“I’m not certain yet, but we’re attending an assembly tonight. I’d invite you to come along, but you’re probably too tired.”

“I am, but I want to meet this chi—this young lady—before you go. I shall require a respite for a couple of hours. Then she will present herself to me here.”

Tobias wished he had time to prepare Fiona, but he was already late for Westminster. “I’ll inform Carrin, but now I must go.” He stood and went to take her hand, giving her a light squeeze. “Thank you for coming. I am glad to know the truth. I think perhaps I understand my father a little better.”

“I don’t see how that’s possible, but I’m pleased for you.” She smiled up at him. “You’re a good boy.”

With a soft chuckle, Tobias released her hand and left. On his way out, he told Carrin about the scheduled meeting between Fiona and his grandmother. “You may wish to ensure Miss Lancaster and Mrs. Tucket are present. Miss Wingate could use the support.” He winked at the butler before striding outside to his waiting coach.

As he leaned back against the squab and the vehicle began moving, he considered his grandmother’s question: what was he going to do about being in love with Fiona?

First and foremost, he needed to stop behaving like a self-involved ass. To do that, he had to stop thinking of himself and his predicament.

He also needed to convince her that he didn’t want to marry her because of his father’s will. And to do that, he could think of only one thing that would matter. Something that had always been a tangible reminder of the only love he’d never known.

But he realized now that love was more than a house. His mother—and her love—were a part of him, as was his father. Tobias felt the incessant pull to please him, and it wasn’t entirely due to the trap he’d diabolically laid. The anger he’d long felt toward his father evaporated. Tobias didn’t want it anymore. Nor would he cling to Horethorne.

He would choose love.

Chapter 18

Seated in the drawing room with Prudence and Mrs. Tucket, Fiona awaited the arrival of Tobias’s grandmother, the Dowager Countess of Overton. Fiona had been surprised to be summoned to meet her, but now she was just nervous. Prudence had learned from the servants that the dowager countess had been unexpected. Prudence also shared Fiona’s curiosity as to why the dowager sought an interview.

Without her grandson present.

Fiona had asked Carrin if his lordship would also be there, and the butler had explained that the earl was at Westminster. He would hopefully arrive home in time to accompany her and Prudence to the ball, but if not, he would meet them there.

At ten minutes past the appointed time, the dowager countess arrived. Petite with surprisingly dark hair for a woman of her age, Lady Overton marched in with the agility of someone much younger. Or perhaps Fiona was comparing her to Mrs. Tucket, who, though a few years younger, suffered much more difficulty. It was no wonder when one compared the life of a dowager countess to the life of a maid-of-all-work. Thinking of it made Fiona even more committed to ensuring Mrs. Tucket’s comfort. She would be free to relax and find comfort at Horethorne.