“Oh,Amelia,” Esther groaned. “I know you mean well, but truly, I can’t believe the things you say sometimes. You must think I’m a simpleton.”
“Love isn’t for simpletons, My Lady. It’s for everyone.”
Esther shook her head. “You know how much I value your advice,” she said. “But you’re a commoner, and the fact of the matter is that there are things you simply can’t understand.”
“And you believe love is one of those things?” Amelia asked calmly.
“Not love,” Esther said. “But the responsibility a young lady like myself has to her family. For someone like me, marriage isn’t a matter of having your heart stolen by a good-looking gentleman. It’s about making moves to position your family well in society.”
“Your parents really do have you believing this, don’t they?” Amelia asked. “That the only thing you should be concerning yourself with is yourresponsibilityto the family.”
“Caroline needs me,” Esther said firmly.
“And what of your parents’ responsibility to you, My Lady?” Amelia asked. “Forgive me for speaking boldly—”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” Esther assured her. “Haven’t I always told you that I welcome your counsel, Amelia? Haven’t I always encouraged you to be forthright with me? We may not agree, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish to hear what you have to say.”
Amelia nodded. “Then I hope you won’t be angry when I say that your parents are laying at your doorstep responsibilities that should be theirs,” she said. “They were incautious with money, and now they expect you to marry for wealth to salvage their losses. They’ve convinced you that you owe them that. But you don’t. You should have the freedom to marry whomever you choose.”
Esther sighed. “I appreciate how much you worry, Amelia,” she said. “Truly, I do. But what you need to understand is that Iwantto help my parents. I want to help my family. And I want to make sure Caroline is provided for.”
“And what about the things you’ll be giving up to do it?” Amelia asked.
“I won’t be giving anything up,” Esther said. “This is what everyone will be doing, Amelia. Everyone who attends this Season’s events will be doing their best to make the most advantageous matches they can. The ladies will be seeking the gentlemen who have the titles, lands, and money they desire, and the gentlemen will be looking for the most beautiful ladies. You act as if I’m the only one going in with these aims. But it's not just me. It’s everyone!”
“You don’t think anyone will be looking for love instead of advantage?” Amelia asked.
“What I think is that you've been reading too many tales of romance,” Esther said kindly. “They’ve given you an idea of courtship and marriage that doesn’t match reality.”
“You seem very certain,” Amelia said mildly.
“Well, I’ve been preparing all my life for this,” Esther pointed out. “I’ve always known that when I came of age and it was time for me to marry, this was the way it would be.”
Amelia nodded. “Very well," she said. "I've said what I had to say, and I won’t trouble you further with my thoughts on the matter.”
“You haven’t troubled me at all,” Esther assured her. “I'm always happy to know what you have to say, Amelia. You know that. Your counsel is very valuable to me. My father hired you to be a servant, but you’re the closest thing I have to an elder sister.”
Amelia smiled. “And yet we mustn’t forget, My Lady, that Idoserve you. And while I’m grateful that you permit me to speak my mind, eventually our discussions must come to an end and you must do what you feel is right.”
“You have nothing to worry about, Amelia,” Esther said. “Not when it comes to my well-being this Season. I’m more than prepared to do what needs to be done, and I'm sure I’ll be able to do so with no regrets.”
“As you say, My Lady,” Amelia said affably. “Now, about that cup of tea?”
“No, thank you,” Esther said. “I’m already very tired, actually, and I’m sure I’ll have no trouble falling asleep. I only wish that Caroline had been at dinner tonight. I’ll miss her dearly while I’m away.”
“I'm sure she’ll come down to see you off tomorrow,” Amelia said. “She and her governess ate in the nursery tonight, by your mother's instruction.”
Amelia made no further comment, but Esther could see by the expression on her maid’s face what she thought of the fact that Caroline had been kept away from the dinner table on Esther’s final night at home.
Though she agreed with Amelia’s opinion in her heart, she felt a need to defend her parents. “I’m sure they didn’t want Caroline at the table while they discussed financial matters,” she said. “That’s no topic of conversation for such a young lady as my sister.”
“Indeed,” Amelia said. “There are those who might say it’s not an appropriate matter to discuss with one’s daughters at all. But I suppose that’s a matter of opinion.”
“That’s enough, Amelia,” Esther chided. “My parents are doing the best they can.”
Amelia nodded. “Yes, My Lady.”
“All the new gowns are packed?”
