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“One of Lady Sotheby’s servants—a woman who has since been dismissed—said when he visited this week, he brought with him a gift for that child. A rather expensive doll. She also said their parting was marked by the child’s tearful unrest for the remainder of the day. The girl is being sent away to a school on the other side of the country. It is my belief she is his daughter. A child sired on a woman married, and right under her husband’s nose. Now tell me you wish a union with such a man.”
“You are refusing to receive him on the basis of such hearsay? You don’t know if any of it is true!”
“I don’t need to know. That other people think it so is enough. I want no part of his scandal,” said her stepmother, her voice becoming shrill. “You will have nothing further to do with him. Is that clear?”
Eden refused to speak.
“You need not answer, for I will see my command enforced with or without your consent. If you violate my edict, you will be sent away in disgrace.”
“You would denounce me? Ruin me rather than see me marry him?”
An exasperated sigh burst from Catherine’s mouth. “When will you see he is merely toying with you? Despite your optimism, he has not yet asked for your hand, has he? No. And he shan’t. Even if he did, I would not give my consent. Not after hearing of the Sotheby cuckoo.”
There was no use arguing about it, Eden knew. Her stepmother’s mind was clearly set in stone. “You cannot keep me prisoner forever. I’ll be twenty-one in two months’ time.”
Catherine’s lips thinned to a grim smile. “By that time, he will have moved on—and so will you. This is for your own good, my dear. You will see it one day, and you will thank me for it.”
Eden clamped her mouth shut and refused to utter another word. She’d already said too much. She ought not to have reminded her stepmother of her impending birthday. Now they were set against each other with a ticking clock hanging above their heads. Catherine would pressure her to accept Ravenwood’s offer once he made it. If they’d already granted him their blessing…
She must act now, before he could propose.
Three hours later, Genevieve looked at the sealed missive in her hands with wary eyes. “Eden, I’m not quite certain this is the right way to handle your situation.”
“It is the only way,” Eden hissed, pushing her friend’s hand down to conceal it from any prying eyes that might be looking on from the windows above them. “You must see this reaches Lord Tavistoke—in secret like the last time—and as quickly as possible. My future depends on it reaching him in time.”
“In time?” Comprehension dawned. “You mean before Lord Ravenwood’s visit.”
“Yes. I must be gone before he can propose. My parents do not yet know I’ve accepted Lord Tavistoke’s offer, and they must not until after I am wed.”
“Then he has proposed! Why not simply tell them?”
“I cannot. My stepmother has told me neither she nor Papa will give him their blessing. Until I am twenty-one, I
require it to marry. Percy told me Ravenwood boasted they have already given it to him—without even asking my consent.”
“They cannot force you to marry the man against your will.”
Eden’s stomach knotted. “I’m not so certain of that. Catherine has Papa so tightly bound I suspect he will disown me if I don’t cooperate. Percy could never marry a woman cast out in disgrace, even if he is the cause of it. Scotland is the only way.”
“You love him.”
Tears welled in Eden’s eyes. She could not answer, not without accepting it as fact, and fear would not allow her to do so until she wore his ring. If she let herself love him fully and then lost him, it would destroy her. “Genevieve, please…”
Nodding, her friend tucked the letter into her pocket. The two embraced.
“When it is away, signal me from your window. I’ll be waiting.”
Several hours later, there was still no movement at Genevieve’s window. Lunch was eaten in silent haste. When she returned to her room to look out at her neighbor’s house, however, there was still no candlestick on her friend’s sill.
She debated the wisdom of packing her valise now and hiding it beneath the bed. If her maid should find it while tidying the room during the dinner hour…
Best not take any chances.
As well, a valise might be too bulky and noisy during an escape. A pillowcase would better serve. A brush and some hair accoutrements would be needed. She’d wear a morning gown to allow for the lack of a proper corset, though one would be taken along with her rose silk manteau. Percy could help her dress for their wedding.
A flush rose to warm her face, and she smiled at the flutter of excitement in her belly. A cloak would be needed. The days might be warm enough up north, but the nights would be cool. She’d wear her riding boots. No one would see them beneath her gown. Her jewelry and what coin she had would fit in a pouch tucked into her bodice.
As soon as her maid left the room tonight, she would gather what was required. The thought of traveling with so little was a bit scary, but with Percy it would be an adventure.
