Page 79 of Landen
“We would liketo meet her officially.”
“No.”
“I amtrying-”
“I am notputting her through another ‘encounter’ with you. Youwent to her place of work and attacked her viciously. I am stillbloody upset that you added to her stress, and I also have a feelingthat was one of the things that caused her to”
“I don’tmind hearing what she has to say.”
They both jerkedtheir attention to the voice in the doorway. Putting down hisutensils, Landen lunged to his feet to go to her. “What are youdoing up?”
She had obviouslyshowered and was wearing hunter-green leggings, a matching sweater,and a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her thick dark brown hairwas pulled back into a ponytail, making her thin face look hauntinglybeautiful.
“I was hungry.”She told him, eyes going to the woman who had stood up when she camein. “Lady Chapman.”
“It’sfoolish for you to be so formal when you carry my grandchild, and myson told me that congratulations are in order.”
“Did he?”Lifting her head, she looked at the man beside her as if protectingher.
“Come and sit.I will get your plate.” He guided her over to take the seatthat had been his.
“You are a longway from home.” Tessa eyed the woman who had caused her so muchgrief when she came to the gallery that day.
“I came toapologize.” Lady Margaret firmed her lips as she stared at thegirl across from her. She had seen the look on her son’s faceand how he jumped up to go to her. She had also noticed the fierce,protective look on his face.
Her husband wasfighting to be his usual self, and Elizabeth had greeted her with thenews that she was infertile. And she badly needed a grandchild. Theyboth do. She had discussed it with her husband at length, and he hadagreed to let her come here and make amends.
She would havepreferred her son to be with someone in their exalted circle, but shewas willing to compromise.
“Please, don’tlet me stop you,” Tessa said graciously, inclining her headwith a regality that brought a reluctant smile to Margaret’slips and a proud grin to Landen’s.
Putting the loadedplate in front of her, he pulled a chair next to her and ensured sheate everything.
*****
“What do youthink?”
“This drive isnice, and the air is clean and fresh. I am happy you suggested we getout.”
He cast her a wrylook. “You know that was not what I was referring to.”
She flashed him animpish smile. “I know. You wanted my opinion on your mother’srather flowery speech.”
“And?”
“I doubt wewill ever like each other, but it’s a start, and she has comeall the way here and back.” She glanced at him. “Youcould have asked her to stay.”
“My forgivenessdid not extend that far. And she did have an ulterior motive.”
Tessa sent him aglance in query.
“Elizabeth isinfertile.”
“Oh. I am sorryto hear that. How is she handling the news?”
He shrugged ashe switched lanes. “Rather well, considering. But it means itis left up to me to carry on the precious Chapman name.” Therewas a tinge of bitterness in his deep voice that did not escape her.
“You sound asif you loathe the name.”