Page 46 of His Scandalous Viscountess
Mrs. Fairchild was a calculating woman, but she’d yet to understand that Jules could be very much like her when pushed to her limit.
The feisty redhead who owned his heart simply smiled. “Did he, now? I can’t imagine what he could have wanted.”
Her mother frowned at the subtle hint, but she persevered. “He was simply visiting. I’ve told you, we are quite close friends with him. Such a handsome young man, and a marquess to boot. Such a shame that he hasn’t yet found a woman receptive to his interest.”
Jules sighed. “Yes, well, I am sure he would find a lovely bride among the season’s debutantes if he were but tolook.”
“Oh, he has, but he says it is exceedingly difficult to find a bride in these modern times. Many of the girls come filled with these notions of being treated as equals. I, for one, blame that Wolstoncrab woman.”
“Wollstonecraft, Mother. Mary Wollstonecraft is the author you are thinking of. And she has many a capital notion. You would do well to read her treatise.”
Jules gave her mother a pointed look. One that was clearly lost on the woman.
Mrs. Fairchild huffed. “I should say not. Men have their roles in this world, and we women have ours. Caring for our home and families is not demeaning work.”
“Now, Patrice, you know the younger generation has more modern sensibilities. They aren’t like we were, when we married.” Mr. Fairchild attempted, however gently, to turn his wife’s thinking more toward understanding.
Mrs. Fairchild darted an angry glare at her husband. “A good man will always see to the care of those dependent on him. It’s how it has always been.”
“And what of a husband who does not hold to that standard, Mother? What should a woman do then?”
Green fire snapped from Jules’ eyes, but Mrs. Fairchild completely missed the warning signs.
Wolf did not.
“May I suggest we adjourn to the parlor for a digestif?” Ros suggested, as she set her serviette aside.
Jules and her mother stared at each other for a moment longer, and then her mother nodded.
“An excellent idea, Rosalind. Gentlemen, will you join us?”
“In a moment, my dear,” Mr. Fairchild replied, delaying their departure.
As the women filed out of the dining room, silence settled over the men while the servants bustled around the table, clearing the bulk of the dishes. Finally alone, Mr. Fairchild sat back and rubbed his protruding stomach. “My lords, my wife means well, but I’m afraid she is not always one to see the situation as clearly as I do.”
Wolf and Flint glanced at each other. Worry niggled at Wolf as he braced for whatever might come next.
“I did not think it strange when Julia resumed her friendship with you, Lord Wolfington. You two have been peas in a pod for ages. But when Lord Flintshire—no slight intended, my lord—suddenly took an interest in Rosalind, I could not help but wonder.”
“Wonder what?” Flint asked, a dangerous edge to his voice that had Wolf on alert.
Jules’ father sat forward, a crease in his brow. “I know that Lord Wallthorpe merely courts my wife’s attention to serve his own purpose. I was unsure what that purpose might be until Jules related his aggressive courting. I still had my doubts, unsure if she merely misunderstood his enthusiasm for something more. But now that she is engaged to you, Lord Wolfington, I like to believe she is protected from any unwanted advances.” He paused and turned his focus to Flint.
“What I amnotsure I understand is your interest in Rosalind, Lord Flintshire. While I love my daughter, I fail to understand her sudden willingness to marry, when she has rejected every suggestion to that effect since her husband was killed. What, my lord, are your intentions toward my daughter?”
Flint shifted in his seat, causing the delicate cherrywood to creak ominously. His hands clenched into fists for a few moments, and then he appeared to consciously relax them. “Mr. Fairchild, I seek only to protect your daughter.”
With his brown hair and green eyes, Jules’ father looked at Flint with a hard stare. “Do you not care for her? Perchance even like her? I could not condone a connection based on so little as a simple desire to protect her. I once made the mistake of entrusting a daughter to a man based solely on his title, and his claims to wish to protect and care for her. I shall not be so foolish again, my lord.”
“She is all that is fresh and innocent, Mr. Fairchild, and yes, I wish to protect that. But I also want to bask in the kindness she exudes, for as long as I am permitted.”
The words felt forced from Flint, but were delivered with a grinding honesty that shocked even Wolf.
“Very well, then. I think we should join the women, before my eldest daughter and wife come to blows.”
Mr. Fairchild then rose and strode from the room, fully expecting them to follow.
Chapter 19
