Now more than ever, I longed to run to a history book and see how the events of 1774 would unfold. I had a general idea of the timeline of the American Revolution but had never studied it to a great extent with my tutors, afraid of knowing too much. It was one of the struggles of my existence.
“Anna,” Lord Cumberland said moments after Mother’s scolding in my other ear. “I see no reason to prolong our courtship. I know what I want, and I know what you want. I am a man of action and believe you are fully aware of my intentions.”
I closed my eyes, willing him to remain quiet.
“I long to speak to your father and see no reason to wait.”
“Lord Cumber—”
“If we’re to be married, I insist you call me by my Christian name, as I will call you Anna.”
Anger and resentment stirred deep within my soul, making me clench my teeth. “My name is Libby.”
“A pet name?” He brushed my bare arm with the back of his gloved hand. “I would be honored.”
Gooseflesh rose on my skin, and my stomach roiled at his touch. He misunderstood.
“Given the information I’ve obtained from Lady Paget,” he said so close to me that his lips brushed my ear, “I believe your parents will be amenable to our match.”
I recoiled, my back stiff, and bumped into Mother’s shoulder.
There was no place to go. I was imprisoned between them.
“I will call upon your mother in the morning to make my formal proposal and work out the details of our betrothal. I believe we will both be quite pleased.”
Panic raced up my legs and hit my heart with a tremendous thud. I couldn’t breathe or think and had the intense urge to flee.
But I stayed in place for one reason. Edith.
I had options. I had time. I could still find a way out. But Edith did not have those luxuries. My obedience to Mother was the only thing keeping Edith off the street.
I did not move or hardly breathe as the opera unfolded. But as the tragic love story played out on stage, I could not help seeing the satisfied grin on Mother Wells’s face.
The moment the lights turned on for intermission, I excused myself from Lord Cumberland’s box. The prime minister and Mrs. Asquith had arrived before the second act, and as I made my way to the lavatory for some space, I was practically trampledby people who were coming to Lord Cumberland’s box to present themselves to the Asquiths.
I felt like I was drowning in this sea of society. Several people tried to stop me to converse, but I put my hand to my stomach and shook my head, an apology in my eyes. I was afraid I might be sick right there on the plush carpet.
Perfume and sweat mingled in the stuffy corridors of the Royal Opera House. The lights seemed too bright, the conversation too loud, and the air too thick. The gilded moldings along the ceilings and around the opulent doors reminded me of the thin veneer this crowd of people represented. They were the minority, overshadowing the rest of the population that lived in squalor and desperation. These were the people, like Mrs. Asquith, making decisions that affected every other aspect of society.
I crushed more than one bejeweled hem as I made my way to the ladies’ room. When I was finally in the privacy of the lavatory, I pressed my hands against the cool marble walls for support, forcing myself to breathe. I hated that this was the only place I was allowed a bit of respite.
“Miss Wells?” Mrs. Asquith’s voice surprised me. “Are you in here, dear?”
I pushed aside the curtain of the stall and stepped out. It was a small lavatory, covered in red tapestry, and no one else had entered.
“I was worried about you.” She studied my face. “You left so quickly and looked so ill that I excused myself to see after you.”
“Thank you.” I tried to smile, but it was difficult. “I will be fine. I get a little light-headed with so many people pressed into such a small space.”
She sighed in apparent relief. “I feel the same way. Since Herbert became prime minister, it’s always such a crush to be in public. I enjoy social events, but to be surrounded by such exuberant people can make me feel overwhelmed.”
This woman was almost three times my age, but she spoke to me like an equal. I’d heard rumors that she was raised like a hoyden, allowed her freedom on her family’s country estate. She wasn’t a beauty, but her sense of style and confidence made people take notice.
She must have seen something in my eyes, because she stepped toward me and took my hand in hers. “What is troubling you, my dear? Is it truly the crush of people, or is it something more?”
Lord Cumberland’s earlier words returned to me, and anger rushed into my chest. Mrs. Asquith did not support women’s suffrage. Perhaps if I could convince her I would be bad for Lord Cumberland’s political aspirations, she would persuade him to move on.
“My mother brought me here to find a husband.”
