Page 50 of Charmless
This sounded slightly more creditable. Although I found it difficult to imagine, I had been told that my father had once been a brilliant advocate and orator at the king’s court.
I conceded reluctantly. “My father did not approve of my romance with you. Now that I am older, I can understand that. My father believed you to be an itinerant musician, not what any parent would consider an eligible suitor.”
Ryland regarded me sadly. “No, Ella, you understand nothing. Your father knew exactly who I was.”
Ten
Our evening meal proved to be dismal. Both my stepmother and Amy pleaded with headaches and retired to their rooms early. I was not surprised. The prospect of turnip stew for supper can have that effect on people and my latest batch turned out more unappetizing than usual.
Distracted and unsettled by my visit from Prince Ryland, I added too much salt and scorched the bottom of the pan. Netta and I sat down in the kitchen to dine upon this unappetizing mess, the aroma of charred turnip lingering in the air.
I made a poor supper companion for my sister, my head too full of Ryland’s revelation about my father being the one to put an end to my youthful romance, even though Papa had known all along that my ‘Harper’ was a prince in disguise. I hadn’t wanted to believe Ryland. He had seemed like he was truthful, but he had always had that ability to convince me of his sincerity, even while concealing his identity. I did not want to fall under the spell of his earnest blue eyes again.
“Why would my father have done such a thing?” I had demanded.
“He was certain that our marriage would only lead to disaster and danger for you.”
“Danger? What danger?”
“I don’t know. Perhaps he was thinking of my father’s volatile temperament. All I know is that your father was very convincing, and he persuaded me that the noblest thing I could do was to vanish from your life.”
“Noble!” I had cried. “Forsaking me without a word of explanation?”
I had become so angry and upset with him, I had ordered Ryland to go and never seek me out again. Now I wished I had not been so hasty. I should have pressed him for more details, but I doubt I would have received satisfactory answers. If my father had interfered in my youthful romance, I didn’t care what Papa’s reasons might have been.
I had been devastated by Ryland’s disappearance, my faith shaken in the very idea of love and in my own judgment. My heart had not fully healed until I had fallen in love with Horatio. It seemed Ryland and my father had arbitrarily decided what they thought best for me, without consulting my feelings. I felt completely betrayed by both.
“I think the turnip is dead, Ella.” Netta’s quiet voice broke into my agitated thoughts. I glanced down and realized I had been absent-mindedly stabbing a singed piece of turnip.
“Sorry,” I muttered, lowering my fork. “What a wretched mess.”
I was referring to more than our dinner, but my sister took me quite literally.
“It’s all right. I wasn’t that hungry anyway.” Netta summoned up a wan smile as she pushed her plate away from her.
I really looked at my youngest sister for the first time that evening. Netta was pale, with faint shadows rimming her eyes. She appeared as miserable as I felt.
“What is the matter, sweetheart?” I asked. “Are you coming down with something?”
I leaned across the table to test her brow for fever, but her skin felt cool to my touch.
Netta gave a sad shake of her dark curls. “No, I am quite well, but I am very worried about Mama and Amy.”
“I am sure they are both fine. My stew is enough to make anyone take to their beds.”
“It is not your stew, Ella. Mama has been in the dismals most of this afternoon.”
No doubt because of my continued refusal to marry Prince Florian. I had hoped the visit of her old beau, Chuffy, would provide a welcome distraction.
“What happened?” I asked. “Em seemed so happy when Lord Stanhope came to call.”
“I think they had some sort of quarrel.”
“What about?” I drew in my breath sharply, remembering Chuffy’s roguish reputation. “His lordship didn’t attempt to do anything inappropriate, did he?”
“Certainly not!” My little sister looked shocked by the very idea. “I am sure Lord Stanhope behaved like a complete gentleman. I don’t know why they quarreled. It happened while I was in the kitchen preparing tea. His lordship stalked out of the house in high dudgeon, not even bothering to say goodbye and Mama took to her bed weeping.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” I said. I truly was, although my motives were not entirely unselfish. I had hoped that if Em reconnected with her old beau, she might end up happily wed to Chuffy, thus ending our financial worries and any guilt I had for not accepting Florian’s offer.
