Rosamond watched her for a moment before asking, “Does Lord Rushcliffe know of your past?”
“I have told him everything.”
“And yet he still loves you.”
Enid pressed her lips together. “He has said nothing about love.”
With a knowing look, Rosamond asked, “Do you love him?”
“I do, with everything that I am,” she admitted, seeing no reason to deny it any longer.
“Then you must do something about it,” Rosamond advised. “Love is the greatest gift of all and should not be dismissed so easily.”
Enid shook her head. “I have been down this road before and I was jilted.”
“I am not saying it isn’t scary to give your heart to another since you are risking that they will misuse it. But what if he gives everything to treat your fragile heart with love? Is that not worth the risk?”
“I don’t know if I am strong enough to try,” Enid admitted.
“There is only one way to find out,” Rosamond encouraged. “Take the first step and see where the journey leads you.”
Osborne stepped into the room, interrupting their conversation, and announced, “Lady Esther Harington has come to call. Are you accepting callers?”
Rosamond bobbed her head. “Please send her in.”
“Very good, my lady,” Osborne said as he departed from the room.
It was only a moment before Lady Esther walked into the room and went to drop down onto an upholstered armchair. “My stepmother is impossible!” she exclaimed. “She is trying to arrange a marriage for me. Can you imagine?”
Lady Esther leaned forward and reached for the teapot on the table. “I need something that will soothe my nerves,” she declared as she poured herself a cup of tea. “I know I am being terribly rude but I am at my wit’s end.”
“No harm done,” Rosamond assured her. “We do not stand on formalities here.”
After Lady Esther placed the teapot down, she reached for the cup of tea and took a long sip. “Thank you,” she said. “This is precisely what I needed.”
Rosamond picked up the plate that held biscuits and held it out to her. “Would you care for something to eat?”
“I would.” Lady Esther reached for a biscuit and took a bite. “My stepmother has informed me that she wants me out of the house before the baby comes. What nerve!”
“What does your father say?” Rosamond asked.
Lady Esther shrugged. “He does whatever he is told. Susanna has bewitched him and has turned him against me.” She paused. “I need chocolate. Do you have any?”
“I can see if the cook can warm some up for you,” Rosamond said.
“That won’t be necessary. Tea and biscuits should be sufficient.” Lady Esther turned her attention towards Enid and blinked, as if she had just noticed her. “I do apologize for the intrusion. You must be Lady Enid.”
“I am,” Enid said.
Lady Esther gave her a weak smile. “I’m afraid I made a terrible first impression on you. I am not usually so brazen, but I am very frustrated at the moment.”
“Rightfully so,” Enid assured her. “I would be irate if my parents tried to arrange a marriage for me.”
Rosamond interjected, “Did you come alone?”
“I walked here, but a maid trailed behind me,” Lady Esther replied. “My stepmother made sure of that.”
“You walked here?” Rosamond asked.
