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“I wouldn’t wait too long,” Mrs. Cadogan advised. “Your beauty will fade, and then you will lose your advantage.”
“I am only twenty years old,” Daphne defended.
“When I was your age, I was already blessed with two beautiful children,” Mrs. Cadogan said. “You do want children, don’t you?”
“I do.”
Mrs. Cadogan nodded in approval. “That is good. For what purpose is a woman to a man if she doesn’t bear his children?”
Daphne frowned. “I hope my husband will appreciate my mind.”
“Your what?”
“My mind,” she repeated.
Mrs. Cadogan gave her a blank look. “Why would your husband care about the mine?” she asked.
“I said ‘my mind’,” Daphne attempted again, pointing to her head.
“Ah, that makes much more sense,” Mrs. Cadogan replied. “I am sure your husband will appreciate your mind, but it is not nearly as important as being a dutiful wife. After all, you only speak your opinion when your husband specifically asks you to do so.”
Daphne was about to reply when she heard Mr. Huxley chuckle. She turned towards him with a questioning look.
He met her gaze and smiled. “I daresay I find your conversation with Mrs. Cadogan rather interesting.”
“How so?”
“She may be old and senile, but she was right about one thing.”
“Which is?”
With a knowing look, he said, “You should be married by now.”
“My marital status is none of your concern.”
“I believe I have adequately made my intentions known towards you.”
“You have, but I promptly explained the many reasons why we would not suit.”
Mr. Huxley gave her an amused look. “What does marriage have to do with two people suiting?”
“I believe that two people must have more than mutual toleration for one another for a marriage to work.”
“I disagree.”
“I am not surprised by your stance, but it does not change mine.”
“That is regrettable,” Mr. Huxley said, reaching for his glass. “Together, we could have ruled this town.”
“I am not interested in ruling anything.”
“That is your problem, Miss Locke.”
She arched an eyebrow. “I did not realize that I had a problem.”
“You do,” Mr. Huxley said as he put his glass back on the table. “You believe you are better than everyone else in this town.”
“I assure you that is not the case.”
