Frances nearly rolled her eyes, but such disrespect would only anger Aunt Mae further and she had grown tired of this argument. “Hope does very well in Society and my status has not affected her in the past nor will it in the future.”
“You were not employed previously. You simply enjoyed cardrooms when you were not holding up a wall at any gathering.”
It had not been Frances’ intention to be a wallflower when she first came to London, but Society had decided such for her, likely because of her age when she had finally enjoyed a Season and the fact that she was poor and would bring no dowry into a marriage. By the following Season, Frances had fully embraced her standing in Society. “Then advise them to limit their association with me and tell Adina to stay by Hope or Bryn’s side and to ignore me completely,” Frances said as she turned for the door.
“I am not finished, Frances.”
“I am,” were her parting words as she stepped toward the door. “Give everyone my love when you return to Yorkshire.”
“I do not understand why you are so bitter when we have done everything that we could for you.”
“I am not bitter, Aunt Mae, simply pragmatic,” Frances answered. “But I really must be going. Good day.”
She quickly hurried from the townhome her uncle still retained despite their lack of funds before Aunt Mae could say another word and blew out a sigh once she settled into the hackney.
Love indeed!
She knew that is what her sisters and cousin hoped for, and Frances had not discouraged them. Just because love had failed her did not mean they may not find it for themselves. Besides, if she cautioned them, they may ask why and those reasons would never be revealed. To this day, the relationship that she had once shared with Seth remained a secret. She would hide it from herself if that were possible.
However, he had taught her a very valuable lesson. Love cannot be trusted. Never again would she give her heart to anyone and thankfully there was no need for her to ever wed.
Chapter Two
Seth hated that Jonathan was correct in that he needed to rejoin Society outside of The Emerald Garter. It was the only opportunity he would have to meet potential new members, but he had no intention of venturing out alone again and went in search of his younger sister as soon as he returned home. He found her stitching in the parlor.
“What plans do you have tonight?” he asked.
Blythe arched a brow. “The same as every night.”
“Sitting alone in this house,” Seth confirmed.
“It is what I prefer,” she reminded him.
Perhaps his decision to return to Society would also benefit his sister.
Blythe was only five and twenty and already a widow. She’d met and married Lt. John Clay then followed the drum. When he was killed at Waterloo, Blythe had returned to England but could not bring herself to continue home to the family estate in Laswell. She had begged Seth to let her live with him—a quiet existence. At the time, he had assumed that Blythe simply wished to mourn in peace, except that had been a little over two years ago and she rarely left the house. He also suspected that she suffered from melancholy but forced a smile in his presence.
Seth had not pressed her for details or information about her years on the Continent, or even her marriage because the few times he had broached the subject, she claimed that she did not want to talk about that time.
Even though he was content as a confirmed bachelor, he did not mind his widowed sister living in his home, but worried about her and would like to see Blythe out and enjoying herself.
“I thought to take in the play being performed at Theatre Royal.”
“I am certain it will be enjoyable,” Blythe offered as she continued her embroidery.
“Especially since you will be joining me.”
Her hands stilled, as did her entire body, before she slowly glanced up. “Me?”
“Yes, you,” Seth encouraged.
“I do not wish to attend the theatre,” she hastily answered and returned to her stitching.
Seth blew out a sigh and settled across from her. “You cannot spend the rest of your life hiding in this house.”
Her lips pursed as her eyebrows drew together. “You wish me to leave?” The question was barely a whisper.
“Of course, I do not,” Seth quickly assured her. “But I want you to start enjoying life again.”
