But her mother wasn’t the kind to put up with flights of fancy. Esther had learned from a young age that practicality was what her parents valued. And that meant getting downstairs promptly at dinnertime so the food wouldn’t get cold, even if she had a collection of beautiful new gowns to look at.
Regretfully, she hung the lavender gown up, knowing that she wouldn’t see it again until she unpacked her trunk. Her maids would be packing her things while Esther ate her dinner. When she came back upstairs afterward, all these lovely new gowns would be hidden from view, and she wouldn’t have the chance to look at them again for days.
But I need to be practical. I need to be the daughter my parents want me to be. And what they want is someone who can focus on what needs to be done and not be distracted by lace and ribbons.
Esther had always prided herself on being that person. And now, heading into her first Season, she was confident that her practical nature would serve her well.
Her parents were already seated at the dinner table. Esther joined them, and they both fixed her at the same time with penetrating stares. Neither of them spoke.
“What?” Esther asked, after waiting a moment to see whether they would tell her what was on their minds.
“You’re leaving tomorrow for my sister’s home,” her father said.
“I know that, Father.” It was a strange thing for him to declare, as if it was new information. Esther’s trip to Harcourt Manor had been a long time coming. Her parents and her Aunt Tabitha had been working together to plan for it for over a month now. The very gowns Esther had been upstairs admiring had been designed for her first Season, for which she would be staying with her aunt.
“Before you go,” her father went on, “we need to discuss what’s expected of you while you’re there.”
“I’ll make you proud, Father,” Esther assured him. “I’ll be gracious to Aunt Tabitha.”
“It's not that old crone we’re concerned about,” Esther’s mother spoke up.
Esther’s eyes widened. She knew that her mother and her aunt weren’t on the best terms, but she had never known her mother to speak quite that harshly.
“Anastasia,” her father said firmly, “there’s no need for that kind of language.”
“She very nearly refused to take Esther in for the Season, Adam,” Esther’s mother said. “She’s selfish and awful, and you know it.”
“Be that as it may,” Esther’s father said, “shedidagree to take Esther. And we must be thankful that she’s done so. Remember that she’s all alone, with a daughter of her own to guide through the Season.”
“Eugenia,” Esther’s mother scoffed. “I wish her luck withthatone. It’s hard to imagine Eugenia catching the attention of any gentleman, and especially not when our Esther is in the room.”
Coming from her mother, that was high praise indeed, and Esther decided to take it as such. “Thank you, Mother,” she said. “I’m pleased to hear you have such faith in me.”
Esther’s mother’s face twisted in consternation, and Esther felt pleased. Her mother hadn’t meant to pay a compliment at all. Her focus had been on insulting Eugenia, not on flattering Esther. The compliment had been entirely accidental. But she couldn’t very well say so now. Though she knew it was wrong, Esther took pleasure in thwarting her mother like this.
“I believe my sister is aware of her daughter’s prospects,” Esther’s father said. “She knows better than to aim too high when it comes to Eugenia. Eugenia will be fortunate to make a match at all.”
Esther's mother smiled icily. “Tabitha knows that, of course. That’s why she doesn’t want Esther there, you mark my words, Adam. She doesn’t want Eugenia to be overshadowed.”
“Mother,” Esther interrupted. “I'm sure there will be plenty of gentlemen at this Season’s events for both myselfandmy cousin. There will be no need for us to compete. We can both be successful.”
“Ah,” her father said. “But this is what I wanted to discuss with you, Esther. When I spoke of expectations, I did not mean to tell you to be polite to your aunt—I have no doubt that you’ll do that.”
“Then I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Esther admitted. “What are your expectations, Father?”
Her father sighed. “The finances of Cliffdall are not what they once were, I’m afraid. The Earldom finds itself in debt.”
“We’re in debt?” Esther frowned. She hadn’t known. “How did that happen?”
“It happened because your father is a shameless gambler,” her mother said.
Her father shot a glare in her mother’s direction. “And your mother is a profligate spender,” he said, looking pointedly at the jeweled necklace she wore.
Esther clapped a hand to her mouth. “All those fine gowns,” she said. “They must have cost a fortune. How could we afford such a thing, if we’re in debt?”
“We increased our debt slightly for the sake of your first Season,” her father explained.
“You shouldn’t have,” Esther said, feeling horrible. “I have plenty of gowns I could have worn.”
