by Lucy Langton
“Miss Ada, I only ask that you consider it. Take some time to consider the matter. There is nothing planned for the day because I had expected to rest today after the concert. Feel free to be at ease for the entire day without having to worry about any responsibilities,” Dowager Statham offered.
“I appreciate the opportunity to do so,” Ada said as she pushed back her chair and rose from the dining table. “I plan to retire to my room to think about the matter. If you need me, please don’t hesitate to call on me.” Ada curtsied then, even though she felt her hands and arms shaking. She quickly left the dining room, feeling as though she might faint.
How she managed to make it to her bedchamber without losing consciousness was a mystery to her. As she closed the door behind her, she sunk down on the plush carpeting and rested her back against the wooden door. She breathed deeply, trying to get her heart rate under control as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
As she sat there, she heard someone whistling a tune. She listened hard, straining her ears, and realized she recognized part of the song from the one she had heard last night. She could only guess that Lord Statham had risen for the day and was making his way downstairs. Ada held her breath as though the Earl would be able to hear her breathing behind closed doors. It was only when she could no longer hear him whistling that she forced herself to breathe once more.
Feeling rather silly, Ada pushed herself to her feet once more and took to a proper chair instead. She leaned her head back, her mind racing as she tried to decide what was the best course of action. She knew that there were many benefits in agreeing to marry Lord Statham. She would be well cared for, she would have a high rank once more, and she would truly never have to want for anything as long as she kept her husband from spending more than they had.
Ada was confident that she could be a good influence on Lord Statham. After all, they had been having a pleasant evening together before they had been interrupted by the accusing woman. She had even looked at Lord Statham with thoughts of kissing him. Therefore, she knew she was attracted to the man, at least.
However, she knew that there was much more to a marriage than mutual attraction. She had hoped to fall in love with a man and marry. Then, they would have plenty of children together and love raising each one. She couldn’t say whether she would eventually fall in love with Lord Statham. She simply didn’t know if hoping to one day fall in love and be loved in return was good enough reason to agree to marry anyone.
“It’s a good thing to do,” Ada whispered out loud to herself. She looked around the room and everything Dowager Statham had provided her with. She really hadn’t had to fear about her future ever since she became a lady’s companion. Her employer had been rather kind to her, and the widowed sisters had appeared more to her like motherly figures than women to obey. She could even admit that she cared deeply for the older women and felt compelled to show her appreciation to them.
As the day progressed, and she thought more about Lord Statham, she started to think that marrying him would be a worthy mission to fulfil her married life. Ada knew that Lord Statham was worth saving, that he had the keen sense of how to be a gentleman and perhaps he only needed more opportunities to do so. He had enjoyed the concert as much as she had, and at least they had a love for music in common.
The more Ada thought about marrying Lord Statham and the mutual benefits, she reasoned that she could do. No, that she should do it if she had the power to improve someone else’s lives because she was kind and caring enough too true.
She hoped that in time she and Lord Statham would come to love one another. The possibility was surely there. The more she thought about the possibilities, the more she was starting to really think that this had to be the best option for her future.
Ada wasn’t sure how much time had passed as she sat in her bedchamber, contemplating all the possibilities. But eventually a knock came to her door, seeming to pull her out of her deep thoughts right away. She stood, calling for the person to enter. As the door opened, she saw Dowager Statham and Dowager White standing on the other side. She beckoned them in as she curtsied.
“When you didn’t come down for the afternoon meal, we came looking for you,” Dowager Statham said as she shut the door once more.
“Forgive me, madam. I had not paid much attention to time,” Ada said, feeling silly for not attending the meal with them.
“It is no consequence,” Dowager Statham reassured. “But we did want to come and ensure you were alright.”
“Yes, Dowager Statham. I am well,” Ada said as she straightened her posture and clasped her hands together. “And, I have made a decision. Due to the benefits of marrying an earl and the good I could surely do as Lord Statham’s wife, I agree to marry him.”
Dowager Statham and Dowager White clapped with glee as they came to her and embraced her, even kissing the side of her head. Ada couldn’t help laughing and smiling as she received their affections. She’d never quite seen them this happy before.
“Oh, Miss Ada. You have surely given my son the best possible future,” Dowager Statham enthused, tears appearing around her eyes.
“But do you think he will agree to the marriage as well?” Ada asked once they were both settled down.
“I am certain he will agree, Miss Ada,” Dowager Statham said with a wink. “He’s gone for a walk through the park. Once he returns, I shall speak to him in the drawing room. Why don’t the two of you visit Lady Martin? It may be a good distraction.”
