By the time Lawrence returned home, his temper had cooled and, instead, concern filled him of what Cornelia would say when he told her he’d been to see David without her permission. As close as Lawrence and his sister were, he hoped she’d understand that he could not have stood back and allowed David to swan around as though he’d not a care in the world and had nothing to answer for.
He let himself into the house and followed the sound of murmured voices and clinking china. Entering the drawing room, he found Cornelia at tea with Francis.
Taking a deep breath, he forced a smile and entered the room. ‘Well, what do we have here? Is there room for one more?’
Cornelia laughed, looking extraordinarily happy, relaxed and beautiful in a floral dress of light blues and pinks, pearls glinting at her neck and ears. ‘Of course.’
Lawrence winked at his nephew and the little boy giggled before taking a mammoth bite of jam sponge.
‘So…’ Cornelia poured Lawrence a cup of tea and pushed it towards him as he sat. ‘Where have you been these past hours?’
Lawrence glanced at Francis, not wanting to discuss David in front of his son. ‘I worked this morning and then paid a visit to someone this afternoon.’
‘Oh? Anyone I might know?’ She wet the corner of her napkin with her tongue and dabbed at a dot of jam on Francis’ mouth. ‘Lawrence?’ She faced him and something in his expression caused her to frown. ‘What is it?’
He tilted his head towards Francis and raised his eyebrows. ‘I’ll tell you all about it later… once we’re alone.’
Never one to stem her curiosity, Cornelia’s frown deepened before she turned to Francis with a wide smile. ‘Why don’t you join your brother, Rose and Nathanial upstairs? I’m sure Helen will have something to keep you busy.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
Francis clambered from the table, flashing a shy smile at Lawrence before running from the room. Lawrence faced Cornelia.
She frowned. ‘Well? Who did you visit?’
He held her gaze. ‘David.’
She immediately paled. ‘What?’
‘I was never going to wait around and do nothing after what he’s done to you, Cornelia. You must have known that.’
‘Yes, but so soon? Without talking to me first? Oh, Lawrence. Why would you do such a thing?’
‘Because I will not risk that man hiding his money or not stepping up to his responsibilities. Once you instigate a divorce, he could’ve done anything to further hurt you.’
She stared at him before picking up her cup, her hand slightly trembling. She sipped her tea and slowly lowered the cup into its saucer. ‘And what did you demand of him exactly?’
‘I told him a settlement will be drawn up with my solicitor and I expect him to immediately sign it as well as stating when he’d like visits with the children.’
‘I see. And what was his response?’
‘He didn’t take too kindly to begin with, but eventually he saw sense.’
Her shoulders slumped. ‘Good. That’s something, I suppose.’
‘So, now I have his agreement, we’ll make an appointment to see my solicitor as soon as possible.’
She offered him a small smile. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. Am I forgiven? I only want what’s best for you. You do know that?’
‘Of course.’ She raised her eyebrows, her eyes glinting with mischief. ‘Did you hit him?’
He laughed. ‘What? Of course not.’
She grimaced. ‘That’s a shame.’
The tension evaporated and Lawrence took her hand, relieved his sister had taken his unauthorised excursion so well. ‘Forget David for the time being. I have something to ask you.’
‘Oh?’
‘What are your plans for tomorrow evening?’
She frowned. ‘Nothing at all. I planned on spending a quiet night with the boys. Why?’
‘How would it be if I invited a friend for dinner?’ His heart filled with anticipation of introducing Cornelia to Esther. ‘I’m quite sure you’ll like her.’
‘Her?’ Cornelia’s brow creased before her eyes lit with understanding and she wiggled her eyebrows. ‘Is this a lady friend, by any chance?’
Rare heat leapt into Lawrence’s cheeks. ‘Yes, as a matter of fact. Her name is Esther. Esther Stanbury.’
‘And?’
‘And, I like her very much. So much, I’d like you to meet her and have the children see her again.’
Surprise flitted through her gaze. ‘Rose and Nathanial have already met her?’
‘Yes.’
‘My, then clearly things are quite serious by your standards. I’ve not known you bring anyone to meet the children since Abigail died.’
‘I haven’t. Esther is special, and I don’t mind admitting it.’
Cornelia narrowed her eyes and he struggled not to squirm under her closer inspection. ‘Hmm. Then I would most definitely like to meet her. It will take a special woman indeed for my brother to risk his heart. Is she of status? Did you meet her at one of the hotels?’
‘She’s a working woman and, as far as I’m concerned, that makes her of supreme status. I very much admire and respect her.’
