Never Trust a Rebel by Sarah Mallory

Author:Sarah Mallory [Mallory, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-08-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

A visit from Dr Hall confirmed that Drew’s recovery was well under way. He was allowed to leave his bed for a few hours that day and the following morning he announced his intention of joining Elyse and his father for dinner. He refused to let Elyse help him with his clothes, pointing out that since his father’s valet came in every morning to shave him he could dress him, too. Stinchcombe surprised Drew by putting up no resistance to the suggestion and even admitted that Sir Edward had ordered him to offer any assistance he could.

Thus, late in the afternoon, Drew eventually left his bedchamber. Mrs Parfitt had cleaned his coat as best she could and stitched up the bullet hole, but the bandaging on Drew’s arm was too thick to allow him to wear it, so he appeared in his waistcoat and the borrowed shirt Stinchcombe had found for him, his injured arm resting in a sling. Since this was his first outing the valet insisted upon accompanying him to the parlour. Sir Edward was already there, seated on one side of the fire. Drew entered and heard the soft click as Stinchcombe shut the door behind him. He was alone with his father.

‘So you are on your feet at last.’

A cold greeting, but no more than Drew expected.

‘Yes. And in a few more days I shall be out of your house.’

The old man said nothing. He got up and walked to the sideboard and poured wine into two glasses.

‘I will arrange a carriage for you, but nothing more.’

‘I expect nothing more from you. Once I am in Bath I shall be able to draw on my own funds.’ He added bitterly, ‘Don’t worry, my bankers know me by the name of Bastion, there is no risk of anyone knowing my connection to you.’

‘That is none of my concern.’

He handed Drew a glass of wine and returned to his seat, staring moodily into the fire. Drew watched him for a few moments, then shook his head.

‘Oh, what the devil!’ He raised his glass. ‘I wish you good health, sir.’

The old man stared at him. ‘Do you expect me to reciprocate?’

‘No. But I am grateful for your hospitality.’

The old man scowled into his glass.

‘You cost me dear,’ he muttered. ‘The fines, the confiscated lands, the disgrace to the family. Even your mother’s death.’

‘Do you not think I know it?’ Drew retorted, regret, bitter as gall, filling his gut.

‘She never forgave herself for sending you to stay with her brother. She was convinced it was all his doing, that he persuaded you, but I know differently. You were always the wild one.’

‘I was fifteen. Wild, yes, but still a boy, Father.’

Sir Edward turned on him with a snarl.

‘Do not call me that! I will not recognise you as my son.’

Drew’s lips thinned as the words cut deep. After a moment he said quietly, ‘I am very sorry for it.’

Sir Edward hunched a shoulder and turned back towards the fire, and thus they sat in silence until the door opened again and Elyse appeared in a rustle of silk.

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