“Yes, I’ve invited some of the most prominent patronesses in town. I wanted to make sure that the best charities were represented,” Sally replied. “I am keen to bring people together and see where collaboration might help those in need.”
“I’m sure they’ll be pleased to see you taking such an active role in philanthropy. It’s always nice to see young ladies using their position for the greater good. One must stay occupied, mustn’t one? Especially when one does not yet have a child,” Lady Millstone said, a hint of condescension in her tone.
“When one has children, it is certainly more difficult; that is why I am so glad my sister is so dedicated to doing good now before motherhood forces her to step back,” Joanna said quickly.
Lady Millstone raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed. “I see. Well, the aristocracy can always use more noble-blooded children, certainly,” she said and looked Joanna up and down. Sally’s eyes grew wide, for she knew exactly what she was referring to.
Joanna’s two older children, Peter and Louisa, while well-loved, were orphans she had taken in. Thus, they were not of what Lady Millstone’s considered precious noble blood. She saw her sister’s nostrils flare and quickly placed a hand on hers.
“I, for one, think all children are blessings, which is why this ball is so important to me. If you could find it in your heart to contribute to the greater good, I’d certainly appreciate it,” Sally said to the older woman who puckered her lips, unsure of what to make of Sally’s statement.
“Well, I ... I must go. But I will certainly see you at your ball. Will your husband be there?”
Sally’s eyes widened. Would he? She hadn’t told him much about the ball, and she wasn’t certain if he would be in the country, let alone in town.
“Of course,” Rosy said hastily before Sally had a chance to say anything.
“Lovely, I look forward to seeing you both,” Lady Millstone said, curtsied rather sloppily, and then made her way down the street, leaving Sally seething.
“What a dreadful wench,” Joanna huffed once she was out of earshot.
“A witch, more like,” Rosy said.
“She might be, but she is also a known gabster and a know-it-all. Unfortunately, too many people listen to her, as we know,” Sally said and shrugged.
But Sally knew she couldn’t let Lady Millstone get the best of her. She had a ball to plan and a reputation to uphold. And if there was one thing that Sally was good at, it was rising to a challenge.
* * *
Once she and her sisters had parted, Sally boarded her own carriage to take her home. Left alone with her thoughts, Sally could not help but think back to the encounter with Lady Millstone and as they approached her home, she grew increasingly angry. Her mind was still consumed with Lady Millstone’s words, but her anger was now directed at others, too. Her mother for her part in arranging this marriage without her consent. Leonard, for not even giving things a chance. And herself for being powerless to change any of it.
She felt trapped, suffocated by the expectations of society and the weight of her responsibilities as a Duchess. She was trying her best, but it felt like she would always be reminded that this wasn’t what either of them had wanted.
When the carriage finally arrived, she stepped out and walked towards the door, lost in thought. At the front door, she handed her pelisse to the butler and then turned into the drawing room. She needed a moment to herself, a moment to compose herself to –
“Oh!” She exclaimed as she ran directly into Leonard’s body. For a split second, being so close to him, inhaling his aftershave, she felt dizzy with a strange desire to hold him and bury her face in his chest. Then, she recovered her senses and stepped back, her anger rising again.
“Leonard,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Sally,” he replied. He looked her up and down, a little startled.
They stood there for a few more seconds, neither of them sure what to say. Sally felt like she should say something, anything, to break the silence, but the words wouldn’t come.
Finally, Leonard spoke. “I didn’t see you. I beg your pardon but I was in a hurry,” he said before moving past her.
“Well, I shall not keep you from going where you need to go,” she replied sharply and stepped aside as well. However, he did not move. Instead, he looked at her with a darkness in his eyes that spoke of sadness. She would have asked, but she’d been made aware that her attention wasn’t wanted.
Therefore, she simply turned and made her way across the room, leaving him to stand where he was.
“Sally,” he called after her. She stopped and dug her fingernails into the palms of her gloved hands. Why could he not let her be? He’d wanted distance and now he kept trying to talk to her. Why?
“Yes?” she said without turning.
“I am about to take a turn about the garden. Would you like to accompany me. I promise I’ll protect you from whatever wildlife we encounter.”
She wasn’t sure what it was but the jest in his tone made her blood boil. She spun and glared at him.
“No, Leonard. I do not want to go into the garden and I do not need your protection. I am perfectly fine on my own,” she snapped and then marched out of the room, through the French door and into the music room. She stood there, her heart pounding as she thought of what to do next.
