Mary couldn’t help but wonder what use she would be to them if she were unattractive.They are going to find a way to make this my fault.
The idea that she was just a tool in their plan to forge a new alliance brought a new sense of determination to stand up for herself.
“I am not sure where all the rumors are coming from,” Mary said. “Jealousy maybe. I highly doubt it matters how I spend my free time.” She rolled her eyes, showing that she was still just a teenager, despite being the one person about to make her family wealthier than they could imagine.
I wonder what they would do if I just disappeared? Then who would they marry off for their gain?
They were barely down the hall when the accusations started. “His family understands the importance of being seen in therightplaces with therightpeople. If they heard about your escapades at the orphanage—.” Catherine dramatically gasped and clutched her throat. “Your father worked hard to finalize a mutually beneficial marriage contract with his family.”
Mary sighed deeply. “Mother, could we possibly discuss this matter after we have our afternoon tea? Eduard and I are more than okay. We love each other and shall be married in due time.”
Another lie.
Mary knew all too well the complications the family was about to face. She tucked her hair behind her ear and swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to erupt.
Her engagement to Eduard Hoffman began as the mirror image of those of her female friends, all of whom were now married and some with a child on the way. In the moment, it felt as though fate had crossed their paths.
Him, the handsome son of a wealthy German family who owned the largest fleet of ships, and her, the daughter of a family who owned the largest shipyard in London. It was his family business crossing paths with her father’s business that actually brought them together.
Mary was too smitten to care when the dots finally connected. Despite the careful planning and scheming of the two families, Eduard and Mary found their way to each other’s hearts all on their own. Mary found Eduard charming and ambitious. Her family had taught her the value of money, and Eduard would be able to provide for anything she would ever want or need.
“Well, you aren’t getting any younger and I am not sure how much more I can listen to rumors about Eduard’s hesitation to marry you,” said her mother. “Once your beauty fades, then what do you have to offer a man? You need to lock him down before he meets someone younger and possibly more beautiful.”
“Yes, Mother.” Mary gave her standard response to quell her mother’s accusations.
A woman should be seen and not heard.The thought repeated in her head, preventing her from saying anything that would continue the tirade of insults.
Mary knew what caused his hesitation. The letter that arrived for her that very morning provided the explanation for his delay. She loved Eduard and wanted to be with him, and he asked her something that she wasn’t sure she could fulfill. But in her world, did women like her even have a choice?
At last, they arrived at the tea parlor where Mary's father and brothers were already gathered. Her sisters-in-law descended upon them and began their task of doting on and complimenting the family’s favorite child.
Her brothers fawned over their father, waiting for his approval on their latest accomplishments, approval that wouldnot come unless they managed to forge ahead and amass a fortune in their own right. But they preferred to leech off their father’s wealth for as long as possible.
Despite all her brothers’ accomplishments combined, Mary’s parents still considered her to be the most accomplished of the four children. Her beauty, and the fact they could marry her off to whomever they wished, was prized above all.
Her father ignored his disappointing sons and kept his gaze on her. His eyes narrowed and he gave her a nod of his head, his dark hair bouncing with the movement. His darkened expression informed her that he was well aware of what Eduard had communicated in the letter.
Of course he knows,Mary thought as her stomach dropped.Please fix this, Father.Her heart ached as she pleaded with her eyes, desperate for a private moment with him. She was sure he would not agree to the new terms of the marriage agreement. But his devastating answer came when he looked away and took a sip of his whiskey.
Mary’s father was her last hope of changing her future, the future that was outlined in Eduard’s letter, a future that was vastly different from what they’d planned together. The room spun as she was led to the sitting area. A delicate teacup was placed in her shaking hands.
The tea was poured, and the attention of the ladies turned to Mary's mother, as they talked about the latest fashion and some faux pas they saw earlier while out in the city. Their incessant giggles made Mary’s skin crawl. Of all the topics they could entrance themselves with, they chose to bash other women for petty reasons.
They could talk about the opening of the Royal Academy Exhibition or the launch of the first steamboat, all more interesting than tearing down other women.
Eliza, her eldest brother Derek’s wife, sat perched with her back unusually straight and stiff. Her pointed nose was disproportionate to her swollen face, matching her swollen belly wrapped in magenta taffeta. “Well, soon Mary will join us as an old married lady.” She shoved another biscuit into her waiting mouth.
“Perhaps. From the sounds of it, poor Eduard is having second thoughts.” Carolina nodded her head in agreement, pitying the youngest daughter. She was a Spaniard whose wealthy family had moved to London a few years back and married Mary’s youngest brother, Michael. She was slender and her tan skin made the light pink dress with flower-adorned puff sleeves stand out.
The second-born son, Marcus, married a quiet, uneducated woman named Tabitha. She sat perched across from the other wives, shoulder to shoulder with Mary. Her eyes were wide, and she nodded quietly in agreement, afraid that if she disagreed, she would be on the receiving end of their scorn and ridicule. Her bright red hair was tied up, and her unruly curls spilled out around her oval face.
“Such a shame. She is quite the beauty. It must be her temperament —,” Eliza continued, brushing crumbs off her growing belly.
“Ladies, it is not polite to discuss such matters so flagrantly. Eduard fully intends to marry our Mary,” Catherine scolded her son’s wives, shaking her head in disapproval at their candor. Eliza and Carolina lowered their voices and moved the conversation on to what they would wear to the wedding.
Tabitha peeked over at Mary, sympathy in her eyes.
How wretched must I be to have Tabitha of all people pity me,Mary thought as she carefully placed her half-empty teacup on the tray, picking up her book in one movement.
