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“How can I love someone when I’ve not been given the chance to become better acquainted with him?”
“Excellent point.” Eden glanced over at their mother. “Regarding your other questions, I can only answer with what I speculate. First, Graham did not threaten Dracott. He ordered him to follow a lead, and Dracott needed to follow Graham’s command. I am not sure of Dracott’s financial situation, but I am under the impression he needs to support himself with employment.”
“That explains Graham, but what about Mama?”
“Ah, Maggie. You are her baby, and she doesn’t want to let you go. No gentleman will ever be good enough for you.”
Maggie harrumphed. “Then why insist on my involvement in this year’s season?”
Eden laughed. “Because Mama enjoys attending all the entertainments. Papa never allowed Mama to experience the seasons when he lived. He forbade her to visit London and forced her to remain at Worthington Hall. She missed her friends and the enjoyment she finds from the balls and musicals. You cannot fault her for wanting to attend the different festivities.”
“But she could’ve delighted in those activities without me.”
“We receive more invitations to certain balls because Mama is debuting a debutante such as yourself,” Eden explained.
Maggie sighed with disappointment in herself. While she grew irritated with her mother over Dracott’s treatment, she had misunderstood what a season meant to Mama. She had sacrificed her life, protecting her children from a temperamental husband, only to suffer disgrace from his passing. The least Maggie could do was take part in the season. While she still wished for Dracott to court her, she made a promise to herself to accept more dances from the other gentlemen who attempted to meet her.
“As for Lord Dracott, he is as smitten with you as you are with him. His gaze when he stares at you holds the same passion as Reese does for Evelyn. You must understand the position he is in and how he must watch his every step.”
Maggie pouted. “This business of courtship seems so senseless.”
“That it does, dear sister. One I am glad I do not have to endure,” Eden boasted.
“Oh, but Mama will make you eventually,” Maggie warned.
“Mmm, we shall see.”
“We shall see what?” Noel asked, drawing the other ladies’ attention onto them.
Maggie swung a guilty expression at Eden. With a slight shake of her head, Eden warned Maggie to stay silent and that she would handle Noel’s interruption. “We shall see if Lord Finkelstein asks for my hand in a dance tomorrow evening at the Harrisson Ball.”
Noel’s eyes lit up at Eden’s discomfort. The earl had been a thorn in Eden’s side for the season. At every opportunity, he attempted to woo her, even trying to catch her unaware to compromise her. He fancied her and thought she would make an excellent mother to his four children. Every time he drew near to their circle, shudders would rack Eden’s petite frame. At least Reese and Mama found him in poor taste and refused him any association with Eden. Still, he was a bother she had to deal with on certain occasions.
Mama tsked. “Unfortunately, he will. The gentlemen are acting out of character this season. They do not realize how they step out of bounds with their behavior.”
“Mama!” Maggie objected.
Mama sent Maggie a warning glare not to give her opinion on the matter. It would appear Evelyn’s reassurance concerning Lord Dracott had done no good. Maggie swung her questioning gaze at Evelyn, who shrugged and offered an encouraging smile.
Before Maggie voiced her opinion, Rogers entered, carrying a box in his hand. He walked over to Mama and handed it over. “For you, my lady. The gentleman wanted me to deliver this to you, along with his letter.”
Maggie leaned forward and saw the box of chocolate from Sampsons. “Do you have an admirer, Mama?”
Mama blushed. “Nonsense.”
Mama opened the missive and read the note. It was an apology from Lord Dracott, one she hadn’t been expecting since his impolite departure the evening before. However, he went into great depth to explain his departure and his intention to protect Maggie. His apology matched what Evelyn had tried to convince her of a few moments ago. She sighed. As much as she wanted Maggie to experience the season, she also noticed the attraction simmering between her daughter and Lord Dracott. Was it wrong of her to worry so much?
She set the note down and opened the box to see it full of her favorite chocolates. Not only her favorites, but Maggie’s too. The gift was an expression to make his apologies to each lady. She had noticed the longing in her daughter’s eyes all day, as well as the doubt. It was time she put her differences to the side and accepted Lord Dracott as Maggie’s choice. Her reasons for denying them a chance were her own selfish ones.
Maggie was her youngest child, and she wished to protect her from the evilness in the world. She was a kindhearted soul whose love of animals kept her innocent from the harsh realities of life. She didn’t remember the rants her father delivered, like her older children. But shielding her from life experiences wasn’t healthy for the girl, either.
She drew out a chocolate and took a bite. After moaning at the delicious sensation of the creamy center melting in her mouth, she passed the box and letter over to Maggie. Her daughter looked at her in confusion, and she nodded for Maggie to read the letter. After Maggie finished reading, her expression filled with hope. Lady Worthington smiled her acceptance, and a smile lit Maggie’s face as she had never seen before, reassuring her that she had made the right decision.
“Please show Lord Dracott in,” Mama directed Rogers.
Rogers appeared unsure of himself. His direct orders from Lord Worthington to refuse the gentleman were clear. However, everyone knew Lady Worthington overruled her son in the matters of Lady Margaret. “I am afraid I have sent him on.”
Lady Worthington arched her brow. “Why would you do that?”
