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“He wanted me to remember my place,” she whispered miserably.
“Lord Carson?” Martha turned to stare at her.
“What did father say about Cedrick?”
“Cedrick wanted to come after you. Wilhelmina ordered him to, but father stopped him. He told him that it was family business. Wilhelmina told him Cedrick was essentially family, to which father told her that he was her friend’s son, nothing more. He said that Ryan was considerably closer to us seeing as there were business ties to his family. Wilhelmina told him that your reputation was going to be ruined by your wayward behaviour. It was highly inappropriate for Ryan to be alone with you. Father warned her that nobody knew where you two had gone so it wasn’t at all fair to accuse you of being scandalous, unless she did something to ruin the family name and your reputation.” Martha finished her report and lifted her brows at Sian.
Sian shook her head. “Has Father said anything else about my marrying Cedrick?”
“Father hasn’t but Wilhelmina told him that he is far too lenient on us, that we don’t behave like young women of society should.”
“Where was mother?”
“She left when Wilhelmina began her tirade, not least because it meant Arthur had to listen to her instead. I don’t think she has forgiven him for allowing Wilhelmina to stay, or their argument the other day.”
Sian frowned at her sister. “Why don’t you call Wilhelmina our aunt?”
Martha threw her a rueful look. “I am trying to forget that we are related.”
Sian sighed but completely understood. “What are you going to do about Isambard?”
Martha turned onto her side so she could look at Sian. “He has said he wants to come and talk to father.”
Sian was already shaking her head. “You know what happened last time.”
“I don’t see why father won’t accommodate him. He hasn’t even tried.”
“That’s because father sees Isambard’s family as poor and therefore lowly,” Sian replied, her voice laden with annoyance.
“But Isambard has a worthy job. His father has a good business.”
“As a blacksmith,” Sian replied. “As far as father is concerned, it isn’t a credible position even though Isambard’s father has done far better running his business than our father has ours.”
“It isn’t right. Isambard has a good position as an apprentice. Mr Richardson has said that if he keeps working as he is then he will secure a better position in time, but Mr Richardson is otherwise pleased with Isambard’s work. Even an apprentice accountant is a good position. We should think over our options. We must do something before father finds us husbands neither of us would ever choose. I refuse to marry anybody but Isambard.”
“Father doesn’t want to know. At least your Isambard wants to marry you,” Sian whispered.
Martha looked about to speak but then hesitated.
“Go on. What?”
Martha shook her head. She looked a little frightened before she flopped onto her back again but, unable to settle, she then slid off the bed and ambled over to the window seat.
“Martha?” Sian followed her and settled into the narrow gap on the window seat beside her sister. “Tell me.”
“Do you love him?” Martha began.
Sian knew who she was asking about. “I have always loved him. I always will.”
“What really happened between you two?”
“He was annoyed, I think, but I am not altogether sure. He told me that my situation will be made worse if I behave wantonly.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell Martha about the precious moment Ryan had kissed her. That was something she would hold close to her heart; and would remember only when she could think about it without wanting to cry her eyes out.
“He has not offered for you then?”
Sian offered her sister a smile which went nowhere near her eyes. She shook her head because she couldn’t force words past the lump in her throat.
“He will.”
