Mrs. Watson gave her a knowing look, as if she could read her thoughts. “You will make new memories,” she assured her. “It will be different, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good thing.”
Mattie nodded, taking comfort in her words. She took a deep breath and turned towards the door, ready to face whatever her father had to discuss with her.
Once she arrived at his study, she knocked gently before pushing the door open. “Father, you wished to speak to me?” she inquired, stepping inside.
Her father rose from his seat and gestured towards a chair. “Yes, please take a seat.”
Mattie sat down, giving her father an expectant look. She sensed that this conversation held more significance than a mere inquiry about her day.
He returned to his seat. “Did you enjoy your time with Lady Dallington?”
“I did,” Mattie replied.
“Good, good,” her father muttered, seeming preoccupied.
Mattie settled back in her seat. “Did you have a productive meeting with Lord Dallington?”
“I did,” her father replied. “He is very wise in the ways of land management, despite having only inherited his title a few months ago.”
“That is good.”
“Yes, it is,” her father remarked before abruptly rising. He walked over to the window and looked out for a long moment. “Lord Dallington and I spoke briefly about his wife hosting you for the Season.”
“Yes, and?” Mattie asked, her heart hopeful.
Her father turned to face her with a solemn look. “I’m sorry, but I do not think itis a good idea.”
Mattie’s heart sank. “Whyever not?”
“Franny is not in a good place right now, and Emma…” His voice trailed off. “We both know that Emma can be a handful.”
“But it is only for the Season. I shall return and…”
He raised his hand, stilling her words. “I need you at home, Mattie. It is where you belong, for now.”
“Father…” she started, her voice trembling with emotion, “I want to participate in a Season. I am one and twenty years old. To many, I am old enough to be considered a spinster.”
“God willing, you will have next Season,” her father attempted to reassure her.
Mattie bit her lower lip, fighting back the tears. “I have not asked for much over the years, but I am asking for this. Please reconsider.”
Her father’s face fell, his expression heavy with regret. “I’m sorry. I have made my decision, and I would ask for you to respect it.”
“And if I don’t?” Mattie’s voice quivered with defiance.
“Mattie, be reasonable,” her father said sternly. “I don’t want you traipsing around London when you are needed at Darlington Abbey.”
Mattie felt her anger whirling inside of her and she attempted to bite her tongue. But it didn’t work. “No, you are wrong. I am not needed at Darlington Abbey. You just don’t want me to go and enjoy myself.”
“That is not the case,” her father insisted.
“Franny, although she is grieving, will be all right, and Emma will have a governess to tend to her,” Mattie said, her voice rising with each word. “I will be doing nothing but twiddling my thumbs or embroidering more handkerchiefs for you.”
Her father’s eyes flashed with frustration. “Mattie, this is not about depriving you of enjoyment. It is about the family and what we need right now.”
“Sometimes I wonder if you even see me as part of the family,” Mattie retorted, tears welling in her eyes. “It feels like I am just a convenient piece to move around as you see fit.”
“Mattie—” he started.
