Season's Feather

Chapter Eleven

Unfortunately, no matter how special the season had become, there were still the important things that overshadowed everything. The next morning after Vauxhall, Delilah was back in the Silvester study pouring over bills. The rent for the estate. The fee for her mother's doctors. The expenses that came with each new dress.

"My dowry..." Delilah mumbled. Slowly for the past year, she had been feeding money into it so it could be worth something. But, slowly, the hope of it began to dwindle. And slowly the page disappeared beneath paper after paper of bill. The hope of marriage had dwindled beneath papers of money.

Until Anthony. Although, there was a little voice in the back of her mind. Anthony and her weren't courting. But, certainly, all of their small moments had meant something, right?

Delilah heard a small crack that shook from her thoughts. The pencil in her hand was broken. She began to dig through the different drawers when she pulled out a new document. Or rather, a letter. But, what makes it even weirder is that it is addressed to Delilah.

"What.." She whispered into the empty room. She opened the letter, her father's handwriting.

Dear Little Lily,

I would never know the blessing of hearing your laugh, mainly because I made a mistake. Leaving you to worry about the jobs which should be a man's worry. I have confined you to the study instead of in the drawing room playing piano and singing heavenly. I am so sorry.

Your mother, although our perfect little family was just starting, didn't want me living with you after what I had done. But, if you find this piece of writing it's time you learn.

I created your life before you had the chance to live it. I established your marriage and arranged it for you blindly. And when you make your debut, if you do not marry after your first season, then by the end of your second season you will have been wed.

But do not be in vain, for you're to be wed to a handsome and stable man. Lord Benjamin Aevery has kindly put himself up to be your husband. Granted by the time you shall make your debut he shall be older. But he shall be stable, and you shall be taken care of.

Your mother never forgave me for it. I doubt you will forgive me too, but I did it in your best interests.

I love you very much Little Lily,

Papa.

Her breath caught in her mouth. Her feet moved on their own accord and soon she was at her mothers door.

"Mama!" Delilah yelled as she ran into the bedroom.

Mary jumped from her position on the bed and looked over at her daughter, "Delilah? Good heavens dear what's wrong?"

Delilah walked to the bed and held the letter out to her mother, "Did you know about this? Did you know that Papa did this?"

Mary's eyes scanned the letter. Her eyes mixed with sadness and anger as she read it. Her head shook slightly and she patted the seat next to her. Delilah sat beside her mother with confusion written across her face. Was her idea of her parents love faulty?

"Your father and I," Mary started, "We were so happy when you were to be born. Even though the pregancy was hard on my health, we couldn't have been happier to introduce you to the world. However, James was not always smart. He gambled. Every man in London does I suppose, but he always betted more then he could provide."

Delilah listened carefully.

"One day, he gambled with a man - Lord Aevery - who always lost. Since he had become a man in the eyes of the Ton, he had never won a round. Your father, he was drunk and promised your hand to him if he lost."