Page 43 of Needs Must
‘Impolite?’ Daventry shook his head and peered up at Cal through bloodshot eyes. ‘What did she say that has offended you so? Celia can be a little outspoken in the expression of her views, but there is no real harm in her and she does not mean one word in ten.’
‘I will not change my mind, Daventry, nor will I debate the matter further. There is nothing more to be said, so I suggest that you set about removing your tenants.’ He waved towards the door, his attention now firmly focused on the papers in front of him. ‘Don’t let me keep you. And don’t forget, I want you gone by the end of the month.’
Daventry left Cal’s library, looking flummoxed and discomposed. A man of fashion rather than sense, Cal knew that he would go straight to Celia and pass the problem into her hands, assuming that she would be able to talk her brother round. Sure enough, not five minutes later he received a visit from both his sister and his mother. It was far too early for them to be out of bed, and it was obvious that they had dressed in a hurry.
‘What’s all this nonsense?’ his mother demanded.
‘Good morning, Mother. Celia. What can I do for your both?’
‘Have the goodness to explain why you think you can evict my daughter, your own sister, from my home.’
‘Myhome, Mother. As for Celia, she is a married woman and it’s beyond time that her husband took responsibility for her.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Celia said in what for her was a conciliatory tone.
‘Then let me speak plainly.’ He fixed Celia with a look of firm resolve. ‘You were deliberately rude to my guest last night when I had made it crystal clear before her arrival that I wanted her to be made welcome.’
‘We werenotrude!’ his mother protested. ‘We are never rude. What accusations did she make and why would you believe her account anyway? You are barely acquainted with the woman.’
‘I don’t know what was said when you ladies were alone, and I did not ask Mrs Harte for clarification because I doubt whether she would have provided it. What I do know is that for reasons that escape me you implied Lady Melanie and I are betrothed.’
‘Well, are you not?’ his mother responded in a challenging tone. ‘She is the only one of our neighbours in whom you have shown the slightest interest, and she would besuitablein all respects. Clearly Mrs Harte has you in her sights and it would be cruel to let her think there’s any hope for her.’
‘As if there could be,’ Celia tutted. ‘She is a penniless widow.’
‘The Seymour family on the other hand are the first word in respectability, without a stain on their reputation.’ Mother and daughter tag-teamed one another as they pointed out Cal’s procrastination. ‘You have a duty to marry, and you can’t postpone the event indefinitely,’ his mother finished.
‘If and when I marry, Mother, I will choose my own bride in my own time and without any interference from you.’
‘But …’
Cal silenced his sister with the impatient wave of one hand, his granite expression making her think twice about interrupting him. ‘I would strongly advise you against giving Lady Melanie false expectations. She would be much better advised to seek a wealthy husband elsewhere.’
‘Wealthy? What nonsense is this? She doesn’t need to marry for money. In fact, she has already been pursued for her own fortune,’ his mother responded. ‘Mrs Harte, on the other hand …’ His mother waved a hand in front of her face. ‘Standards are there for a reason and need to be adhered to. Take the woman as your mistress if you must, Caleb, but don’t offend my sensibilities and those of my guests by bringing her into our drawing room.’
On this occasion, all that it took was a glower to silence his mother.
‘You are clearly not aware then that Seymour has gambled away most of his blunt.’ Cal almost enjoyed the shocked reaction that his words elicited. ‘I understand that he is having trouble honouring his obligations. If that is true, you can be sure that Melanie’s dowry will have been the first pot that her desperate father dipped into and would also explain why she had been out for two seasons and not received any eligible offers.’ He fixed his mother with a glacial look. ‘It isshewho must marry for money.’
‘I can scarce believe it,’ Celia said, her face paling.
‘I did hear a whisper or two about tradesmen not being paid,’ his mother replied, ‘but I thought it was all moonshine.’
‘Now that you are aware of the situation, perhaps you will not invite them quite so often,’ Cal suggested with the hint of a smile. ‘As you rightly say, standards are there for a reason.’
‘Yes, yes.’ His mother looked on the verge of having one of her episodes. That would inevitably require the services of the smelling salts and was therefore to be avoided at all costs, if humanly possible. ‘This is all most disturbing. Can it possibly be true? Seymour is a fool, I have always said as much.’
Cal shook his head at her hypocrisy but refrained from comment.
‘I will go into the village and make a few enquiries,’ Celia said. ‘If this is true, Mama, then everyone there will know it. As always, we are the last to be informed.’ She glanced at Cal. ‘You might have said something.’
‘We have strayed from the point, Celia.’ He treated his sister to his undivided attention, his expression implacable. ‘You and Daventry have spent your entire married life living off me.’
‘Hardly,’ their mother said. ‘They are family.’
‘Daventry is not my family, nor do I ever see him lifting a finger to improve his situation in life. Estates do not manage themselves and he has never once offered to help me with the running of this one in return for his comfortable lifestyle.’
‘But you manage everything so well,’ Celia cried half-heartedly.
