The insult was now clear and obvious. Ursula had had no say in the choice of food, of course, but she knew quite well thatmodestyandhumilitywere not the qualities her parents had had in mind. Quite the reverse, in fact.
Ursula found herself not entirely sure how to respond to the snub. Hesitating, she glanced up at Graham. He was staring at his mother, a faint frown between his brows. A muscle ticked in his cheek.
“I find it perfectly charming,” he responded shortly. “Sometimes, the most meaningful celebrations are the most intimate ones. I cannot imagine that anybody could find even the slightest flaw in this wonderful breakfast.”
This was apparently not what Margaret had hoped to hear. She sniffed, tilting up her chin.
“How differently we feel,” she muttered, and turned away without another word. Ursula felt a frisson of pride that her new husband had made his feelings so clear. He had sided withher, or at least with her family, and that meant something.
Both she and Graham sank down into their seats again and exchanged a brief glance. He turned away quickly, and Ursula could not read his thoughts in his eyes.
“Excuse me,” he said shortly, rising to his feet. “I should greet our guests.”
Ursula swallowed. “Yes, of course.”
He hurried off across the floor, moving towards Lord Hartwell. Sighing, Ursula reached for her champagne glass again and took a larger mouthful.
This is going to be a long day.
***
“Goodbye, Mama,” Ursula whispered. When it came to it at last, her voice choked with emotion.
Despite it all, I don’t want to leave here,Ursula thought, a little surprised.I won’t miss Papa, but Mama… she tried her best for me, didn’t she?
Mama’s expression was tight, her smile a little too fixed. Was that real emotion dancing in her eyes? Before Ursula could inspect closer, her mother pulled her close in a tight hug.
“Farewell, my darling girl,” Mama whispered. “Be a good wife. Before, your happiness rested on obliging me and your Papa. Now, you have only to oblige one person to keep happy, and that person is your husband. He will, however, be much more demanding. Be prepared. Be biddable and sweet, and never complain, and you shall be fine, I am sure of it.”
She pulled back abruptly, before Ursula had a chance to respond. Papa had wandered off back to the drawing room to pour himself yet another whiskey.
The guests, of course, were all gone, and the servants were left to clear the ballroom, where they’d had the breakfast. Outside, the Sinclair carriage waited. Graham had tactfully taken himself out to oversee her things being lashed to the carriage roof, so that she could take her leave of her parents.
Orparent, rather, as Papa did not apparently care enough to bid farewell to his only daughter.
“Georgie told me that I can always speak to her, if necessary. She said that family must stick together.” Ursula explained, offering a weak smile. “And Charlotte promises to visit me as soon as she can.”
Mama sniffed. “Yes, well, you’re a wedded woman now, so I cannot imagine you and Charlotte will see much of each other anymore. And as for Georgiana, I hope you’ll use your new position to help your cousin to secure a suitable husband, my dear. Now, speaking of husbands, you had better not keep yours waiting. Out you go.”
And so, Ursula found herself hustled out of the home she had lived for her entire life, almost stumbling down the steps. Mama stood in the doorway, her frame rigid, and waved a handkerchief limply in the air.
There was nothing for it but to walk as confidently as she could manage across the courtyard, where a footman waited tohand her up into the carriage. Ursula climbed in at once before she had a chance to change her mind.
Not that I do have a chance to change my mind,she thought dizzily, plumping down into the carriage seat.I never did.
The door was closed firmly behind her, and the carriage lurched forward. Pressing her nose against the window, Ursula caught a last glimpse of her home, receding into the background, with Mama standing miserably in the doorway.
Silence fell, broken only by the clop of the horses’ hooves and the jingle of their harnesses.
Graham sat in the opposite corner, a book in his hands. She threw a tentative glance at him, and he gave a wry smile.
“You can visit your home as often as you like, you know. Every day, if you prefer. I can set aside a carriage and horses especially for your personal use.”
Ursula leaned back against the padded, fur-lined carriage seat, and stared at her new husband.
“Do you mean to say that I can go out whenever I wish?WhereverI wish?”
He gave a wry smile. “That is exactly what I am saying.”
