Page 53 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
"When did you meet her?"
"Six years ago."
"Six?" That flummoxed his mother. "I've not heard you speak of her. Most men in love go into flights of rapture about a young lady who takes their fancy and I've not heard it from you. But six years?"
"A long time ago." He did not wish to discuss details. "I met her and loved her at once. Much as you and father did."
"Oh. Well, I say." She put a hand to her chest. "She waited for you then."
"We met again quite by chance and renewed our interest. I do not wish to wait long to marry and have requested a special license. I'm hoping to receive it within days. I'd say, Wednesday of next week for the ceremony."
"That soon? Have you made a public announcement? Perhaps at the Courtlands' party?"
"No. I wished to honor you and Annalise with a private discussion first."
His mother pressed her lips together. But she could not hold back the quivering that undid her composure. "I'm grateful. But Rory, this girl...this marriage..."
He reached out and took his mother's hands. Whatever her objection was, it was greater than he'd feared. "Oh, my dear. Tell me."
Tears poured down her cheeks. "You cannot marry her."
"What?" Never had his mother forbid him anything. Not hot chocolate at bedtime. Or a new bow for archery practice. Or joining the army. "Why?"
"I could not bear it if she were to live in this house. With me. With us." Blood drained from his mother's face as she shot to her feet. Her eyes wide with terror, she shook her head. "She must not come here."
He rose to try to embrace her.
But she would not have it. "No! I cannot be near her. Not her mother either."
"What? You know her mother?"
"No. Never have I met her, but I...I know of her. She's mad, they say. And why not? Living as she did, any one would be carted off to Bedlam. I cannot allow her in my home. Ever."
"You must tell me why, Mama."
She backed her way to the door, the hall and escape. "No. Never. You must honor me in this. You must! This is my home. Mine."
"Of course it is. But it is my home, too. I have a right to know the full of your—"
"No!" She put out her hand to warn him off. "It is all too shameful to utter."
"For whom?" He was at sea.
"Me. For me!"
He'd never seen his mother so agitated, so angry and protective of...what? Herself? The past? Some horrible knowledge of Fiona's mother? That was ridiculous. Why had he not heard of this? "You cannot expect me to break my promise to Fiona without reason."
"But I do."
"That is unfair."
"What he did to me was unfair."
"He? Who?"
His mother clenched her fists and spun on her heels.
He was left to stare at the empty threshold...and question what secrets his mother had hidden from him. And evidently had done so for years.
