Margaret hesitated. The words felt heavier once they were spoken aloud, even if it was only to explain that she would be leaving for a few mere hours.
“The Duke invited me to walk with him this afternoon.”
That made her mother’s hands still, which of course she was grateful for. Her mother finally looked up, smiling uncertainly.
“In public?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Today. The promenade in Hyde Park. He sent word this morning, and of course I could not refuse.”
“No, of course not. You know better than to risk such an opportunity for us all.”
Margaret’s fingers curled around the back of the chair opposite her mother. Of course her courtship was not a romance for herself. It was a transaction for her family, and she had entered into it knowing as much, but she wished it were not seen the same way by her own mother. She would have preferred for her to simply play along and act as though it was a happy occasion.
“I am grateful, you know,” her mother continued, perhaps sensing her knuckles turning white.
“It is only a promenade.”
“It is far more than that. It is proof that you are the lady that he has chosen, albeit temporarily. It is vital that you–”
“Do not disappoint. I know.”
“I am not suggesting that you would, only that… well, it is a statement on His Grace’s behalf.”
“He wants us to be seen,” Margaret said. “This is the first time we will walk together where everyone can watch. He was very clear about it.”
Her mother studied her.
“Clear about what?”
“That it matters how it looks,” Margaret said. “That people must believe it, if we are to be taken seriously.”
“And what do you believe?”
“That he has taken a liking to me, of course.”
“Come now, Margaret,” her mother sighed, “gentlemen like him rarely fall for ladies in our position. If you cannot convince me that you are special, then you will not convince theton.”
“I am under far less scrutiny from theton.Truly, you would think that I would be praised for finding a gentleman such as him, but it is still not enough.”
Her mother’s mouth tightened.
“Men with power know how to wield it. I am trying to protect you, that is all.”
“He is not cruel,” Margaret said.
“That is not the same thing as safe. You need only make one mistake, and it will be enough for him to abandon you. Do not forget that.”
“Mother, I cannot remain hidden, for it would only make people wonder why that is. If we do this at all, we must do it openly. People will notice whether I go with him or not. Refusing will not make me invisible. It will make me questionable, and you know perfectly well that we cannot afford that.”
Her mother folded the cloth with the coins inside, and MArgaret wondered if they could afford very much at all.
“And if they stare?”
“They will.”
