“Lord Brexley is more than generous enough to overlook your mother’s background and place you in a suitable and respectable position in his staff. You should reconsider his offer,” Emma continued.
Ariadne had known the Earl of Brexley for the last few years. And while the man was just as Emma said, generous and willing enough to employ her under his care, it didn’t matter to Ariadne. She had already said no and she rarely changed her mind.
He had been to their home just last week, leaving behind a small sack of rice and lentils and promising more if she took him up on his offer.
“He just sees us as one of his charity cases. Someone who will make him look and feel good,” Ariadne said. “While I do not doubt his good intentions, I simply do not wish to work for him.”
Emma shook her head. “Maybe it’s time to stop playing inventor.” Her tone was sterner than Ariadne expected and she was almost taken aback by it. “People have begun to talk.”
“People’s words never mattered to me. They’ve called me worse, since I was a kid.” Ariadne preferred the company of her father’s tools instead of dresses and dolls. Kids her age laughed at her and this mockery continued well into adulthood. It was both a good thing and a bad. Ariadne had hardened herself to these jibes.
“Look at yourself. You’re barely a girl anymore. You’re turning more and more into your father every day.”
“And is it such an awful thing?” she asked. Her voice was soft but Ariadne heard the disappointment loud and clear in her voice.
“It is when you start forgetting about yourself and others around you.” Even though Emma remained calm, her words hurt Ariadne. “Think about your sister.”
Ariadne was silent. She wasalwaysthinking about Leda. But this thing she had to do for herself. She had expected support from Emma at the least. She had grown to see the woman as a second mother. She had all but brought them up and was always around to help around the house since her mother passed away.
She started for the door when Emma called out to her. “What are your plans?”
“I’ll decide on the way,” she replied. That was exactly like her to do this. Jump into an adventure before pondering on it. But more often than not, she succeeded in her endeavors. Maybe that’s why neither Emma nor Leda protested as she left.
As she was on her way out, she ran into Mrs. Tula. “Are you goin’ somewhere, Ariadne?” she asked.
“Yes,” Ariadne said warily. She didn’t trust the woman’s thin lips or the way she assessed her shrewdly.
“I hope it’s to make coins because if you don’t give me the rent within the next two days, I’m afraid I’ll have to throw you and your family out to the streets.”