‘True.’ Harriet sat back. ‘Emma and I are thwarted by ourselves as much as society, Cecily is married to an absolute louse, Helena couldn’t find happy if it bit her on the backside, and you’re married to a blunderbuss.’
‘He’s smarter than that,’ said Thea, shaking her head. ‘He drinks too much and is an absolute wastrel with money, but he is clear as to his role and mine. And mine is getting more controlled by the month.’
‘Because he is getting more insecure,’ said Harriet. ‘Bastard.’
‘If only he’d run off to America to start a ranch.’ Thea dropped her head sideways and grinned at Harriet. ‘He could even go with Miss Bellegarde, that would suit me fine. I could play the jilted wife.’
‘Nope,’ Harriet stared at the fire. ‘A wife divorced by her husband is disgraced. And do you know how many women have ever been successful in gaining a divorce of their own in Britain?’
‘How many?’ asked Thea, staring back at the ceiling.
‘None,’ said Harriet. ‘Not one. They can be beaten, abused, cheated on, infected, incarcerated and controlled, but they cannot leave.’
‘Wonderful,’ said Thea, her heart sinking. She knew it, but it was different when it was said out loud.
‘I am afraid your only way out of a marriage into the Hartford family is death,’ said Harriet. Thea looked up at her, so Harriet qualified. ‘His, preferably. Definitely not yours.’
‘Harriet!’ That made Thea sit up.
Harriet waved her away. ‘I’m not saying you should do it, I’m just pointing out facts.’
Thea slumped back and sighed. ‘It would be more bearable if only Martha were here.’
Harriet reached for her hand and squeezed it. ‘You never know, she might be in touch.’
Thea shook her head again. ‘I can’t spend my life wishing for that, and neither can you. We both have to move on.’
‘We probably do,’ sighed Harriet, sounding like she believed it even less than Thea did.
Chapter 11
New Year's Eve, 1764
‘And theGorteria, of course,’ said Knatchbull, puffing out his chest so the fur on his lapels wavered. ‘That makes nineteen new species cultivated in my glasshouses this year. I had hoped for twenty but unless we manage it in the next–’ he checked his diamond-encrusted pocket watch with a flourish ‘–twenty-three minutes I shall have to make do with nineteen.’ He guffawed, and the other gentlemen in the circle guffawed. Lord Emmingham slapped him on the back. Thea tried to stop her eyes rolling so far back into her head she could see her optic channels. They’d learned about those at Doctor Hunter’s last week.
‘If anyone can do it, I am certain it is you, Neville.’ Neville beamed at Lord Emmingham.
‘You are too kind, My Lord. If ever I could rival your collection, I should be the happiest of men.’ Lord Emmingham looked like he was about to burst with pride. Thea thought she might vomit.
‘And Herbert has had theCassiaseed this year and theIris susianaflowering,’ said Knatchbull. Still trying to keep the Doctor on side without Speckle or Frankie remaining at hisgarden, Thea noticed. She wondered if Herbert had told them. He almost looked coy, Thea thought. How would he maintain his place at these gatherings if his expertise had left?
‘I am pleased with it, but my successes are moderate compared to others in this room,’ he said. Thea stopped herself mentioning that it was Frankie who had cultivated both theCassiaandIris. She wondered again what Frankie was up to. There had been no word from Speckle on the matter despite her writing to offer to fund more of a search.
‘However,’ said Neville, leaning in and bringing the circle closer. ‘Our successes are not moderate compared to anyone else.’
‘Too true,’ said Lord Emmingham. And next year, Knatchbull, I am certain one of us will get the Protea.’
Knatchbull’s eyes narrowed. ‘I shall,’ he said, ‘by any means necessary.’
Thea wondered if they had forgotten she was there. George had insisted she join them so she could understand how she compared to ‘real’ growers, and she had now listened to this mutual backslapping for above half an hour. Her social options were limited though, she had to admit. She and George were hosting this years’ New Year’s Ball at their house in Whitehall, and the whole place was overrun. They had done up the house with wreaths and garlands and ordered in an extra one thousand candles. The house was alive and noisy, and she must be the perfect hostess.
She had the choice of dancing in the ballroom, gossiping in the parlour, cards in the drawing room or this. Ursula had returned to Milford after Christmas, Speckle had ‘extended his apologies’ through Doctor Herbert and Harriet was braving the Ladies to be near to Emma. Thea had rarely felt more lost and out of place – and she was in her own house.
‘I am thinking of tryingHepatica,’ said Lord Emmingham. ‘I hear His Majesty is partial.’
‘I’ve never managed to get them to bulk up,’ said Neville. ‘Get too crowded.’
‘You need to divide them,’ said Thea without thinking. ‘In the spring.’ The gentlemen glanced at her as one and then looked away.
