Page 18 of The Earl's Demure Spinster
After breakfast, as his mother excused herself to attend to her correspondence much to Wesley’s relief, he gathered his thoughts, preparing to retreat to his study. The events of the morning had left him feeling a mixture of determination and unease, and he hoped to find some clarity among his books and papers. Even if he just sat there without doing a thing. Just trying to organize his thoughts.
Just as he turned to leave the breakfast room, Harriet approached him, her face drawn with concern. She glanced around to ensure their mother was out of earshot before speaking.
“Wesley,” she began in a hushed tone, “I need to tell you something about last night.”
Wesley paused, noting the seriousness in her eyes. “What is it, Harriet?”
She took a deep breath, clearly unsettled. “After you went to the parlour, there was an incident in the drawing room. Mother and Lady Arabella were... exceptionally harsh towards Sylvia. It was terrible to watch. They said some dreadful things to her, making it obvious that she does not fit in.” She bit down awkwardly on her bottom lip. “They made sure everyone else could see it as well.”
Wesley felt a jolt of surprise, his protectiveness for Lady Sylvia flaring up inside him instantly. “What do you mean? What transpired?”
Harriet’s voice dropped even lower, her words barely above a whisper. “They belittled her, Wesley. They questioned her background, her character, everything. It was as if they weretrying to break her spirit. Lady Sylvia tried to maintain her composure, but eventually, she could not bear it and left the room feigning illness. It was very sad to see.”
Wesley’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Why would they do such a thing? What did Lady Sylvia do to deserve that? To deserve all of this?”
Harriet shook her head, her eyes glistening with sympathy. “She did nothing wrong, Wesley. They were just cruel. It seemed as if Mother and Lady Arabella were determined to make her feel unwelcome. I think they were threatened by her presence, especially after you danced with her. At least, that was how it seemed to me.”
Wesley gritted his teeth in anger. He could not believe that his own mother would be so cruel. What if she was the reason that the ton had turned on Lady Sylvia? Perhaps if his mother and Lady Arabella had not been so cruel, everyone would have simply let her slip in to society. They could not do this to her, just because he had asked her to dance. That was his decision, not hers. She had done nothing wrong.
“I can not believe it,” Wesley muttered, his voice thick with frustration. “Mother’s actions could have made this so much worse.”
Harriet placed a comforting hand on his arm. “I know you are upset, Wesley. But you need to approach this carefully. Mother and Lady Arabella have significant influence. Confronting them directly could make things worse for Lady Sylvia. You need to try and make them leave her alone, not attack her more.”
Wesley nodded, struggling to contain his anger. “You are right, Harriet. I need to handle this delicately. But I can not just stand by and let them tear Lady Sylvia apart. I will have to do something to correct this. I just do not know what… yet.”
***
Wesley spent most of the day seated in his study. It was a comforting room for him, one that was filled with the comforting scent of aged leather and ink, the smells that reminded him of his father. His desk was strewn with letters and documents that all needed his attention, but his thoughts were elsewhere, swirling with the events of the morning and his growing concern for Lady Sylvia. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner seemed to amplify the quiet tension.
A knock at the door interrupted his reverie, actually making him jump. The butler entered with a formal bow. “Sir, Lord Edward Hamilton has arrived and would like to meet with you.”
Wesley stood, a smile spreading across his face. This was a nice surprise. “Thank you, Carter. Please, show him in.”
Moments later, Edward entered the study, his presence immediately bringing a sense of camaraderie.
“Edward, it is good to see you,” Wesley greeted, moving to pour drinks for both of them. He handed a glass to Edward, who accepted it with a nod of thanks. “What a night last night was. The ball at Lady Grace’s has stirred up more trouble than I anticipated.”
Edward took a sip of his drink, regarding Wesley thoughtfully. “Indeed, I am aware. The gossip columns are all aflutter regarding the host's niece. Did you have the pleasure of making her acquaintance? I found Lady Sylvia to be quite agreeable during our conversation.”
“I danced with her and sat with her at dinner, Edward.” Wesley’s expression softened as he recalled the fun he had with Lady Sylvia. “She is not like the others. Lady Sylvia has a mind of her own, a love for literature, and an air of authenticity that’s rare among the prim and proper ladies of the ton. I find myselfdrawn to her in ways I did not expect. Which only makes this so much worse for me to handle.”
Edward leaned forward, intrigued. “Oh my! I did miss a lot last night.”
Wesley smiled, his eyes lighting up with the memory. “Yes, well I am sure that you had your eye on someone as well.”
“No one in particular,” Edward laughed. “Not like you. But I cannot imagine your mother is pleased with this interest of yours.”
Wesley’s smile faded slightly. “You are right. Mother has made her disapproval clear. She believes my association with Lady Sylvia could damage our family’s reputation, especially when there are more ‘suitable’ matches like Lady Arabella.”
Edward’s eyes twinkled with understanding. “Wesley, you have always been one to follow your heart. Do not let societal expectations dictate your happiness. If Lady Sylvia is the one who brings you joy and challenges you intellectually, then she is worth any societal backlash. I am sure your mother will understand as much.”
Wesley appreciated the sentiment, but his brow furrowed with concern. “It is easy to say, but harder to act on. The weight of family expectations and societal norms is a heavy burden. I fear the consequences of defying them. Plus, I suppose I have to think that I only met Lady Sylvia once. I will have to see her some more to know if there is anything worth fighting for.”
Edward leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I will not deny that it might be a difficult path. But think about the alternative. Marrying someone who does not inspire you, who does not share your passions, would be a far greater tragedy. You have to decide what’s more important: living a life true to yourself, or conforming to the expectations of others. Devote some time to Lady Sylvia and ascertain whether she is a suitable match for you.”
Hearing his friend say that he should follow his heart inspired something new in Wesley’s heart. Was there a chance that this could be possible after all?
