Page 53 of Baron in Check
“It is wrong to punish you for love and it wasn’t the religious motive. They were jealous. Few Ton marriages are for love,” Lizzie said.
“Society misconstrues large concepts to foster panic. Sometimes, it works and gives people who seek power the chance to seize it,” Hannah explained. “That’s when we have a window of opportunity as women to make a difference where life and not law gives us a say.”
“I don’t understand how that applies to me,” Hermy said.
“It’s simple.” Rachel clapped her hands together as if she’d found the easiest way to formulate it. “You disturbed the balance of what a debutante ought to do. And with the abeyance, you could potentially make a mere baron with a Jewish bloodline anearl. You’d skew the current preconceptions and—" she beamed at Hannah and Lizzie, “We’ll do everything to help you.”
“What you’ve done, Hermy, is nothing short of amazing. You’re a queen in deed, even if not in title,” Lizzie said with such awe that Hermy blinked away tears.
“They wanted to keep you quiet, lock you up—” Rachel started.
“And strip you of your voice,” Hannah said. “It shan’t be allowed.”
“And we’re here now to help restore your voice, if you’ll have us. Consider us your first line of defense,” Hannah said.
Hermy wiped a tear from her cheek and nodded. She should defend them, the daughter of an earl should have the power in society to help the Jews integrate in society. The reverse was true and yet, it felt larger than any of the four women in this bedchamber.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Hermy blinked more tears away.
Rachel came to her side and put a gentle hand on her arm. “Why wouldn’t we be?”
Lizzie handed her an embroidered handkerchief, and Hannah frowned.
Hermy found Lizzie’s eyes. “Because you know who I am.”
“I’ve known you for so long Hermy, I know exactly who you are.”
“And surely they do?” Hermy felt her face crinkle in a grimace as the tears built up toward a torrential downpour. “I’m the fallen girl. The one that brought such shame to my family that I have a guardian at the age of two-and twenty. I could shame you and risk everything your family has earned and accomplished.” She heaved, a squeal escaped her, and the dreaded tears came. “I’m the … the stupid girl who serves as a lesson to … t?—”
Hannah plopped on the bed next to Hermy. “You certainly have a reputation, dear.”
Hermy shuddered as the shame washed over her. “Don’t pity me.”
“Oh, I certainly do not.” Hannah patted her knee. “I’m in awe of you.”
“So am I. You had the courage as a girl that most of us don’t have until much later, if at all.” Rachel spoke softly as if she meant every word.
“I’m a warning for girls not to be stupid,” Hermy said into her handkerchief.
Lizzie inclined her head and shot Hannah and Rachel a look. “That’s as open to interpretation as anything in life.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hermy asked, her mind buzzing from the heady conversation.
Rachel scratched her chin.
Hannah hugged herself and looked away.
Lizzie smirked.
“Alright, I’ll say it if no-one else ventures.” She gave a friendly slap on Hermy’s knee. “You were truer to yourself than any girl I know.”
Hannah nodded. “And she knows everyone in London.”
“Plus, we all nearly became warning stories.” Rachel twirled a strand of hair around her index finger and bit her cheek. “It’s a slippery slope, isn’t it?”
“A downhill slope.” Hannah picked her cuticles.
“Covered in marbles that roll down to doom,” Lizzie chuckled.
