Page 48 of The Marquis' Game of Seduction
The men sat with this for a moment. Laurence clutched his hat with red fingers.
“The doctor says she needs a little more time to totally recover. But this means that your time with Duncan is nearly over. I know this will come as a relief to you. It’s surely been a struggle, having him here in the midst of all your personal responsibilities,” Laurence continued.
“He’s been very little trouble,” Colin said.
“He can be quite a chatty little boy, can’t he?” Laurence sighed.
Colin shifted in his chair. Was it possible that Duncan’s own father didn’t appreciate him?
“Amelia said that might be a problem for you,” Laurence continued. “Especially in the wake of your father’s death.” Laurence reached up and tapped himself on the skull with a straight finger. “I know that tragedy can result in chaos up here. And it’s difficult to be around children, who have no comprehension of it all.”
“He wishes he could have met his grandfather,” Colin said. His nostrils flared out. “Pity he wasn’t given the chance.”
These were clear fighting words. Unfortunately, Laurence didn’t take the bait. He rose up and walked toward the study.
“I’m terribly sorry to do this so suddenly, but it seems that I must already take my leave,” he said. “There’s much to do back at home, as Amelia grows well and we prepare for Duncan’s arrival. Thank you again.”
Colin could feel just how insincere his own smile was. He walked after Laurence in the hall, back toward the foyer. As they reached it, there was a creak on the floorboards. Both glanced up to discover Rose standing there, all the color draining from her cheeks. Her eyes tore into Colin’s. Colin’s own heart thudded wildly. He knew that through Laurence’s eyes, Rose was merely a servant, a woman worker in the house. Nothing more.
“Good morning, my lord,” Rose said. She curtseyed and bowed her head.
The act seemed foreign and distant and strange. Colin sniffed and forced himself to follow her line of propriety. All he yearned to do was press her against the wall and dip his lips against that tender spot on her neck and feel the moans of pleasure escape her.
“Miss Hollingsworth, I want to introduce you to Lord Laurence Thornton. Duncan’s father,” Colin said. He ensured his words were sterile.
Rose shifted and curtseyed toward Laurence. Her face was oddly bright. “Goodness. Duncan’s father,” she said.
“Rose has worked as Duncan’s governess throughout the past months,” Colin said. “She’s been a remarkable help.”
“But it’s not as though he’s difficult to teach,” Rose said. “Duncan is a terribly curious little boy. He’s bright and excited and eager to play…”
“Some would say too eager,” Laurence affirmed.
Rose’s face looked clouded, almost disdainful. “In my line of work, I’ve discovered that a great deal of education can be taken directly from play.”
“Perhaps. Although, in my experience, too much play can make a boy soft,” Laurence said.
Colin’s heart ached for Rose. He sensed she wanted to spit out at Laurence with rage (and certainly, Colin would have been thrilled to see such a thing). She seemed to chew at the side of her mouth before answering.
“It’s wonderful to meet you. I imagine you’re here to see your son, and I can’t begin to tell you how excited he’ll be…”
Colin watched with disdain as Laurence attempted to tell Rose just how little he wished for that. But before she could hear him, before he could make himself understood, she’d hollered up the stairs for Duncan to hurry down. Laurence glanced toward Colin, his eyes glittering with something that resembled fright.
Was it possible that Laurence was afraid of his own son?
Or was it simply the same way Colin felt around the boy? Unsure of himself, and therefore cold and distant?
When Duncan appeared and viewed his father for the first time, he erupted down the steps and tossed his arms around his father. The sight was moving. Even Laurence seemed to accept this fate and hug his son back. His eyes flickered closed for a moment. Here, Colin snuck a look toward Rose. It was clear she was exhausted from their night before, and that her emotions seemed to brim out of her eyes. Her cheeks glowed red.
“Father,” Duncan cried. He yanked his chin up against his chest, still in the midst of a hug. “Father, it’s been far too long. I’ve missed you. How is mother?”
Laurence’s hand draped over his son’s head and ruffled his hair. The motion was entirely tender and father-like. Was it possible that Colin had misjudged him?
“Mother is becoming well again, Son,” Laurence said. “She sends all her love.”
“Oh, Father, I wish I would have known you were coming,” Duncan said. “I have so many paintings I wish to send her. And letters I’ve written. Rose has been my teacher, and she’s—she’s taught me so many wonderful words, Father. She says that in time, my vocabulary will be as big as the dictionary.”
“The dictionary, hmmm?” Laurence said. He glanced up at Rose and gave her a look of thanks.
