“You poor child,” Harriet declared as she sat on the settee across from Ellie. “I feel awful that Lord Worthington has treated you so despicably.”
Ellie gave her a timid smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t confess the truth earlier, but I didn’t wish to burden you with our troubles.”
“I wish you had confided in us,” Harriet replied, “but I do understand your reasoning.”
Emma spoke up next to her mother. “I would like to give Lord Worthington a piece of my mind,” she said. “He deserves to be flogged.”
“And what do you know about flogging, my dear?” Harriet asked, amused.
Emma shrugged. “I am well acquainted with the punishments administered aboard the Royal Navy’s ships.”
“How so?” Harriet questioned.
“I read a book about it.”
“And that makes you well versed?” Harriet pressed.
Emma smiled. “It doesn’t make me an expert, but I do find it rather fascinating.”
“You find everything fascinating,” Harriet said, “but it is not appropriate to discuss in polite conversations.”
“Perhaps one day I will find a gentleman who will want to speak about a myriad of topics, including the Royal Navy’s punishments,” Emma remarked.
Harriet gave her daughter a frustrated look. “I believe you have lofty expectations for a suitor.”
Curious, Ellie asked, “What other punishments are administered aboard a Royal Navy ship?”
“Do not encourage her, Ellie,” Harriet said.
Emma gave her mother a victorious smile. “I’m afraid that most of the punishments were rather harsh, but I would be happy to lend you the book.”
“I would like that,” Ellie replied.
“I should warn you that it is not for the faint of heart,” Emma continued. “The lowest punishments were rather mild, but the severe punishments that were handed out were much more cruel.”
Harriet frowned. “I do not approve of you reading such books.”
“I purchased it the last time I went to the bookstore,” Emma shared. “It was written by a former lieutenant in the Royal Navy, so I have no doubt as to the validity of it.”
“Perhaps you should focus more of your time on books from our library,” Harriet suggested.
“I have read most of those,” Emma informed her.
“I would strongly encourage you to read more of Fordyce’sSermons to Young Women,” Harriet said.
Emma shook her head. “I do not wish to read about how I must moderate my behavior.”
“It is an excellent reminder of how you should behave,” Harriet pointed out. “I do wish your father and I had spent more time reading that book to you when you were younger.”
“It would have done little good,” Emma said. “I find the sermons to be rather insulting.”
“You do?” Harriet asked.
“Why must young women behave, but gentlemen are free to act however they see fit?” Emma questioned. “It is entirely unfair.”
“You must play by the rules that Society governs until you are wed,” Harriet said.
“And if I don’t wish to be wed?” Emma asked.
