Loving the Enemy

Chapter 9

"By whom?"

She sent him a pointed look as if he were slow-witted.

And he remembered that Miss Blackmore revealed the objections raised by her mother. "Has Lady Healey ever accompanied you on such jaunts?" When she shook her head, he continued, "I think you should invite her the next time you go. I'm certain she'd be more forgiving, maybe even indulgent, once she bears witness to what you have accomplished."

"I..." She took a sip. "I'm not sure Mama shares the same interests as I do, but thank you for the suggestion. I will consider inviting her along the next time."

He rocked back on his heels. "I think you may find her ladyship...open to such matters. After all, she did mother me as I grew up, and tried to share her counsel with me. What's not to say that she would think otherwise about the tenants?"

"Do you not think I haven't tried?" Her sharp, agitated tone surprised him. "I have spoken to her about such matters, about why I care about them. But she constantly brushes them aside and seems to be only concerned about my marriage and nothing else."

"Does she fear that you will not marry? Is that why she is trying so hard?" Miss Kendall fell silent. And in his mind, he thanked Miss Blackmore for the useful information she'd shared with him. "I'm certain her ladyship is only concerned about your welfare. She doesn't want you to be without some sort of financial security or even to die alone."

"But I won't! If Papa agrees to give me what is being set aside as my dowry as my inheritance, I can live comfortably for the rest of my life as long as I economise."

"And how about dying alone?"

"I shan't. Garrett will need to have children. I will spoil them all and be their favourite aunt. They can be by my bedside when I pass."

"That is all well and good, and you have made valid arguments which I'm certain you have shared with your mother. But you must understand...she only wants what is best for you."

"No, she only thinks she knows what is best for me!" Her increased ire told him this was a sore point for both of them. "She never listens to what I say!"

As if he were trying to tame a wild stallion, he gentled his tone. "Might I suggest you try to put yourself in your mother's shoes. To see things from her perspective."

Her brows came together. "I don't quite understand."

"You claim to care deeply for the tenants' children, and from this morning's...walk, I can certainly attest to that. What if, one day, if one of those children was to do something dangerous...maybe while playing, pick up a sharp stick and wave it around while running after the other children, what would you do?"

"I would reprimand the child for endangering the lives of others."

"What if this child didn't know better? Maybe because he or she had never been in such a position as to know that sharp objects can cause hurt. What would you do then?"

"I would explain to the child the consequences of such an action."

"And if the child decides to do precisely what he or she is told not to do, what will you do then?"

"I will punish the child because the child needs to know that his or her actions can result in serious ramifications."

"Precisely. You are that child waving the sharp stick and running around, while your mother is you in that scenario." Before she could digest that, he pointed, "Oh look, they're finally ready."

At the same time, her mother's voice rang out, "Come, my esteemed guests, let us enjoy some fireworks!" The footman at her side waved a flag and in answer, the first firework shot up into the sky.