Page 9 of An Affair at Stonecliffe

Seeing her reluctance, Thorne went on, “The countess, Adam’s mother, usually resides at Stonecliffe. If the estate seems too...large, too overwhelming, the countess could continue to manage the household. Or help you to do so.”

“I believe I am capable of handling even so grand a thing as the Rutherford household.” His low opinion of her angered Noelle. “I don’t need Adam’s mother looking over my shoulder.”

“Lady Drewsbury is a kind and generous lady,” he retorted stiffly. “She wants only to see her grandson. She would not criticize or judge you.”

“Would you be there?”

“Sometimes. I have my own house, but I visit the estate frequently; I manage it for Gilbert. I am his guardian, and I have a certain responsibility to see to his care. I realize that’s not an ideal situation for either of us, but I think we could manage it. Or, if you feel you must live in the city, there is the town house.” He went on impatiently, “Why are you so reluctant? I would think you would be glad to have the opportunity to live a life of ease and comfort. To have your son live that sort of life.”

“Because I don’t trust you!” Noelle burst out, jumping to her feet.

“What the devil do you think I’m going to do? I am offering you a lovely home, clothes, ample spending money, an elevated station in life. In what way am I making you suffer?”

“I don’t know what you’re doing! That’s the problem. Why are you offering me all this? Why have you changed? You’ve tried to wrest Gil from me since he was an infant, and now suddenly you’re talking about treating me as if...as if I were someone else. Someone you didn’t despise. Someone you didn’t accuse of killing Adam.”

“I didn’t—”

“You did,” she retorted firmly.

“Well, yes, but it—blast it, why does it matter what I thought five years ago? It isn’t as if we are going to be thrown together constantly. I can assure you that I would treat you with the courtesy and respect due to Gil’s mother.”

“Oh. As you have these past few years.”

“I am quite capable of keeping up a social pretense.”

“Of lying, you mean.”

His eyes turned even stormier. “I give you my word that I will be polite and reasonable.”

“Your word?” Noelle let out a short, humorless laugh. “Why would I take your word for it?”

“Why?” He gaped at her. “Because it’s my word. As a gentleman.” His astonishment gave way to affront. “Perhaps the men you are accustomed to are without honor, but I am not. I have never lied to you.”

That was true enough. He had been open about his dislike of her and his determination to raise Gil. Still...she was wary of living in any house under his control. The servants would be his; they would do as he told them. She could easily be trapped there, unable to leave. And, while a gentleman’s word might bind him if given to another of his station, that didn’t mean he would consider any promise given to an inferior like her as inviolable.

“Think of your son,” he went on, seizing on her hesitation. “Think of the things he will be deprived of if you continue to live this way. He deserves to have a family, don’t you think? To know his grandmother. The countess was devastated by Adam’s death; she has yearned all these years to see her grandson. Isn’t it only right that she should be given the chance to know him? Love him? Is it fair to withhold a grandmother’s love from him?”

His words pierced Noelle’s heart. Little as she trusted Thorne, she did want those things for Gil. She would do him a great disservice to keep him from them. She thought of Gil playing on the estate, watched over and cared for by everyone around. He could have a dog. Perhaps even a doting grandmother—she could not trust this man’s description of the countess, but how could any grandmother not love Gil? Most of all, Gil would have peace and security.

Truth be told, that seemed a wonderful future to Noelle, as well—no more fear, no more looking over her shoulder, no more trying to eke out a living. She could have all the time she wanted to be with her son, watching him grow and learn. It seemed like heaven...providing Thorne kept his word. But why would he not? It would cost him little to house and feed Noelle, and as long as she was allowed to be with Gil, he could be assured that she wouldn’t take Gil away.

She must consider, too, what Thorne would do if she refused him. If she would not do as he wished, would he see taking Gil by force as his only recourse? It was clear he was accustomed to getting what he wanted. He might be willing to gain access to Gil by this easier method, but if he didn’t, it wouldn’t stop him. It was far more likely that he would abduct Gil right now if she refused his offer. “I... I need time to think about it.”

Now it was Thorne whose brow furrowed with suspicion. “Time you will use to whisk him away again?”

“No. If you are not threatening to steal him, I have no reason to run.”

He looked at her thoughtfully. “So...it is a question of trust.”

“Yes, I suppose it is,” Noelle agreed.

“I have no reason to accept your word.”

“I have no reason to trust yours.”

He gazed at her for another long moment, then said, “I have little choice here. If you will not take him and run—”

“I promise you I will not.”