Chapter 6
“It did not mean anything.”
The tearoom felt stifling as Margaret was crowded by her friends. She knew that it was only a matter of time before the news of her courtship made the rounds, and she wanted them to know the truth before they could hear anything else.
“Margaret,” Eleanor said in a hushed voice, “one does not dance with a gentleman and reveal something so personal and have it not mean anything. That is not how that works.”
“I do not know what you are suggesting, El, but you are wrong. I only wished to attend the ball, and he was there at the right time, and it led to me being vulnerable. There is nothing more to it.”
“If you insist,” Anne laughed softly. “I only wish that you had told us the truth to begin with. We could have helped you.”
Telling her friends about her family’s situation made her feel worse than anything else ever had. She had grown accustomed to the life that she had, and accepted that it did not at all resemble that of her friends, but that did not mean she wanted her friends to know about it.
“I did not wish to be a burden,” she explained. “I knew if you were all aware of what was happening, you would have wanted to help me, and my mother would never have accepted it. If anything, she would have been furious that I dared to tell you the truth, for it brings so much shame.”
“There is no shame in it,” Anne assured her. “It could have happened to any of us, and if it were us you would have wanted us to tell you. You know that.”
“Of course, for I am not you. I prefer to settle matters myself, for that way I at least know the outcome was due to myself.”
Her friends rolled their eyes at that, and she knew it was because it was no surprise to them.
She was not one to share secrets, even though she knew that she could trust her friends.
She had seen what happened to ladies that became victims of scandal, and with all that she had to protect, she could not risk it.
“Even so,” Clara said brightly, “I cannot believe that you danced with a gentleman! You never seemed to want that before.”
“That is not… well, it is not that I never wanted to dance at a ball, but I never saw a gentleman that I wished to dance with. I also assumed that I would have more time, I suppose. Then my mother told me what she was wanted me to do, and I decided that if I only had one chance, then I had to take it.”
“With both hands,” Clara nodded enthusiastically. “This will be good for you, Maggie. Can you imagine, a courtship with a duke?”
Margaret tried to hush her, for she did not yet want word to spread, but there was no quietening them once they felt their excitement.
“My mama is yet to learn of it. He is to speak with her this afternoon, and for all we know she could refuse it.”
“She would not,” Anne said firmly. “She would be a fool to turn a duke away, especially in a situation such as yours. Why, if he is willing to secure your futures after a mere season, as well as improve their prospects, I see no reason why she would refuse.”
“Because it was not her idea. You do not know my mother. She will resent the fact that she did not find a solution that is as good as mine. It is not even mine, but the duke’s, and yet she shall blame me for it, and she shall end by telling me that I am ungrateful for all that she does for me. I cannot stand it.”
“Well,” Eleanor suggested, “you shall not know the outcome until you witness it. Go home, and by nightfall you shall know your fate.”
“And if it is not a courtship,” Beatrice added, “you are to come to us. We will not let you disappear, Maggie.”
She thanked her friends, but she knew the truth. They were all unmarried ladies, and therefore there was only so much that they could do. Her only hope was to enlist the help of the Duke of Ravensmere, which meant trusting a man that she did not know with her future.
She had not even been able to trust her own mother with that.
Upon her return home, she lingered in the hallway.
Her family did not know that they were expecting any guests, and she simply hoped that her mother was wearing one of her nicer gowns.
If she was caught on a day where she was content with one that was thinning, she would never forgive Margaret for it.
“We missed you at lunch,” her mother announced, mercifully wearing her deep red gown.
“My apologies, I was with my friends. They asked to see me at the tearoom.”
“Very well. I do like those girls. I think they are rather good for you.”
“As do I,” she replied. “Mama, where are Emily and Poppy?”
“Well, by some miracle, Poppy has decided that she has caught whatever ailment you had that prevented us from attending the ball. It is quite the coincidence, what with her having a pianoforte lesson this afternoon.”
Margaret could not help but laugh at that.
In spite of her mother’s flaws, there were occasions where they shared moments together, good moments, and it both helped and wounded her.
Her mother could have loved her just as she did Emily and Poppy, but she did not.
There was a difference there, unmistakable and cold.
“I do not know why she must learn it,” Margaret pointed out. “She much prefers the harp.”
“It is easier for us to have only one instrument. It was difficult enough for me to sell her harp and tell her that it broke. She is still waiting for another one to appear, not that it will. Even so, her husband will purchase one for her if he wishes to. All will be well, you simply must all trust me.”
“And we do. I do. But Mama, what if there was another way? We could find a solution that helps all of us, without truly needing to sacrifice anything.”
“I know that you are not happy with the arrangement, Margaret, but you have already agreed to it. It is not correct for you to change your mind now.”
“Even if I have made an agreement that is too good to turn away?”
Her mother looked at her then, truly looked at her, and she switched from scowl to surprise and back again. Before Margaret could explain any further, they heard the front door open and close with a heavy thud.
“This had better be the most brilliant plan,” her mother hissed, “or else you will be in a lot of trouble.”
Margaret’s heartbeat quickened as she made her way to their guest with her mother.
There was no avoiding it anymore; they would reveal their plan to her, and she would either accept it or refuse.
Margaret knew in her heart that it was too good for her mother to pass up, but there was a doubt all the same that she would refuse it.
Once her mother saw the Duke of Ravensmere, however, she stopped. She simply curtseyed and suggested tea. There was no request for an explanation, and no difficulty shown. Perhaps, Margaret considered, the Duke was right, and that she would never contradict a man.
