“It’s an exciting feeling surely,” Charity nodded.
“Motherhood changes you surely,” Alethea said in agreement. “You know, darling, now we have all reached the motherhood stage. When are you going to join?”
Temperance resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
“I am working on it,” she replied, dryly.
“You must tell us a little more than that. How are the suitors progressing?” Charity asked.
“As you would imagine.”
“Come on now. You cannot leave us without any information,” Alethea reprimanded. “You are the only unmarried one left, and trust that you provide all the interesting stories.”
“One is promising, Elias Talbot. I have mentioned him before.” She paused, choosing her words with care. “He is genuinely kind and listens when I talk.”
“He sounds wonderful,” Charity said, warmly and genuinely.
“He is,” Temperance said.
“So how come you don’t look very excited about this gentleman?” Alethea said, quietly. “If he really is as wonderful as you say.”
“I look perfectly fine,” Temperance said.
They had reached the bench by the old oak, the one that had been in this section of the park longer than anyone currently living could account for, and Charity sat down on it and looked at Temperance with a curious expression.
“Sit down,” she said.
“Will you finally tell us what is actually going on with you?” Charity asked. “I am not convinced about your suitors story, and I think there is more to it than you are letting on.”
“Why do you think that this process has been interesting?” Temperance tried to deflect. “It has been going on as these things usually go, and there is just not much to say to you at this time.”
“So about Elias,” Alethea said, “go on, then. Tell me more about him. Do you think of him as someone you can love?”
“I do think of him as someone I may marry,” Temperance said, to the disapproving gaze of her friends. “What?”
“You know that is not the answer we are looking for.”
“Well, then I am afraid that I might not even have the answer that you want.”
Temperance looked at the path.
“I have feelings,” she said finally, “for someone. That is the beginning and the middle and mostly the end of what I am willing to say about it.”
Temperance’s hand were shaking, she realized with embarrassment. It was the first thing that she had admitted the fact out loud to anyone, or even to herself.
“Why?” Alethea said.
“Because there is no use speaking of it.”
Alethea exchanged a glance with Charity before stepping closer. “There is always use in speaking of it to friends.”
“And what would you have me say?” Temperance gave a humorless laugh. That I have done the most foolish thing imaginable? That while perfectly suitable gentlemen call on me, I spend my time thinking of a man I cannot have?”
Neither of them interrupted and Temperance clasped her hands together in her lap.
“He is not free in the way I need him to be,” she said. “And even if he were, I do not know that he would ever look at me as anything but… a responsibility.”
“Who are you talking about exactly?”
