Page 99 of The Heir
But Mama’s demeanor did not soften at all. “The price is too high, Victoria. I do not choose to pay.”
“But I—”
“It is not your decision,” said Sir John.
“It is not yours!” shouted Victoria.
“It is,” replied Mama with icy calm. “And it is made. You do not seem to understand, Victoria, this is not an act of love and respect. It is an act of greed and fear.” Mama drew herself up to her full height. “If Their Majesties really cared about you and wanted your coming reign to succeed, they would not only approve of these tours but would insist you go.”
“This has nothing to do with the tour!”
“Doesn’t it? Then why does this letter come now? Why is it offering you the one thing you want? It’s to keep you out of sight! It’s so the people of this country will not see you or know you, and you cannot know them or have any understanding of the kingdom you will preside over! They mean to keep you hidden and spoiled until they are certain they have got control of you!”
“And what have you done!” demanded Victoria. “What has he done!” She stabbed a finger at Sir John.
Mama ignored this. “You will sign the letter. It will be delivered, and we are leaving in two days. That is all there is to it.”
“I will not!”
Mama raised one brow. “What will you do instead, Victoria?” she inquired. “Lie on the floor and kick and scream like a baby? Walk all the way to St. James’s?”
Victoria felt the fact of her isolation fall over her like a net dropped from a tree. She stood in the center of the room, unable to so much as breathe. But it was true. There was no order she could give that Mama could not contradict. There was nowhere she could go where she would not be followed and brought back. Her little jaunt to speak with Gerald Maton had taken days of planning and the help of half a dozen people.
She could not leave here, because she could not do what the scullery maid could. She could not so much as walk out of doors simply because it was what she chose to do.
She could shout. She could scream. She could throw books and hairbrushes and paperweights. She could throw herself on the floor, as Mama so icily suggested. None of it would make any difference. The trap of Sir John’s system had been in place for years, and now it snapped shut.
Everything would remain as it was, and she would do as Mama wished. As Sir John wished.
She was helpless.
No, I am not. Not entirely.
“I will not sign that letter,” she repeated. “You may drag me away on this tour, but I will not sign my name to lies and have them sent to my uncle king.”
Mama pressed a hand to her heart. “Listen to the girl!” she cried to the whole room, and to Heaven for good measure. “Drag her away! I am her kidnapper now! I have given my life to protect you! To keep you from being fought over like the last bone with a pack of starving dogs! You knownothingof what I have done—what Sir John has done—for you!”
Mama’s fury stunned Victoria into momentary silence. The whole of the day, all her crowded thoughts about Dr. Maton and his death, rose up in a whirlwind. It caught up Mama’s shouts, turned them around, mixed them up.
Jane had come in at some point. Victoria had not even seen when. But now she slipped up to her father. She touched his arm, and he leaned down so she could whisper in his ear.
It was a fresh shock. Jane had never approached her father so easily, not when Victoria could see, and he had never given her such attention.
Sir John’s face brightened. Jane stepped away.
“Ma’am, let Jane take the princess out into the garden. The rain is gone, and some fresh air and reflection will calm her spirits. The girls can take Lady Flora with them.”
“Certainly not!” cried Mama. “Jane cannot manage her. She has proven that. She will wet her feet and catch cold and . . .”
“I will make sure she stays on the path, ma’am,” murmured Jane. She folded her hands. She also looked at Victoria from under her lowered eyelids.
Victoria’s chest was heaving from her anger and her fear. She could not think straight; she could barely see straight. But she could see that Jane was right. She needed to get out of here.
“I’ll go,” she announced. “Since I am not permitted to do anything else. Come along, Dash.”
She walked away. She did not look behind her. Mama did not call her back. That was enough for now.
It had to be. It was all there was.
