“I do not know what else to do. If she learns that she was invited somewhere and I declined on her behalf, heaven knows what she will do. We have to appease her where we can.”
“Then perhaps, given the circumstances, it would be best if I asked her instead? I do not mean to cause offense, but she seems to like me at the moment, or at least she is willing to be on my good side. If I ask, she might be calmer.”
“If that is what you want. I would prefer that you spend as little time with her as possible, but if it is what you want, I will not stand in your way.”
“Then it is settled,” she replied, before leaving the room.
Cassian remained there, already dreading the conversation. It was not only that he was concerned about what his mother would say to Adelaide about herself, but also what she would say about him.
What she would say about what he did.
CHAPTER 18
The following morning, Adelaide squared her shoulders, prepared for battle.
Despite what Cassian had said, she was rather optimistic. It had been a surprise for Iris to ask her to brush her hair, and it was rather daunting, but it was something that needed to be done.
She knew how she felt when she was not dressed nicely, with her hair pinned the way she liked it. She felt unkempt, and that made her feel ugly. She knew the power that came with being taken care of, and it made her hope that such a small act would make a tremendous difference.
When she arrived at Iris’s door, she braced herself before knocking. As with the assembly, she felt like she was going to war. She had to say and do everything perfectly if it meant achieving what she wanted.
She knocked, and moments later, Iris opened the door.
“Come in,” Iris said simply.
Adelaide was taken aback by how dark the room was. The curtains were thick and dark, covering every single window. The only light that came in was from the slightly open door, and Adelaide wondered if her mother-in-law expected it to remain that way.
“Might I open a curtain?” she asked. “I will need light to see what I am doing.”
“One. I do not like the sun.”
She was not going to push her. She opened the closest curtain to the mirror and drew it back until it was bright enough. When she turned back, Iris gave her an approving nod.
“Did you bring your comb?”
“Indeed. Do take a seat, and I shall begin.”
Irish scowled at her own appearance.
If there was one thing Adelaide wanted to change, it was that scowl. She wanted to see a genuine smile instead. She wanted her to be happy.
She started with the ends, carefully pulling the knots apart. She was as gentle as she could be, not wanting to cause her any pain.Mostly because she did not want to hurt her, but also in part because she did not want her to call an end to it so soon.
“Were you a messy child, then?” Iris asked. “You said this happened often.”
“I was not as quiet as I should have been. I was very spirited, much to my father’s bemusement. He wanted me to be a lady when I was all but seven.”
“And what did your mother say? I assume that she simply agreed with him.”
“Not quite. She would say the same things, but more nicely. She wanted me to be a lady eventually, but she also wanted me to have a happy childhood.”
Once the ends were done, Adelaide edged her way upward. Mercifully, Iris’s hair looked far worse than it actually was, and she realized halfway through that there was a gentle wave to it. It would be beautiful once washed and combed properly.
Adelaide smiled at that.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Iris asked.
“I like making a difference. I feel proud when I realize I have made something better.”
