"After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations." Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance

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Chapter Eight

Kit did not know which was more harrowing. The fact that his father lay unconscious in bed, or the fact that a lead bullet lay in a dish beside him on the bedside table.

The surgery had gone flawlessly according to Doctor Ward. Despite the fact that there was quite a lot of scar tissue as a result of the time between the original injury and the operation, Doctor Ward was able to locate the bullet and remove it with as minimal invasiveness as possible.

Cassian's breathing and heartrates were steady, and he would wake up in good time. But that had not prevented Kit from imagining the worst. What if the surgery had gone wrong? God forbid, what if Cassian had died? What if the last thing he had ever told his father was a lie?

Kit knew that he needed to tell his parents the truth no matter the consequences. He did not know if he could endure their disappointment, after all, he had never disappointed them before.

Kit looked up at Faith. She was sitting on the opposite side of Cassian's bed, staring at her husband's chest, watching as it rose and fell. Her shoulders were still incredibly tense as there were intent frown lines between her brows as she concentrated.

"Are you able to relax yet, Mother?" Kit asked her.

Faith's concentration broke as she looked to Kit. Upon meeting his eyes, her shoulders did relax a little and she offered him a small smile.

"I shall as soon as he wakes," she replied. "You have been such a help to us this summer, Kit," she said sincerely. "It has been such a dreaded time in our lives, and you have made it easier on us. Particularly where your sisters are concerned." Faith looked at him sympathetically. "I know this should have been a more special time for you. We are both so terribly proud of you for what you have achieved. First with Cambridge, and then your bravery concerning the prince. You really ought to have been in London for the season, enjoying all that comes with receiving one of the king's honours, but instead you have been here." Faith used her sleeve to wipe away the tears that had begun to pool in her eyes. "You cannot know what it means to me to have a son I can watch grow and thrive."

Kit was hearing such wonderful, loving words from his mother, and all he felt was guilt. Had he let it go on too long? Ought he to have been more rebellious over the years? Was it too late now?

Kit did not care about missing the parties he would have been invited to had he spent the summer in London. He was happy to support his parents and look after his sisters during this time. But he knew that when Faith referred to him growing and thriving, she was referring to what she and Cassian intended for him.

What felt even worse was that Faith felt even more blessed to have him having lost her first born son. It was not a subject often mentioned in the Kensington household. At least, not to Kit and his sisters. But Kit knew what had happened. And everyone knew who Faith's special place in the garden was for.

Kit took a deep breath, knowing he could only ask. "What if I did something to disappoint you?" he asked quietly.

Faith frowned. "Whatever do you mean?"

"What if I did something to disappoint you?" Kit repeated. "Would you still be proud of me? Would you still love me?"

Faith still looked positively puzzled. "What an odd question, Kit. Nothing you could ever do would stop us from loving you."

Kit stared into his mother's kind, yet concerned, brown eyes. This woman was his mother, not by birth, but in every other way. She, along with Cassian, had given him the family that he had always craved. Kit trusted Faith. If she said that his actions would not change the way she felt about him then he had to trust that.

"I need to tell you something," he murmured.

Faith looked quite uncertain. "What?" she asked nervously.

Kit looked cautiously to his father. He still appeared as though he was out cold. His attention returned to Faith. "I realised ... yesterday ... that I have never made a decision in my life that would suit me," Kit began slowly.

"I do not understand," Faith said, leaning forward as much as her rounded belly would allow.

"I love you both so much that I have gone along with whatever you wished me to do," Kit continued. "You both wanted me to leave my position at your school, and so I did. You wanted me to go to university, and so I did. You wanted me to study business, and so I did. You wanted me to go into business with Father, and so I intended to." Kit sucked in a breath.

Faith appeared quite concerned. "We agreed that university was the right thing for you, Kit. We agreed that you and Cassian would work together, father and son. You agreed."

"Yes, I did," Kit sighed. "I agreed because I could not bear the thought of either of you being disappointed in me. I want you to be happy with me because you opening your hearts and your home to me all those years ago saved my life.

"But I realised just what I was doing yesterday. I realised I was not passionate about anything and the last thing I wanted to do with my life was sit in Father's office and comb over quarterly reports.

"I thought back to the last time I felt as though I had any passion for what I was doing, and that was when I was teaching. I felt as though I was making a difference in the lives of those children. I was doing good. I was able to improve the prospects of someone far less fortunate than I. I want to do the same thing on a much larger scale." Kit took a deep breath. "It is my ambition to be elected to parliament."

Kit watched Faith for a reaction, but she simply stared at him. All sorts of shock emotions crossed her face. Sadness seemed to settle as the emotion she was feeling.

Kit felt sick. He felt physically ill. Oh, Lord. What had he just done? Disappointment. Here it came. Kit was not prepared for it.

"I cannot believe that you are two and twenty and yet I know so little of your heart, Kit," Faith said quietly. Her eyes were glassy, as though she was about to cry. "How is it we have made you to feel as though you must comply with our wishes to earn our love?"

Kit recoiled. Faith did not seem to be upset with him. She was upset with herself.

"I want you to live your very best life, Kit. If that was working with Cassian then I would support it wholeheartedly. But if it is working for the people, then I will support that, too."

She meant it. Had Kit worked himself up over nothing? Kit leapt out of his chair and was around to Faith's side of the room in seconds. Faith stood up as Kit hugged her tightly. She laughed tearfully as she returned the gesture.

"Never feel as though you need to earn our love, Kit," urged Faith. "I curse myself for not recognising that you felt this way. I feel as though I have failed to make you feel as one of our own. Lucy and Emma certainly do not always follow instructions."

