Lady Esther gave her an amused look. “It is only a few blocks.”
“Yes, but I was told that a lady does not walk to make calls,” Rosamond said.
“Well, if I am lucky, everyone noticed and no one will want to marry me,” Lady Esther responded. “Although that would create a whole bunch of new problems.”
Rosamond shifted in her seat as she explained, “Esther’s stepmother is of a similar age to her and she was appalled when her father married the woman.”
“I was more than appalled!” Lady Esther shouted. “I was blasted angry. I apologize for my strong language, but it is true.”
“I think we can handle your strong language,” Rosamond teased.
Lady Esther put her empty cup and saucer onto the tray. “What am I to do?” she asked, her shoulders slumping slightly.
“Your stepmother can’t force you to marry,” Enid replied. “It is against the law.”
“We both know that being a woman puts us at a disadvantage,” Lady Esther said. “We are entirely at the whim of others.”
Rosamond pushed the plate of biscuits towards Lady Esther. “Do not give up hope. Perhaps your stepmother will come around.”
Lady Esther huffed. “There is a better chance of having a rhinoceros as a pet.”
Her father stepped into the room and said in his usual gruff voice, “A word, Enid.”
What now, she thought as she rose. She had no doubt her father wanted to criticize her for something she had done.
They didn’t speak as she followed him into his study. Once they arrived, her father closed the door and crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought I told you to stay away from Lord Rushcliffe.”
“You did, but I’m afraid that is impossible.”
Her father’s nostrils flared slightly, a telltale sign that he was barely holding on to his anger. “You will cease all contact with Lord Rushcliffe, and that is an order.”
“No.”
“No?” her father demanded. “You have no right to refuse my request. Furthermore, it has come to my attention that you visited Newgate. Are you determined to ruin this family?”
“That is not my intention—”
He cut her off. “Your actions suggest otherwise,” he shouted.
Enid was done. She was tired of fighting with her father. He would never see her for who she was now. He would always judge her because of her past. “Is it always going to be like this?” she asked in a resigned voice.
A baffled look came to his face. “Like what?”
“You are always going to find fault with me, no matter what I do,” Enid said. “It is exhausting, Father.”
Her father pursed his lips. “If you just behaved better, I wouldn’t have to chide you as much as I do.”
Enid knew what she needed to do. It was time, but was she strong enough to take the first step? A feeling of peace swept over her and she knew that she was. “I think it is for the best if I used my inheritance to maintain my own household.”
“Surely you don’t mean that,” her father said.
“I do,” Enid said. “I can’t take this constant fighting. It is time that I forge my own path.”
Her father uncrossed his arms and some of his anger dissipated. “And who will take care of Marigold?” he asked. “I doubt you will have the funds for a nursemaid.”
“I can take care of my own child.”
“You are just spouting nonsense,” her father said with a swipe of his hand. “You couldn’t manage being on your own.”
