Emma didn’t know what to say, so she simply held her silence.
Mrs. Harding waited for a reply, and when there was none, she said, “I don’t think you should take lessons here, Miss Bartholomew. Not if you’ve already decided they won’t work.”
Emma was about to protest when she realized the woman was right. She’d given up on the idea of a marriage based on love years ago.
But if she didn’t do something to stand up for herself, her own family would ridicule her. She could indeed protest and refuse to be part of Lucy’s auction. But then she might end up being sent away. Or, more likely, word would spread about how she couldn’t even find a husband when her family had tried to sell her. She would be utterly humiliated and there would never be a chance of finding a true match in London.
“I do want to marry,” she admitted. “And I would love to wed a man who loves me. It’s just that... after five years, it seems impossible. Even if I wore diamonds and the latest gowns—or even if my dowry were exceptionally large, I just don’t think there is anyone who would like me.”
“And if we found someone for you, would you consider the match?”
“I might,” she conceded. Though she couldn’t suppress her apprehension, she asked, “Would you allow me to try a few days of lessons? And if it doesn’t work, then I won’t have wasted your time.”
Mrs. Harding seemed doubtful. “No one can get results so quickly,” she cautioned. “Even if you gave it your best effort, it’s far too soon.”
“I would try very hard,” Emma insisted. “I know that I’m not exactly the sort of woman a gentleman would want to marry. But if you could help me, Iamwilling to change myself.”
“It’s not a matter of changing yourself,” Mrs. Harding explained. “It’s about building your confidence. And that simply doesn’t happen in a matter of days.”
Emma opened her reticule and withdrew the banknote. “Two weeks, then.”
Mrs. Harding exchanged a glance with Mr. Gregor. “If I agree to this, you must obey my rules. No questions asked.”
“I will,” Emma promised. “I can even start this afternoon, if you like.”
Mrs. Harding let out a sigh. Then she accepted the bank note and said, “One week. If you have shown progress, you may continue a little longer. If not, I will return the remaining tuition.”
“Thank you.” Emma didn’t care what they asked her to do. If she had to dance, she would stumble through it. If she had to make conversation, she would try her best.
“Mr. Gregor, please escort Miss Bartholomew to her room.” To Emma, she said, “I will send for you when it is time for your first lesson. In the meantime, get some rest. You’re going to need it.”
Emma had no idea what she meant by that, but a sudden thrill of excitement hummed within her veins. For the first time, it felt as if she were seizing control of her life instead of doing as she was told.
And one way or another, she would end her stepmother’s hopes for this auction.
*
“What do youthink?” Rachel Harding asked her business partner Cedric Gregor. “I want to hear your impressions of Miss Bartholomew.”
“Her looks aren’t bad,” he hedged, “but there is something unusual about her. I’ve heard her counting beneath her breath whenever she is walking anywhere. She seems to be a young woman who needs to be in control at every moment.”
“And she cannot control a husband,” Rachel countered. “Perhaps we should begin by creating chaos. If she can learn to be more adaptable, then it might help her to become less rigid.”
“She’s afraid,” Cedric predicted. “Disrupting her life may cause her even more suffering.”
“But we both know she needs to be broken before we can help her,” Mrs. Harding said. “She needs to abandon her bad habits.”
He gave a nod, and then asked, “Did you have anyone in mind for her?”
“Begin with Lord Dunmeath,” she suggested. “I’ve heard rumors that he cannot remember anything. A man like the earl would drive Miss Bartholomew to madness. I am interested to see how she would respond.”
“I’ll see if I can arrange it,” he answered. “Who else?”
“See if you can find gentlemen who are carefree and kind,” she suggested. “Let me know who else might suit.”
Cedric inclined his head. “Shall I send for the dancing master?”
“Indeed. As soon as possible.” But even beyond the lessons, Rachel knew she would have to dig more deeply. Emma Bartholomew had not become a rigid woman of control for no reason. Her task now was to discover that reason and help the young woman gain the confidence to stand up for herself.
