AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 19
Mary and Sarah were out in town the following day, hopeful that they might be able to get their minds off everything that was going on. Miss Anne accompanied them as their chaperone, promising to report back any infraction to Mary’s father and her stepmother.
Mary had been shocked that she was allowed to leave the house after the accusations levied against her. She had imagined that she might be forced to spend the rest of her days locked away until her father had secured a match for her—some ugly old fellow she had never met until their wedding day when she would be horrified by him.
But they had given her approval, knowing that Sarah and Miss Anne would ensure that she did not get into any trouble. And no matter what, Mary would not be allowed to break free—not that she ever had before.
“I think we ought to go to the cobbler. There are few things in this world that lift a woman’s spirits so well as shoes,” Sarah said, grinning.
Mary smiled sadly, trying to be amused. But in addition to the fact that she cared very little about shoes, there was nothing that was going to brighten her mood in the midst of all that had happened in the past few days.
“Come along now, Mary. Sarah is right. Just because shoes are not your absolute favourite indulgence, I think it sounds like a wonderful thing for us to go and enjoy,” Miss Anne said.
Mary followed along with them, trying not to drag het feet. She didn’t want to be a bore, but she was also struggling a great deal in everything that was going on. She was hard pressed to simply enjoy the day and go along with everything when she felt that her whole world was falling apart.
“Come, Mary,” Sarah said, echoing Miss Anne.
As they were making their way down the street, Mary heard someone calling her name. She looked around and, at first, saw no one. But then, she spotted her: the beautiful, tall woman with dark hair, waving at her. She was none other than Lady Beatrice Dunaway, the sister of Lord Hanbrooke.
“Oh, goodness,” Mary groaned to herself.
Sarah and Miss Anne stood nearby, but gave Mary a bit of space with Lady Beatrice as the lovely woman approached.
“Lady Mary, how good to see you. And you, Miss Lambton,” she greeted.
“And this is my governess, Miss Anne Bryant,” Mary introduced.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Anne,” Lady Beatrice said.
Mary swallowed hard when Lady Beatrice focused on her once more with those searching eyes. Mary couldn’t help but feel terribly awkward. She imagined that Lady Beatrice thought lowly of her, that she thought Mary was the worst of women. It was humiliating to have to see her on the street and know that she had disappointed this woman despite not having done anything wrong.
“And how are you, Lady Mary?” she asked, taking Mary by surprise.
“I…I am perfectly well,” she lied.
“Ah, but I can see that you are not. Are you doing all right? Is there anything which you might like to say?” Lady Beatrice asked.
Mary hung her head and looked at the ground. She didn’t know what to say. No one would listen and only Sarah and Miss Anne believed her.
“Lady Mary, I am giving you a chance to tell me the truth. I wish for honesty. I am not here to subject you to guilt or shame. I saw that you were ignored, and I want you to know that you may tell me the absolute truth. I would like to know,” she said.
Mary looked up at her once more and had the strangest sense that she was being honest. If Lady Beatrice really did want to know the truth, Mary had an opportunity to share it. That was the most remarkable part of it all. She hoped that she would be heard, that Lady Beatrice would actually listen.
Mary sighed and struggled to find her words.
“Shall I begin?” Lady Beatrice asked, apparently noting how difficult it was for Mary.
“You?” Mary asked.
“I thought you may want to hear my opinion on the matter,” she said.
Mary expected that Lady Beatrice would use this opportunity to scold Mary, but instead, her eyes softened.
“I heard what you said. You claimed that none of it was true. And while I know that any woman might make such a claim, I believed you,” she said, shocking Mary.
“You…you believe me?” Mary asked.
“Indeed. But I need to be sure that I am right. You see, I can tell that you care for my brother—just as he cares for you. I think you would not do something like this to hurt him. Perhaps I am wrong, but I wish to know the truth and be sure that I have not misjudged you,” Lady Beatrice said.