“Ah, I do love to see my dear friend,” Dowager White agreed.
“Then I shall be sure to accompany you, Dowager White,” Ada said with a nod.
“Well, all seems to be settled then. You two be off, and I shall take care of the rest,” Dowager Statham said in a sing-song voice.
Ada quickly gathered her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders before following the woman from the room. In the entryway, they said their goodbyes to Dowager Statham. The moment they were out of the house, walking down the pavement towards another widow’s home, Ada tried to focus on tending to Dowager White instead of dreading to hear what Lord Statham’s response would be once he spoke with his mother.
Chapter 10
Flynt felt like his insides would never relax. He was so distraught over any good idea to pay back Lord Locke that he couldn’t really muster up the need to eat breakfast. After wandering through the garden for a bit, hoping to catch Miss Ada singing in the drawing room, he’d given up on waiting for her to make an appearance and had instead walked down the street to the nearest park to hopefully find something to distract himself with.
Eventually, as the day wore on, Flynt made his way back to the townhouse. He knew he would need to speak to his mother about what had happened the night before. He didn’t like the idea of having to rely on his mother to get him out of this situation. But he knew for sure that if he didn’t speak to her about the matter, she would eventually discover the truth and be even more cross with him.
When Flynt returned to his family’s townhouse, he found his mother sipping tea by herself in the drawing room. She smiled at him as he came into the room and set her teacup aside. She then patted the chair next to her, seeming to be excited to see him.
“Where is Aunt Bertie and Miss Ada?” Flynt asked as he looked around the drawing room.
“They have gone to visit my good friend, Lady Martin. I have been waiting for you to return from your walk,” Dowager Statham explained.
“Well, there is something I wish to tell you, Mother,” Flynt said, wanting to confess to the terrible events of last night so he could remove the large load that had settled on his chest.
“Alright, my dear. Go ahead,” Dowager Statham encouraged.
“I was approached by Lord Locke last night. He demands I repay him within a week,” Flynt said, his body filling with nerves that he’d been trying to combat all day.
“Flynt, I already know,” Dowager Statham said, causing Flynt’s eyes to grow
wide in shock.
“But … how? Oh no … Miss Ada must have told you,” Flynt said as he ran his hand through his hair, feeling even more embarrassed.
“Yes, she did. And that is why I have decided that you must marry Miss Ada to ensure your future.”
Flynt was so surprised by the statement that he began to laugh openly, thinking this was the funniest joke his mother had ever played on him. It took some time for his mirth to subside. And when he regained his composure, he realized that his mother was not laughing with him and appeared very serious by the way she narrowed her eyes at him.
“Mother, I don’t have the want to marry anyone. It is a ridiculous idea to think that I would marry Miss Ada when I never considered the idea before. Though, to be fair, she does keep pleasant company,” Flynt said.
“And that is a very good quality in a woman to be of pleasant company,” Dowager Statham said with a smile.
“But Mother, she is a lady’s companion. Part of her job to you is to be pleasant in all sorts of company as a reflection of you,” Flynt reasoned. “Besides, I doubt such a kind and caring woman as Miss Ada would want to marry a man like me. She’s too pure.”
“Flynt, your inheritance upon marriage will provide Miss Ada with a comfortable life. She will rise in status to be a proper lady once more. And, with your inheritance, you’ll be able to pay off your debts and still be able to live comfortably with your new wife. Marrying Miss Ada is really your only option,” Dowager Statham pressed.
“You can’t be serious, Mother. I don’t take Miss Ada as the type of person to marry solely for money and comfort,” Flynt retorted, thinking his mother had gone mad with this idea.
“No, she is not that type of young lady. However, she has already agreed to the idea after we discussed it this morning. Upon your marriage, which should be this week so you’ll have the money to pay back Lord Locke, I will also give you the estates. Miss Ada will then be mistress of this house and the responsibilities that come with it.”
Flynt stared at his mother for several moments, trying to think about what she had just suggested. He tried very hard to figure his mother out and what her true intentions might be upon suggesting to him and Miss Ada this marriage of convenience.
“What did you offer Miss Ada in return for agreeing to marry me?” Flynt asked.
“I didn’t promise her anything, Flynt. She is simply doing this out of the goodness of her heart. She thinks she can help you succeed in life. And I believe her goodness of heart will eventually rub off on you.”
Flynt was speechless. Could his mother really be telling the truth? That Miss Ada agreed to marry him because she was such a kind-hearted person? It didn’t seem real or that any woman would do such a thing for him. After all, his reputation wasn’t the best even though he was an earl. And Miss Ada already knew about his financial problems.
