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“Most likely not,” Emmeline admitted.
“What you did was unbelievably stupid,” Betty said as she placed her teacup and saucer onto the tray with a clank, “and I find I am not in the right mindset to continue this conversation.” She abruptly rose. “I have no doubt your parents would have been mortified by your decision.”
“Please don’t say that,” Emmeline breathed.
“Why?” Betty asked. “It would make it no less true.”
“The duke and I would have never suited,” Emmeline pressed. “He only wanted to marry me because he needed an heir.”
“That is what marriage is in our circles!” Betty exclaimed.
“I wanted more in a marriage.”
Betty put her hands up in front of her. “I can’t talk to you when you are behaving like this,” she said as she started walking to the door. “You are an impossible child.”
“Wait,” Emmeline said, setting her teacup on the tray.
Betty stopped at the open door and gave her an expectant look. “What is it?”
“May I pack my clothes so they can return to Hawthorne House with me?”
With a shake of her head, Betty replied, “You are no longer welcome in this home. I shall have Mary pack your clothes and have your trunks delivered to you.”
“Thank you,” Emmeline murmured.
Betty’s expression held a look of disgust. “Your uncle worked hard to negotiate a fair contract for you, and it was all for nothing.”
“I never meant to hurt you or Uncle George.”
“Well, you did not succeed in that regard,” Betty replied. “Your selfish decision has broken our hearts.”
Tears formed in Emmeline’s eyes. “I am sorry, Aunt Betty.”
“Go back to Hawthorne House,” Betty said firmly. “You are no longer our responsibility.”
The tears started rolling down Emmeline’s cheeks, and she reached up to wipe them away with her gloved hands. “As you wish.”
Betty remained standing there for a moment, staring at her, and Emmeline thought she saw her expression softening. But then she blinked, and her aunt departed from the room without saying another word.
Rising, Emmeline walked over to the door and stepped out into the entry hall. Drew was standing there, watching her with pity in his eyes.
He walked over to the door and opened it. “It was good to see you, milady.”
“Likewise, Drew.”
“Take care of yourself.”
Emmeline brought a smile to her lips at the fastidious butler. “I hope to one day see you again.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Drew said in a hushed voice, “It has been my infinite pleasure to serve you and your parents.”
“Thank you,” she murmured as she exited the door.
The footman stepped off his perch when he saw her and opened the coach door. She was about to step in when she heard her name being called from behind her.
Emmeline turned and saw her lady’s maid standing near the servant’s entrance. Mary gestured that she should approach her.
Emmeline closed the distance between them and asked, “What is it?”
