by Sandy Raven
Or… Maybe not.
Their daughters were all beautiful and well-educated young ladies. Perhaps Isabel’s skills in things such as playing the piano forte, singing, and needlework lacked perfection, but she could dance beautifully. And all three could sit a horse better than most men. They should, after all they had learned from the best—their aunts Elise and Beverly.
All three girls had been given an opportunity that few young ladies in their society were allowed. Their daughters had been promised by their parents that they could marry for love, on the condition that the men were acceptable to their fathers. Lia felt, though, that perhaps the girls were taking advantage of this parental license, for no young men were on the girls’ short lists for potential mates.
Not one. And this was after four full seasons officially out in society. Worse yet, the three showed no desire to become serious about the search for a husband. It was so unlike all the other girls of their age who were already betrothed and getting married—some already mothers.
So perhaps giving the girls a little free rein, as Elise was wont to say, would be what was necessary to help things along. Ren was a very protective father. Sometimes too much so. But then, so were Michael and Kip. None of the girls had much freedom, being under the watchful eye of either one of the family or an armed footman or guard since their first season.
And now, since the queen had been shot at—no less than three times in a matter of a few months—Ren was even more concerned for the safety of his family. He had wanted to remove them all to Haldenwood and never allow them to leave, but Lia had been able to make him see reason.
She’d told him that she refused to live her life in fear of what could happen. She also didn’t want her children fearing members of the lower classes, and had reminded Ren that his cousin and her own aunt were of their class and were both despicable humans, as was the man who’d abducted Elise all those years ago.
The three girls, including the broken-hearted Penelope, were very private with their emotions. They were never going to fall in love if they were under the constant scrutiny of the thousands of people in London during a social season. Lia had witnessed society’s criticism of every misstep by their daughters. Never to the point of cruelty because she, Elise and Beverly had significant social clout of their own, but she was aware of the curiosity their daughters had become because of their closeness, their aloofness with the gentlemen, and their bold fashion sense.
The gossip reporters, as well as many others in the ton, were constantly discussing the three young ladies’ latest dresses, to whom they were seen speaking, and at which functions. Predicting spouses for the three girls, discussing which gentlemen had the benefit of bloodline, upbringing, and wealth had become a weekly joke this season.
Because of their reserved nature and unmarried status, the press had given the girls a nickname—the Ice Maidens. The most painful of all for Lia to contend with, was reading the name given to her daughter in particular—Lady Ice. Try as she might, she’d never been able to counter that defamation. Not even when she’d given the girls the idea to wear their Fates costumes, in hopes that the gossip writers would begin calling them something else in their newspaper columns.
And as she thought more about the house party in Scotland, Lia concluded that getting away from England would be good for the girls. Her daughter, niece and goddaughter needed to learn how to navigate certain situations, even passionate ones. Lia was still Italian no matter that she lived in England, and Italians understood that sometimes passion should be given the chance to flourish and grow. That’s what their girls needed—a chance to explore relationships away from the watchful eyes of those who would criticize or gossip.
That thought firmly in her mind, she said to her sister-in-law, “I still believe we let our daughters go to Scotland without us, Elise.”
“How can you say that? Mr. Santiago’s presence will be torture for Penelope!” Elise would resist Lia’s idea no matter what she said to try and convince her. Unless she could see the benefit of the girls going, Elise was not likely to change her mind.
“It is not going to be easy for Penelope to go to Scotland,” Lia explained. “She will need her friends as moral and emotional support to get through the event with her former innamorato, now betrothed to her cousin. And Beverly would be our daughters’ chaperone. I can ask Marcus to go with them to be their male guardian. He might enjoy a diversion. There will be other eligible young ladies there.”
Lia could see Elise and Beverly starting to consider her idea.
“The new earl will be in attendance to his grandmother,” Lia said. “And will likely have many friends with him, take my word. These will be young men the girls don’t know, or won’t have met, in the relaxed atmosphere of a house party. Young men don’t usually go to events like this without bringing a few friends to help them pass the time. They’re just like young ladies in that regard. They go to balls, their clubs, or even the theater in groups, like schools of fish.” She paused, and witnessed Elise’s tight-lipped, staunch skepticism. “You know I’m right. Why, Marcus does it almost nightly.”
It looked like Beverly was starting to understand her meaning. But Elise still needed more convincing.
“Elise, we need to give them room to spread their wings. At their age, we were married and had children. The girls are twenty-one years old. I think all three of them could benefit from time away from our watchful eyes, to fall in love. It will never happen while we’re two steps away. They’re too comfortable in their situations.”
“I get your meaning,” Beverly said, a hopeful little smile on her face growing. “Like birds leaving a nest, they sometimes need a little push to learn to fly.” And just as easily as that smile came, it vanished when she remembered her daughter’s situation. “But… This is my daughter’s heart we’re talking about. If she comes with me to Scotland, it will be like pulling the bandage off a wound that may not be completely healed.”
“Lia, I have seen birds fall to the ground and die because they weren’t ready to fly,” Elise said. “Charlotte is my only daughter.”
“As is Isabel,” Lia said.
