Chapter 5 #2
“There is merit to the idea,” Theodora said from her seat on the chaise, tapping her chin with a pencil with which she had been making notes in the book she was reading.
“His notion that you would civilize him clearly refers to the image he has in the public eye. Being married to a respectable lady would go some way to ameliorating that.”
“And his patronage would free the orphanage from the need to rely on your father with his questionable motives,” Evelina put in.
“But we cannot send Maria into a house with a deformed and deranged husband!” Anna protested.
“He is not deranged,” Maria said, “and I question deformed too. He wears a mask, and he shirks the light, but he seems an able-bodied man. Very able.”
“Indeed?” Evelina said with a smile that made Maria blush.
“Indeed. Though he resembles a pirate. Wild and unpredictable,” Maria said.
She shuddered, hugging herself and hoping the others thought it was fear or disgust that seized her. Not desire.
I cannot be attracted to such a rough and dark man. A man who lives in twilight and is so… so…unusual. I am not an unusual person. Am I?
“If she is to accept his offer, it must be with clear terms,” Evelina said. “I will not allow him to take advantage of you.”
“Very well!” Theodora said with a snap. “Let us outline those terms.”
She had turned to the back leaf of the book and had her pencil poised to write.
“Marital relations,” she said with an eyebrow raised, “are there to be any?”
“No!” Anna exclaimed.
“Possibly,” Evelina said speculatively.
“I think not,” Maria said after a moment’s consideration.
“Duration. Are we willing to commit to a true marriage? Until death?”
“No,” Anna shook her head decisively.
“No,” Evelina agreed. “If it is to be a marriage of convenience to achieve certain objectives, then let those objectives define the boundaries. Once achieved, it can be ended amicably and quietly. Especially if it is not to be consummated.”
Theodora wrote another point.
“And our requirements for lending Maria’s name and hand to this duke in order to civilize and rehabilitate his name and house?”
“Willow Street must be safe and secure. A trust set aside for them that will make them independent,” Maria said firmly.
Theodora wrote.
“Anything else?” Evelina asked.
Maria opened her mouth, but then stopped herself from speaking.
Can I ask for it? Is it too much to ask? Too much to hope for?
“It seems to me that if you are to sacrifice so much, you should demand a high price,” Evelina said, as if she sensed Maria’s hesitation.
“There is no point entering this arrangement and then wishing you had asked for more,” Theodora put in.
“I want to adopt Gilbert,” Maria said. “He must live with us, and the duke must provide me with sufficient pin money to ensure that both of our needs are met.”
“To be left destitute when the marriage ends and both of you are thrown out of Winterleigh?” Evelina said.
“An allowance or a payment upon the dissolution of the marriage,” Theodora suggested, “so that you and Gilbert can set yourselves up somewhere and live quietly. He should accept that, as he will not want the end of the marriage to catch the public eye. It will undo everything.”
It was logical, and so characteristic of Theodora to come up with. Maria drew a deep breath, daring to consider asking for half of what her friends insisted she should demand.
Can I do it? Do I have the nerve to stand before that man and make demands? But then what he has asked of me is just as outrageous, and he barely blinked an eye to ask it.
“I just don’t know,” she said, honestly.
“You must,” Theodora insisted, typically dogmatic and fiery.
“You can, for yourself and Gilbert,” Evelina assured her, taking her hand and pressing it between both of hers. To guide and provide maternal support was her character.
“It is the only avenue that makes sense. Both for you and the duke,” Theodora said, rising from her seat and ticking off the points she had written down with taps of her pencil. “You will regret it if you do not take this opportunity.”
Maria nodded, feeling her knees tremble with the immensity of the decision she had just taken. Her friends’ words made sense, but she found herself desperately wishing that she had more time to decide. Everything was happening too quickly.
“Now, all that remains to be done is for you to deliver your terms to the Duke of Winterleigh,” Evelina said. “Of course, I will accompany you.”
“I do not think that will be received well,” Maria said. “I get the impression that the duke is a very private man. I do not want to anger him or let him think he is being manipulated by four wicked witches.”
“Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble,” Anna laughed. “Oh, I do like being a witch!”
“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. In your case, you are the one going to something wicked.” Theodora paused, frowning. “Oh dear, I do not like the sound of that at all.”
“Enough, ladies,” Evelina said, raising her hands.
“The last time we were all so gathered it was to toast our friend Maria as the bravest woman in London. I think she has proved how fitting that name is a second time. Please, furnish yourself with a cup of tea and toast, Maria Shelidan, soon to be Duchess of Winterleigh!”
Maria found herself blushing as she was toasted. Blushing because the description Duchess of Winterleigh brought with it thoughts that she should not be harboring.
I will not be taken advantage of. Nor will I be a weak and vulnerable woman. I have been exploited by a man before. Treated like a fool. It will not happen again.