“Convenient.”
Clara’s eyes hardened.
“You wanted me to arrive without counsel?”
“No.”
Augusta knew how false that sounded.
Clara did too.
Julian opened another document.
“Pritchard is not the only one.”
“Mr. Halston at Drummond’s reviewed the securities.”
“Mr. Gray from Lincoln’s Inn reviewed the trust instrument.”
Augusta stared.
“You have been doing this for weeks.”
“Yes.”
“Without me.”
“Yes.”
She laughed bitterly.
“So I am the last person to learn what occurs inside my own family.”
Julian’s expression changed.
“You knew first.”
That stopped her.
He continued.
“You knew in 1810.”
“Miss Bellamy learned last month.”
“I learned three weeks ago.”
“You are not last.”
“You are earliest.”
Augusta looked down.
That was worse.
Clara remained near the fireplace.
“I did not come tonight to ruin your family.”
Augusta looked at her.
“Then why come?”
“Because your son asked me to hear his proposed accounting before he sent it formally.”
“You could have done that at Pritchard’s office.”
“Yes.”
Clara’s cheeks reddened slightly.
Augusta noticed.
“So why here?”
Clara glanced toward Julian.
He answered.
“Because I wanted her here.”
Augusta closed her eyes.
There.
The second problem.
Or first.
She no longer knew.
“You intend to marry her.”
Clara inhaled.
Julian did not answer immediately.
Augusta laughed.
“Wonderful.”
“Mother.”
“No.”
She turned toward Clara.
“Was that the purpose?”
Clara’s face went white again.
“No.”
“Did you imagine a trust dispute would become courtship?”
Julian slammed one hand against the desk.
Enough.
The sound cracked through the library.
Augusta flinched.
He rarely raised his voice.
That made it effective.
“You will not accuse her again.”
Augusta stared.
Julian continued.
“Miss Bellamy refused to meet me alone.”
“She retained independent counsel.”
“She rejected my first proposed settlement because the interest calculation favored the estate.”
Clara looked toward him.
Augusta almost admired that.
Almost.
Julian continued.
“She has done everything possible to separate her claim from me personally.”
“And you?”
Augusta asked.
“I have done less successfully.”
Clara’s face changed.
Julian looked at her.
Not romantic speech.
Not here.
Not now.
Good.
He continued to his mother.
“But whether I admire Miss Bellamy has nothing to do with whether Father owed her money.”
Augusta looked between them.
“You believe those things can remain separate?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Clara said it.
Both turned.
She looked toward Julian.
“They must remain separate.”
His expression tightened.
“I agree.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Then do not speak to me about marriage while you control the estate that owes me.”
Augusta stared.
Julian went still.
Clara continued.
“If you propose before the account is settled, society will say I exchanged a claim for a husband.”
“If I accept, I may never know whether I chose freely.”
“If I refuse, the financial dispute becomes insult.”
“So no.”
Her voice trembled now.
“Whatever you think you feel must wait.”
Julian looked hurt.