Yours Truly

Chapter Fourteen

Adelaide hurried into the carriage after Margaret and immediately turned to face her.

"Did you know that Henry knew that I was Mrs. Williams?" Adelaide asked. Had Henry made her aware of his intentions or only made reference to a mystery woman?

"Oh, yes, I did! Did that fool finally get around to asking him to marry you?"

Adelaide laughed in disbelief. "He did."

"Perfect! What did he say? How did he do it? Was it awfully romantic? I knew that boy was a dreamer at heart-"

"Don't you want to know what my answer was, Aunt Margaret?" Adelaide interrupted.

"I'm not sure I do if you say it in such a bleak tone as that!"

"I said yes, don't you fret, you harpy!" Adelaide remonstrated. "I said yes with a few conditions though. We won't be making it public so both of us will have the ability to break it off at whatever point. Without repercussions."

Margaret nodded along and Adelaide continued.

"And I told him that I didn't want him to marry me out of any sense of duty. That I would only marry him if he loved me."

"Yes, I can see how you would think that Henry might marry you because of his honour or propriety. But what you will soon come to find is that Henry is also quite determined. And loyal." Margaret laughed and shook her head ruefully.

"Because of the circumstances that he's lived through, he has learned quite quickly that he needs to hold onto the things he cares about and the people he loves. Protect them as well."

Adelaide looked at Margaret in confusion.

"I'm afraid you've lost me, Aunt Margaret."

"If he were to meet your father...I'd be worried that he might do something reckless that he feels is in your best interest."

Adelaide burst into laughter as Margaret stared at her in shock.

"Not to worry," Adelaide breathed out between gales of laughter. "I already threatened to marry Lord Sheffield if he challenges my father to a duel."

"Yes, I can imagine that he found that quite persuasive!" Margaret paused in thought and fixed Adelaide with a considering gaze. "Why would you break it off?"

When Adelaide remained quiet, she prompted her. "It's just that you said that either of you could break it off if you so choose. Why would you?"

"Did you ever think of remarrying after your husband died?" Adelaide asked suddenly.

"No," Margaret answered, turning to look out the window at the passing buildings draped in darkness. "There has never been a man that I loved enough to trust with my heart."

Adelaide nodded in understanding. She did trust Henry with her heart. But there was something else bothering her.

"Let alone all my money," Margaret added with a small laugh.

"I love Henry, truly and with all my heart," Adelaide began hesitantly. "But there is a part of me that balks at the idea of giving a man such...dominion."

Margaret smiled sadly. "I've told you a little about my husband and so you understand that I have lived through exactly what you fear. Not being able to pursue your art and act as who you truly are. So then how do you know that Henry won't act as my husband did? As your father does?"

"It's not that I believe he will," Adelaide hurried to say. "I cannot see him ever doing such things-"

"No. And nor do I. But there's a little voice in the back of your head, isn't there? Thinking that you may be wrong. And even if it isn't tomorrow or the next day, someday Henry might turn into a man like your father."