the nursery, and Beatrice left behind him.
‘Why can we not take him to London?’
‘Why have you inserted yourself into my son’s life?’ he asked.
‘I had nothing else to do,’ she said. ‘I felt that I had something in common with Master William. I am lonely. And I can assure you that he is as well.’
‘Did he look lonely to you?’ His son barely glanced at people when they were in the same room as he, not when he was engrossed in something else.
‘I somehow have the feeling that he does not necessarily look the way you or I might when we are feeling something. But it does not mean he does not feel it.’
He was stunned by the insight, as he had known that was true for some time. Even if no one, including William himself, could confirm it.
‘You are correct about that, but that does not mean that he is lonely. Or that he wishes to go to London. You have spent some time with him, and that is very nice of you. A kindness. However, that does not give you a complete view of all of his struggles.’
‘I went into his room last night. When he was having one of his terrors.’
Guilt ate at him. He ought to have heard William, but he had been in his study. He had spent much time there since bringing Beatrice to Maynard Park. Anything to keep her distant from him in the night when his vision was invaded by thoughts of beautiful virgin sacrifices, on their knees before him...
‘Yes, that is one of his difficulties. He sometimes does that during the day as well, though, when he is not asleep. His moods can be incredibly capricious. I do not always know what will cause... There is a disconnect. He loses himself. In his rage. He has never harmed anyone. I do not think he ever would. I cannot explain it better than that. But I do not think he would enjoy London. I think you would find it noisy, I think you would find it confusing, I think you would find the journey arduous. And I am his father. You might think that I have made this edict out of a sense of my own convenience, but I assure you it is not for my convenience. It is not so simple. Would that it were for my own convenience. Then I might not feel so much guilt. I might not feel torn. By my duties to him, and my duties to the House of Lords.’
He felt a stab of guilt, because there was also the duty to his libido, which he had faithfully attended these past years. But that was part of quitting to London. At least for him. The opportunity to see to his baser needs. And he had a great need to deal with them now.
Of course, he would already have Beatrice in tow.
Beatrice likely had no idea what a brothel was, let alone the particular delights he saw in them.
She looked at him in a fury. ‘Your Grace, I did not seek to question your commitment to your son, but I do have a differing opinion. He dreams of seeing things. He dreams of seeing the world. I think perhaps in part the trip will be upsetting for him, but it seems as if you find sleep upsetting at times, and he cannot be utterly and completely shielded from every bad feeling.’
‘Why not? Why do you think that is not something that should be done? You had the benefit of having it done for you. And you discarded it. You discarded your brother’s protection, and now you are under mine. And you must do as I say.’
