Page 67 of The Gentleman Was Right
It sounded suspiciously like weeping.
She quickened her steps and then slowed when she heard the deep rumble of her husband’s voice over the quiet sobbing. Unsure of what to do, she peeked into the sitting room and found Edward patting her sister’s back while tears leaked onto his shoulder.
“I don’t…fit in,” Isabelle said between sharp inhales.
“Why not?” he asked, still gently rubbing her back.
Violet knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop.
It was an awful habit, and the result was rarely positive. Trying to ignore the voice inside her head that told her to either enter the room or leave, she silently eased back into the shadows of the hallway, out of sight of the doorway, but not so far away that she couldn’t hear what they said.
“I’m not anywhere close to as beautiful and sophisticated as your sisters are,” Isabelle murmured. “They keep trying to include me, but sooner or later they’re going to realize that I’m nothing but a simple country girl.”
Violet stiffened.
How had she not realized her sister was unhappy?
Edward made a soft shushing sound. “You fit in with my sisters just fine. They are country girls too. Were you not aware that this is the first time Jane and Louisa have been to London? Or that it’s only the second time for Belinda, Emmeline, and me. Sebastian is the only one who has spent substantial time here. The rest of us are as out of place as you seem to believe you are.”
“You aren’t out of place. You fit perfectly. Your brother is an earl.” She sniffled. “Did you know Emmeline told me that I could debut alongside Jane when the time comes? Can you imagine? What will people think if they see us together? Or even worse, what they will say?” Her voice wavered. “Here is Lady Jane. Beautiful. Poised. Accomplished in all the ways a woman should be. And here is Isabelle. Plump. Awkward. Accomplished at nothing.”
“That isn’t true,” he argued.
“Itis. They’ll know my sister married you, and that your family has no choice but to welcome me into the fold. They’ll think it ridiculous if I debut alongside Jane.”
“First of all, Emmeline would never offer to sponsor you unless she genuinely wanted to. And second, you?—”
“—I can’t even dance,” Isabelle wailed, interrupting.
It was untrue, and Violet wanted to rush into the room and assure Isabelle that she was a sensational dancer, but she forced herself to stay where she was while Edward made the soft shushing sound again. “That isn’t true. Your dancing was perfectly adequate when we were at the assembly. If you wish to improve or learn more complicated steps, I’d be happy to partner with you so you can practice.”
“It won’t matter how accomplished my dancing becomes,” Isabelle lamented. “I’ll still be a girl who does not belong. And the worst part about it is, I can’t say no to Emmeline. A part of me doesn’t even want to. It’s just—I already know what it’ll be like. I’ll be ignored and I’ll hate myself for it.” She whined the last five words, her voice pitiful and sad.
Violet’s head dropped back against the wall.
She’d thought that getting rid of Basil would solve everything, but she hadn’t considered that he wasn’t the only challenge they faced. Violet hadn’t even contemplated how Isabelle might be feeling now that Violet had married.
She’d only considered how the changes affected her. She was anawfulsister.
“You don’t have to enter society if you don’t want to. Emmeline would never pressure you, and neither would anyone else in my family.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “I wish I could claim otherwise, but I don’t want to lie to you. Society isn’t always very welcoming, and if you choose to debut with Jane, the curiosity about who you are will be enormous. I do not believe that anyone will be outright unkind, but I feel as if I should warn you. My family is rather notorious. My parents are a cautionary tale. Belinda is afailure. And I’m ascandal. Once again, only Sebastian has weathered their expectations without issue. And that is only because he is very good at rising above the petty squabbling of his peers, and he can hold onto an icy stare regardless of the situation.”
“You think”—Isabelle hiccupped—“that I should decline Emmeline’s offer?”
“If it won’t make you happy, then yes, of course. But regardless of what I think, you don’t need to decide yet. Jane isn’t debuting this year. She isn’t old enough and neither are you. Also, Belinda may never enter society again, and while your sister and I have not discussed it, Violet and I have no reason to participate in the Season this year or in the future. I’m certain Sebastian and Emmeline will, but they’re the only ones who have any sort of obligation. You aren’t going to be left out if you decide not to.”
Isabelle voice was so quiet that Violet almost couldn’t hear her reply. “You’re sure?”
“Very sure.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be worrying about it now. It’s a problem for another day. I’m very sorry I cried all over you. I haven’t cried in an age.” Her voice was a little stronger when she added, “I’m glad Violet married you.”
He chuckled softly. “I’m glad Violet married me too.”
“I know she probably hasn’t told you, but she’s glad too.”
A rustling sound drifted into the hallway as if Isabelle had risen to her feet.
Violet moved quickly and quietly as she retraced her steps up the stairs and into the bedchamber she shared with Edward. She’d been avoiding her husband as much as she could since she awoke that morning. As was becoming typical, their love making had unearthed truths she didn’t particularly want to face and avoiding him allowed her the opportunity to pretend that nothing had changed.
