But Elinorhadknown more than he. She had been studying science and astronomy since she could pick up a book, thanks to her father. Yes, Lord Thompson would have had a good education, but he had beenwrong, and Elinor had only been able to listen to so much.
“You think you are passionate about these topics,” her stepmother said, her voice softening in fake empathy. “But you are not. You only make yourself look like a fool with too much to say. So, from now on, you will forget your journals and your studies, and you will adhere to my requests, yes?”
Elinor could think of nothing worse, but she nodded, already knowing she could simply begin to be more discreet. Morland House had plenty of hiding crevices outside of her chamber; she could hide her books and journals in any place that her stepsisters or stepmother wouldn’t know to look.
They had lived there for four years; Elinor knew the townhouse like the back of her hand.
“I want a verbal response,” Lady Morland demanded.
“Yes, Stepmother.”
“And I will see you engaged and out of this houseas soon as I can. I do not care if I betroth you to a dying, old baron, like I was. If anything, I am certain an old, firm hand can teach you some manners.”
“Stepmother—”
“I will hear no protests. It is not a threat yet, Elinor, but be aware. Now, we will not write to your father about this. Heavens knows he is humiliated enough by you. I am only grateful he is not here to see your insolence in person.”
“My father would have acted similarly, I know it,” Elinor dared to say. Her stepmother’s face darkened in anger at her defiance once more. “He is a man of science, and he isproudof me for my passions.”
Her stepmother laughed again. “No, your father is a man who has fallen ill, likely from the stress of your behavior over the years. It is no wonder he retreated to the country. I only wish sometimes I could send you out there with him.” She shook her head, as if aggravated. “I only keep you here to save him the shame. I will endure it for him.”
Elinor flinched, stepping back as the sting weighed down her chest.
She is not correct.Elinor desperately tried to tell herself.Do not listen to her, do not?—
But her father’s illness had been so sudden, and he had often worried about Elinor’s lack of courtship offers. Had she truly caused?—
No. She cut that thought off. No, she knew better. She had to believe her heart. Her father was good and kind, and he would never have been ashamed of her, nor stressed to illness by her love of what he had taught her all her life.
“Now, get out of my room,” her stepmother dismissed. “I have seen enough of your dour face, and I must finish preparing for the Morrow ball. Now, tonight, you will work on your musical skills, and you will prove to me you will make changes?”
Elinor bit her lip, silently nodding, as she slipped out of the room.
As she passed Belinda’s room, she cringed, hoping she could go unnoticed, but Belinda gave a giggle, followed by hurried footsteps.
Elinor rushed to her room, trying to close the door before her stepsister could enter, but Belinda shoved the door open harder. She was followed by Joanna, her face darker than her sister’s, likely from their biological father.
“I do not think so,” Belinda sweetly protested the closed door, stepping into the room.
Elinor only retreated until she hit her bed, trying not to meet her stepsister’s brown eyes.
“I really do not have your necklace, Belinda,” Elinor mumbled, picking at her bedsheets to distract her nerves.
“Oh, I do not care about that. I found a nicer one around Joanna’s neck, so I took that.”
Elinor looked over at her other stepsister, who only shrugged, idly tugging on her replacement necklace that matched her ruby-colored dress.
“I am here to ask your opinion on my beautiful gown.” Belinda giggled again, twirling before Elinor’s bed. “Is it not just stunning? I am certain I will catch the eye of every suitor.”
Elinor said nothing, for she had endured this similar routine long enough. Belinda thought she could make Elinor jealous by prettying herself up, boasting about the attention she got.
“I askedis it not just stunning? Are you hard of hearing as well as insolent?” Belinda shouted.
“It is indeed lovely,” Elinor responded dutifully.
“Youwouldthink so, of course,” Belinda laughed, high and mocking. Her eyes looked up and down Elinor’s gown. “After all, you dress so plainly. I cannot fathom wearing something so simple. You must ache to be beautiful enough to wear a gown like mine, but you would only ruin the garment. Then again, it must be easier not have to worry about attracting attention when you have never had it anyway. The lack of rejection must be easier to endure, no?”
Elinor’s face burned with shame. She didn’t care about attention; shedidn’twant it, but she hated how her sister made a point of shaming her for it.
