“And you’re only telling me now?” her mother demanded. “What of the soiree tonight? Do you intend to embarrass me by abandoning your family’s obligations?”
“It’s not like that. Charles feels it’s safer if we leave immediately.”
Her mother crossed her arms, her posture as rigid as her expression. She turned to Clara. “Leave us.”
Clara curtsied and quickly exited, shutting the door behind her.
Elsbeth’s mother turned back to her, her eyes glinting with a mix of hurt and frustration. “And I don’t get a say in any of this?”
“I’m sorry,” Elsbeth murmured, lowering her gaze.
Her mother’s voice rose. “Do you wish to humiliate me? What will people think when my own daughter is absent from the soiree?”
Elsbeth bit her lip, guilt gnawing at her. “It wasn’t my intention to upset you.”
“Then stay,” her mother said. “Attend the soiree, at the very least.”
Elsbeth nodded, knowing she had no desire to hurt her mother. “I’ll speak with Charles.”
Her mother exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you. I’m disappointed you’re leaving, but I understand. Perhaps some time away will give you a new perspective.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Elsbeth had a few questions that she needed to know the answers to. “Are you happy with Alfred?”
Her mother blinked, appearing surprised by the question. “Of course I’m happy with Alfred.”
“But you weren’t happy with Father?” Elsbeth pressed.
Her mother’s face fell, sadness shadowing her features. “Your father was… a difficult man to love.”
Elsbeth swallowed hard before saying, “I know he hurt you. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped.”
Her mother sat beside her, taking her hand gently. “You couldn’t have done anything, my dear. I didn’t want him to turn his anger on you. I endured it so you wouldn’t have to.”
Tears welled in Elsbeth’s eyes as she listened to her mother’s words. “I should have known. I should have done something.”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “You were a child. It wasn’t your burden to bear.”
“So, you bore it alone?”
“That is a mother’s job. To protect her child, no matter the cost.” Her mother’s voice was firm, the pain of past sacrifices evident in her tone.
A tear slipped down Elsbeth’s cheek, and she hastily wiped it away, though it did nothing to stem the flood of emotions coursing through her. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I was so consumed by my own pursuits, my own trivial concerns, that I failed to see what was right in front of me.”
Her mother’s lips curved into a bittersweet smile. “You did nothing wrong. Please know that. I wanted you to live a carefree life, untouched by the burdens I bore.”
“I have been difficult since you married Alfred,” Elsbeth admitted, turning to face her mother fully. “And I am so sorry for that. You deserve to be happy, and I should have supported you.”
Her mother’s expression was tinged with curiosity. “Where is this coming from?”
Elsbeth shifted uncomfortably, the words catching in herthroat before she pushed them out. “Because it’s true. You deserve happiness, Mother. More than anyone.”
“As do you, my darling. Which is why I cannot understand why you are leaving Lord Westcott.”
The mention of Niles made Elsbeth’s heart ache, but she forced herself to meet her mother’s gaze. “It doesn’t matter the reason, Mother. I have to leave.”
Her mother’s hand fell away, and she studied Elsbeth intently. “Did something happen between you and Lord Westcott?”
“No,” Elsbeth replied quickly, not wishing to reveal the real reason as to why she had to leave. “We are merely friends, but he did ask permission to write to me. And I granted him leave to do so.”