“Penelope is my only child,” added Beverly. “It’s her heart that would be broken seeing this young man with her cousin. She thought he cared for her!”
Elise worried her lower lip, a habit she’d had for as long as Lia had known her. It meant she was considering what she was saying. A good sign. She continued making her case.
“Beverly will be with them,” Lia said. She could see her sister-in-law considering her idea. She didn’t see any reason why going to the party with the mother of one of the guests as chaperone would raise eyebrows—all the families had been invited.
“I really wanted to hunt Rathcavan again,” Elise pouted. “It’s a challenging terrain and the dowager has the best bloodstock I’ve ever had the privilege to ride.”
“Really, Elise?” Lia teased. “Besides, think on this… If this month in Scotland progresses as I hope it will, you might be riding there much more frequently.”
“I’m sure one of the reasons Kip wants me to bring Penelope is because he’s hoping she might take a liking to this relative of his,” Beverly said. “Penny’s never met the new earl. And Kip has mentioned on more than one occasion that the young man is nothing like his predecessor, and that he is a very intelligent and responsible young man.”
“But Mr. Santiago will be in attendance,” Elise reminded them both. “He broke Penny’s heart. How do you think she would feel watching someone she once loved profess his undying affection for another?”
“It won’t be easy. Nothing like that ever is. But, this might help Penelope move on. After all, it’s been a long time since he disappeared—”
“Without saying goodbye,” Elise had to remind everyone.
“I will be with her, as will Isabel, and Charlotte hopefully.” Beverly smiled at Lia. “I believe this idea could have merit. I will be with the girls the entire time.”
Lia
was silent a moment while she mulled over Beverly’s words. “Maybe…” Lia paused as an idea came to her. “Maybe you shouldn’t be with them the entire time.”
“Lia, do you know what you’re saying?”
The nearly apoplectic expression on her sister-in-law’s face would be humorous under any other circumstance. Lia just nodded, a quiet resolve welling in her over this new twist to her plan. “Of course I do, Elise.” Turning her attention back to Beverly, she said, “What if you leave and visit Henrietta Ormelee in Edinburgh for a few days? Or even a week? The other day she mentioned that she would be opening her house there because the queen will be in residence during the same time you will be at Rathcavan. She’s planning on hosting her majesty for dinner at least once.”
Elise shook her head vigorously. “But… Leave the girls unchaperoned? Never!”
“Elise,” Lia began, “How can we let our little birds fly if we’re unwilling to let them out of their cages? We have raised them to be intelligent and rational young ladies, with strong morals and spotless reputations. It is beyond time to let them be the women we know they can be.”
Her sister-in-law appeared to consider Lia’s words, but when she shook her head, Lia knew she had failed in her persuasion.
“This could backfire on us all,” Elise stated. “And the ones to be most injured would be one or more of our daughters.” Elise made a final plea to Beverly. "Especially Penny."
All three women stared at each other a moment, mulling over what Elise had just said.
“I know you think what I have proposed is unconventional and it likely is,” Lia said. “But I am not afraid for their safety, for they will have their guards. I am not afraid for their reputations, for they will have Beverly, Lady Adina, and Lady Edgar there. Perhaps even Marcus. You know he’s always had this ability to keep the girls in check, especially when Isabel gets excited about something.”
Beverly stood and began to pace the length of the carpet in drawing room. “Lia’s right, Elise. We have to trust our girls, give them their heads if you will. Just like training a horse. How many times have you told me that there comes a time when you’ve done all you can and you have to let them go to someone else. Hopefully, that someone will appreciate them for the magnificent creatures they are.”
Lia smiled, she’d won Beverly over. But Elise was like her brother Ren when it came to protecting family. Likely because of what they’d gone through with their parents’ deaths and Elise’s abduction, though all that had happened many years ago. Their daughters were guarded at all times, per their fathers’ wishes.
“If Beverly went to Edinburgh, it would leave three young ladies unchaperoned,” Elise protested one last time. Lia could tell Elise was almost swayed by her logic.
“No. They would have Lady Adina and Lady Edgar,” Beverly said. “And if the girls wish me to stay, I will. If they decide they want to accompany me to Edinburgh, I would bring them with me.”
“Elise,” Lia said, giving her argument one last push. “I think our daughters are all very clever and sensible young ladies. There are not likely to be any problems, and quite possibly one, or more, could come away from this house party with a betrothal. And if we’re lucky, maybe even all three!” She put her hand to her breast. “I feel in my heart that this will be a good thing for all three girls.”
“I would have to clear this with Michael…”
“Of course we should let our husbands know the girls are going with Beverly,” Lia said. “But beyond that, I’m not planning to tell Ren. I certainly don’t want to tell him that I’m hoping Isabel finds a husband. He’ll just tell me I’m meddling again.”
Lia lifted her tea cup and gave Beverly a wink as she finished the sweet amber liquid that had gone cool while she was plotting. If she wasn’t completely certain that this was the right thing to do, she wouldn’t have suggested it. She just hoped she’d convinced Elise because she didn’t think Isabel would want to go if Charlotte wasn’t allowed.
