Page 125 of If the Slipper Fits
“I would dearly love a cup of tea,” Lady Wentworth said, echoing her thoughts. “Or perhaps something stronger.”
“I can call for—”
“—No. First I’ll answer the questions you no doubt have for me. Afterward, if you do not wish for me to leave, tea would be most welcome.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell her ofcourseshe would not wish her to leave. Then it dawned on her. Depending on what the lady shared, that may well not be the case.
“Are you really my grandmother?”
“Yes. Emmaline, your mother, was my daughter.”
As she’d surmised. Now that she knew, it explained another coincidence. The myriad books in Lady Wentworth’s library on horticulture,healing herbs, and the like. The books must have belonged to her mother once upon a time.
“My parents never told me of you. Why is that?”
A far away look came into the older woman’s dark eyes. Dark eyes, like her mother’s. “That would be because your mother wanted nothing to do with her father and I, with good reason.”
“Such as?”
“The late Wentworth, your grandfather, my husband, came from an old, distinguished family. The bluest of blood ran through his veins. To say he had conservative ideas about how society should function would be to put it mildly.”
Her mother’s words echoed in her mind.With nobility, the title always comes first. Even before family.She twined her fingers in her lap.
“Meaning for him, the title came before all else?”
Lady Wentworth looked taken aback. “You sound exactly like your mother—before she left.”
“She may have said something to the effect a time or two.” Or fifty.
“She spoke of him?”
Anna smiled sadly. “No. She merely proffered her opinion regarding nobility as a whole. Mother had strong opinions about many things.”
“She could be a force.” A faint, fond smile accompanied the statement. “In this instance, she had good reason for her staunch belief. Her father, the duke, arranged what he believed was a good marriage for Emmaline. A nobleman from an old established family. She did not outright agree to the match, but she did concede to consider allowing the man to court her. To that end, he visited our estate in NorthUmberland where he stayed one month’s time.
“After several weeks, Emmaline was less than keen on the idea of marriage to him.”
She drew in a deep breath and continued with her tale. “The morning of his departure, Emmaline came to us distraught. Apparently in a private conversation with the man, she expressed her intention not to wed him. She claimed this nobleman, a man highly esteemed for his rank and wealth, became enraged and attacked her.”
“And? What did the duke do? Did he call the man out?”
She pressed her lips together briefly. “No. He told her to grow up. Said it made no difference in the scheme of things. I’m not sure he even believed her. He said she did not have to like him in order to wed him.”
A sick feeling rolled through Anna. “And you? What did you say?”
She fisted her gloved hands on her lap. “The man was handsome, charming, rich. I couldn’t imagine him doing anything so barbaric as attacking our daughter in our own home. I decided she must have embellished the truth. When I said as much, she did not argue. She informed us of her intent never to see the man again and clammed up tight. Wentworth was furious. A silent war ensued. And then…she turned out to be with child.”
Anna’s hand went to her throat. She couldn’t breath.
“Pragmatic as always, Wentworth determined that the two of them should marry as soon as the license could be obtained. Emmaline took his decision surprisingly well. Indeed, she made not a peep of protest.”
“What happened?”
“The morning her wedding was to take place, we woke to find her gone. I thought Wentworth would have an apoplexy. Even so, I argued—too little, too late—that we hadn’t done right by her. Not only should we not force her to marry the blackguard, but we should begfor her forgiveness and…” Her cheeks flushed an angry red. “…murderthe bastardwho’d hurt our daughter.”
Anna nodded her agreement in vigorous accord.
Lady Wentworth’s eyes grew haunted. “Wentworth said any daughter who would disrespect him like that was no daughter of his. He said I must choose where my loyalties lie—with her or him. And I…” One tear coursed down her lined cheek.
