“That is not… well, it is not that I never wanted to dance at a ball, but I never saw a gentleman that I wished to dance with. I also assumed that I would have more time, I suppose. Then mymother told me what she was wanted me to do, and I decided that if I only had one chance, then I had to take it.”
“With both hands,” Clara nodded enthusiastically. “This will be good for you, Maggie. Can you imagine, a courtship with aduke?”
Margaret tried to hush her, for she did not yet want word to spread, but there was no quietening them once they felt their excitement.
“My mama is yet to learn of it. He is to speak with her this afternoon, and for all we know she could refuse it.”
“She would not,” Anne said firmly. “She would be a fool to turn a duke away, especially in a situation such as yours. Why, if he is willing to secure your futures after a mere season, as well as improve their prospects, I see no reason why she would refuse.”
“Because it was not her idea. You do not know my mother. She will resent the fact that she did not find a solution that is as good as mine. It is not even mine, but the duke’s, and yet she shall blame me for it, and she shall end by telling me that I am ungrateful for all that she does for me. I cannot stand it.”
“Well,” Eleanor suggested, “you shall not know the outcome until you witness it. Go home, and by nightfall you shall know your fate.”
“And if it is not a courtship,” Beatrice added, “you are to come to us. We will not let you disappear, Maggie.”
She thanked her friends, but she knew the truth. They were all unmarried ladies, and therefore there was only so much that they could do. Her only hope was to enlist the help of the Duke of Ravensmere, which meant trusting a man that she did not know with her future.
She had not even been able to trust her own mother with that.
Upon her return home, she lingered in the hallway. Her family did not know that they were expecting any guests, and she simply hoped that her mother was wearing one of her nicer gowns. If she was caught on a day where she was content with one that was thinning, she would never forgive Margaret for it.
“We missed you at lunch,” her mother announced, mercifully wearing her deep red gown.
“My apologies, I was with my friends. They asked to see me at the tearoom.”
“Very well. I do like those girls. I think they are rather good for you.”
“As do I,” she replied. “Mama, where are Emily and Poppy?”
“Well, by some miracle, Poppy has decided that she has caught whatever ailment you had that prevented us from attendingthe ball. It is quite the coincidence, what with her having a pianoforte lesson this afternoon.”
Margaret could not help but laugh at that. In spite of her mother’s flaws, there were occasions where they shared moments together, good moments, and it both helped and wounded her. Her mother could have loved her just as she did Emily and Poppy, but she did not. There was a difference there, unmistakable and cold.
“I do not know why she must learn it,” Margaret pointed out. “She much prefers the harp.”
“It is easier for us to have only one instrument. It was difficult enough for me to sell her harp and tell her that it broke. She is still waiting for another one to appear, not that it will. Even so, her husband will purchase one for her if he wishes to. All will be well, you simply must all trust me.”
“And we do. I do. But Mama, what if there was another way? We could find a solution that helps all of us, without truly needing to sacrifice anything.”
“I know that you are not happy with the arrangement, Margaret, but you have already agreed to it. It is not correct for you to change your mind now.”
“Even if I have made an agreement that is too good to turn away?”
Her mother looked at her then, truly looked at her, and she switched from scowl to surprise and back again. Before Margaret could explain any further, they heard the front door open and close with a heavy thud.
“This had better be the most brilliant plan,” her mother hissed, “or else you will be in a lot of trouble.”
Margaret’s heartbeat quickened as she made her way to their guest with her mother. There was no avoiding it anymore; they would reveal their plan to her, and she would either accept it or refuse. Margaret knew in her heart that it was too good for her mother to pass up, but there was a doubt all the same that she would refuse it.
Once her mother saw the Duke of Ravensmere, however, she stopped. She simply curtseyed and suggested tea. There was no request for an explanation, and no difficulty shown. Perhaps, Margaret considered, the Duke was right, and that she would never contradict a man.
“It is good to see you, Your Grace,” she greeted. “I am so sorry for your loss.”
“It is quite alright. It was a shock for all of us, but we are recovering well.”
Margaret glanced between them, hoping that someone might tell her who had passed, but she assumed it was his father. She did not ask questions; it was not the time.
“Now,” he continued, “I am here today with a proposition for you, Lady Fairleigh. I met your daughter at the Johnston ball, something I have been made aware you were not told of.”
