“The world speaks of women like that, whether we acknowledge it or not. Perhaps it is time that you step into the real world, dearest,” Edward lifted one shoulder in a mild shrug.
Charity’s fingers tightened around the rosary cross. She forced herself not to show how much she hated this.
Patience,she told herself. It was her most cherished virtue, and it had gotten her through difficult times in her life.
“Speak plainly, Uncle,” she cleared her throat. “If you wish to dismiss my request, then the second most courteous thing would be to not make me guess.”
“Very well,” he said. “Plainly, you must marry. You are four-and-twenty, and the eldest. And now, without your parents, you must secure your sisters’ safety and your own position. Marriage is the only respectable solution.”
Respectable solution.Charity shuddered to think what the alternative must be.
“We are in mourning,” Augusta said. She was not even yet twenty, and yet already had so much courage that she could step up to her uncle on Charity’s behalf.
“And I am willing to honor that,” he said. “Six months of proper mourning, away from London’s curiosity, if you like, and then we shall speak again.”
“We will speak never,” Augusta’s voice rose.
Edward’s eyes flicked to Augusta, and for a moment his pleasant mask thinned, revealing a flash of irritation.
“You will do what you are told,” he said quietly. “After the mourning period ends, I will present you with the match I have selected, and we will proceed.”
Charity held his gaze. “And if I refuse?”
Edward’s smile widened, as if he was amused by the idea of defiance from someone he already considered trapped.
Poor little orphan girls.
“You will not refuse, but I suspect that I will not need to force you either. You will do what is required to keep you girls safe.”
Charity felt Augusta’s hand clutch her arm.
“Six months?”
“That is more than enough time for you to come to terms with your parents’ passing. And then you will be betrothed.”
The earth beside them looked suddenly too dark, and once again her fingers tightened on the rosary cross until the edges bit her skin.
The realization finally occurred to Charity that her uncle was not speaking in abstracts. In fact, she was certain now that he must have already chosen someone for her.
“Who? Who have you chosen?”
Edward’s smile turned almost triumphant, and he leaned in just slightly.
“We do not need to worry about that right now. It shall be sorted out in due time,” he said, being deliberately vague.
Matilda’s fingers clenched painfully around Charity’s hand. “Charity?” But Charity appeared to have been startled into shock.
Edward straightened, satisfied, as though the matter were settled at last, and he offered Charity a small, courtly bow that might have been respectful if it did not feel like a chain.
“We will speak again after mourning,” he said pleasantly. “But I wished you to have time to grow accustomed to the idea, because I find young ladies are far more obedient when they believe they have chosen.”
He turned, beginning to walk away, and then paused as though remembering something.
“Oh,” Edward added, glancing back with a smile that did not reach his eyes, “do try not to cause a scene, my dear. It would be terribly unfortunate if gossip began before you even made it to the altar.”
And with that, he left them standing there to reconcile with that he had just told them.
Augusta’s voice shook, “He cannot do this to you.”
