Cecelia opened her mouth to argue, but there was really nothing left to say. For once, she thought her mother might be right.
“Why would anyone agree to chaperone such a rebellious, ridiculous girl?”
Her mother's words stung immeasurably, and tears started to prick her eyes.
“I … I'm …” she stammered, wondering if she ought to apologize, but her mother did not give her the chance.
“Get out of here! All of you! I cannot stand to look at you!”
“Mother, we were only—” Mary began, but Catherine cut her off.
“It was Cece's idea!”
“Go!” their mother snapped, and Cecelia didn't think she had ever heard her raise her voice so loud.
“Come,” Cecelia said, holding back tears as she started to herd her sisters out of the foyer. “We should get washed up.”
As she followed her sisters up the stairs, she glanced back over her shoulder to see her mother's lady's maid fanning her mistress. The paleness of her mother's face was concerning. She had never seen her looking quite so stressed or ill.
What have I done?
Chapter 6
Why couldn't she have remained in town a little longer?George thought as he rode home from Fernworth Manor.
He had been so sure that he had been making the right decision, that saying no to chaperoning was the right thing, but the moment he had seen her regret had clouded his judgement.
He'd felt the sudden urge to get out of there as quickly as possible, perhaps leaving in somewhat of a rude manner.
That, he absolutely regretted. Just seeing the disappointment on her face had made it so.
At that moment, she had been the girl he remembered, the girl splattered with mud and dust, her hair all a-tumble.
She had been more beautiful at that moment than ever he had seen her.
The thought of taking her to any event would have been an honour; he was certain of that.
I am too busy,he reminded himself firmly.I am a duke now.
He had made the right decision. He had. He was certain of it. So why did he feel so torn about it now?
All the way to Fernworth he had been sure of it. He had not felt a single ounce of guilt as he had told Lady Flannery his decision. He had not faltered when the lady tried to change his mind, insisting that they desperately needed his help.
And yet, when he had seen her, he had wanted audibly to change his mind then and there.
His mind was cruel the entire way home. His body feeling all kinds of urges to turn his horse around and take back his decision. He loosened his grip on the reins, allowing his horse to carry him back to Ravenshollow Park.
And the moment he reached the end of the driveway all thoughts of Lady Cecelia ceased.
The carriage sitting at the bottom of the manor steps startled him. He did not recall having made plans to have visitors.
Looking at the carriage, he couldn't be certain whether he recognized it. There was a tingling feeling in his gut that perhaps he might, but he did not quite dare to believe it.
Pulling up his horse in the driveway, he clambered down from the saddle and handed off the reins to a waiting footman.
“See that he is washed, brushed, and fed,” George instructed, rubbing the horse's neck before he made his way into the manor.
As he entered the foyer, he realized he had been right.
