Page 7 of Married By Twelfth Night
She pressed her eyes shut. Why? Why was this happening to her?
“Splendid,” Mama said, slapping her hands against her thighs.
That one word made Grace pry her eyes back open. “Splendid?”
“Yes. If there is no understanding with Mr. Graham, perhaps you can secure one with Mr. Dobson.”
Grace balked, twisting in her chair. “What about Ruth? Why are you not in her bedchamber this morning? Let’s sendherdown to see Mr. Dobson.” She didn’t want Ruth to suffer either, but she was older. Wasn’t it her responsibility?
“You know Ruth is shy.”
Another reason Grace had to stay by her very capable sister’s side. “She does not like company, but she is not so very shy.”
Mama shook her head, moving to the door. “I depend on you to marry well to bring attention to your sister.”
Her? Marry well? What a laughable joke. She hadn’t been ready to marry in years past and had managed to chase away any decent suitors. She had realized the error of her ways too late, and she knew she would have to seek a husband outside of Wetherfield if such aunion should ever come into existence. She sighed. “And an alliance with Mr. Dobson is your definition of marrying well?”
“Grace Steele, I won’t have you speak of that nice man like that. He is from a trusted family. He only needs a good wife to make him shine.”
Grace thought of his slicked back hair and grumbled, “He shines well enough on his own.”
“That’s the spirit.” Mama set her hand on the door frame. “Hurry and put on your slippers and meet us in the drawing room. I will distract him until you’re ready. Katie, when you are finished with the hair, find Ruth and instruct her to join us.”
What Grace wouldn’t give in the moment to trade places with her brother Tobias. He was so lucky to be born a man with more say in his future. Like any smart adolescent, he was likely hiding in some corner of the house so Mama could give all her nagging attention to his older sisters.
Grace hurried to finish her toilette but only so she could have the visit over with all the sooner. She intended to visit Bridget and relay all the miserable details. No one would sympathize more.
Sunlight poured through the windows a few minutes later, greeting Grace as she entered the drawing room. With all the added sunshine, the room had not quite warmed despite the crackling fire behind the grate. It was a dire shame the cold temperatures outside had not kept Mr. Dobson at home.
Mr. Dobson stood in front of one of the two rose-pink sofas in the room and dipped into a rushed bow.
Grace curtsied, with considerably less enthusiasm. She avoided Mr. Dobson’s gaze and moved to Mama’s side on the opposite sofa. This was all her fault. If she had learned the skills of flirtation, or rather,been less herself and more someone more refined, she might have had better options than the man in front of her.
“Did you enjoy the ball last night, Miss Steele?” Mr. Dobson sat, his posture rigid like a statue.
“It was tolerable.”
Mama elbowed her.
She forced a pleasant tone and some semblance of a smile. “And you, Mr. Dobson?”
“Our dance was my favorite of the night.” The sudden gleam of his eyes matched the sheen of his slicked-back hair.
She kept her smile frozen in place for Mama’s sake, but inwardly, she squirmed and shivered. This conversation was getting out of hand already, and the tea things hadn’t even arrived.
Ruth made a timely appearance with a book in front of her face.
“Ruth? Dear?” Mama said. “We have company.”
Ruth lowered her book so her eyes could be seen. She looked like a caught mouse.
Mama frowned at her evident surprise. “Did Katie not tell you we were waiting for you?”
Katie came up behind Ruth, panting. “There you are, miss.”
“Never mind, Katie. She is here now. That will be all.”
Katie departed and Mama motioned for Ruth to take the open seat next to Mr. Dobson. Ruth did so but kept her book up in front of her face like a shield between them. Grace instantly felt sorry for her—for both Ruth and Mr. Dobson. And a little jealous she didn’t have a book too.