“It is good to see you, Your Grace,” she greeted. “I am so sorry for your loss.”
“It is quite alright. It was a shock for all of us, but we are recovering well.”
Margaret glanced between them, hoping that someone might tell her who had passed, but she assumed it was his father. She did not ask questions; it was not the time.
“Now,” he continued, “I am here today with a proposition for you, Lady Fairleigh. I met your daughter at the Johnston ball, something I have been made aware you were not told of.”
“No, I was not. I also did not know that she met a duke there.”
“I will not hide anything from you. I know of your family’s circumstances, and I wish to help. I plan to court one of your daughters and take care of you all financially this year. It will be beneficial for all, and nobody need know what is taking place.”
Her mother scowled at her, her eyebrows almost touching. She knew that she would be in trouble for sharing something so private with a stranger, but it was for the greater good. It would be worth it in the end, even if it was rather shameful.
“I see, Your Grace. And which of my daughters is it that you wish to court? Emily would be my preference of course, with her being the older of the two, but my other is–”
“I thought you had three daughters?” he asked, looking at Margaret.
Margaret, meanwhile, sank into her seat and wished that she could disappear. Her mother had not even considered that she could be chosen by the Duke. In her eyes, she only had two daughters that could be courted, having already decided that Margaret was to leave.
“I do,” her mother nodded, “but Margaret is–”
“The closest to me in age, and also the reason that such an arrangement can take place to begin with. Pardon my dismissal, but I am not the sort of gentleman to want a debutante. I do not have much in common with them, and if I am to want a companion, I would rather she was older.”
Her mother was astounded, as if she could not fathom that her pride and her joy could be cast aside so easily. Emily was her pride, Poppy was her joy, and that was all she saw. Margaret was more of an aid than anything else, and she had never understood why.
And yet, with very few words, it no longer mattered. The Duke was not to be dissuaded; he wanted her, even if it was merely for a fake courtship.
“Very well,” she agreed. “I will allow you to court… Margaret. However, I would like you to be seen with them too. I must think of their prospects, and you will understand that.”
“Of course, Lady Fairleigh. I look forward to meeting them. Are they here now?”
“They are out in Hyde Park with their lady’s maid. Had I known you were coming, I would have made arrangements for them to stay.”
An accusing eye came from her, and Margaret ignored it. They would settle the matter once he had left, so as not to frighten him away altogether. It would not bode well for anyone if that happened.
“That is quite alright,” he replied coolly. “I shall arrange for you all to join me for dinner three days from now. Will that be alright?”
“It is the Smythe ball that evening,” Margaret reminded him.
Her mother tried to hush her, for the dinner was far more important, but once again the Duke nodded in agreement. Margaret knew that her mother would be infuriated by that point, but she would never say a word against him so all would be well.
While in his presence, at least.
“Then how about tomorrow?” he suggested. “It is quite short notice, but I would like to know all of you before we are flaunted in front of the ton. I would also like to know your sisters so that I can assist in finding the right matches for them. If it pleases you, that is, Lady Fairleigh.”
The older lady’s eyes sparkled at that. This was what she had wanted for years; a strong and masculine presence that would make sensible arrangements so that she did not have to. If Margaret did it, it would be an insult to her motherhood, but a gentleman? That changed everything.
“That can certainly be arranged. My daughters will not believe me when I tell them what has happened!”
“Yes, well, you have Lady Margaret to thank for that. I must say, she is a lovely lady.”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
“A lady that I would like to promenade with, if it is not too much trouble.”
“I– Your Grace, as much as I would like that, I would prefer for my daughters to hear of this news before the rest of Grosvenor Square. I do not mean to be difficult.”
“Not at all, I understand. In that case, might I discuss something with her privately?”
“Certainly. I shall send for a maid.”
She scurried away, and almost immediately a maid appeared and stood in the corner of the room.
Margaret looked at the Duke and wondered what to make of him.
He was a good man, that much was clear, but she did not understand what he wanted from her.
She was not the sort of lady that a duke took any interest in, nor was she from a family that any man would willingly want to be a part of, even if it was for show and nothing more.
“Your mother is quite the character.”
“Please forgive her. I do not know why she did that.”
“Do you not? Tell me, Lady Margaret, has she always looked over you in favor of your sisters?”
The question pained her.
“Not always. There was a time where she considered us almost equal, but I suppose now that she considers me on the shelf, she cannot fathom that a gentleman might take an interest in me. I dread to think what she will do when this comes to an end.”
“Then I will find someone for you, too.”
“Your Grace, I appreciate your offer, but you cannot offer to do that much. You have already promised to find matches for my sisters. Three ladies is too much.”
“Gentlemen have their ways. Believe me, Lady Margaret, I can do it. In any case, I will not allow your mother to send you away. After what you are going to do for your family, she shall be in your debt. We can do this.”
There was a conviction in his voice that she envied to no end. She wished that she possessed such a thing, and she supposed that she once had, but she had changed. Her life revolved around Emily and Poppy, and ensuring that they had beautiful lives in which they got everything they had ever wanted.
She would take what was left, and it was becoming more apparent that that would end up being her mother. She supposed that caring for her in her later years would not be the worst thing, especially if her sisters married well and they could afford to have a full staff once more.
“I promise you, Lady Margaret,” he pressed. “I am going to help you.”
And, perhaps foolishly, she believed him.