Page 54 of The Lady Tempts an Heir
“Us spending more time together than necessary. It will only lead to heartache.”
Aware that pushing her on this issue would only result in her holding him further away, he said, “If we only have tonight, then why don’t you show me the drawings Sir Phineas did for you? I didn’t get a very good look at them.”
“You came over here unannounced to ask to see Sir Phineas’s drawings?” She raised a skeptical brow, and her lips curved in a teasing smile.
“I came because... I received some harsh news from New York.”
“Oh no—”
“Business,” he quickly clarified. “The workers are making demands. Nothing you should worry about, but I...” He didn’t know how to say that he wanted the comfort she brought him, so he simply said, “I needed to see you. My father and I disagree on so much these days with the business and family, I think I... needed to be with someone who would understand me.”
“He believes you shouldn’t give in?”
He nodded. “I think we must negotiate.”
“Max...” She reached up and stroked a lock of hair off his forehead. The barest hint of her fingertips touched his skin, so he closed his eyes to savor it. “I’m sorry you have to bear so much alone.”
“It’s not terrible, usually.” Her eyes were so full of understanding that he wanted to pull her onto his lap and lose himself in kissing her. Touching her made everything else fall away. Made it bearable.
“How are you...?”
When her voice trailed off, he prompted, “How am I what?”
She looked down as if suddenly too shy to meet his gaze. “It’s none of my concern, and you don’t have to answer, but I... I cannot help wondering how you are so different from your parents.”
He let out a long breath. “I wish I knew. Believe me when I say I’ve asked myself the same thing many times.”
She traced his features with her gaze, studying him in a way that he found immensely appealing. “You care for the people who work for you. I don’t think one could say the same for your father.”
The truth of that made an ache develop in his chest. “No, I suppose not. It wasn’t always that way... or maybe it was and I only refused to see it. My grandfather, Augustus, required that my summers and any free time during the year be spent on the factory floors, the railroad yards, and the mines we owned. From the age of twelve I worked what amounted to months every year next to the men whose fate would one day be in my hands. I learned to understand them because I slept in the shacks they were meant to call home, and I ate the provisions they were given. I suppose it gave me perspective.”
“Did your grandfather not require the same of his own son?”
He shook his head. “Grandpa didn’t earn his first million until my father was almost grown. From what I understand, he spent most of his time traveling for work and building his empire. He wasn’t home very much to raise his children.”
She nodded in understanding. “Perhaps your grandfather hoped to rectify his mistakes with you.”
Max had never thought of it in that way before. He’d been so busy learning the company and analyzing all the many ways to improve it that he hadn’t ever closely considered the inner workings of his family. “Come to think of it, he was the one to suggest Papa give August a chance to prove herself.”
“He sounds like a very wise man. That must be where you get it from.” Her eyes widened as if the ease between them had taken her by surprise and she’d said too much. He nearly groaned. If she would only give them a chance, shewould have to admit that they were perfect together. Before he could figure out how to say that, she squeezed his hand and rose. “I’ll go get the drawings.” Then she hurried off to the other room to retrieve them.
Something inside him had shifted in the space of the single conversation. He didn’t know how to describe it except that before, he’d been certain of himself. Now, everything inside him trembled a bit. Not quite whole until she returned, smiling in pride mixed with the slightest bit of vulnerability as she presented her work to him. He couldn’t tell her about returning to New York early now, not when it would mar her joy. He’d tell her at Claremont Hall.
Chapter 18
He said true things, but called them by wrong names.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
THREE DAYS LATER
CLAREMONT HALL
SURREY, ENGLAND
The guest list for the small annual gathering Helena’s parents held at Claremont Hall had grown considerably this year. Usually, the party consisted of Papa’s younger brother and his family, Mama’s widowed sister Lady Isabelle Fawly, Arthur’s parents, Lady Blaylock along with whichever of her children could accompany her, and Sir Henry—a childhood friend of Papa’s—and his wife. It occasionally included whichever members of Parliament Papa was hoping to influence that year. This year it had swelled to include the entirety of the Crenshaw family, the Duke and Duchess of Hereford, along with the duke’s ever-present sister, Lady Isabelle Fawly, and Lord Verick, whom Papa had invited earlier as a potential suitor for her.
Everyone except for Max and his parents were here already. Helena had arrived yesterday along with August and Violet and their husbands. They had spent the afternoon collecting sprigs and holly clippings. Today most of the women were assembled in the conservatory at long tables to make wreaths and boughs to adorn the doors and mantelpieces of the estate.
