Read Online Love Between the Lines by Kate Rothwell - Free Book Online Page B

and—”
    “Mama.” Lizzy wanted the words to stop. “It was not easy for me. I have suffered because of what he did and what he was to our family.”
    “I know, heavens, yes, you’ve suffered.” Her mother made a face. “But overall you have thrived, thank goodness.”
    “Then why do you talk about Harrington as if he’s some kind of victim?”
    “H e might have brought it on himself, but when a worm shrivels up in the sunlight, one can’t help feel sorry for the poor slimy thing.”
    “ Mama, you don’t think I’m even slightly responsible, do you?”
    Her mother didn ’t answer at once.
    Lizzy said, “ Put the blame where it belongs, on the man who committed the crimes. He hurt himself and innocent bank customers. Come, I was not the only one to write stories about him.”
    Her mother pursed her lips. “Of course not,” she said heartily, then paused. “It is simply that you are devastating with a pen, love. I’m proud of you, and a little afraid of you too. Perhaps that is how Papa feels as well.”
    Lizzy had heard this nonsense before : how she had betrayed a man she’d known all of her life. Enough.
    Lizzy risked a glance at Sir Gideon to see if he was relishing this silly drama. Really, she was surprised that both her father and mother were willing to discuss their family rows in front of a near stranger.
    But Langham didn’t seem to notice her attention, and he wore a vacant, amiable expression. She wore the same face when she was composing an article in her mind and not heeding her surroundings. Good.
    “ I expect we have another five minutes before he starts to become difficult.” Her mother managed to sound cheerful. She reached up and fiddled with the catch of her necklace, her best ruby-and-pearl necklace. A tenth-anniversary present from Papa.
    Mama rose to her feet and walked to Lizzy ’s chair. She practically tossed the necklace at the astounded Lizzy. “I don’t have money for you, but this should do in case you run into an emergency.”
    Sir Gideon gave a small huff as if he objected, then changed his mind. She supposed he thought her mother was saying he’d cause the emergency. So much for Lizzy’s hope that he was not paying attention to the conversation.
    For a moment , Mama, who was not usually a socially awkward woman, remained standing in front of Lizzy, silent and fiddling with the fringe of her shawl. “Perhaps I shouldn’t stay and have coffee with you, after all.”
    Lizzy agreed that she sho uld leave. Papa would probably brood for days after this visit. No reason to give him more reason to nurse a grudge.
    Her mother pressed her wide mouth into a thin, anxious line and glanced at the door .  Life in the Drury house hadn’t changed so very much.
    Sometimes Lizzy thought it funny to watch her lioness of a mother roll over an d pretend to be a tabby cat in her father’s presence. Other times, Lizzy wanted to give them both a smacking blow on the nose. At the moment, she only felt weary of their strange but strong affection.
    She touched a ruby on the necklace in her lap and wondered if she should just leave the jewelry behind. That might hurt her mother, though, and Lizzy was touched that Mama would try to help her. She looked up at her mother who still stood before her, as if waiting for a response. “Thank you.”
    Her mother nodded but still didn ’t move. She touched Lizzy’s cheek with two fingers. “I am pleased you will write the sort of stories you want to. You write them well. I think you make a good change in the world, and I am proud of you.” She spoke in her usual matter-of-fact manner—and she didn’t glance nervously at the door once. She looked only at Lizzy.
    Lizzy lurched to her feet and hugged her mother. She hadn’t known how much she’d longed to hear those words. “Thank you. Ah, Mama, I love you so much.” Her voice was hoarse, her eyes prickled, and she knew that once again she was about to create a wretched scene at her