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I glanced up at Theodore, who was just staring at her.
“Do you truly believe that will work, Mama? Why would the queen, of all people, be inclined to help?”
“My mama told me once that should I ever be in real trouble I was to seek an audience with the queen. That she would come to my aid, that she was our family’s greatest benefactor,” said Evander softly but the look on his face was still unsure. “But I never truly thought to ever go to her.”
“Yes, I have noticed, as you did not even seek her aid for yourself.” The marchioness frowned. “But your mama was truthful, as the queen owes a small debt of gratitude to her.”
“What?” both Aphrodite and I said in shock.
“It is a long story I shall not reveal that leaves me confident in her aid now. Thus, this plan shall work. Besides, everyone loves a good hero,” she said. “So, let us give them one.”
“If so…once it is done, who would dare speak on his birth?” Evander said as he nodded in agreement with her.
“Godmother, is this your only disagreement with this match?” I asked, somewhat amazed. I expected her to be…harsher. When I was in London she made it quite clear Dr. Darrington was not a suitable match.
“You believed I would not accept this match on account of what I have said in the past?” she asked me.
“Yes,” I replied.
“Even I believed you would not accept this, Godmother,” Evander added.
Her eyes shifted between us all before she sighed. “I must admit I would have preferred things not be so…complicated for you, Verity. That said, my greatest desire is to see you truly happy. And as I have not been able to do much to that end, I shall at least see to this.”
“Thank you, Godmother,” I said softly, not wishing to lose my composure.
They all went back and forth in their scheming for this knighthood. However, when I glanced up at Theodore, I noticed his demeanor had changed and his head had lowered.
He was not happy.
I could tell.
“Theodore, what do you think?” I said loudly so they could all speak with him and not around him.
They paused, looking at him, and he forced a smile. “I shall do whatever it takes for your blessing, your ladyship.”
He meant it, but at the same time, I knew something was not right. Seeing me watching him, he smiled, and I was sure I would have to seek him out privately.
“Mama!”
I jumped at the voice and turned to see the door open as none other than Abena ran into the room, dressed in yellow, her hat falling from her head.
“Mama, look! Is this not the most horrid thing?” She lifted the doll Aphrodite had made with a massive grin on her face. “Emeline said Odite made it.”
Aphrodite gasped and grabbed it from her. “Do not make fun of my daughter’s doll, Abena!”
The marchioness’s eyebrow rose at the word daughter, but she focused her attention on Abena.
“You are to go out and return as a lady would before greeting the duke and duchess and then everyone else in the room,” her mother ordered.
“Mama—” She was stopped by the look on her mama’s face.
Abena sighed, then picked up her hat before exiting the room. A moment later, there was a knock.
Everyone looked to the marchioness, who looked to Aphrodite.
“Enter,” Aphrodite said gently.
Abena, with a puckered face, came in, then curtsied. “Hello, Evander, Odite, Mama, Verity…Dr. Darrington? You are here too? Who is ill? Why is everyone always ill?”
The marchioness inhaled slowly, staring at her daughter. Finally, she said, “Please tell me your Emeline is not so difficult to manage.”
“Not at all.” Aphrodite grinned.
“Good. I wished to leave her in London, but I feared your father would not fare well with her and Hathor alone.”
“Papa said I am to give this look to the duke.” She turned and made a very strange face at Evander, who stared down at her and laughed.
They continued laughing, and when Emeline entered, all the conversation shifted, allowing me to whisper to Theodore.
“What is troubling you? And do not tell me it is nothing.”
He glanced down at me and said softly in return, “For a moment, I was frustrated that I was still not good enough in her eyes to have your hand. I would never be good enough despite all my efforts unless there was some title attached to me.”
“I will tell her you do not wish for it. I do not care if you are knighted or not. Forgive me for entertaining the prospect.”
“There is nothing to forgive. I know your feelings clearly. I wanted to say to the world, ‘My background does not matter. See, even as I am, I am permitted the hand of the most beautiful Lady Verity Eagleman.’ It was a moment of my own selfish pride.”
