Page 118 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
“Begin where you see fit, Ambrose,” said Mama. “This is the truth we’re speaking here this day. It will come out as it is needed.”
“Right,” said Papa. And he began.
Chapter 81
“I’m sure you all remember the name ‘Lady Elizabeth Radford’,” said Papa.
Remember it?thought Madeline. How could she ever forget it? Though it seemed a lifetime ago that she was incarcerated against her will in that house in the woods, the name instantly brought her back there as if by some magical invocation.
She put her hand to her mouth, in response to which, Mama laid a gentle hand on her back.
“Easy, child,” she said.
“Madeline,” said Papa, “I realise the name is not pleasant for you to hear in any context, and I apologise. But we must face facts as they are. And the facts are as follows. By now, you are all aware of the charges brought against me by that terrible woman. I am very sorry to have to convey this information to you on such a joyous occasion ...” Here he shot a look of disapproval at Mama. “But I fear there is no other way. The court has found in favour of Lady Elizabeth.”
A collective gasp went around the room.
“Impossible!” cried Oliver.
“I’m afraid it’s true, dear boy.”
“But is there to be no appeal?”
“We have appealed already. Our appeal was rejected. The law has spoken on the matter, and the matter is settled. I am to pay a fine.”
“Well,” said Emily. “That’s a relief. At least you’ll not have to go to prison.”
“Emily,” said Papa, “I am completely wiped out. The fine is high enough that it will eat into all future profits. I have no choice but to forfeit my land. I am ... penniless ...”
Papa put his head in his hands and wept silently. He turned, ashamed of his open sorrow. Mama went to his side.
“This can’t be,” said Lord Peter. “Surely there is something you can do.”
Papa looked up, his face wracked with misery. “I can only do what the law allows, what it has in fact deemed necessary.” Here he turned to Mama. “There, Abigail, I have told it on the day of our daughter’s nuptials. I hope this satisfies you.”
“It had to be told, Ambrose,” Mama rebuked him. “These men have a right to know what they are getting into. We can’t in good faith allow these marriages to continue without revealing the truth of our situation.”
She turned to Peter and Oliver. “My good men, you are both worthy of our daughters, but I fear the situation has altered to the point at which you may wish to reconsider your plans.”
“I feel ill,” said Emily.
Madeline rushed to her sister’s aid. “Emily? Are you alright?”
“I feel I might swoon, is all.”
Papa instantly fetched a glass of water from the sideboard and handed it to his daughter.
“Drink,” said Madeline.
Emily sipped and took a deep breath. “All this turmoil,” she said. “What of it? What has it all brought us to? It has brought us to this. Life is so unfair!”
She broke down into tears. Mama came to her side and placed a comforting arm on her.
“It seems as though you’ll need to do a great deal of comforting in times to come,” Madeline said to her mother.
“I’m sorry,” said Papa. “I am heartily sorry for all of this. Excuse me.”
He darted out of the room before anyone could object to his leaving.
