“Other estates have broken with tradition, Father, and reaped the rewards. The Edringtons’ estate coffers are evergreen.”
“That estate was paid for, not earned through nobility.”
“Father, youwell knowthat noble estates do the exact same thing. It enables them to hold to their traditions while allowing the general population to take part in previously exclusive spaces.”
“Those spaces were exclusive for a reason, and those estates dishonor the crown and England with their monetization of our most sacred traditions.”
“Do you even know how you sound right now?”
“It matters not how I sound, Ptolemy. I’ve been far too generous with you and your propensity to galivant about the globe, saving one wretch after another. Now is the time to settle down and marry. We think Lord Shrewsbury’s daughter would be a suitable mate, and her family’s assets will come in handy,” he said, ignoring reality entirely.
“I’m in love with Gael, so, no. I will not be marrying Clara. Also, she is a lesbian and is openly living with the woman she’s been in a relationship with since year twelve.”
“That is precisely why she is a good match. Her parents want her married properly, with an heir, and they have the money to make it happen.”
“Two things, Father: She’s not a piece of property to be sold off—”
“Ptolemy, you know that—”
“Don’t interrupt me, Father. You’ve drug me across the planet on Christmas to be here for this ridiculous conversation. Clara is a person who’s made her choices, and I will not interfere in those. Second—how is it that her family’s estate has come into such wealth while we struggle?”
My father’s silence is my answer.
“I get it now. It is okay for other people to debase themselves by opening their estates to the public to make the money they need, but we would never do the same. We would only benefit from their shrewdness, because that is in no way hypocritical or completely outdated.”
“That is simply being smarter than those who don’t know better.”
Unbelievable.
“Think of the staff, son,” he says before I can respond.
I go cold, and yet am unsurprised in the extreme that he is willing to hold them over my head.
“We’ve allowed that land manager you’re so fond of to live rent free for decades. If you do not come to heel, we will partition the land, sell the house and barn, and have enough to pay off our taxes and run the rest of the estate for at least five more years.”
Cruel and inefficient. And entirely on brand.
“So, a permanent decision with a temporary solution. What happens in five years when you’ve continued your epic mismanagement? Sell off another piece of land, and another piece of land?”
“If needs be.”
“You should have listened to Beatrice, Father.”
“And you should not have come here, on Christmas, with a little Mexican boy. Really, Ptolemy. I thought you had more taste than that.”
His crude words silence me. Shame me, actually. I brought Gael here to shield me against their cruelty, forgetting how well their cruelty travels. I should have never put him in this position, and as soon as I can, I will be correcting that.
Clara, however, needs to know what her family is up to. Taking a deep breath, I swallow my bile and say, “You are right, bringing him here was a mistake.”
“That is the first sensible thing you’ve said all day.”
I bite back my reply. I hate everything about this, but my family’s dehumanization and slavish loyalty to a standard no one can reach will end with this generation, so help me.
“Can I assume the Shrewsburys have offered a generous dowry?”
“Yes. I negotiated liquid assets over land, of course.”
Cash for an unwilling woman’s hand in marriage.
