Page 47 of An Earl to Save the Diamond
“Tell me, Ellen, have you become a bluestocking like that chit, Marjorie?” Lady Bamber asked. “Is that what you want to make of your life after all that I have given you?”
“You can call her degrading names all you want, Mama. It will not diminish the truth about her,” replied Ellen.
“And what truth is that?”
“That Marjorie has lived a far better life than you have. She is free to do whatever she wants and is happy about it.”
“Happy?” Lady Bamber scoffed. “She came out to Society three Seasons ago and is still unwed. How can she be happy?”
“Marjorie does not care about such things. She is more than content to live a life governed by her own will, not wills imposed on her by senseless principles of duty and propriety.”
“You speak nonsense, child,” Lady Bamber said.
Ellen turned her face away from her mother. “It may be nonsense to you, but I have decided to live my life by these standards from now on.”
“Take that back, Ellen.”
“No, Mama!” she said, turning back to face her mother. She ruffled through her gown to find the list Lady Bamber always made her carry. “I do not care to be leg shackled in marriage. And I most certainly do not care about balls or thetonor even this ridiculously absurd list of don’ts!” Ellen said and slowly tore the list into shreds.
What followed next shocked all three members of the Bamber family. Lady Bamber, in a fit of rage, gave Ellen a sound slap on the cheek, causing enough silence to hear a pin drop in the drawing room. Ellen touched her face which had turned an ugly shade of red.
“Mother!” Andrew gasped, rushing to Ellen to comfort her.
Ellen pushed her brother aside and, in a shaky voice, said, “I will be visiting Marjorie,” before running out of the room.
After Ellen’s departure, Andrew turned to his mother disapprovingly. “Was that really necessary, Mama? You hurt Ellen.”
“And I am not sorry for it. Oh, Andrew! Where did I go wrong? I gave her everything, and this is how she chooses to repay me? When did Ellen become so selfish?”
“Mama, perhaps you should try to listen to her for a change.”
“Enough! I will not take this, not from you. I do what I have to do, and I expect you all to do the same. That is what duty entails. Andrew, my boy, you are the only one I can rely on now. Surely, you see that.”
Andrew looked like he wanted to object for a moment but changed his mind. “I have to go search for Ellen. And it would be best to think about what you have done. There is no point in duty if there is no family.”
The Dowager pretended not to hear him.
“Excuse me,” Andrew sighed and walked out of the house.
Now, there is no rest for me,he mused as he saddled his horse.
* * *
Ellen ran out of the house with tears in her eyes and ordered the carriage brought around. “Conolly Manor, Bodrick,” she said to the driver.
However, a few minutes later, she changed her mind. “Turn the carriage around,” she said.
“My Lady?” the driver looked at her quizzically.
“Head for Ridlington,” said Ellen.
“My Lady, are you certain? You are unchaperoned and—”
“I do not care. Head for Ridlington,” Ellen repeated. She hoped that Gerard would be home, and for a brief moment, she wondered what she would tell him when she showed up at the estate unannounced after she had ignored him for so long. Ellen smirked at the fact that she remained unbothered about her reputation being ruined. Since she had met Gerard, all they had done was break all of the stifling rules that Society demanded of them. She was certain that Gerard would understand why she sought him out.
The ride out of London passed by quickly. Ellen wondered what Andrew was doing at the moment. No doubt, he would have followed after her after she said she would visit Marjorie. She wondered what her brother’s reaction would be when he did not find her there.
The lush, green hills of Ridlington Manor came into view. Ellen placed a palm to her chest to still her fast-beating heart. Bodrick dismounted and helped his lady down from the carriage after they pulled up to the Manor.
