Page 70 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
“If it involves Henrietta, then I surely have a right to know?”
“Please, Tabitha. I implore you to trust me on this matter.”
He was as much a victim of his own upbringing as Henrietta was of hers, though he had come to realize that he had not behaved in an entirely genteel manner. To have Henrietta married off in such haste now felt like a mistake, though there was nothing they could do about that. He just hoped that Ewan was taking care of her, as a good husband ought to. Indeed, more than anything, he prayed he was not too late to keep her from danger.
All he had ever known was the military. His father had been a General and had laid certain expectations upon Aaron. His childhood had been strict and severe, with rules and regulations surrounding every detail of his life. Ever the dutiful son, he had obeyed his father’s every wish and followed in his footsteps. There had never been any other option.
How you hated your father back then, for forcing you in one direction.He had briefly thought of practicing law, but his father had put an end to such outlandish dreams.You have done the same to her, haven’t you? You took the ability to choose away from her. Pray that she will forgive you one day, as you forgave your father. Otherwise, you will have lost her for good.
He could not bear the thought. Although he lacked the ability to convey and show deep emotion, he felt it keenly from time to time. Indeed, he never knew what to do with such feelings. The only thing he knew for sure was that he loved his wife and daughter with all his heart. He had simply built up walls around himself, so high that nobody could exit or enter. Now, he feared he had formed a prison for himself without even realizing it.
In the days that had passed since leaving their home, he had thought a great deal about his future. He did not wish to be alone on his deathbed, with no loved ones around him. He did not wish to hear of his daughter only via secondhand means.
If she would allow him, he would do all he could to make amends. He could not change the past now, but he could at least do something about the years to come.
* * *
Henrietta looked up in horror as she and Ewan walked through the main doors of the Old Bell. Standing in the foyer, talking to Mr. Chambers, was her mother and father. Seeing them, she gripped tighter to Ewan’s arm and wondered if they might still have the chance to sneak back out. However, before she could move a muscle, her father turned and spied her.
“Ah, there you are,” he said with forced brightness. “Mr. Chambers was just telling us that he did not know when you would return. We thought we might have to wait awhile in the dining room.”
Henrietta swallowed her immediate anger. “What are you doing here?” she asked simply. Her mother looked tired, a glitter of annoyance in her eyes.Ah, so this little trip was not your idea, Mama?
“We thought we ought to see how you were,” Aaron explained. “You disappeared from Nightingale so quickly that we barely had the chance to speak with you.”
“You had plenty of opportunities to speak with me before the wedding,” she shot back. “Instead, you chose to have me locked inside my own bedchamber and guarded by your minions.” It flowed out of her before she could stop it.So much for keeping restraints upon my anger.
“Has it not worked out most fortuitously?” Aaron replied. “You two seem to be the picture of happiness.”
“You could not have been certain of that, but it did not stop you from doing what you did. You forced me into this, and I find it rather disconcerting that you feel you can show up whenever you please, without so much as a written warning.”
Tabitha took a step forward. “Come, my darling, are you not pleased to see us?”
“You are as bad as he is, Mama,” she said sadly. “You would not stand up to him, though you knew those actions were wrong. I cannot blame you entirely, but there is some fault against you still.”
“Please, darling, let us be civil.”
“I am sorry, Mama, but I cannot discuss these matters with you now. I am weary after a tiresome, troubling day, and I wish to retreat to my bedchamber.”
“Surely, you must be hungry? Might we have dinner first?”
Henrietta shook her head. “I find that I have quite lost my appetite.”
“Henrietta, your mother and father have come a long way,” Ewan said, playing devil’s advocate. “A brief dinner might not be such a terrible thing.”
“Are you asking me or are you demanding this of me?”
He looked wounded. “Asking.”
“Then I must politely refuse,” she said. “My side is causing me some difficulty, and I should like to attend to the bruising to make sure it has not worsened.”
He frowned. “Bruising?”
“Yes, I have some bruising where I fell. It is nothing that a bath cannot solve.” She turned to Mr. Chambers, who was awkwardly attempting not to listen to the tense conversation. “Mr. Chambers, might you have one of the chambermaids draw me a bath?”
He dipped his head. “Certainly, My Lady.”
“Please, Henrietta, won’t you have dinner with us first?” Tabitha was earnest, her eyes glimmering with tears that were yet to be spilled. As furious as Henrietta was, she could not deny her mother. Even so, she had not been lying when she had mentioned her side aching. Her breaths had grown more ragged after chasing Isobel, and she feared she may have caused further damage to the initial injury. Every inhalation burned with a vehement sting.
