“Of course,” Ruth murmured. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“Think nothing of it,” Enid responded.
There was a slight lull in the conversation so Octavia shared, “Ruth was married only a few days ago.”
“How lovely!” Enid exclaimed. “How are you enjoying married life?”
Ruth looked unsure and she started fidgeting with her hands. “It is not what I thought it would be,” she admitted. “William is cold and distant. How do you get your husband to want to spend time with you?”
Enid gave her a blank stare. “Lord William doesn’t wish to spend time with you?” she asked. “Has he given a reason as to why that is?”
“No, he just mostly ignores me,” Ruth shared.
With a look of concern, Enid said, “I must assume this is a marriage of convenience then.”
Ruth bobbed her head but remained silent.
“Were you two even acquainted with one another at all before the marriage took place?” Enid asked.
“No, I didn’t meet him until we stood in front of the vicar,” Ruth admitted. “I had heard of William and his reputation prior to our nuptials, but I had hoped it was exaggeratedto sell newssheets. I didn’t think that he could be so cruel.” Her voice cracked on the last word, as if she were holding back tears.
Enid leaned forward in her seat. “I don’t normally speak of such things, at least not anymore, but my first marriage was not a happy one. I tried to change everything about myself to make him like me, but in the end, he took issue with me. Nothing I did would please him,” she shared, her voice full of compassion. “You have to remember that this is not about you, it is about him. He is miserable. He is lonely.”
“But I am married to him,” Ruth remarked. “Do you think I could get a divorce?”
Octavia winced. “That would take an act of Parliament and I daresay that they wouldn’t even listen to your case.”
“So I am stuck, is that it?” Ruth asked.
The main door opened with a bang and it was followed by Lord William shouting, “Ruth! Where are you, Wife?” His words were slurred and angry.
Ruth hesitantly rose from her seat, looking deucedly uncomfortable.
Lord William staggered into the drawing room and he waggled his finger at Ruth. “You!” he exclaimed. “Do you know your father expects me to ask permission fromyoubefore he will give me a farthing of your dowry?”
“I… uh…” Ruth started.
He cut her off. “I am not going to come to you for anything,” Lord William exclaimed. “That is my money, not yours!”
Ruth’s eyes nervously darted between the ladies and her husband. “Could we discuss this later, please? I have company and—"
Lord William advanced towards his wife, but Octavia jumped up and blocked his path. “You have no right to speak to your wife in such a way,” she chided.
He huffed. “No right?” he asked. “She is my wife and I will do with her as I please. Now, move!”
“William!” Harred shouted from the doorway. “What is the meaning of this? Have you lost your senses?”
“This does not concern you,” Lord William mocked.
Harred walked further into the room and Fredrick was right behind him. Octavia felt great relief at seeing both of them. She wasn’t quite sure what Lord William would have done if her brother and Harred hadn’t interceded when they did.
“You made this my concern when you stepped out of line,” Harred stated. “Come to my office and we will discuss this.”
Lord William spun around to face his brother. “Why, so you can lecture me?” he asked. “I have no desire to speak to you.”
Harred gestured towards the door. “Then leave,” he ordered. “You are no longer welcome in my home.”
“You are kicking me out?” Lord William asked.
