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seat.” Then she shook her head. “Honestly, it is as if you were raised in the horse stable instead of under my own roof and alongside my other sons.”
    Her legitimate sons.
The words hung in the air, unsaid, heavy as a dark storm cloud. “Sit,” he said.
    She harrumphed, but did lower herself to the settee.
    “To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked. He wanted to get this visit over with as soon as possible.
    “Your brother sent me to the countryside, as you probably know. But my dear friend Lady Mumford invited me to stay with her here in London so I could return for the remainder of the Season.” She was quiet a moment, her lips pinched, her eyes narrowed as they took in the sight of him.
    He still stood, right where he’d stopped upon entering the room. There was no reason to pretend this was a civilized visit. She’d come to berate him about something and would be gone soon enough.
    “I see you survived prison.” She inspected her fingernails. “I’m surprised they let you out, considering the other murders that have occurred.”
    “One of which happened while I was still in custody,” Drew said. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised that the ironclad alibi of prison was good enough for Scotland Yard, but not sufficient for the woman who had raised him.
    Though that victim had disappeared and the authorities had been unable to locate her to question her.
    “I had hoped you were having the good sense to keep yourself out of proper Society for a while. Until this wretched situation is forgot. But I’m told you attended the theatre the other evening.”
    “I like the theatre.”
    “That is hardly the point. Is it not enough that you’ve already brought so much shame to this family? And yet I am the one Alex sent to the countryside.” She shook her head in disbelief.
    “You’ve come only to berate me for my predilection for Shakespeare, then? Or is this another opportunity to blame me for being a bastard?” Drew asked.
    “Don’t be smart with me, boy. I came here to try once again to get through that damned thick skull of yours. You either killed those girls or you were too drunk to know you didn’t. Either way, people in this town think you’re guilty and that reflects on your brother, myself and the auspicious Carrington name.”
    “The auspicious Carrington name has survived a lot worse than my drunkenness.”
    She ignored him, continuing her rant. “Lord knows your brother doesn’t need any more whispers about him now that he’s married to that blind girl.”
    “That blind girl is the duchess now.” Drew couldn’t resist the dig. He had no doubt that the dowager despised that Mia now held the title that she herself had clung to so doggedly. “In any case, I’m working with Scotland Yard now. I’m in a unique position to help them catch this Jack the Ripper.” He knew telling her that was foolish the minute the words left his mouth. Nothing he ever did or said would make her proud of him, make her see him as anything but her husband’s indiscretion. It occurred to Drew that managing these moments with his mother might be far easier if he had an ally, a partner, a wife. But that was ridiculous as he had no intention of marrying. But the image of Anna giving his mother a tongue-lashing the way she’d done him at the theatre was a truly gratifying thought.
    For a moment, Lady Carrington looked surprised. “You are working for Scotland Yard?” Her lips curved downward in disapproval.
    “I am advising them on the case. They feel my insights into the Ripper’s habits will be useful.”
    “You honestly believe that’s why they invited you to join them?” she asked, her tone bitter and sharp as a rusted blade.
    “I know it’s why. The lead inspector asked me himself.”
    She pursed her lips, shook her head. “It’s quite obvious they merely want to keep an eye on you. And what better way to do it? With you scampering about right under their noses and reporting to them,