"No," retorted Kit, pulling away from her. "I have never felt excluded or unloved. I have known a wonderful life here. I suppose I am eternally grateful to you and Father for giving me the greatest gift I could ever receive."

Faith placed her hands on Kit's shoulders and looked him in the eye. "I see you now, Kit. I see a different side to you. But I know the caring, supporting foundation remains. If being an MP is important to you, then we shall endeavour to support you in any way we can."

Kit heard the sincerity in his mother's voice, and he felt the conviction in her promise, but there was a small part of him that could not fully be comfortable.

He still had to tell his father.

And the small matter of Olivia's involvement had yet to be broached.

***

Kit and Faith mutually agreed to wait until Cassian was back to full strength before they told him the truth about Kit's future plans.

He had awoken the following afternoon in a lot of pain. Doctor Ward was helping Cassian to manage it using pain remedies. The doctor was also monitoring Cassian closely for infection and fever.

Kit had been taking care of his father's business for a week now. Cassian was healing well, but he was still resting in bed. Doctor Ward had left the day before, and had left Faith instructions for Cassian's continued care.

Cassian was able to move around the bedroom for short times, but he was still experiencing pain in his chest and restrictions in his arm and shoulder movement.

Kit had underestimated just how much his father did for work. Cassian had hired two managers for the northern and southern factories, but Cassian was still the overall head of the business. He oversaw everything. From workers' wages to the price of fabric bolts, Cassian handled it all.

If it were possible, Kit had gained even more respect for his father. Cassian had built his company from nothing. He had built himself from nothing. It was possible to rise in the world with the right ambition, and just a little help from kind people.

Cassian's help had come from Faith.

Kit's help had come from Cassian.

Kit wanted to do the same thing for so many more.

Kit used Cassian's seal to approve the sale of a new shipment of cotton and placed it in the pile of letters that needed to be sent out.

Kit respected his father, but Lord his work was dull. If Kit had to read the word "cotton" one more time he would use the letter knife to scratch his eyes out.

Before Kit could move on to the next banal document, there was a knock on the study door.

"Yes?" he prompted.

Mr Wade entered the study, followed closely by Olivia. She wore a heavy, hooded cloak, which was an odd choice of garment considering it was still summer. "A Miss Smith to see you, Mr Kensington."

Kit smiled and stood up from the desk. Miss Smith? "Thank you, Wade."

Mr Wade bowed his head and departed the study.

Olivia pushed back her hood to reveal that her cheeks were nearly as red as her hair, which was quite untidy after having a hood over it for the journey. She looked quite warm. She then discarded the cloak on the back of the chair before Cassian's desk.

"I thought it prudent to travel incognito. You can thank Prince Edward for the idea. I have a feeling I would not be welcome in this house if I used my true name."

Kit's smile faded. He knew his parents would have difficulty in accepting his developing relationship with Olivia purely because her last name was Pendleton.

Olivia placed her hands on her hips. Even though her face was red, she looked beautiful and healthy. "I can forgive you for not writing me once. But twice?" Her tone was comical and her smile was wry, but Kit knew he had left her without news for over a week.

Kit walked around the desk and invited Olivia to sit down on the chairs that sat before it. "I apologise. It had been quite the week here at Norwood."

"Is everything alright?" Olivia frowned.

"I am sure you remember how my father was shot several years ago."

Kit saw the haunted look flash through Olivia's blue eyes. "Oh, yes. I could never forget. I witnessed it."

Kit could not imagine what such a sight would be for a child. What were Olivia's parents thinking allowing her to be present? Then again, from what he had heard over the years, Olivia's parents were not the best of people.

"He had the bullet removed this week. He is convalescing," explained Kit.

"But he will be well?" checked Olivia.

Kit nodded. "Yes, no infection or fever. Just a little pain now."

"Well, I am glad it went well," Olivia said sincerely. "It must have been very frightening for your family." Olivia extended her arm and placed her hand on top of his.

Olivia's hand was warm and comforting. Kit looked up from her hand and met Olivia's eyes. Having leant over to offer him her hand, Olivia's face was much closer to him. She looked just as nervous and he felt.

Olivia's blue eyes were wide as she stared at him. Her lips parted slightly and Kit could hear the quickening of her breath. Olivia, for the first time in their short acquaintance, looked vulnerable.

What Kit would have done to close the distance between them, but he knew it would not be right. It would be taking advantage.

Before Kit could do the gentlemanly thing and move away, the door to the study was opened once more, this time without the courtesy of a knock.

"Kit, I wanted to see how you were getting on –" Cassian, who was being supported by Faith, stopped dead in their tracks as they took in the scene before them.

Recognition flooded Faith's face as she stared at Olivia. Ire flooded Cassian's as he glared at Kit.

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Hope you enjoyed!

3 days ago it was my 6 year anniversary of being on Wattpad! Can you believe it? Thank you all so much for your support over these six years. I never thought I could entertain so many with the romantic ramblings that fill my brain. 

I hope all my American readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Drive safe and drink responsibly! Remember, happiness is a tight, close knit family in another city ;) I love that quote hahaha. 

I included the Oscar Wilde quote for just that reason lol. 

Anyway, enjoy your turkey comas! I'm just counting down the hours until I can jump online for the Black Friday sales. I've already ordered products off of the Tarte website because they have 25% off early. Wahooo. We are also getting Amazon in Australia in time for the sales! I am so excited lol.

Alright, vote and comment!!