“No one has given me any heed,” Simone attempted.
“That is because you show no interest,” her father said. “It is time for you to come out of your shell and find a suitor.”
Simone shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “But I do not wish to marry, Father.”
“Why?” her father asked. “Your dowry is more than sufficient to attract a worthy suitor, and that is in addition to the inheritance your grandmother allotted for you.”
“Yes, but once I marry, it all belongs to my husband.”
Her father gave her a blank stare. “Is that an issue?” he asked. “He is, after all, tasked to take care of you.”
“I don’t want someone to ‘take care of me.’ I want more out of a marriage,” she said. “If I ever did marry, it would be for love.”
Simone didn’t dare tell her father that if she wed, then she would have to stop working as a spy. And she didn’t want to give that up. It provided her with a sense of accomplishment every time she completed an assignment. It may be dangerous, but it gave her the adventure that she so desperately craved in her life.
“You reach too high, just as you always do,” her father stated. “Marriage is more mutual toleration than love.”
“Didn’t you love Mother?” she asked.
His jaw tightened and she wondered if she had gone too far in her line of questioning. “I did love your mother,” he replied after a long moment. “But it didn’t start that way. We had to work for what we had, and it wasn’t always easy.”
“I didn’t mean to imply such.”
“I am not without compassion,” he said. “You have until the end of the Season to select a suitor or I would be happy to arrange one for you.”
Simone reared back. “Surely you cannot be serious?”
“It is far preferable to being on your own,” her father said. “It is lonely not having a spouse to lean upon.”
Simone could hear the pain in his words and she knew he was speaking from his own experience. But that didn’t soften her resolve. She would rather remain unwed than marry a stranger. It was almost unfathomable to think of.
“Are you so quick to get rid of me?” Simone asked. In truth, she needed to keep having Seasons to keep her cover intact. She may play the part of a wallflower, but she used that time to observe the members of high Society.
Her father frowned. “I am hoping this motivates you to make the changes necessary in your life to be happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Are you?” her father asked. “Mrs. Fernsby has informed me that you hardly leave the townhouse, and you spend your days in your bedchamber.”
Simone quirked her lips, knowing her father truly had no idea how she spent her time. Her companion was hardly a match for her, but she needed to at least pretend she had an objection to Mrs. Fernsby. “I do not need a companion to watch over me.”
“You do.” He abruptly rose from his seat. “This conversation is over. I have much more pressing issues at hand.”
“More pressing than me?” Simone asked as she attempted to keep the hurt out of her voice.
A look of annoyance flashed in her father’s eyes. “You would be wise to remember your place, Simone. I am needed at the House of Lords and I don’t have time to lollygag around the townhouse.”
Simone’s gaze grew downcast as she knew fighting with her father would accomplish nothing. He was stubborn, almost to a fault, and would talk down to her. How she hated being treated in such a fashion, but she had little choice in the matter.
“Now run along,” her father ordered.
Knowing what was expected of her, Simone rose and dropped into a curtsy before departing from the study.
Her father didn’t know what she was capable of. He only saw her as a weak young woman that relied solely on him. Which was far from the truth. She was strong and determined, but she couldn’t risk revealing her true self. Quite frankly, she doubted her father would ever accept her if he learned of the truth.
Simone hurried up to her bedchamber on the second level. Once she stepped inside, she saw her lady’s maid, Felicity, waiting for her on the settee.
Felicity jumped up when she saw her, an eager look on her face. “What did your father want?”
