Page 11 of The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire
Dutifully, Rosamund extracted it from the bag beside her. Bound in pale pink leather and embossed in gold, the title stated: "The Lady’s Guide to All Things Useful"and Mrs Burnell had written on the flyleaf.
To my darling Rosamund,
On your twenty-first birthday
Wishing you a lifetime of happiness
All love
Mother
Happiness! What did that mean?
Marriage. Babies. Status. Security.
Those were the things that were supposed to make women contented.
Rosamund flipped through the pages: Bravery. Compassion. Dress. Fans. Forgiveness. Forks! At last, she came to H, and there it was. An entry on happiness itself.
Our life is as meaningful, as full and as wonderful, as we choose to make it.Do not look back wistfully, at what once you had, nor imagine anxiously what is to come. Seek your happiness in the present season. The fruit hanging within your reach is just as sweet as that growing high.
It was sensible enough.
Her mother would argue that the duke was dangling within her reach—like a juicy peach. As for other fruit, she wasn’t sure how abundant the pickings would be.
There was the duke's nephew of course; except that her mother had quickly ascertained from Mrs. Appleby that the young man had only a small legacy of his own, and was largely dependent on His Grace's charity.
She couldn't deny liking Mr. Studborne, even if he was rather bookish. But, their situation demanded that she focus her mind on the bigger prize, however distasteful she might find it.
“It’s the advice on marriage you’ll be wanting.” Mrs. Burnell leaned forward again, lowering her voice. “And the chapters on ‘Bedroom Matters’.”
The last she only mouthed, as if the driver of the carriage might hear them over the sound of the wheels on the road and the horses’ hooves.
Rosamund had to concede that her mother was right.
All victorious soldiers went into battle prepared. If there was anything in the book that might prove useful, she ought to take note.
Among the first entries, she spotted a chapter entitled 'Affection'.
A good place to start.
The affection of men and women alike is easily won. An easy smile and contented mien bring charm to even the plainest countenance. Then, we need only listen, and respond to what is said. To make the other feel heard and known.
Rosamund had long ago learnt to listen rather than speak. In general, her opinions were not sought, nor deemed of value.
How then, did one respond honestly?
And what about "being heard and known" herself?
If the book was full of this sort of nonsense, it would do nothing to improve her temper.
Snappishly, she closed it.
One thing she was determined on: she would make her own future.
She was hog-tied, but it didn't mean she couldn't turn things around. Even if there was bad in the choices ahead, good might come of it. For she’d have the security she needed, and a home of her own.
A home for her mother, too.
