Cedric's mother was busy writing a letter when her servant interrupted.
"You have a visitor." The maid's eyes were wide with excitement. "It's the Earl of Dorincourt!"
Mrs. Errol entered the main room of the cottage. A fierce-looking man was standing by the fireplace.
"Mrs. Errol . . ." The earl paused to look into her eyes, which reminded him of Cedric's. "Your son looks so much like you."
"People often say that," she said. "But I like to think he also resembles his father."
"Yes," the earl hesitantly agreed. "He . . . he is like my son too."
Mrs. Errol took a seat on one side of the fireplace. "Please sit down, my lord."
The earl was too agitated to sit. But he was impressed that she didn't seem troubled by his sudden arrival.
"Do you know why I'm here?" he asked.
"Mr. Havisham has told me that a woman—"
"I've come to say that her claims will be investigated and challenged," the earl jumped in. "Your son's rights will be protected."
"Cedric must have nothing that's not legally his," Mrs. Errol said in a soft voice.
The earl waved his hand dismissively. "That outrageous woman and her child—"
Mrs. Errol shrugged. "Perhaps she cares for her son as much as I care for Cedric, my lord." Mrs. Errol was respectful but firm.
The earl noticed again that she was not intimidated. It reminded him of how unafraid Cedric had been when they first met.
Mrs. Errol went on. "If this woman is your older son's wife, then her son is Lord Fauntleroy. And mine is not."
The earl frowned. "I suppose you'd prefer that Cedric not be the Earl of Dorincourt."
Mrs. Errol's face turned red, and she looked away for a moment. "It's a wonderful thing to be the Earl of Dorincourt. But it's more important that Cedric be like his father—brave, honest, and kind."
The earl smiled slightly. "In contrast to what I have been, eh?"
"I haven't had the pleasure of knowing you, but I know that my son believes—" Mrs. Errol looked directly at the earl. "I know that Cedric loves you."
"Would he love me if you'd revealed why I never allowed you to visit the castle?"
"No, and that's exactly why I never told him."
The earl was momentarily stunned by her reply. "Well . . . well, most people would have told him."
He started to pace the room again. "When Cedric arrived, I was tired of my life. But he has given me something to live for. I'd be proud for him to succeed me as head of the family."
The earl stopped right in front of Mrs. Errol. On the verge of tears, he said, "I am miserable! And it's because I'm miserable that I've come to you."
Mrs. Errol noted that his hands were shaking and his voice was unsteady. She waited for him to go on.
"I used to hate you, and I was jealous of you." Some of the earl's usual authority returned before he started to break down again. "This terrible business has changed all that. I'm here because Cedric loves you, and I love him. I've treated you badly, so I don't deserve any kindness from you. But treat me as well as you can, for Cedric's sake."
Mrs. Errol was touched by his remarks. She stood up and moved the other chair closer to the earl.
"I wish you would sit." She placed a reassuring hand on the earl's arm. "You're upset, and you need all your strength."
The earl allowed her to help him sit, but he wiggled uncomfortably in the chair.
"May I place a pillow behind your back?" Mrs. Errol asked. "That might make you feel better."
She took a small pillow from the sofa and slipped it into place.
The earl gave a nod and a quick smile. He was strangely comforted by this woman with the soothing voice and manner. Mrs. Errol was a good listener, which led him to talk even more about Cedric.
Soon the earl was feeling much better. "This is a cheerful room. Do you like this house?" he asked.
"Very much," Mrs. Errol said. "I couldn't ask for a lovelier house and garden."
"And you, Mrs. Errol, are a lovely person," the earl thought. "Cedric is lucky that you're his mother."
He wasn't ready to say those words aloud. Instead he said, "May I come again to talk over this matter?"
"You're welcome here as often as you like, my lord." Mrs. Errol smiled brightly. "I'm always happy to talk about Cedric!"