Charles turned to her mother and gave a deferential nod. “I wholeheartedly agree. I do not want to force Elsbeth into anything she is not ready to accept. But,” he added with a pointed glance at Elsbeth, “Mr. Strother will be returning toTown at his first opportunity. It would be best to come to a decision sooner rather than later.”
Elsbeth shot to her feet, the sudden movement startling the men into silence. “There is nothing to think about,” she declared, her voice resolute. “My answer is no.”
The room went still. For a moment, Charles simply looked at her, studying her as though she were some particularly stubborn riddle. Then, to her frustration, he smiled faintly as if her refusal were nothing more than inconsequential. “I think,” he said evenly, “it would be wise for you to truly consider it.”
She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could speak, her mother interjected. “That is most generous of you, Charles,” she said with a pointed look at Elsbeth. “Isn’t that right, dear?”
Elsbeth turned to her mother, disbelief tightening her chest. “Generous?” she repeated, barely able to keep the anger from her voice. “This entire discussion is absurd. You would have me marry my cousin?”
Her mother met her gaze with a mixture of weariness and impatience. “Elsbeth,” she said, “Charles is offering you stability. Do not be so quick to dismiss it.”
“Stability?” Elsbeth scoffed, her hands curling into fists at her sides. “At what cost? I would lose every ounce of self-respect I possess. I willnotmarry him.”
Charles took a step back. “I am not here to force your hand, Elsbeth,” he said. “But I urge you to think about this rationally. Time may not offer you another opportunity.”
“I have thought about it,” Elsbeth shot back, her voice cracking with emotion. “And my answer remains the same. No.”
Her mother sighed heavily, sitting back down as if the weight of the conversation had become too much to bear. “You are being difficult,” she murmured, her disappointment palpable.
Charles bowed stiffly. “I will take my leave for now,” he said,glancing between Elsbeth and her mother. “But know this, I only wish to help you.”
Elsbeth watched as Charles and Mr. Strother departed the room, leaving behind a lingering tension that seemed to settle into every corner of the space. The door closed, and she turned to her mother. “How could you entertain this?”
“Because,” her mother started, “you have no other prospects. Charles is offering you a future.”
“A future?” Elsbeth whispered, tears burning at the back of her eyes. “Or a prison?”
Her mother looked away, unable—or perhaps unwilling—to answer.
Elsbeth needed a moment alone. She turned on her heel and left the drawing room without saying another word.
Niles entered the dining room and noted the scene before him. His aunt was sipping her tea while Eugenie, as always, was engrossed in a book even as she absentmindedly nibbled on a scone.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
Eugenie glanced up, her finger keeping her place in the book. “Good morning, Brother.”
Niles pulled out the chair beside her, his lips curling into a teasing smile. “A book at the breakfast table? Really, Eugenie? I can’t believe Aunt Margaret allows such scandalous behavior.”
Aunt Margaret laughed. “A young lady who carries a book is never bored.”
“Well, my mother would be rolling over in her grave to see such a thing,” Niles remarked.
“Rules are far more relaxed in the countryside,” AuntMargaret replied with a knowing look, “and, dare I say, far more sensible.”
“Not that relaxed,” Niles argued.
Aunt Margaret lifted her brow. “I understand,” she began, her tone shifting with interest, “that you had quite the adventure last night.”
Niles met his aunt’s gaze. “Adventure?”
His sister lowered her book, clearly amused. “Oh, do not act coy. I told Aunt Margaret all about your moonlit meeting with the highwaywoman.”
He groaned softly, setting his cup down with a quiet clink. “Eugenie, must you discuss my business over breakfast?”
Eugenie shrugged, not looking the least bit repentant. “It isn’t my fault you have an odd fascination with criminals.”
“Fascination is a strong word,” Niles retorted, though even he couldn’t deny his strange preoccupation with the masked woman. “We spoke briefly until the constable showed up and scared her off.”
