Behind her wine glass, Veronica smiled widely at Justin, who returned her look with a narrowed-eyed glare of his own. They both knew there was nothing Mama and Grandpapa liked to discuss more than Justin’s intentions of finding a bride.

“Indeed,” Justin replied, clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders. “How do you all know I don’t intend to find a bride next Season?”

“Do you?” Mama’s brows shot up. A look of hope enveloped her face.

“Do you?” Grandpapa’s voice was equally hopeful.

“Do you?” Veronica and Sebastian chimed together, their voices dripping with skepticism.

“Do you?” Jessica echoed, eagerly.

“Do you?” Elizabeth scrunched up her nose and frowned.

“Don’t look so surprised, everyone,” Justin replied with a laugh. “Perhaps that’s why I’m asking these questions. To prepare myself.”

“Oh, I’m so pleased to hear that,” Mama replied, a radiant smile on her face.

Veronica narrowed her eyes at her brother. He’d won this round. Justin was the consummate bachelor. He had absolutely no intention of taking a wife anytime soon, and they both knew it. He was giving Mama and Grandpapa false hope only to rile her, the rogue.

“Yes, now I have several more questions about what makes a happy marriage,” Justin replied, smirking at Veronica. “Shall I continue?”

Chapter Ten

Later that night, after the twins and Grandmama had taken their leave from the drawing room where the ladies had retired after dinner, Veronica sat alone in the silence sipping tea with her mother.

“Grandpapa looks well,” she remarked.

“He does, doesn’t he?” Mama replied. She was sitting across from Veronica by the crackling fire, a fur covering her lap.

Veronica sat in silence for a few more moments before summoning the nerve to ask her mother a question she’d wanted to ask her for an age. “Why did you do it, Mama? Why did you tolerate Father’s cheating?”

Mama’s eyes flared before they settled back down and took on a resigned look. “I didn’t know you knew about that, Veronica,” she breathed.

Veronica pushed herself to the edge of her seat. “Of course I knew. We all did. At least Justin and I did. We heard the fights.”

Mama’s gaze met Veronica’s and pain was clearly etched deeply in her countenance when she replied. “I’m sorry you heard that.”

“I know he hurt you, Mama. Why didn’t you send him away? Why did you keep welcoming him back into your home, into your be—?” She stopped herself. She was crossing a line. Letting her anger control her.

“It’s not that simple, darling,” Mama replied quietly. “I loved him.”

“Exactly, which is why—” Veronica stopped herself again. She’d been about to say, “which is why I never let myself love Sebastian.” Tears filled her eyes. She could still hear her father’s raised voice. “I promise you, Margaret, it won’t happen again. You have my word.”

The first time she’d heard him say those words, Veronica had been filled with relief. Mama had stopped crying, and they’d enjoyed themselves for the rest of the time Father was at the manor. But it soon became apparent that her father had no intention of keeping his word. He left his family in the country to see to business in London, and every time he returned, the fights would happen again. Veronica had listened with rage in her childish heart, wanting nothing more than to rush to her Mama’s side and demand that her father relinquish his mistress. The woman he and Mama had so many rows over.