DESPITE THOMAS’ UNWILLINGNESS to leave his mother’s bedchambers, he eventually did. He was well aware that she wished to have Rebecca alone with her. Why, though, was the question. His mother had made it abundantly clear that she loathed Rebecca and leaving the two ladies alone for too long would be dangerous.
His quickened his pace and stepped into the kitchen, where the cook and two maidservants had begun to prepare lunch. The cook turned to Thomas and smiled.
“My lord, what brings you to the kitchen?”
“My mother requested a chocolate drink, and apparently the way I make it is the way she prefers it.”
“I have heard her complain that mine is too sweet. That I am wasting too much of the chocolate tablets.”
Thomas sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “It seems as though my mother finds any reason to complain these days.”
“Perhaps it is merely that she wishes for attention, with all due respect.”
“Perhaps,” Thomas said with a nod, although he already knew that to be true.
Ever since the passing of his father, his mother had been in a constant sour mood, and the most efficient way she found to deal with the death of her husband was to either complain, or to control her sons’ lives.
It had been a source of frustration for the Melton brothers for years, but as they began to marry and have families of their own, she’d taken a step back. The meddling lessened for those who married. Now, as the only Melton son who was unwed, the Dowager Duchess was obviously feeling the need to force herself into his life and personal affairs.
Thomas glanced down at the table, where a local newspaper rested. He frowned and his jaw clenched as he read the obnoxious headline.
“Duke’s youngest brother enjoys tryst on beach with physician’s daughter,” he read under his breath.
Thomas shut his eyes for a moment, annoyed and disheartened by the article. Although they’d been convinced that no one had seen what had happened between them on the rocks – except for Marcus, of course – clearly, they’d been wrong.
Someone had seen them, and thought it was newsworthy to write a front-page article. Thomas could only imagine what damage it would cause to Rebecca’s reputation, if it had not already done so. No matter how many denials they made, her reputation was now in tatters, and it was his fault. He should not have kissed her so publicly. However, he was not sorry.
The kiss had been perfect to him and he would do it again in a heartbeat. But of course, those were selfish thoughts. He had not considered the possibility that her reputation would be ruined, or that someone would write an article reporting on their adventure. Although the piece centred on Thomas, people would focus solely on Rebecca. She would be called out as an immoral and promiscuous young woman. Thomas was ridden with guilt and lowered his head in shame.
Luckily, neither Rebecca nor Dr. Morton had seen the heinous reporting so far, or Thomas would be sporting a bruised eye and possibly a broken jaw. Thomas was well aware of how protective Rebecca’s father was, and if he were to find out, it would mean trouble.
“Would you kindly assist in making the chocolate drink for my mother?” Thomas asked the cook.
“Certainly, my lord. Just one for Her Grace?”
Thomas pursed his lips and said, “No. In fact, make enough for three, and fortify them with the drinking sherry my mother enjoys. It is about time that she showed her guest a bit of hospitality.”
A grin appeared on the cook’s face as well as on those of the maidservants, and they happily began to prepare the drinks. A maid, Judith, placed the fine teapot and cups on a tray and continued to prepare lunch.
“Shall I have bread and jams prepared with the drinks, my lord?” she asked.
“Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you, Judith.”
The maid nodded and joined the others in their work. Thomas stared down at the newspaper again and his jaw clenched, wondering how on earth he could rectify this.
“Is it true, my lord?” the maidservant asked suddenly.
Thomas averted his eyes away from the newspaper and looked at the maid. “Is what true?”
“The article, about you and Miss Rebecca?”
Thomas shifted his weight slightly and drew in a breath. From a very young age, Thomas had spent his days in the kitchen, and his bond with Cook and the two maidservants had developed into a strong friendship. He had confided in them and told them things he had not even told his parents or his brothers.
He slowly sat on the wooden stool by the table as he had done so many times prior and placed his hands on the table. “I will admit that I kissed her, and that she returned that kiss,” Thomas said and pointed his finger at the article. “But everything else in that article is false. We did not have a tryst or anything physical, other than the kiss. I fear that people will pass judgement on Rebecca, when it is not her fault. Tales of her promiscuity will spread like wildfire, and there is nothing I can do to make it go away.”
“You can marry her, my lord.”
Thomas stared at Judith, and the cook turned to him as well. “That is preposterous,” he said with a nervous laugh. “She would never agree to that.”
“Is that what you think, my lord, or what she told you?”
Thomas scoffed and shook his head. “I...she...”
“You care for her. I can see it,” Judith said.
“Even a blind man can see it,” Cook said with a chuckle.
Thomas narrowed his eyes at the cook and a hint of a smile formed on his lips. “I will not deny that I have feelings for her, but...”
“Life is much too short for buts, my lord. If you care for the young lady and she brings happiness to your life, you must tell her. You will most certainly
