Page 41 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

When she walked into the cafe, her mother stood up and waved her over. Margaret took a look around and could not see anyone she knew or anyone suspicious.

“Hello, my dear,” said her mother. She held out her arms, and Margaret hugged her. It was a stifled hug, a weird hug. She could not remember the last time she had hugged her mother, or even if her mother had enjoyed hugging her.

“You came alone,” stated Margaret.

“You sound surprised. Of course, I came alone. What do you take me for?”

“I don’t know, Mother. You came here to try and get money from me, and you wanted to sell me to father’s cousin. Do you really want me to answer that question?”

“Oh, Margaret. Why do you have to be so confrontational all of the time? Won’t you please sit down? I’ve ordered us some tea, but I presume you will pay for it with your newfound wealth.”

Margaret stared her mother down before she sat. “You can at least get your money’s worth, right?”

“And there you go again,” said her mother.

“Don’t try and deny it,” said Margaret. “We both know you came here with the expectation of something.”

“You are the one who invited me here, Margaret. I did you the courtesy of being here, and I did not tell your father—just like you asked. I have done exactly what you wanted, and you come in here looking for a fight.”

“I am not looking for a fight, Mother,” sighed Margaret. “Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask,” responded her mother.

This might be the only chance that she got. Margaret was not sure the last time she got to sit with her mother, just the two of them. “Why do you live your life the way you do?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean. Father decides everything for you. He did the same for me, and it was horrible. I hadn’t truly lived until I left London. It was only when I got out that I felt alive. You could have the same. I could help you, Mother! I could get you out if you wanted to. You could come and live in York and be close to me.”

“What!” she spat. “You want me to leave your father because he does what is best for me?”

“He doesn’t do what is best for you, Mother. He does what is best for himself, and he makes all the decisions for you. Have you ever done anything for yourself? Have you ever made a decision on your own?”

“I came here to meet with you, didn’t I?” asked her mother.

“That’s it? Please, go on! Tell me another decision you have made in your life.”

“Margaret, you are being silly now. And, if you can afford to give me money to move to York, then you have the money you owe your father.”

“You really think I owe Father money? He tried to sell me to his cousin. Even you must see how wrong that is, Mother. Please, just look me in the eye and tell me what you really think about all of this.”

Margaret took her mother’s hands across the table. She looked deep into her eyes and searched for something there—a sliver of who the woman might actually be. Her mother blinked a couple of times and opened her mouth, and Margaret could feel the energy change, but her mother pulled her hands back, and Margaret knew the woman was lost to her.

“Margaret, your father has steered us in the right direction for our entire life, and I know you can’t complain about your upbringing when there are children starving in the world. Now, your father took it upon himself to find you a husband, and he did that. He made a promise to Mr. Swanson, and you broke that promise. You would have been happy with Mr. Swanson, I know that. I am happy with your father, no matter what you might think.”

“Are you happy? Truly happy?” asked Margaret.

“Areyouhappy? Truly happy?” asked her mother, turning the question around.

Margaret stared at her mother for a moment and did not know what to say.

“Marriages are not all love and happiness, Margaret, and I know you are figuring that out. A mother always knows. That is why you came to meet with me today, isn’t it? Come on, tell me what problems you are having, and let your mother help.”

“How… I….”

“Margaret, you might think the worst of me, but I really do want what is best for you. Now, tell me what is wrong and we can fix it together.”

“I don’t know what is wrong,” said Margaret. “We have been trying to get pregnant, but I have not been able to.”

---