What she really wanted to say was that she should not expect her daughter to write, given her actions. But she did not want to fight — or at least, avoid it to the best of her ability.
Albina pressed her lips together in a tight line.
“I’ve heard from my maid that you’ve been inquiring about a nursemaid. Naturally, I assumed the most wonderful news — that you were expecting!”
“Expecting?” Harriet replied, baffled.
Of course.Of course her mother would assume that. She made no secret of her desires for all her daughters to bear children — as many as they could and as soon as they were able.
“Yes, what other reason would you have to hire a nursemaid?” Albina asked.
Frankly, she had a point. But Harriet was not going to concede to that. Her situation was… unique, after all.
As it was, Harriet’s patience was already thin, and the implication behind her mother’s words set her on edge. “I am not pregnant, Mother,” she replied curtly.
Albina’s eyes widened in surprise, quickly turning to concern. “Then you’ve already given birth? Without telling your own mother?Harriet, how could you?”
Albina began pacing around the room in distress. “Oh — did you not for a moment consider how this would impact your parents? What am I meant to tell everyone? Do your sisters know at least?”
Harriet’s temper flared, her voice rising. “I have not given birth either, Mother. You’ve leapt to entirely the wrong conclusion.”
As usual.
Albina looked around the room, as if expecting a child to appear from thin air. “Then why all this talk of a nursemaid?”
Harriet drew a breath, trying to maintain her composure. “The inquiries were made on behalf of a friend.”
That was a believable excuse. She crossed her fingers, hoping that her mother would not drill her with more questions.
But Albina’s skepticism was palpable. “A friend? Really, Harriet, I know when you’re hiding something. I gave birth to you, so no need to be sly with me.”
Harriet bit back her frustration, her tone icy. “Regardless of what you believe, it is none of your concern. Now — I believe that I have some prior commitments for the day and it would be best if?—”
Before Harriet could complete her sentence, a wail pierced the air, unmistakable and impossible to ignore. Catherine had awoken, her cries echoing through the estate.
Both women looked at each other, Harriet’s expression panicked while Albina’s eyes lit up with understanding, her expression turning triumphant.
“Iknewit! There is a baby.”
Harriet clenched her fists, her patience finally snapping. “Mother, this is not what you think. Please, you must not interfere like this…”
Albina ignored her protests, moving toward the sound of the cries. “I’m staying here, Harriet. I must see my grandchild.”
Harriet followed her, desperation lacing her words. “Mother, you need to leave. Now.”
Her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her throat any second. If her mother made her way to the nursery, she would have to explain something that she did not fully understand yet.
Harriet ran in front of her, and blocked her path to the nursery.
“You cannot go in there, Mother. You simply cannot interfere like this.”
Albina’s expression betrayed a mixture of hurt and determination. “Why are you being so difficult? I’m only trying to help.”
Catherine’s cries had grown louder, and Harriet could not help herself anymore. She moved inside to the crib, gently lifting the baby into her arms.
“It is alright,” she cooed softly to the baby, who calmed down instantly as Harriet rocked her back and forth.
In the meanwhile, Albina stood in the doorway, her eyes locked on Catherine.
