Warren carried his mother down to the dining room where his father was setting up dinner.
There was one maid and a groundman employed to look after the home. It was thanks to the old money Kate inherited and money her late uncle pooled together to invest in businesses around the town that their little family had money to survive.
Still, despite Warren and his father working, their money never seemed to be enough. They were only lucky they had a large home over their heads, which they didn’t need to pay for.
Warren carefully set Kate down at the head of the table.
"I was going to bring your mother down shortly," said Noah Kennedy, Kate’s husband. "Dinner was only taking a little longer than usual."
"You prepared a lot," Kate said, thinking of the money that was spent. "It is only the three of us."
Kate hated to sit at the table for dinner since she always imagined her father and mother filling the chairs. She then couldn’t help missing the extravagant food her old chefs would create for her.
This house used to be filled with servants no matter how little money her father had. Now she was waited on by her husband, son and one maid.
Noah shifted Kate’s chair so she would be more comfortable. He leaned down to kiss her, only to be met with Kate moving her face.
Noah smiled, not phased by her reaction since he was used to it. Whenever there was a grand ball Kate could not attend, she would dismiss him , only to be sweet to him once her feelings wore off.
"I thought we could have a little feast. Mrs. Steele gave us some of the extra fish her son caught. It’s best to use them now. I also got a big job today that paid well," Noah said, leaving Kate’s side to finish setting up the table.
Warren silently watched his parents’ interaction. He had long assumed that had his mother not lost her ability to walk, his father might not have been her pick of a husband, but they still lived peacefully.
"What kind of job was it? You did not go to anyone’s home that I knew, right?" Kate asked.
"I did not. It is the same old lady whose home needs a lot of work. I will be going there tomorrow, so Mary-"
"She is the maid. Why must you be so personal to use her name? That is why she doesn’t treat me like I am the lady of this home. Address her as the maid so she may not try to be so friendly with me. I am her employer," said Kate.
"I will be more careful, but I do not think she has forgotten who pays her. She is only trying to act as a friend sometimes," Noah explained.
Kate did not care for it. "I do not need a friend who is a maid. I need a maid. I have not fallen so badly that I would need a friend who is a maid. I am a lady, daughter of a past baron. I would shame my mother if I did such a thing."
Kate never forgot all that her late mother taught her. Regardless of who she was married to, she was still a noblewoman at heart and by blood.
Noah didn’t try to argue since Mary was around the home. He looked toward Warren, who continued to quietly set the table.
Noah wasn’t raised like Kate was raised to understand her behaviour towards servants. He tried to be understanding because of her past status.
"I will deal with her friendly behaviour toward you, mother. I will help her get in line, and if she doesn’t behave, we can hire someone else," said Warren.
Noah doubted they could get someone else who would work for Mary’s pay, and Kate would be comfortable welcoming inside the home.
"I told mother that we must sell off the Farley home. It ties her to her dead ex-husband," Warren said, focusing on what he needed. "Or maybe, I could have that home."
Kate wished there was something close by to throw at Warren. "I already said I do not want to speak about that house. Forget that it exists."
"I cannot forget it. It has become part of Lockwood’s history since it is where a marquis murdered women. Either set it on fire to the ground and sell the land, or give the home to me. I am to wed," Warren reminded his mother.
"What is so funny, mother? Am I not to marry?" Warren asked.
"You think a sensible young woman would want to go there? I do not want to go there, and it was once my home. You should find a different home to start your family. It was your father’s place to help you find a home," said Kate.
Warren did not understand why his mother simply did not sell the home she was not using. "Why can’t I have that home?" He asked.
"The moment you set foot there, this town will speak of what happened there. They will grow curious about what has become of me and they will question you. I do not want anyone to speak of me. For anyone to try seeing me ," Kate said, frustrated she still needed to speak of this.
Warren approached his mother. "You have avoided the town long enough. They are now on your side."
Kate slammed her hand against the table. It was moments that Kate wished she could stand up to her son. "They do not care for me. They did nothing after my father was killed by Edgar, and my mother was taken by the court. They didn’t pity what I suffered with my husband."
"That has changed. The town now questions why the duchess did not take care of you when you have suffered enough. Her daughter pushed a young lady from a high place today. If you would only show yourself a little, it would place the duchess in more hot water," said Warren.
"Warren," Noah said, not wanting Kate to get the attention of the duke. "Your mother doesn’t need this."
"Why not? It is about time she gets revenge for what they did to her. She cannot walk. She is withering away in this home filled with her memories. It is time that she gets revenge. Trust me, mother," Warren pleaded.
The timing was right since Penelope had created an opening to go after the Collinses.
While it would be wonderful to get back at her sister Alessandra, Kate did not want to show herself to the town.