The truth was that Louisa’s destiny lay in a different direction from his. Sir Aaron wanted to conquer trade and commerce and anything to do with business, and he would do whatever he could to get what he wanted. Even if it meant trampling her in the process. A woman’s heart can be won with words covered in sweet cream. Yet it can be lost in a matter of seconds when one adds actions drizzled in vinegar. And Sir Aaron’s vinegar-filled actions had done just that.
Louisa ignored the light tap on the door. She did not want to speak to anyone. All she wanted to do was remain where she was and wallow in her sorrow. Alone.
The knock repeated, and the door opened to Mrs. Rutley. “I can’t have you lolling around in bed all day, Louisa,” she said, her tone kind but firm as she sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s not good for you.”
Louisa sighed. Even raising her eyes to look at her headmistress took effort, such was her despondency. “I thought I’d be introducing the man who wished to marry me to my parents tomorrow. Now, I’ll be returning home without the prospect of marriage.” A fresh supply of tears welled in her eyes. “Oh, Mrs. Rutley, is there not a tonic or herb I can take to relieve this pain that’s taken over my soul?”
Mrs. Rutley smiled and brushed back a strand of Louisa’s hair from her forehead. “You can always go and speak to Sir Aaron.”
Louisa let out a half-laugh. “And listen to his excuses to justify his actions? He betrayed me, and nothing he says can change that.” Why should it be she who suffered when he was the one who caused the pain?
“You’ve lost the theater and Sir Aaron in one fell swoop, Louisa,” Mrs. Rutley said. “Does the loss of one hurt more than the other?”
Anger bubbled hot in Louisa. Was her headmistress blind? “The loss of him, of course! The theater means nothing.”
“Is that so?” Mrs. Rutley asked. “Then why were you so set yesterday to save it?”
Louisa sat up in bed, frowning. What a silly question. “Because Chatsworth needs a place where both men and women can be equals. I’ve explained this before.”
Her headmistress sighed. “I don’t doubt your motives, but I would venture a guess that you had a greater interest in defeating Sir Aaron than in saving the theater. Now, don’t give me that look, Louisa. You cannot deny that the game the two of you played was a greater motivator than the prize.”
“If this was a game,” Louisa replied with a sniff, “he did nothing short of cheating.”
“I’m sure he did not cheat, Louisa.”
Pushing back the covers, Louisa leapt to her feet. “I’m suffering a broken heart, Mrs. Rutley, but it appears you’ve taken his side over mine.”
Mrs. Rutley heaved a sigh. “Louisa, if you had won, what do you imagine would have happened?”
Louisa shrugged. “I’d be happy, of course.” She narrowed her eyes. “What is it you’re saying? That I should be happy whether I win or lose? That may be true in theory, but we both know that losing only leaves the winner feeling smug and the loser disconsolate.”
“Did you not once say that Sir Aaron told you he never believed you could win?”
“He did,” Louisa replied with a nod.
Mrs. Rutley smiled. “But I would guess you thought the same of him.”
Louisa bit at her lip. “I was so certain I would win, yes, but that does not change what he did. At least I would have won without cheating.”
“Did he?” Mrs. Rutley asked. “And what about you? Were you honorable in your actions?” She patted Louisa’s hand. “You have every right to feel hurt by what he did, but you were no different. You two are more alike than you’re willing to admit.” She rose from the bed. “Now, I want you to wash and dress and downstairs for breakfast.”
Her jaw hanging open, Louisa watched her headmistress close the door behind her as she left the room. How dare Mrs. Rutley accuse her of being like Sir Aaron! They were nothing alike. She, Louisa, was a thoughtful and caring young lady who wanted to do what was best for the village and its populous. Sir Aaron, on the other hand, was a self-possessed, arrogant scoundrel whose only purpose in life was to make others admire him for empty actions and hollow promises!
After using the water from her pitcher to wash her face and seeing to her morning ablutions, Louisa donned a teal-blue dress, brushed her hair, and made her way downstairs. She was not hungry, so she forewent breakfast and went outside, where she found Ruth and Amy with their heads together beside the great oak tree.
“What are you two doing?” Louisa asked as she approached.
Amy clasped her hands together and bounced on the balls of her feet. “Ruth has invited me to sail to faraway lands with her once I’ve completed my schooling! Isn’t that wonderful?”
Louisa glanced at Ruth. Did she still believe this captain of hers would return? But expressing her doubts would not only disappoint Amy but Ruth, as well.
“Well,” Ruth said, “will you go speak to him or not?”
“No,” Louisa replied. “There is no reason. Tomorrow my parents will come, and I’ll return home. I’m sure they’ll have me married off by winter.” She shrugged. “That is my destiny.”
“You can go with Ruth,” Amy said.
Louisa snorted. “That life is not for me.”