Season's Feather

Chapter Forty-Five

That night in the Silvester study Delilah walked in on Anthony and Williamson working together. Anthony had been prying over the ledgers long enough that once he found out Delilah was bestowing the house upon Lord Aevery, he demanded she never looked at them again.

So tonight instead of walking and fixing math, she put in the remaining pieces of her jewelry, "Lord and Lady Sheffield's return is certainly a surprise. But, it shall be pleasant to see the family reconciled, will it not?"

"We shall be finished in a moment, Delilah," Williamson said, "We shall not be late."

Anthony gave him a piercing look before turning back to the ledgers. He wanted to speak on Delilah's behalf, but he knew better. This was her sibling. Simon was a husband now, so Williamson was all she had left.

"It is not that," Delilah said, "I have been watching you all week. I told myself I would support your choice but I admit, it is more difficult than I thought. I don't know if I can continue to stay silent."

"You have been anything but silent."

"Watch it," Anthony threatened.

Delilah smiled at him and then looked down to her hands, "This is your betrothal, Williamson. Your marriage. To the woman who shall become Lady Aevery, may I add."

Williamson looked up at her, "You question Miss Edwina's suitability for the role?"

"I question the example you set for Felicity and Thomas. Marrying a woman for whom you clearly hold no great tenderness or love."

Williamson huffed and leaned back in his seat. His head dropped into his hand. He had heard this argument before, again and again. Even though Delilah was right each time, it changed nothing. He shook his head, "Why will you not accept that the love match between your mother and father was just an exception and not the rule?"

"Because she wishes for you to know the joy of an exceptional marriage." Anthony spat, "Do not be foul in your mood because she is the last remaining elder figure who cares about you. Do not bring up the Silvester family either, you did not know them. You should be excited to wed Miss Edwina, but for all I have seen alongside my fiancee, you act as if you are approaching the gallows instead."

Delilah looked at Williamson, "If this is not what you want, you must say something now Williamson, before-"

"What I want is beside the point. I could never dishonor Miss Edwina by begging off now."

Delilah nodded her head, "You are right. A gentleman cannot take back his word, but a woman may. It happens all the time with young ladies, swept up in the dizziness of receiving a proposal before the reality of marriage becomes clear."

"What are you saying, love?" Anthony looked at her.

"If Miss Edwina were to call off the engagement, no one would find fault with her. And you would not be dishonoring her in the slightest. Releasing her from the obligation before any vows were exchanged."

Williamson looked up at her. Delilah had pleading eyes. Anthony was just calm, but even he couldn't deny that Kate was the one he truly wanted. But, Delilah didn't interfere with his siblings, so he didn't interfere with hers.

"She does not wish to end the engagement," Williamson whispered.

"But does she know your true feelings on the matter?"

"My feelings are of no concern," Williamson stated, "What matters is my responsibility, which has always been to wed."

Delilah said nothing else. But in her head it was clear. To the rest of the ton, she had been the perfect sponsor. She had created an environment where her ward could find a wife. But, that wasn't even the surface of it. Delilah had become a sister to Williamson. She had failed her brother in finding a love match. She had failed him in the most important way of all, being true to himself.

Anthony could see the battle in her eyes. But, he couldn't do anything. This wasn't a problem he could fix. He could only be there as support. This was family, and no one could just fix family.

"If you have doubts, do not simply set them aside," Delilah whispered, "This is the most important choice you will ever make. It will break my heart to see you spend the rest of your life in this house in regret. My father did it. He left my mother with a broken heart and failing health. And if I dare comment, it would break your parents' hearts too."

She walked off after that. She couldn't be in the study anymore. There were memories of her parents, and after that conversation it was hard to remember them. She had to clear her head before dinner. She took a small detour to her mothers room.

Williamson came in shortly, "I used to sit in my mothers room too."

She didn't reply.

"My mother died after a storm. That's when my father and your father made the deal. He did not love my mother. They were arranged. He arranged your marriage to him because the only thing keeping him functioning was telling everyone he had a wife being raised for him. No matter what people thought of him," Williamson explained.

"You aren't your father." Delilah whispered, "Your marriage should not have to be arranged. It should be out of love."

Williamson smiled sadly, "Not everyone can be you and the viscount."

Delilah met his eyes with a frown. She stood and walked over to him, hugging him tightly, "We can talk about this later. But, I don't want to go to dinner on bad terms."

"Okay."