Chapter 7 - Seven
As Delia walked back towards the manor, her steps firm despite the lingering sting of her confrontation with George, she heard voices. Soft at first, then growing clearer as she approached the back patio, near the open French doors leading to the drawing-room. It was Baroness Augusta and Anne. They must have moved indoors after George’s outburst, seeking a more private setting for their conversation. Delia slowed her pace, instinctively moving into the shadow of a large oak tree, her soft-soled shoes making no sound on the lush grass. She wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but their voices carried clearly on the gentle breeze.
"Mama, just postpone their marriage," Anne’s voice, usually sweet, now held a sharp edge of impatience. "After all, she has been dying to marry that good-for-nothing man. Besides, it’s her fate." Delia stiffened at the casual cruelty in Anne’s words.
Augusta replied, "Now, Anne, be reasonable. We still have to find a way to get her out of this house. There isn’t enough money to feed an extra mouth."
Anne held her mother’s hand, her voice dropping to a low whisper. "What if I get married first? I’m the legitimate daughter of this family, my wedding is supposed to be the best."
Baroness Augusta tapped Anne’s hand lightly. "Do you have anyone in mind, my dear?"
Anne’s face, even from Delia’s vantage point, seemed to light up with a fervent glow. "Duke Eric Carson," she breathed, the name a reverent whisper.
Delia’s eyes widened. Duke Eric Carson. She knew the name. He was a prominent figure, often spoken of in hushed tones of awe and respect in society circles.
Baroness Augusta’s eyes, usually so calculating and cold, widened almost immediately. "Duke Eric?" she repeated, a hint of genuine surprise and interest in her voice.
"Yes, Mama, he’s the one for me," Anne replied, her voice filled with dreamy conviction. "His family has money, real money, unbelievable amounts. And he runs his own business, a very successful one. He produces and ships those exquisite purple dyes that are so rare and expensive. They say he’s literally swimming in gold,Mama. Absolutely swimming in it!" Anne’s excitement was almost palpable.
Baroness Augusta remained silent for a moment, her mind clearly working overtime, weighing the possibilities. Anne, misinterpreting her mother’s silence, continued to paint a vivid picture of her desired future.
"His family is close to the royal family by blood," Anne gushed, her voice brimming with ambition. "And every piece of land they own was a gift to Eric’s father for being a war hero. Imagine, Mama, such history, such prestige!" She sighed, a deep, longing sound. "I also heard he’s handsome and young, unlike those old men looking for young girls. He doesn’t really stay home much, he travels a lot because of his business, but if I become a Duchess to the Carson family, I know I’ll be treated like a princess. I will have everything I could ever dream of."