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“You heard what Frederick said?” Eleanor asked, feeling miserable that her friend should have borne witness to her brother’s scolding.
Rosalin nodded. “I couldn’t help but overhear.” She paused and gave Eleanor a sympathetic look. “Your brother has a way about him. Even when he is trying to be subtle, all eyes are on him.” She tilted her chin in the direction where Frederick had moved, and her point was made clear. Just seconds before, Frederick had been threatening Eleanor, but now, he was moving through the crowd, clasping hands with gentlemen he met and laughing merrily at something one of them said.
Eleanor felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. “What am I to do?” she asked her friend helplessly.
Rosalin turned to Eleanor and the look of pity that had been on her face before was suddenly gone. “You must marry,” Rosalin said plainly.
“But. . .” Eleanor stammered.
“There is a certain freedom that comes with being someone’s bride,” Rosalin murmured, lowering her voice so that Eleanor had to take a step closer to hear her properly. “I know that you cannot see it, as you are on the outside looking in, but once you are wed, you will be able to do as you please.”
Eleanor furrowed her eyebrow. That didn’t sound accurate. From all her own observations, she had come to see that once a woman wed herself to a man, she was required to bow to his needs. “I don’t think you have that right, Rosalin.”
“No?” Rosalin answered, arching her eyebrow severely. “Find yourself the right husband, Eleanor.”
“Have you found yourself the right husband?” Eleanor asked, feeling rather confused by the whole matter.
Rosalin chuckled delicately. “My husband allows me to do whatever I please, and that suits me perfectly.” Her eyes left Eleanor’s then and they cast about the room. Eleanor craned her neck and followed her gaze. Rosalin was staring directly at Frederick. “Find yourself the right husband, Eleanor,” Rosalin repeated, “and you will be able to do whatever you want.”
“Whatever I want?” Eleanor echoed, baffled by this new way to look upon marriage.
“Whatever you desire,” Rosalin purred seductively. As the musicians concluded the current dance number, Rosalin sauntered off toward the place where Frederick was now waiting for her. Eleanor watched her friend sashay through the crowd toward her brother.
If I marry, I could be free to do whatever I want?The thought muddled in Eleanor’s brain. She needed to think it over more thoroughly, and so, she turned away from the crowded ballroom. As she headed out toward the gardens, she thought about the ultimatum her brother had just placed before her. She dropped her head as she dismally thought:Even if I would be able to secure my freedom through the union, how will I ever find a husband tonight?