Cornelia grinned and covered his hand where it lay on the table. She squeezed his fingers. ‘And hearing you say that with such fervency is why I’m here and not with Mama. You, my dear brother, are a breath of fresh air and have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you refer to this woman as you have. It’s that kind of respect I want for myself.’ Her eyes brightened. ‘I want a man to look at me and see what you see in Miss Stanbury. I want to be able to stand tall and proud.’
‘And you will. I have no doubt of that.’
‘You’re right.’ She gave a curt nod and picked up her teacup. ‘Why should I beg David to come home or force him to see the beauty in his children’s faces?’ She hesitated. ‘That’s not to say I’m not terrified at the prospect of going home to Mama and telling her David and I are separated. She’ll undoubtedly pick up where David left off, but I have renewed strength to ignore whatever words she chooses to throw at me.’ She smiled. ‘I’m excited to embrace life as a divorcee. After all, I’ll be free for the first time in years.’
Lawrence’s concern deepened. ‘As proud as you will undoubtedly make me, people can be incredibly unforgiving, Cornelia. Even in these changing times. Mother will no doubt have more than her fair share of opinion if you should divorce.’
‘And it will be me, not her, who has to live with the consequences. I’d rather be a divorcee and a good mother to my boys than a woman who plays second fiddle to another woman and wife to a husband who barely looks at me. If I must live with only the boys for company, so be it. You’ve shown me what life can be like as a lone parent. I can do this. I know I can. Please…’ She took his hand again. ‘Tell me you’ll support me? Help me to speak with Mama?’
‘You really want me to come home with you?’ Dread unfurled inside him. ‘Why don’t you stay here for a few more weeks?’
‘Mama is gravely ill. We must go home before her declining health worsens. At least for a while. Now…’ She stood and began to gather the condiments and cutlery. ‘Tell me more about Miss Stanbury.’
She carried the breakfast things back and forth from the table to the sideboard, where she meticulously stacked everything ready to return to the kitchen. There was no mistaking the tremor in Cornelia’s hands or the stiffness in her shoulders. Whatever the fervour of her words, she was hurting and afraid. Over his dead body would he allow their mother to berate Cornelia, or her plans. No matter how he abhorred the idea of seeing his mother again, he wouldn’t force Cornelia to face her alone. He had no choice but to accompany her, even though he was suspicious about the true gravity of his mother’s illness. There was every probability her ailment was little more than a ruse to get him back to the estate. It wouldn’t be the first time she or Harriet had tried such a thing.
‘Lawrence?’
He blinked and met Cornelia’s concerned gaze. ‘Yes?’
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘Nothing.’ He forced a smile. ‘Let me tell you about Esther.’
She returned his smile and took her seat beside him, her gaze expectant. ‘Well?’
‘She works as a window dresser at Pennington’s. She—’
‘Pennington’s? She’s responsible for their astounding window displays?’ Something indiscernible appeared in her eyes. ‘Has she been employed there long? I imagine it’s a wonderful place to work.’
Lawrence studied her. Was she considering approaching Pennington’s for employment? He could certainly think of worse places for her to work. ‘She’s worked there for a number of years and is very happy.’ Pride twisted inside him. ‘She has quite the talent, doesn’t she?’
‘And ambition and flair…’ Cornelia beamed, her gaze filled with admiration. ‘And quite an insight for the future. I couldn’t take my eyes off the displays when I was at the store a few days ago. I can’t imagine what she has planned for the Coronation.’
‘It’s all very top secret. She’s shared nothing of her designs with me. The buzz of the Coronation continues to escalate, so I’m happy you’re here. I would have hated you and the boys to miss the procession the city will be hosting.’
‘A procession? Oh, the boys will love that. And Esther likes working at Pennington’s? She’s happy there?’
‘Very.’
‘And her other interests?’
‘Women’s suffrage. It’s her passion and one I think will never lessen until women are rightfully given the vote.’
‘Hear, hear.’ Cornelia gave a curt nod before her eyes glazed, seemingly to look straight through Lawrence.
‘Cornelia?’
A faint blush coloured her cheeks and she grinned. ‘Oh, Lawrence, I can hardly wait to meet her. Will we dine here?’
‘I thought so, yes.’
‘With the children?’
‘Yes.’
‘That will be wonderful. I’m so happy she’s fond of Rose and Nathanial.’ She leapt to her feet and gathered their napkins. ‘The idea of them having a kind and ambitious mother so different than our own is most exciting.’
She walked to the sideboard and put their napkins on top of the plates before picking them up and walking to the open dining room door. She threw him a smile over her shoulder and entered the hallway, disappearing in the direction of the stairs.
Lawrence drained his coffee cup. A kind and ambitious mother? Cornelia had just leapt several months, if not years, ahead. Usually, he’d find that kind of throwaway comment from his sister amusing, but instead, it turned his mind to the possibility of he and Esther one day marrying. He smiled. Nothing would make him happier.