tone. “One would wonder why you’re still sitting at the table if you’ve got nothing left to say.”
“I’m finishing my brandy, thank you.” The calm tone Vaughn produced took enormous willpower.
He saw Rufus’ eyes swivel to glance at Elisa before glaring at him again. “That’d better be all, boy.”
“I am hardly a boy, Father. You may call me ‘son’ if you would prefer, but as you’ve called me nothing at all these past twenty years, either in person or by correspondence, I won’t insist upon it.”
“If I am such a horrible father, then why are you here?” Rufus asked, one corner of his mouth turned upward in a mocking smile.
Vaughn’s heart gave a little jump. This was it. This was the moment of confrontation he had been anticipating for three days. The anger that had been building for those three days renewed itself, washing over him in waves as he met Rufus’ intent stare.
Elisa abruptly cleared her throat and the tiny sound reminded Vaughn of her presence. Suddenly, he was reluctant to discuss the matter in front of her, despite three days of mentally rehearsing the cutting speech he had intended to bestow upon his father regardless of who was there to see it. In truth, his rehearsal of the confrontation had always included the harlot Elisa on hand to hear all he had to say of his father’s base qualities. Now, it seemed the height of rudeness to let his fury spill out unheeded while she watched.
“What brings you to Fairleigh Hall, boy?” his father asked again.
“I thought it was time to pay a visit before I settled in at Kirkaldy.” The mention of his estate was intentional and he didn’t blink as he waited for his father’s response.
Rufus shifted in his chair. “So…will you be leaving at first light?”
Vaughn’s indirect challenge had completely misfired.
“Surely it has not been twenty years since last you were here?” Elisa remarked, and Vaughn was grateful for the interruption, although irritated it was she who supplied it. He didn’t want to be grateful to the whore. He didn’t want any association with her at all. Now he must play out the little social by-play.
“Indeed, it has been twenty years. Fairleigh Hall has not changed in all that time. Tell me, Elisa, how do you find Fairleigh?”
She lightly touched the napkin to those pink lips. “It’s very nice.”
Her words completely lacked conviction, as well they should. The manor sat in rocky countryside and had little to offer anyone under the age of fifty . He could only imagine how lonely it would be for a young woman to live in such a cold, desolate place.
“How long have you been here?”
“I arrived a little over a month ago, along with my maid, Marianne.”
So, her maid was with her. How very proper. “Do you ride?” he asked. He already knew she did. Rumors of her shocking skill in the saddle had reached every men’s club in London and beyond. Vaughn’s friends had taken great pleasure in telling him about his soon-to-be stepmother’s shortcomings. She wasn’t content to keep to a decorous trot upon a sidesaddle. In her teens she had ridden astride like any man, her dress hoisted up to her thighs to give her the freedom to ride recklessly.
It was rumored she had bested many men on horseback.
“I fear I have little time for riding these days.”
He watched her intently. “Why not?”
His father slammed his drink down, bringing Vaughn’s attention back to him. “Vaughn, you’re making Elisa uncomfortable.”
“He’s not making me uncomfortable, Rufus,” Elisa told him. She smiled soothingly at Rufus before glancing at Vaughn again. “I’ve missed riding.”
“I’m certain Father has a vast array of mares to choose from.”
“I’ve asked Rufus to go with me, but his back pain prevents him from doing so.”
“Certainly a short ride wouldn’t tax you too much, Father?”
Again, he received one of his father’s icy glares. Rufus took a long drink of his