21. Chapter Twenty-One #3
Margaret couldn’t bear to look at her family. Instead, she looked at her feet, where her stockings should have been; they were left behind, just like her identity soon would be.
“I asked Miss Nicholson to be my wife, and she has accepted.”
Grandmama screamed, drowning out everyone’s cheering, if there was any. “Thank the good Lord!”
Mr. Baldwin shook Margaret’s hand. “How wonderful! I look forward to having you as my niece.” Then he planted a kiss on her bare hand, making her shudder.
Her parents stood from their seats without any expression of happiness on their faces.
Margaret pressed her lips together, trying to hold back tears.
She couldn’t look at them; shame consumed her as her core twisted with guilt.
Mama hugged Margaret, while Daddy shook Eugene’s hand.
The tension in the room was louder than Grandmama’s cries of joy.
“I wish you all the happiness in the world,” Mama whispered with a slight croak. She planted a kiss on Margaret’s cheek.
Evie and Marjorie appeared, embracing her next with soft congratulations. Both wore fake smiles Margaret could see right through.
“How splendid! We must make wedding plans as soon as possible!” Grandmama announced, squeezing Margaret. She took hold of Margaret’s hand. “Come, come. I must show you the latest catalogs I have saved for you.”
Before Margaret could be pulled away, they were stopped by Mr. Baldwin’s voice. “Forgive the intrusion, but I must make an announcement.”
Margaret made eye contact with Eugene as Mr. Baldwin spoke.
“I am certain you are aware of the American dollar princesses and their rise in popularity. Even though these two are marrying for different reasons, it is still a requirement that these two are bound by contract.” Mr. Baldwin cleared his throat.
“I understand it is quite awkward to mention money, especially after such wonderful news, but it is crucial that this happens.”
Daddy’s eyebrows rose. “What kind of contract?”
“It is nothing more than what would be used in a dowry. Margaret, being an heiress and an American, requires this. She must accept the title of marchioness by contract.”
Daddy made direct contact with Margaret. “Is this what you want?”
With a heavy heart, Margaret nodded, swallowing every ounce of pride she had. “Yes.”
“Very well,” her father said, reaching for Mr. Baldwin’s hand.
Mr. Baldwin shook Daddy’s hand. “I will have the papers drawn up shortly. It’ll take a few days, but that will give Margaret time to think over the decision. I don’t want her to do something rash.”
As Margaret looked into her mother’s eyes, she saw great pain. Margaret wondered if this was how Mama had felt when she married Daddy to save the man she loved. However, the difficult and painful situation turned to love.
Margaret had two choices—break off the engagement or give Roger freedom.
“Why, Margaret?” Evie asked, her voice weakening from her sobs.
Margaret sat on her bed, removing her shoes. “Because it is my decision.”
Marjorie plopped beside her. “But this morning you said you didn’t love him.”
“Sometimes a woman’s mind changes in an instant.”
Evie crossed her arms. “I don’t believe you. I don’t believe you at all, Margaret Phillipa Nicholson!”
Evie’s words stung Margaret’s heavy heart. Margaret didn’t want to do this, but she couldn’t let the love of her life suffer. With time running out next week, her mind was consumed by the need to solve her family’s financial troubles and save Roger.
“Is it because of Mr. McKinley?” Marjorie asked. “Graydon called, and he told me the news. I’m dreadfully sorry, Margaret.”
Margaret pulled her knees tightly against her chest. “Sorry doesn’t fix it.”
“Graydon believes he didn’t mean it. Nothing felt right. Why would he—”
“Stop it, Marjorie!” Margaret snapped. “You know nothing about him!” Margaret’s eyes filled with tears again, though fewer than before. She had cried too many tears in one day.
“We won’t let you sacrifice your happiness for us,” Evie asserted. “You can’t marry a man you don’t love!”
Margaret glared at her sister. “It’s not all about you, Evie! Roger can only be saved with money, money we don’t have. Marrying Lord Burton will unlock my inheritance, and I can save him!”
"Find another way!” Evie pleaded. "Once you sign that contract, Lord Burton will have control over all your assets. Do you really think he’ll let you save your former coworker—one who is in an asylum? Doesn’t that sound suspicious?”
Margaret laid on her side, blocking them from her view. “I have to try.” She hugged a pillow tightly against her chest. “I have to try.”
“Please, Margaret,” Marjorie said softly. “Let me call Graydon. We can find another way.”
Please go,” Margaret begged. She wanted to be alone. Her sisters were giving her false hope; Roger couldn’t be saved based on his good character. Time was running out, and the only guarantee to save Roger was money.
Eventually, her sisters left the room, and Margaret was alone, a place she had desired all day. “Why, God? Why would you take away the one person who made me happy?”