“Well, seeing as this house party isn’t until October, I have a while to make up my mind. I will want Michael’s opinion as well.” Elise pushed her cup and saucer toward the center of the small tray table, and gave Lia a bemused stare. “Let’s hope the papers in Scotland haven’t taken to gossiping about our daughters. I’d hate for them to propagate that horrible name that dreadful columnist at The Times continually uses for them.”
Lia agreed. What the columnist called Isabel, Charlotte, and Penelope, on more than one occasion was unwarranted. Their daughters were not Ice Maidens. They were very passionate young ladies, with strong opinions, and a close bond of friendship. They loved their horses and treasured their relationships. They also had high standards for any man who wished to claim their hearts. And claiming hearts was imperative. Their daughters had been encouraged to find love by their mothers. Clearly any man would have to appreciate those same qualities in order to earn the affection of their daughters.
Lia had high hopes that in Scotland, away from their usual crowd in London, the gossips, and the newspaper columnists, that their daughters might find these men. “Let’s not mention this to the girls just yet,” Lia said. “This will give you time to decide, Elise.”
“Thank you.” Elise met both their gazes momentarily and sighed. “No one wants their daughter to find her true love as much as I. But I also know Charlotte has been feeling a little less than…” Elise shook her head slowly. Lia could tell she was struggling to come up with the correct emotion to convey what Charlotte was feeling.
“I don’t know what it is—if she feels as if she isn’t as pretty as Isabel and Penelope, or as desirable by men. I get the feeling her confidence has been shaken recently and I don’t know what caused it. A part of me wants to help her, but I know she must do this on her own.”
Lia jumped on the admission. “That’s why I think we allow them to navigate this house party without us to coddle them. It could serve to build confidence in all three girls.”
“They’ll be safe among Kip’s family.” Beverly’s cheerful smile brought Lia’s out, too.
“They will be chaperoned and guarded,” Lia said. “And you know Marcus won’t allow them to get in over their heads or act improperly.”
“Not that Charlotte ever would,” Elise declared.
“Neither would Isabel.”
“Nor Penelope.”
“Yes, our little darlings are all perfect angels.” Lia grinned, remembering their children’s younger days when hoyden might have been a better description for all three girls. “It’s a wonder they aren’t all married by now.” Her subtle irony was not lost on her friends. As if they each remembered their children’s antics, all three women burst into laughter.
Where Elise makes a discovery about herself
* * *
Elise rested her head against the deep-cushioned, leather wingback chair in her husband’s office. It was her favorite place to sit in the afternoons, while she waited for him to come home from his club. The soft leather smelled like the cigars Michael occasionally smoked. It was an earthy and sweet scent. Like him. And this was where she wanted to be when he walked into the house.
With all the uncertainty in life, she knew if she kept her close, Charlotte would be safe. Because she feared what might happen without her being there, she seriously struggled with sending her daughter to Scotland.
If she were honest, there was a tiny, childish part of her that was jealous. Lady Adina had some excellent horses in her stable. Several years back, Elise had purchased a few mares from the woman. How she’d love to go back to Rathcavan for an entire month with Beverly. The lands were vast, the terrain was exciting to race across, and Elise hadn’t been in several years.
But Beverly and Lia had a valid point. Their daughters had been out for four seasons. That was three and a half years on the marriage mart. And in that time they met the many eligible young men who came to London in search of appropriate brides. Only one of the three girls had shown interest in a youn
g man. Penelope had fancied a man the previous year—a young man whose family was barely connected, his mother was a younger daughter of a baronet, and his Spaniard father was in trade. He was neither noble nor wealthy. He was from Spain and had come to England for his university studies, remaining after graduation. He’d made the rounds of some of the events last year, attending with a few of his friends.
After somehow winning Penelope’s heart, he had disappeared without any explanation, leaving her heartbroken. It was a difficult thing for a mother to watch, even if Penelope wasn’t her own child. Charlotte and Isabel had rallied around their friend. For the rest of last year’s season, the three young ladies had avoided events where they knew their friends with beaux would be in attendance. It was too painful for Penelope to be around happy couples. The threesome went to musicales, the theater, teas, museums, rides in the park, even poetry readings, but only with other ladies. Charlotte and Isabel had even avoided mingling with men to help their friend through her heartbreak.
It was not different from what Elise had done for Beverly when she’d had her heart broken. But, where she and Beverly planned and manipulated situations to their benefit, Charlotte did not. Neither did Penelope, nor Isabel. Perhaps Elise and Beverly were so conniving when they were younger because they didn’t have mothers for most of their youth.
More than anything, Elise feared her daughter getting her heart broken. Having experienced it herself once, the pain of a broken heart wasn’t something she would wish for her sweet Charlotte.
Lia was right, their three girls had been sheltered, perhaps even indulged. In giving them what they most loved—the often excessive time with their horses and the advanced riding instruction—their daughters missed out on some of the other things normal girls their age would have experienced.
They should have had first loves and, possibly, broken hearts by now. Many girls their age were already married, even mothers. They were married and mothers by their daughters’ age.
