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After Lord Stanton left, Delia fled to her room again. She didn’t want to talk to Papa at all. She could barely look at him. She was still inconsolable that he had betrayed her like this. It was as if her happy-go-lucky father, who had always treated her so well, had vanished entirely, to be replaced by this stranger who had been secretly gambling, risking their home and her future.
She lay upon her bed, listlessly gazing towards the window. She had never felt so bereft in her life. The door opened, and Minnie walked in with a freshly pressed gown in her arms. Her maid stopped short, staring at her.
“Oh, my lady,” she said in a sorrowful voice. “How did the visit go?”
Delia sat up. “How do you think it went? Lord Stanton talked at me about how our lives together shall progress. I barely uttered a word, and he did not seem to care.”
Minnie placed the gown in a chair, before sitting on the side of the bed. Delia gazed at her. How pretty Minnie was with her golden hair and fresh face. She had often thought they could pass for sisters, for she had the exact same shade of hair, and they were of similar height and stature. But whereas Minnie had eyes as blue as cornflowers, hers were grey. The maid’s face was more square, as well. Papa often said Delia’s face was a perfect heart.
The thought of Papa, and how close they had always been, tore at her heart once again. She tried desperately to keep the tears at bay.
“I am sure it will not be so bad,” said Minnie, biting her lip. “Lord Stanton is a decent gentleman, isn’t he?”
Delia shrugged. “He is not a bad man,” she said slowly. “I hardly know him, Minnie. He rarely visits, and when he does, he and Papa retire to the study to play cards.” She hesitated. “I do not think he would be cruel to me, but that is not the point. I do not love him, and I never will. He is old enough to be my father.”
Minnie sighed. “Aye, I must say I wouldn’t like to marry such an old man.” She was silent for a moment. “But you do not have any choice, do you? Your father has arranged it, my lady. You will have to make your peace with it. What other option do you have?”
Delia turned her face away. She knew that Minnie was only trying to help her. The maid spoke the truth. She had no choices in life. She had been lucky up until now, for her father had always been kind and generous to her. He had indulged her, really. That was what made his sudden change in behaviour and character all the more shocking.
But she knew many ladies whose fathers always ruled with an iron fist and gave them no choices in life at all. It was very common. Daughters were the property of their fathers until they married. A lady couldn’t refuse to marry if her father was set upon the idea. Unless they took matters into their own hands and escaped their lives entirely.
The shocking thought made her blood run cold. She had heard of ladies who had done such things. They had run away from home to escape fates they didn’t want. It had always struck her as a desperate act, and she couldn’t imagine ever being in such a position to even contemplate such drastic action. But it was highly unusual. When all was said and done, most ladies went meekly to their fates. What else could they do?
No, she had never imagined she would be in such a position. But here she was. Her father had turned into a stranger overnight and was insisting she marry a man she didn’t love. She had always been cossetted and protected and treated like gold. But at the end of the day, she was merely chattel to be bought and sold, like all other ladies.
Minnie was right. She must accept her fate, just like a thousand faceless ladies before her had done. Because the alternative—taking her destiny into her own hands—was far too confronting and shocking to contemplate.
It was a big, wide world out there. A cruel world. She couldn’t survive it on her own. She was a daughter of privilege—pampered, indulged, coddled. There was nothing she could do to make her living in the world. The logistics of even planning such a bold move were simply beyond her. And besides, if she dared to be so reckless, she would be hunted down and brought back home with her tail between her legs. She wouldn’t last a day.
Her heart contracted with misery. She had no choice but to submit to it. Her life truly was over.
Chapter 4
The air was fraught with tension the next day at breakfast. Papa sat at the head of the table, in his usual position, slicing the top off a boiled egg. Delia stared down at her porridge, feeling mildly disgusted. It looked like congealed mush. She had lost her appetite entirely.
“How was the visit with Lord Stanton yesterday?” he asked eventually.
Delia jumped. His voice seemed to echo throughout the room.
“How do you think it was?” she replied through gritted teeth. “He told me what was going to happen. That was all.”
Her father gave a heavy sigh. “Delia, you must resolve yourself to this. Lord Stanton is having a ball this Saturday evening. I have agreed that you will travel to his estate on Thursday for an extended house stay. Your aunt has agreed to chaperone.” He hesitated. “Your betrothal will be officially announced at the ball. I shall travel there separately, expressly for the ball, and return to Twickenham Hall the next day.”
Delia dropped her spoon onto the table. It made a loud clatter. Her breath was coming in short, sharp gasps. The speed of this was making her dizzy. She felt like she was going to be sick.
“The house stay will allow you to get to know each other better,” continued her father in a strained voice. “I think it will be a good way for you to become more at ease with Lord Stanton. You will get to know his household well. His daughters will assist you with everything that you need to know about becoming mistress there.”
Delia stared down at her bowl.
“Think of it like a courtship in reverse,” he said, trying to laugh. “You will settle well there, my dear. I am confident you will make a satisfactory life.”
“So that is it, then?” she said, her heart beating hard. “You will not listen to my wishes? You are intent upon forcing this marriage upon me against my will?”
“I have no choice, Delia,” he said, frowning. “I have explained the gravity of the situation to you! I am in danger of losing Twickenham Hall. That cannot happen. Thatmustnot happen!”
She stood up abruptly, the chair scraping on the floor. “You are in danger of losing Twickenham Hall through your own foolishness,” she lashed out, anger overcoming her again. “Why must I pay for your sins?”
“That is enough!” he cried, his face turning puce. “I see now that I have been too lenient with you, Delia! You are spoilt, too used to getting your own way. You must do your duty. Many ladies go into marriages of convenience. It is the way of it in our world.”