“Mother, I’m sorry. I don’t think this is the best solution,” Flynt stuttered.
“My son, it is the only solution. I already warned you that if you didn’t find a solution of your own, that I would ban you from this house. Furthermore, I will give your inheritance to another,” Dowager Statham said as she raised her chin. “You will either marry Miss Ada this week to pay off your debts, or, you’ll carry with you whatever you can manage and never darken my doorstep again.”
Flynt couldn’t believe this was happening. Had his mother really gone mad? Anger exploded through his body as he quickly stood and dashed from the drawing room. He didn’t bother asking for the butler to open the door for him and instead opened and closed it himself. He was fuming as he walked down the walkway to the main street. His only thoughts were he needed to get as far away from the townhouse as possible and find a way to numb all the anger that was swelling up inside of him at being pressured to do such a ridiculous thing.
Flynt didn’t bother hailing a pedicab for where he wanted to go. Dressed in simple clothes, a black vest over his muslin shirt, and black trousers, he wasn’t really dressed for the occasion. But he knew that he would still be welcomed in the gentlemen’s club that was closest to the townhouse. After all, in the darkest of places, they would truly allow anyone to enter.
Flynt’s thoughts were running through his mind like a stampede of horses. Why would his mother force him to marry like this? Shouldn’t she just give him the money instead so they could go on with their lives? Surely there was enough money in the coffers to cover up this offence and set their lives back to normal. He shouldn’t have to marry just to be at peace once more. The very thought of marrying tightened his stomach into knots and made him feel as though he would suffocate.
He was just about to push open the door of one of the more unsavoury gentlemen’s clubs in Town when a hand rested on his shoulder. Not in a very good mood, Flynt turned, his fists raised to clobber anyone who thought it a good idea to disturb him that day. But when he saw the familiar face of Lord Ralph Peterson, his body relaxed, and he let down his fists with a smirk on his face.
“Woah there, Statham. It is just I. I mean you no harm,” Lord Peterson said with his hands raised. He began to chuckle, and Flynt was able to relax further.
“Forgive me, my old friend. I am not in the best of moods,” Flynt admitted. “I feel ready to strangle someone just for bothering me.”
“And you think you’re going to feel better in a place like this?” Lord Peterson asked, gesturing towards the door of the gentlemen’s club with his thumb. Flynt could hear piano music playing from inside. The air outside the door smelled of cigars and brandy, an odour that mixed with something more sinister like blood and sweat. He knew that fist fighting was allowed in this club and that perhaps trying his best in the ring would help him get rid of his frustration.
“I have designs to feel better, yes,” Flynt admitted. “I became rather good at boxing while at sea for so many years.”
“Why don’t you join me in the park?” Lord Peterson asked, gesturing now to the park across the street. Flynt followed his view and saw several couples walking through the park, observing the blooming flowers and finding protection from the sun underneath large oak trees. Had he not been so frustrated, he would have thought the scene before him looked rather lovely and inviting.
“I’m not really thinking a stroll through the park will do me much good,” Flynt muttered.
“No, perhaps not. But a walk through the park with one of your oldest friends will no doubt do you much good,” Lord Peterson said with a smirk on his lips. “We have not talked since before you left with the Navy. I’m sure there is much for us to catch up on.”
Flynt groaned inwardly, knowing that Lord Peterson was right. They had exchanged very few letters since the Navy didn’t always deliver letters to the right officer or find its way onto even the right ship.
As he looked at his friend, he remembered all the years they spent together in Exeter in boys’ school, then to Oxford when they were grown. Flynt couldn’t help chuckling as he raised his hand and rubbed his chin, resting his other hand on his hip as he remembered how often they used to pull pranks on their professors.
“Remember that time we left fish outside the window of the lecture room in the morning?” Flynt asked Lord Peterson as they crossed the road together once the way was clear of traffic.
“My word, what a horrible smell. As soon as the professor stepped into the room, he swiftly turned around and left, feeling the need to lecture us in the hallway,” Lord Peterson replied with a laugh. “I feel for men of wisdom and knowledge; it took them a really long time to discover the source of the smell.”
“And they never did discover that it was us that had done the task,” Flynt replied with another laugh. “I do miss those times.”
“There are times that I do miss it as well,” Lord Peterson agreed. “Ever since my parents have passed away, it’s been all work and business for me.”
Flynt stopped on the path and faced his friend, really looking at him as the news of his parents’ deaths ran over him. “
I’m sorry, Ralph. I had no idea that they had passed,” Flynt said, reaching out his hand and placing it on his friend’s shoulder.
