Chapter 327: Kindness (3)
"You can judge me for not having any recent portraits of my son. We are not a family that sits and has portraits done. It costs money, and I stopped caring for it. Clark was the one who used to force me to have portraits done," Kate said, staring at her legs. "I yelled until he stopped."
Kate had to see this ugly sight every day. She didn’t want to see how pitiful her face looked when it was painted.
"I can offer a description of him, or maybe you can create a portrait using Noah and my face. Warren is a good mix of us," said Kate.
"That will do. I can take an old portrait of you, so you do not need to leave home," Mark offered.
Kate gripped the arm of her chair. "The court took plenty of them as part of the order, and I destroyed most of them. I’m sure my sneaky uncle hid one somewhere. I’ll have my husband look or look for it myself. Is that all?"
Mark picked up the tray and set it down on a table. "It is all, but I must inform you that I have spoken of you to the duchess. I asked that if she knew of your son’s whereabouts, she should tell us."
"This doesn’t seem like something you should share with me. Don’t think that for one second you will replace Clark and act as my uncle. I didn’t like him trying to act as my father, and I don’t like what you are doing now," Kate said, annoyed.
Why was Mark being so kind all of a sudden?
"Thank you for helping to find my son and the offer to work for the court, but I will never forget how you came to my home at our lowest time. You took money from us," Kate reminded Mark.
"I took what rightfully belonged to your sister-"
"Half sister," Kate corrected Mark.
"Call her what you want, but your father withheld her inheritance. He tried to block her marriage to the duke and marry her off to a man far older than her. I know all of these things," Mark said, refusing to let Kate tell the story differently.
"Back then, it didn’t make any sense for Alessandra to be with a duke. Back then, she wasn’t how she is now. My mother had little, and you came to rip it away from us. I am grateful for your help, but we will never be close," said Kate.
Kate needed it to be made clear before Mark misunderstood.
"One day you could be on my side because you pity me, and then another day you would be against me. I don’t need that again, so please, leave," Kate said, having no more to say.
"I will only be against you if you do something worth being punished. You aren’t the first person I have shown kindness to, though how we met was off to a rocky start. I expect good things from you," Mark said, trusting Kate to stay on a good path.
"I am trying, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up. I wasn’t a good person. Anyone will tell you this," Kate said, preparing Mark for the chance of disappointment.
"Kate, if you keep thinking that you are still bad, then that is all you will ever be. Think better of yourself and don’t describe yourself this way anymore. I will see you in the court soon," Mark said, deciding to leave.
Kate still needed more work to better herself, but Mark hoped meeting with the other ladies would open her eyes and keep her on the path of becoming a better person.
Kate was silent as Mark left her home. He was kind enough to close the door behind himself so she wouldn’t need to move.
Kate regretted the things she said to Mark. She knew that he was only doing his job now and in the past, but he would forever be one of the faces she saw when she thought of how her mother lost everything.
"Where is that girl?" Kate muttered, distracting herself with Mary. "Mary!" She called.
Kate rolled her eyes, tired of Mary acting like she was the lady. Kate shouldn’t need to call for her maid like this.
Before Kate could call for Mary again, Mary came back into view, wiping her teary eyes.
"I am sorry for my carelessness, Milady. I will pay for the cup and take any punishment for spilling the tea," Mary promised, but she didn’t have money to spare for the cup.
Kate didn’t like Mary’s messy state.
Had Mary done this during the time Kate’s mother was alive, then she would have been fired this morning.
"What happened between you and my son? Do not lie to me," Kate spoke fast before Mary could deny it. "I thought it was my husband, but all along it had been my son. Don’t lie to me since you have made it quite obvious."
Mary stared at Kate. She was both shocked and afraid.
What if Kate sent her out of the home now?
How would she meet with Warren when he returned home?
"I," Mary started, but didn’t know what to say.
"Yes or no would be a good start. Have you been sneaking around with my son? I will not yell at you or judge you. I must know the truth," Kate said, giving Mary this one chance to be honest.
If Kate suspected wrong, she could move on and never bring it up again. She had been wrong before about Mary and Noah, so maybe she was wrong about Warren.
"Speak!" Kate raised her voice. "It is hard to be kind when you act this way. If you weren’t guilty of being with my son, then you would have denied it. How long has this happened?"
"For a few months," Mary softly replied. "I didn’t intend to be with him at first."
"Did he," Kate paused, gathering the courage she needed. "Did he force you to do anything?"
"No, no," Mary shook her head. "Our love was never like that."
Kate frowned at the mention of love.
Kate could believe that Mary was in love with Warren, but knowing her son, she didn’t think Warren might have shared the same feelings.
Warren wouldn’t have left Mary alone if he loved her.
"Has Warren spoken of loving you?" Kate asked, though she knew the answer.
Mary found it hard to speak to Kate. There was once a time when Kate would insult and yell at her. She wasn’t used to this new Kate yet.
"Warren isn’t good at sharing his feelings," Mary replied.
Kate sighed, feeling sorry for Mary. "You foolish girl. Did you offer yourself to him when he didn’t speak of loving you?"