“There you are, my dear,” her mother cooed from the settee in the drawing room an hour later. “I am so happy you are well enough to join us for the evening.”
Felicity rounded the corner of the couch, unsure of what to say as her mother took her hand and guided her to sit in the empty seat next to her mother.
“Are you well?” her father asked from his seat by the fireplace.
“Well enough, I suppose,” she told him as truthfully as she dared.
He nodded, eyeing her as if he did not believe her fully.
“Now that we have established that Felicity has recovered,” her mother said sharply, “your father and I have some news for you.”
Felicity sat silently, staring at her hands clasped in her lap, dreading whatever words were about to come out of her mother’s mouth.
“We thought it would be best to tell you now, so we can prepare you on how you will react at dinner tonight.”
Again, Felicity said nothing, wishing she was anywhere but here.
“As I am sure you are aware, Lord Roberts is going to be in attendance for tonight’s dinner. Your father and I have arranged your marriage to the Earl. Is that not the most wonderful thing you have heard, my dear? You will be a countess!”
A cold sweat broke out across Felicity’s neck at her mother’s words. She could say nothing for fear of losing the little food she had eaten. Obviously less than pleased at her lack of a response, her mother’s tone shifted from excited to cold frustration.
“Do not be ungrateful, Felicity. This is a good match. Lord Roberts is titled and has enough money to keep you very comfortable for the rest of your life. You will want for nothing.”
“We think he is a good man,” her father chimed in as if that half-hearted reassurance would do her any good.
Felicity cleared her throat and blinked back the tears that had unexpectedly formed in her eyes before whispering, “Thank you.”
“Now, go upstairs, and fix your hair. I do not want to see a single strand out of place. No man wants an unkempt wife. And while you are up there, be sure to think about how you want to respond when the Earl makes his proposal. It may all be for show, but I still expect to see a smile. None of this silent, brooding you have shown us. I would hate for Lord Roberts to think you unwilling or ungrateful.”
With that, her mother shifted in her seat, dismissing Felicity entirely.
“Yes, mother.”
And then she rose to make her way back up the stairs. Ruth was still in her room by the time she made it back.
“Felicity? What is the matter?” Concern laced her every word.
“Mother says my hair is a mess and must be fixed before dinner,” she answered, numbly.
“Oh, there is no pleasing that woman. There is not a hair out of place. Come sit anyway, and we will see what we can do.”
Felicity moved to the bench in a daze.
“What did your mother want to talk to you about?” Ruth asked, trying to make conversation in an effort to ease the tension in the room.
“I am to marry Lord Roberts.”
Ruth froze, the brush stopping mid stroke.
“What?” she whispered in shock.
“I am to become the Countess of Edgware. He is joining us for dinner tonight so that he can officially propose although he seems to have already worked the whole thing out with my parents, so the proposal is just for show.”
“Oh, Felicity,” Ruth said sympathetically.
“No, please.” Felicity cut her off with a raised hand. “No pity, please, Ruth. I will not be able to bear this if you do.”
“You should not have to bear this at all,” Ruth argued, her brushing a bit more aggressive now.