Tears came into her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I amtrying, but no matter what I do I will never be good enough for William. Will I?”
It was obvious that this was about more than her failed attempt at making Shrewsbury cakes. He came around his desk. “You are doing nothing wrong. William is rather complicated, but I do believe he will come around.”
As the words left his mouth, he didn’t quite know if that was true or not. He hoped it was true, but William always seemed to find a way to disappoint him and others.
Ruth looked up at him and swiped at the tears that were rolling down her face. “I am sorry, my lord. I should not be discussing this with you.”
“You don’t need to keep apologizing,” he remarked. “We are family, and we support one another.”
“Perhaps it would be best if I returned home to my father until William has a change of heart towards me,” she said in a soft voice. “I don’t feel as if I belong here.”
Harred wanted to kick some sense into his brother. William was doing a terrible job at being a husband, but he suspected his brother didn’t care.
“You do belong here,” Harred insisted. “Let me speak to my brother and I will see if I can work this out.”
Ruth chewed on her lower lip before saying, “No matter what I do, William will always consider me beneath him. I heard him say as much.”
“You heard that?” he asked in dismay.
“William hasn’t been exactly discreet in his opinions of me,” Ruth shared, her gaze turning downcast. “I heard you two discussing my dowry before the ball last night and William’s words were rather hurtful.”
“Don’t despair,” he encouraged. “William will soften.”
Bringing her gaze back up, Ruth’s eyes were red-lined. “What if he doesn’t?” she asked. “Can I endure a lifetime of a husband that hates me?”
Harred could continue to lie to her or give her false hope, but she deserved better than that. She was being honest with him so it was only fair that he treated her with the same kindness.
“You are too good for my brother,” he said.
She let out a disbelieving huff. “I am only a daughter of a merchant,” she challenged. “I wasn’t born into this world of nobility.”
“That doesn’t matter. Worth is not defined by someone’s title. You mustn’t start seeing yourself through the eyes of those who don’t value you. You must know your own worth, even if they don’t.” He paused. “I hope that helped and I didn’t just preach to you.”
Ruth sighed. “What is wrong with me?” she asked. “I was given everything, but I feel as if I have nothing.”
Mitchell knocked on the door before he stepped into the room. “Lady Octavia and Lord Chatsworth have arrived and I showed them to the drawing room,” he announced.
“Very good,” Harred said. “Is Lord William home?”
Mitchell remained stoic as he replied, “He is not. He failed to return home last night.”
Harred resisted the urge to express his thoughts on the matter. Instead, he ordered, “Inform me at once when he arrives home.”
“Yes, my lord,” Mitchell responded before departing from the room.
Ruth looked up at him with eyes that betrayed her emotions. “Tell me the truth. Is William with another woman right now?”
Harred could only imagine how much strength it took for Ruth to ask that question. “I don’t know where he is,” he replied. And that was the truth. He didn’t know what his brother was capable of anymore. He truly felt terrible for Ruth. She was an innocent in all of this and Wiliam was mistreating her horribly.
“Well, I did not mean to take up too much of your time.You have guests you need to see to,” Ruth said in a quivering voice. “I need to accept what I cannot change.”
“You must join me in receiving Lord Chatsworth and Lady Octavia,” he encouraged. “I know they will welcome your presence.”
“Thank you,” Ruth murmured before she started walking to the door.
They didn’t speak as they walked the short distance to the drawing room. What else could be said between them? Harred didn’t have the power to fix this; only his brother did. Which didn’t give him much hope.
Harred followed Ruth into the drawing room and saw that Octavia was standing by her brother near the window. She was a vision of grace and elegance, dressed in a captivating pale blue gown that accentuated her figure. Her dark hair was piled high atop her head, and a coral necklace hung around her neck.
