Daniel bowed at once and vanished from the room. Albert cursed himself. He had been snapping at the servants more since his return to London. They were just servants, of course. But they were all decent people. He hadn’t said cross words to any servant since he had gone to live in the countryside, and he was able to revel in his reclusive lifestyle. And his current mood and situation weren’t their fault. He chastised himself, promising himself that he would stop taking things out on people who didn’t deserve it. He would reserve that for his father, when he could find the stomach to face the earl.
With the same enthusiasm as he had pulled himself out of bed, Albert dragged himself down the stairs. He tried, in the distance between the staircase and the drawing room, to look like he felt better than he did. But the best he could muster by the time he stepped inside the room was a small, tired smile. His mother was sitting alone at the long tea table between two small sofas in the middle of the room. She smiled at her son when he approached her, rising to embrace him.
“Good morning, my dear,” she said, her voice soothing. “Do not fret. Your father has gone to the House of Lords again. You can relax today, if you wish.”
Albert did relax a bit, nodding as he sat down beside his mother. She poured him some tea and put some cookies on a saucer for him, just like she used to when he was a young boy. She handed it to him, and he gave her a warmer, more genuine smile.
“Thank you, Mother,” he said. “How did you know that I was hoping Father wasn’t here?”
His mother sighed, looking at her son sympathetically.
“Your father told me about this arranged marriage,” she said. “I could guess how you would take such news. And the expression on your face when you came in here confirmed it.”
Albert nodded, scowling as he recalled his father’s words.
“How could he just spring such a thing on me, Mother?” he asked. “What would make him think that I wouldn’t wish to have a say in such a matter?”
The countess shrugged.
“I wish I knew, darling,” she said. “I wish he’d at least have spoken with me about it first. But I didn’t know anything until last night, after he talked to you. And I think he only told me then because he noticed how displeased you were. I think he believed you should jump for joy and be grateful.” She paused, sighing again. “I can’t say precisely what he thinks. But he left this morning in much higher spirits. I suppose he believes he’s doing what’s best for you.”
Albert set aside his tea, his minimal appetite waning.
“But it’s not best for me,” he said. “What was best for me was what I was already doing: living in my country-seat, minding my own business, and letting everyone in the ton mind theirs.”
His mother nodded.
“I know how happy you were there,” she said. “And I don’t agree with what your father is doing. But perhaps, something good can come from this, despite how impossible that seems right now.”
Albert snorted, pointing to the right side of his face.
“Come now, Mother,” he said, frowning. “No lady will ever want to have a scarred husband. This marriage will be nothing but a miserable arrangement. For this poor lady, as well as for me.”
***
“Martha, darling, why don’t you join me for a walk in Hyde Park?” Isabel asked as she and Martha strolled through the gardens. “You look positively crushed, and it breaks my heart to see it.”
Martha blinked, giving her cousin the biggest smile she could muster.
“I don’t want you worrying about me, Cousin,” she said sincerely. “You need to be focused on your wedding to Patrick.”
Isabel smiled brightly at the mere mention of her fiancé’s name. Martha noticed, and her heart squeezed. But she forced her smile to widen, as she didn’t want to put a damper on her cousin’s happiness.
“My wedding to Patrick will happen, no matter what,” she said, still smiling. “But your happiness matters, too. And you look utterly miserable about this arranged marriage.”
Martha sighed. She needed to tell someone. But she couldn’t bring her cousin down to do it.
“But Father is right,” she said, shrugging. “I’m of spinster age now, officially. I likely won’t get any offers in the future. And who knows? It’s not unheard of that two people fall in love after they’re married. Besides, it will be nice to share a life with someone, even if we’re just friends.”
She gave her cousin her best smile as she spoke, trying to put on a brave front. She hoped that, if she looked convincing enough, Isabel would stop worrying. And it worked. Isabel embraced her, kissing her cheek.
“There’s my girl,” she said, beaming. “Good can come from anything. You just have to be willing to open your mind to it.”
Martha nodded, linking her arm through her cousin’s as they headed back up to the house. But as she headed to her chambers to get ready for dinner with her future betrothed that night, she wondered if she would ever truly believe what she had said to her cousin. Could she find contentment with a man she didn’t love? Or would she be miserable for the rest of her life?
Chapter Five
“Miss Elwood?” Lily asked, startling Martha from her thoughts.
