Page 5 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
“It is not seemly to titter in the street,” Mrs. Nott announced. “Come along now, before all the curtains in the neighbourhood start twitching.”
Ara smiled faintly. “Yes, Mama. We are coming.”
Mrs. Nott nodded imperiously but didn’t say another word, sweeping into the house. Ara sighed. Her mother had barely spoken to her since her outburst after her wild ride on the beach. She had tried to make amends and be compliant since, but Mama had not forgiven her yet.
***
Ara walked into the study, located in the east wing of the house. It was where her father, Mr. Moses Nott, practically lived when they were in their London residence. Every day after breakfast, he would retire there to read the papers. He didn’t like to be disturbed unless it was a dire emergency. This fact alone caused her to tremble a little; that Papa had summoned her here to his domain.
He was sitting at his desk, bent over some papers. Ara studied her father covertly. He was a portly man, in his fifties, with blackish grey hair. At the sound of her footsteps, he looked up. His thick grey eyebrows drew downwards, looking for all the world like wings, contemplating her.
“Arabella,” he said, in his most severe voice.
Ara trembled more. Papa only called her by her full name when he was about to deliver a lecture. When he was happy with her, he always called her his sweet Ara.
“Sit down, daughter,” he commanded. “I need to speak with you.”
She did as he commanded, settling herself on the chaise lounge in the centre of the room. Papa stood up, pacing the floor.
“Your mother and I are concerned about your attitude,” he said slowly.
Ara sighed deeply. “Papa, I am sorry. I have already apologised a hundred times to Mama, but she still will not speak to me…”
Her father stopped pacing, staring at her. “She is tired of it, Arabella, just as I am. It seems that despite all your promises to stop your reckless behaviour, you cannot comply.” He took a deep breath. “And yet you must, daughter. For your own sake, and the sake of your reputation.”
Ara hung her head a little, feeling tears sting behind her eyes. Had she really done such a bad thing, by riding Pem on the beach and missing the dressmaker’s appointment?
She raised her head, a little defiantly. “If I were a young man, no one would have even mentioned my ride. It would have not even been remarked upon…”
“But you arenota young man, Arabella,” he interjected sharply. “You are a younglady. And as such, there are certain ways that you are expected to behave.”
She stiffened. She had been hearing this all her life.
“The way that you spoke to your mother was disrespectful,” he continued. “Your mother went to great trouble to arrange for the dressmaker to make a home visit, and yet you decided that riding your horse was more important than that.”
The tears stung harder behind her eyes. She held them back with difficulty.
“I am sorry I was disrespectful to Mama,” she said slowly. “What more can I say? I have tried to do everything that I should since then, but she still refuses to speak to me.”
“Because she is tired of your excuses,” he said sharply. “She is hurt, daughter, and rightly so. Your mother devotes herself to you. All that she wants is for you to be secure in this world, well married, and well placed. Why is that so hard for you to understand? Why must you fight and resist her efforts?”
A single tear fell down her cheek. “I do not know,” she said, her lip trembling. “I try, Papa. I really do try to be good, and be like all the other young ladies.” She took a deep, ragged breath. “I wish that I were more like Ruth. But it is so difficult for me.”
His frown deepened. “You must try harder, daughter. It is your duty to marry well. I must have your word that you will participate in your season here to the utmost.”
Another tear fell down her cheek, and she hung her head. She hated it when Papa was mad with her.
“I will participate in the season,” she said slowly. “Please, do not be angry with me anymore.”
Her father’s face softened a little. “We only do this for your benefit, Ara. It is our duty as parents. You do realise that, do you not?”
Ara nodded slowly. Yes, she understood that her parents were no different to any other well to do family in that regard. All mothers sought a good match for their daughters and worked tirelessly towards it. All fathers wanted to see their daughters married well and protected. It was universal.
She knew and understood all that. And still, the thought of marriage was anathema to her. Her very soul shrivelled just a little at the thought of being owned and controlled by a man.
She sighed deeply. It didn’t help that all the young men she had met in her London seasons left her cold. While all the other young ladies smiled and preened like peacocks on display at the balls and assemblies, flirting openly, she wondered what the fuss was about. No young man had moved her in any way. Some were more interesting to talk to than others, but she had never had a marked preference for any one of them in particular.
She sighed again. Shecouldmake an effort…couldn’t she?
