Read Online Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Elizabeth Michels
Ads: Link
is why your father has made the decision to send you to Aunt Mildred’s at the end of this season. She requires a companion and you won’t be able to destroy the respectability of the family name while living in the wilds of Scotland.”
Silence fell in the room; even the rustling of Evangeline’s gown ceased.
Sue pulled back as if she’d been hit, and truthfully it felt as if she had. Mother wanted her to give up on the dream of marriage to become Great-Aunt Mildred’s companion? She blinked up into her mother’s hardened face, searching for understanding in the thin lines at the corners of her eyes. When Sue finally spoke, her voice was as small and insignificant as she’d always been in her mother’s eyes. “You want to send me away to Scotland for dressing inappropriately one evening?”
“I believe we both know this isn’t the result of one evening. Last night’s little stunt simply advanced the issue we have with you. The truth is that this family can’t shelter, feed, and clothe you forever, and Auntie was so kind to make this offer some time ago.” She shook her head and gazed down at Sue. “Your father had held out hope that you would find a match, but we can’t afford to have you bring shame upon the family. I’m sure you understand.”
Sue’s head ached from attempting to understand any of this. “Is that the life you want for me?”
“Heavens no, Sue. I want you to be married,” her mother said breezily with a casual wave of her hand.
Sue almost relaxed, but she knew better when it came to matters involving her mother. Instead she sat and waited for the inevitable contradiction proving why she couldn’t have the life she so desired. And today, she didn’t have long to wait.
“But since that doesn’t seem likely at this point, we must make difficult decisions.”
There it was: the truth of her situation according to her mother. She tried to breathe. Remain calm, Sue. “Decisions to send me away to live with Great-Aunt Mildred. She’s the one who can’t abide sweets, isn’t she?”
“She has an intolerant constitution, it’s true.”
“The Scottish Highlands with only an old lady who has an intolerant constitution for company?”
“Yes, but do try not to talk her ear off.” Her mother’s eyes narrowed on Sue. “I know how grating that can be.”
A lifetime without decent conversation or sweets? Sue could only blink in response.
“It’s only something to think over…an eventuality to become accustomed to, should you not succeed this season.”
The room swam before her eyes. Was this happening? She blinked up into her mother’s face. “I can’t believe this.”
“Neither can I, darling. But until last night, I couldn’t imagine you gaining enough attention to dishonor our family. I suppose we were both wrong.”
“That’s not precisely what I meant. Mother, you can’t mean this. Great-Aunt Mildred is awful. I attribute her disagreeable temperament to the distinct lack of chocolate in her daily routine. Enduring her for only an afternoon is enough.”
“Oh, my darling Sue.” Her mother looked down on Sue as if she were a half-starved dog in the streets, wet and pitiful. “Perhaps you can ply her with the sweets you so adore once you are her companion, and the two of you will be quite happy together.”
“You’re truly sending me away?” Sue’s voice cracked as the words were ripped from her throat. She tried to swallow, finally finishing in a whisper, “This can’t be.”
“Not until the end of the season, dear, so there’s no reason to fret.”
“No reason to fret,” Sue repeated with her mouth, although no sound accompanied the movement. Her gaze dropped to the floor. Oh, no fretting at all; there was only the small inconvenience of being tossed from her home. She swallowed and lifted her eyes to her mother, who was apparently still talking.
“You will have to leave behind the niceties you’ve become accustomed to, like the drawings and
Silence fell in the room; even the rustling of Evangeline’s gown ceased.
Sue pulled back as if she’d been hit, and truthfully it felt as if she had. Mother wanted her to give up on the dream of marriage to become Great-Aunt Mildred’s companion? She blinked up into her mother’s hardened face, searching for understanding in the thin lines at the corners of her eyes. When Sue finally spoke, her voice was as small and insignificant as she’d always been in her mother’s eyes. “You want to send me away to Scotland for dressing inappropriately one evening?”
“I believe we both know this isn’t the result of one evening. Last night’s little stunt simply advanced the issue we have with you. The truth is that this family can’t shelter, feed, and clothe you forever, and Auntie was so kind to make this offer some time ago.” She shook her head and gazed down at Sue. “Your father had held out hope that you would find a match, but we can’t afford to have you bring shame upon the family. I’m sure you understand.”
Sue’s head ached from attempting to understand any of this. “Is that the life you want for me?”
“Heavens no, Sue. I want you to be married,” her mother said breezily with a casual wave of her hand.
Sue almost relaxed, but she knew better when it came to matters involving her mother. Instead she sat and waited for the inevitable contradiction proving why she couldn’t have the life she so desired. And today, she didn’t have long to wait.
“But since that doesn’t seem likely at this point, we must make difficult decisions.”
There it was: the truth of her situation according to her mother. She tried to breathe. Remain calm, Sue. “Decisions to send me away to live with Great-Aunt Mildred. She’s the one who can’t abide sweets, isn’t she?”
“She has an intolerant constitution, it’s true.”
“The Scottish Highlands with only an old lady who has an intolerant constitution for company?”
“Yes, but do try not to talk her ear off.” Her mother’s eyes narrowed on Sue. “I know how grating that can be.”
A lifetime without decent conversation or sweets? Sue could only blink in response.
“It’s only something to think over…an eventuality to become accustomed to, should you not succeed this season.”
The room swam before her eyes. Was this happening? She blinked up into her mother’s face. “I can’t believe this.”
“Neither can I, darling. But until last night, I couldn’t imagine you gaining enough attention to dishonor our family. I suppose we were both wrong.”
“That’s not precisely what I meant. Mother, you can’t mean this. Great-Aunt Mildred is awful. I attribute her disagreeable temperament to the distinct lack of chocolate in her daily routine. Enduring her for only an afternoon is enough.”
“Oh, my darling Sue.” Her mother looked down on Sue as if she were a half-starved dog in the streets, wet and pitiful. “Perhaps you can ply her with the sweets you so adore once you are her companion, and the two of you will be quite happy together.”
“You’re truly sending me away?” Sue’s voice cracked as the words were ripped from her throat. She tried to swallow, finally finishing in a whisper, “This can’t be.”
“Not until the end of the season, dear, so there’s no reason to fret.”
“No reason to fret,” Sue repeated with her mouth, although no sound accompanied the movement. Her gaze dropped to the floor. Oh, no fretting at all; there was only the small inconvenience of being tossed from her home. She swallowed and lifted her eyes to her mother, who was apparently still talking.
“You will have to leave behind the niceties you’ve become accustomed to, like the drawings and
Similar Books
