There was silence as the family dug into the food. Delia took a quick glance at Roderick’s plate and noticed his pasties were all gone. It shouldn’t give her satisfactio
n that he liked her food. He was the enemy. But her pride swelled nonetheless.
One by one family members began leaving for the day’s events and Delia got up to get ready for the training session. Her state of undress wouldn’t do, a more formal dress would be required. Her eldest sister-in-law, Eliza, called to her. “Delia, I’d like a word.”
“Of course,” she replied. Stone was fifteen years older than herself and had been married to Eliza for as long as she could remember. Having little memory of her parents, Eliza had been like a mother to her.
The other woman headed up the stairs out of the kitchen. Delia followed. Moving down the long center hall, Eliza turned into her favorite salon, which the family referred to as the Pink Room. The light from the early morning sun gave it a soft hue.
Seating herself on a settee, Delia was across from sister-in-law. “What would you like to speak to me about?”
“Your marriage prospects.” Eliza had always been plain-spoken. She and Stone rarely had difficulty understanding each other. Agreeing with one another was another matter entirely, but Eliza was strong enough to stand up to her brother.
“Prospects?” she asked.
“I’m sure it is no secret that Stone prefers Manchester, but another has declared his interest and will arrive tomorrow. The Earl of Sunderland comes to call. A woman should have some choice.”
She appreciated Eliza’s care more than she could say. She’d guess that her sister-in-law had fought hard to make this happen. “Why didn’t I know about this sooner?”
“You know your brother.” Eliza raised her eyebrows and Delia gave a nod. Stone didn’t tell her because he wanted her to pick Roderick. At this moment, she wanted Roderick too. A dangerous position.
“He loves you, you know.” Eliza’s words pulled her out of her thoughts.
Delia waved her hand, dismissing the words. “Stone? He’s my brother, of course he does.”
“No, Roderick. I can see it in his eyes. He loves you.”
“He only met me yesterday. How could he love me?” Delia huffed.
Eliza looked at her for a long time, she seemed to be trying to decide something. “What do you remember of the day you fell on the cliff?”
Delia narrowed her eyes. What did that have to do with this? In truth, she remembered very little. She had hit her head during the initial fall so most of the events were foggy. Whenever a memory did try to surface, she pushed it firmly back down. She did not want to remember the day she had lost Reginald. He had been her lifeline, her partner in crime, and her world had grown dark when he left it. She sometimes dreamed about it but she had no idea how much truth those visions held. “Not much, I suppose, just rocks and a boat…a man catching me. Probably a passing fisherman. I’ve never asked. Did Stone give him a reward?”
“Yes. Yes he did.” Eliza’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“I see.” Delia wondered what the reward was and if the man had ever returned. She started to ask these questions but then realized she didn’t want to know any more. It was still so painful.
Eliza opened her mouth a few times but each time closed it again. Finally, she spoke. “I don’t want to tell you what decision to make, but I can not see why you are resisting the Duke of Manchester. He is handsome, funny, honest enough, successful, and smitten with you. There is little else you could ask for.”
“I have my reasons.” Her eyes were cast down to the floor.
“It happened the way it happened, Delia. There is no changing it. At some point, you have to just live your life. Do you think Reginald would want you to be miserable? He loved you—“
“Enough Eliza. I don’t want to talk about it.” Delia shook her head. It was easy for Eliza to say. Her stupidity had not killed her own brother. Delia would have to live with her actions for the rest of her life.
Eliza was silent for several seconds until Delia finally lifted her eyes from the floor. The other woman’s sharp glance was on her. “You should get ready for the training session. Wear that blue morning dress.”
“That is my newest gown. You want me to wear it for a training session? It just arrived—“
“You’re being courted. Honestly, Delia.” Eliza threw her hands in the air. “What I wouldn’t give to look like you and you want to hide in drab clothing.” The other woman stood. “Now go. And don’t make me come dress you like a child.”
With a huff of her breath, she stood. “You’re trussing me up like a turkey. Are you going to put me on a platter too?”
“Perhaps, if you don’t start cooperating. Now go. Your future awaits.”
Chapter Four
Delia stood on the observation benches out in the training yard in the dress Eliza had requested. Her hair had been pulled into loose waves. Her sister-in-law was right. It was a stunning dress. At the age of twelve, she had loved to dress in the latest fashions and she had dreamed of a season in London. Now her sisters-in-law had to drag her to the modiste to be fitted. And she only wore the creations when it was required of her. Or, more precisely, when Eliza threatened.